Patents by Inventor Chi-Wen Liu

Chi-Wen Liu has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11362087
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fabricating semiconductor device structures on a substrate. A first fin structure is formed on a substrate. A second fin structure is formed on the substrate. A first semiconductor material is formed on both the first fin structure and the second fin structure. A second semiconductor material is formed on the first semiconductor material on both the first fin structure and the second fin structure. The first semiconductor material on the first fin structure is oxidized to form a first oxide. The second semiconductor material on the first fin structure is removed. A first dielectric material and a first electrode are formed on the first fin structure. A second dielectric material and a second electrode are formed on the second fin structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chi-Wen Liu, Chao-Hsiung Wang
  • Patent number: 11335809
    Abstract: A device includes a first semiconductor strip, a first gate dielectric encircling the first semiconductor strip, a second semiconductor strip overlapping the first semiconductor strip, and a second gate dielectric encircling the second semiconductor strip. The first gate dielectric contacts the first gate dielectric. A gate electrode has a portion over the second semiconductor strip, and additional portions on opposite sides of the first and the second semiconductor strips and the first and the second gate dielectrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Chi-Wen Liu, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Patent number: 11309385
    Abstract: Transistor structures and methods of forming transistor structures are provided. The transistor structures include alternating layers of a first epitaxial material and a second epitaxial material. In some embodiments, one of the first epitaxial material and the second epitaxial material may be removed for one of an n-type or p-type transistor. A bottommost layer of the first epitaxial material and the second epitaxial material maybe be removed, and sidewalls of one of the first epitaxial material and the second epitaxial material may be indented or recessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Yi Peng, Hung-Li Chiang, Yu-Lin Yang, Chih Chieh Yeh, Yee-Chia Yeo, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Publication number: 20220045214
    Abstract: A fin field effect transistor (FinFET), and a method of forming, is provided. The FinFET has a fin having one or more semiconductor layers epitaxially grown on a substrate. A first passivation layer is formed over the fins, and isolation regions are formed between the fins. An upper portion of the fins are reshaped and a second passivation layer is formed over the reshaped portion. Thereafter, a gate structure may be formed over the fins and source/drain regions may be formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Yen-Yu Chen, Chi-Yuan Shih, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 11211498
    Abstract: A device includes isolation regions extending into a semiconductor substrate, with a substrate strip between opposite portions of the isolation regions having a first width. A source/drain region has a portion overlapping the substrate strip, wherein an upper portion of the source/drain region has a second width greater than the first width. The upper portion of the source/drain region has substantially vertical sidewalls. A source/drain silicide region has inner sidewalls contacting the vertical sidewalls of the source/drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Ching-Wei Tsai, Chi-Wen Liu, Chih-Hao Wang, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Patent number: 11205594
    Abstract: A method includes forming Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) regions in a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor strip between the STI regions. The method also include replacing a top portion of the semiconductor strip with a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer over the first semiconductor layer. The first semiconductor layer has a first germanium percentage higher than a second germanium percentage of the second semiconductor layer. The method also includes recessing the STI regions to form semiconductor fins, forming a gate stack over a middle portion of the semiconductor fin, and forming gate spacers on sidewalls of the gate stack. The method further includes forming fin spacers on sidewalls of an end portion of the semiconductor fin, recessing the end portion of the semiconductor fin, and growing an epitaxial region over the end portion of the semiconductor fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Ting-Hung Hsu, Chao-Hsiung Wang, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Publication number: 20210384327
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides one embodiment of a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region; a first semiconductor mesa formed on the semiconductor substrate within the first region; a second semiconductor mesa formed on the semiconductor substrate within the second region; and a field effect transistor (FET) formed on the semiconductor substrate. The FET includes a first doped feature of a first conductivity type formed in a top portion of the first semiconductor mesa; a second doped feature of a second conductivity type formed in a bottom portion of the first semiconductor mesa, the second semiconductor mesa, and a portion of the semiconductor substrate between the first and second semiconductor mesas; a channel in a middle portion of the first semiconductor mesa and interposed between the source and drain; and a gate formed on sidewall of the first semiconductor mesa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang, Yi-Ren Chen, Chi-Wen Liu, Chao-Hsiung Wang, Ming Zhu
  • Publication number: 20210359107
    Abstract: A device includes a substrate including a low-resistance top surface and a fin structure including a first fin and a second fin. Each of the first and second fins includes a low-resistance fin-top surface and two low-resistance sidewall surfaces. The device includes an insulation material over the top surface of the substrate and between the first fin and the second fin. The fin-top surface and a first portion of the sidewall surfaces of each of the first and the second fins are above the insulation material. The device further includes a dielectric layer over the insulation material and in direct contact with the fin-top surface and the first portion of the sidewall surfaces of each of the first and the second fins; a first electrode in direct contact with the fin-top surface of the first fin; and a second electrode over the dielectric layer that is over the second fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Chi-Wen Liu, Chao-Hsiung Wang
  • Patent number: 11158743
    Abstract: A fin field effect transistor (FinFET), and a method of forming, is provided. The FinFET has a fin having one or more semiconductor layers epitaxially grown on a substrate. A first passivation layer is formed over the fins, and isolation regions are formed between the fins. An upper portion of the fins are reshaped and a second passivation layer is formed over the reshaped portion. Thereafter, a gate structure may be formed over the fins and source/drain regions may be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yen-Yu Chen, Chi-Yuan Shih, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Publication number: 20210327814
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate comprising a contact region, a silicide present on the contact region, a dielectric layer present on the semiconductor substrate, the dielectric layer comprising an opening to expose a portion of the contact region, a conductor present in the opening, a barrier layer present between the conductor and the dielectric layer, and a metal layer present between the barrier layer and the dielectric layer, wherein a Si concentration of the silicide is varied along a height of the silicide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Yu-Hung Lin, Chi-Wen Liu, Horng-Huei Tseng
  • Patent number: 11133301
    Abstract: An integrated circuit can include a MOM capacitor formed simultaneously with other devices, such as finFETs. A dielectric layer formed on a substrate has a first semiconductor fin therein and a second semiconductor fin therein. Respective top portions of the fins are removed to form respective recesses in the dielectric layer. First and second electrodes are formed in the recesses. The first and second electrodes and the interjacent dielectric layer form a MOM capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manafacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Wen Liu, Chao-Hsiung Wang
  • Publication number: 20210296112
    Abstract: A transistor based on topological insulators is provided. In an embodiment a topological insulator is used to form both the channel as well as the source/drain regions, wherein the channel has a first thickness such that the topological insulator material has properties of a semiconductor material and the source/drain regions have a second thickness such that the topological insulator has properties of a conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Sheng-Ting Fan, Pin-Shiang Chen, Chee Wee Liu, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Publication number: 20210288151
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, at least one semiconductor fin, and at least one epitaxy structure. The semiconductor fin is present on the substrate. The semiconductor fin has at least one recess thereon. The epitaxy structure is present in the recess of the semiconductor fin. The epitaxy structure includes a topmost portion, a first portion and a second portion arranged along a direction from the semiconductor fin to the substrate. The first portion has a germanium atomic percentage higher than a germanium atomic percentage of the topmost portion and a germanium atomic percentage of the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Chia-Ming Chang, Chi-Wen Liu, Cheng-Chien Li, Hsin-Chieh Huang
  • Publication number: 20210280575
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a FinFET component, a plurality of patterned dummy semiconductor fins arranged aside a plurality of fins of the FinFET component, an isolation structure formed on the patterned dummy semiconductor fins, and a tuning component formed on the patterned dummy semiconductor fins and electrically connected to the FinFET component. A height of the patterned dummy semiconductor fins is shorter than that of the fins of the FinFET component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Cheng-Chien Huang, Chi-Wen Liu, Horng-Huei Tseng, Tsung-Yu Chiang
  • Patent number: 11101371
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides one embodiment of a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region; a first semiconductor mesa formed on the semiconductor substrate within the first region; a second semiconductor mesa formed on the semiconductor substrate within the second region; and a field effect transistor (FET) formed on the semiconductor substrate. The FET includes a first doped feature of a first conductivity type formed in a top portion of the first semiconductor mesa; a second doped feature of a second conductivity type formed in a bottom portion of the first semiconductor mesa, the second semiconductor mesa, and a portion of the semiconductor substrate between the first and second semiconductor mesas; a channel in a middle portion of the first semiconductor mesa and interposed between the source and drain; and a gate formed on sidewall of the first semiconductor mesa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang, Yi-Ren Chen, Chi-Wen Liu, Chao-Hsiung Wang, Ming Zhu
  • Patent number: 11075278
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) capacitor includes a semiconductor substrate; one or more fins extending from the semiconductor substrate; an insulator material between each of the one or more fins; a dielectric layer over a first portion of the one or more fins and over the insulator material; a first electrode over the dielectric layer; spacers on sidewalls of the first electrode; and a second electrode over a second portion of the one or more fins and over the insulator material, wherein the first and second portions are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chi-Wen Liu, Chao-Hsiung Wang
  • Publication number: 20210226029
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate with a dielectric layer disposed thereon. A trench is defined in the dielectric layer. A metal gate structure is disposed in the trench. The metal gate structure includes a first layer and a second layer disposed on the first layer. The first layer extends to a first height in the trench and the second layer extends to a second height in the trench; the second height is less than the first height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Yu-Lien HUANG, Chi-Wen LIU, Clement Hsingjen WANN, Ming-Huan TSAI, Zhao-Cheng CHEN
  • Patent number: 11049813
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate comprising a contact region, a silicide present on the contact region, a dielectric layer present on the semiconductor substrate, the dielectric layer comprising an opening to expose a portion of the contact region, a conductor present in the opening, a barrier layer present between the conductor and the dielectric layer, and a metal layer present between the barrier layer and the dielectric layer, wherein a Si concentration of the silicide is varied along a height of the silicide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Hung Lin, Chi-Wen Liu, Horng-Huei Tseng
  • Patent number: 11043376
    Abstract: A transistor based on topological insulators is provided. In an embodiment a topological insulator is used to form both the channel as well as the source/drain regions, wherein the channel has a first thickness such that the topological insulator material has properties of a semiconductor material and the source/drain regions have a second thickness such that the topological insulator has properties of a conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignees: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd., National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Sheng-Ting Fan, Pin-Shiang Chen, Chee Wee Liu, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 11024718
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, at least one semiconductor fin, and at least one epitaxy structure. The semiconductor fin is present on the substrate. The semiconductor fin has at least one recess thereon. The epitaxy structure is present in the recess of the semiconductor fin. The epitaxy structure includes a topmost portion, a first portion and a second portion arranged along a direction from the semiconductor fin to the substrate. The first portion has a germanium atomic percentage higher than a germanium atomic percentage of the topmost portion and a germanium atomic percentage of the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Ming Chang, Chi-Wen Liu, Cheng-Chien Li, Hsin-Chieh Huang