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: 11018131
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Chien Huang, Chi-Wen Liu, Horng-Huei Tseng, Tsung-Yu Chiang
  • Patent number: 11012549
    Abstract: A portable device can transmit information through one of a mobile phone network and an Internet, wherein the portable device includes a text-based communication module to allow a user may synchronously transmit or receive data through a local area network, wherein the data is text, audio, video or the combination thereof. The text-based communication module of the portable device includes a text-to-speech recognition module used to convert a text data for outputting the text data by vocal, and a read determination module for determining read target terminals and unread target terminals when a user of the portable phone device activates the read determination module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventors: Chi-Wen Liu, Ching-Yu Chang, Kuo-Ching Chiang
  • Patent number: 10998194
    Abstract: Gate stacks for improving integrated circuit device performance and methods for fabricating such gate stacks are disclosed herein. An exemplary gate stack includes a gate dielectric layer disposed over the substrate, a multi-function layer disposed over the gate dielectric layer, and a work function layer disposed over the multi-function layer. The multi-function layer includes a first metal nitride sub-layer having a first nitrogen (N) concentration and a second metal nitride material with a second metal nitride sub-layer having a second N concentration. The second metal nitride sub-layer is disposed over the first metal nitride-sub layer and the first N concentration is greater than the second N concentration. In some implementations, the second N concentration is from about 2% to about 5% and the first N concentration is from about 5% to about 15%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shiu-Ko Jangjian, Ting-Chun Wang, Chi-Cherng Jeng, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 10998425
    Abstract: A device includes a fin structure protruding over a substrate, wherein the fin structure comprises a plurality of portions formed of different materials, a first carbon doped layer formed between two adjacent portions of the plurality of portions, a second carbon doped layer formed underlying a first source/drain region and a third carbon doped layer formed underlying a second source/drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Guan-Lin Chen, Chao-Hsiung Wang, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 10998415
    Abstract: Gate structures and methods of forming the gate structures are described. In some embodiments, a method includes forming source/drain regions in a substrate, and forming a gate structure between the source/drain regions. The gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer over the substrate, a work function tuning layer over the gate dielectric layer, a first metal over the work function tuning layer, an adhesion layer over the first metal, and a second metal over the adhesion layer. In some embodiments, the adhesion layer can include an alloy of the first and second metals, and may be formed by annealing the first and second metals. In other embodiments, the adhesion layer can include an oxide of at least one of the first and/or second metal, and may be formed at least in part by exposing the first metal to an oxygen-containing plasma or to a natural environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiu-Ko JangJian, Chi-Wen Liu, Chih-Nan Wu, Chun Che Lin
  • Patent number: 10998235
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first insulating structure, a second insulating structure, at least one first active semiconductor fin, and at least one second active semiconductor fin. The first insulating structure and the second insulating structure are disposed on the substrate. The first active semiconductor fin is disposed on the substrate and has a protruding portion protruding from the first insulating structure. The second active semiconductor fin is disposed on the substrate and has a protruding portion protruding from the second insulating structure. The protruding portion of the first active semiconductor fin and the protruding portion of the second active semiconductor fin have different heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Sheng Li, Hsin-Chieh Huang, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Publication number: 20210118807
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a contact region present in the semiconductor substrate, and a silicide present on a textured surface of the contact region. A plurality of sputter ions is present between the silicide and the contact region. Since the surface of the contact region is textured, the contact area provided by the silicide is increased accordingly, thus the resistance of an interconnection structure in the semiconductor device is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Yu-Hung Lin, Chi-Wen Liu, Horng-Huei Tseng
  • Publication number: 20210118997
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a fin active region formed on a semiconductor substrate and spanning between a first sidewall of a first shallow trench isolation (STI) feature and a second sidewall of a second STI feature; an anti-punch through (APT) feature of a first type conductivity; and a channel material layer of the first type conductivity, disposed on the APT feature and having a second doping concentration less than the first doping concentration. The APT feature is formed on the fin active region, spans between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and has a first doping concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Cheng-Yi Peng, Ling-Yen Yeh, Chi-Wen Liu, Chih-Sheng Chang, Yee-Chia Yeo
  • Patent number: 10978461
    Abstract: A method for forming an antifuse on a substrate is provided, which comprises: forming a first conductive material on the substrate; placing the first conductive material in an electrolytic solution; performing anodic oxidation on the first conductive material to form a nanowire made of the first conductive material and surrounded by a first dielectric material formed during the anodic oxidation and to form the antifuse on the nanowire; and forming a second conductive material on the antifuse to sandwich the antifuse between the first conductive material and the second conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignees: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Jenn-Gwo Hwu, Wei-Cheng Tian, Samuel C. Pan, Chao-Hsiung Wang, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 10971594
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Lien Huang, Chi-Wen Liu, Clement Hsingjen Wann, Ming-Huan Tsai, Zhao-Cheng Chen
  • Publication number: 20210098609
    Abstract: Devices and structures that include a gate spacer having a gap or void are described along with methods of forming such devices and structures. In accordance with some embodiments, a structure includes a substrate, a gate stack over the substrate, a contact over the substrate, and a spacer disposed laterally between the gate stack and the contact. The spacer includes a first dielectric sidewall portion and a second dielectric sidewall portion. A void is disposed between the first dielectric sidewall portion and the second dielectric sidewall portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Ching-Wei Tsai, Chi-Wen Liu, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Patent number: 10964801
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, at least one active semiconductor fin, at least one first dummy semiconductor fin, and at least one second dummy semiconductor fin. The active semiconductor fin is disposed on the substrate. The first dummy semiconductor fin is disposed on the substrate. The second dummy semiconductor fin is disposed on the substrate and between the active semiconductor fin and the first dummy semiconductor fin. A top surface of the first dummy semiconductor fin and a top surface of the second dummy semiconductor fin are curved in different directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Sheng Li, Hsin-Chieh Huang, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 10930784
    Abstract: FETs and methods for forming FETs are disclosed. A structure comprises a substrate, a gate dielectric and a gate electrode. The substrate comprises a fin, and the fin comprises an epitaxial channel region. The epitaxial channel has a major surface portion of an exterior surface. The major surface portion comprising at least one lattice shift, and the at least one lattice shift comprises an inward or outward shift relative to a center of the fin. The gate dielectric is on the major surface portion of the exterior surface. The gate electrode is on the gate dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Lien Huang, Chun-Hsiang Fan, Tung Ying Lee, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Publication number: 20210050247
    Abstract: A method for forming FinFETs comprises forming a plurality of first fins and a plurality of second fins over a substrate and embedded in isolation regions, depositing a first photoresist layer over the substrate, removing the first photoresist layer over an n-type region, applying a first ion implantation process to the first isolation regions, wherein dopants with a first polarity type are implanted in the first isolation regions, depositing a second photoresist layer over the substrate, removing the second photoresist layer over a p-type region, applying a second ion implantation process to the second isolation regions, wherein dopants with a second polarity type are implanted in the second isolation regions, applying an annealing process to the isolation regions and recessing the first isolation regions and the second isolation regions through an etching process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Yu-Lien Huang, Chi-Kang Liu, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 10868150
    Abstract: Devices and structures that include a gate spacer having a gap or void are described along with methods of forming such devices and structures. In accordance with some embodiments, a structure includes a substrate, a gate stack over the substrate, a contact over the substrate, and a spacer disposed laterally between the gate stack and the contact. The spacer includes a first dielectric sidewall portion and a second dielectric sidewall portion. A void is disposed between the first dielectric sidewall portion and the second dielectric sidewall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Ching-Wei Tsai, Chi-Wen Liu, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Patent number: 10861791
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a contact region present in the semiconductor substrate, and a silicide present on a textured surface of the contact region. A plurality of sputter ions is present between the silicide and the contact region. Since the surface of the contact region is textured, the contact area provided by the silicide is increased accordingly, thus the resistance of a interconnection structure in the semiconductor device is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Hung Lin, Chi-Wen Liu, Horng-Huei Tseng
  • Patent number: 10861937
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a fin active region formed on a semiconductor substrate and spanning between a first sidewall of a first shallow trench isolation (STI) feature and a second sidewall of a second STI feature; an anti-punch through (APT) feature of a first type conductivity; and a channel material layer of the first type conductivity, disposed on the APT feature and having a second doping concentration less than the first doping concentration. The APT feature is formed on the fin active region, spans between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and has a first doping concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Yi Peng, Ling-Yen Yeh, Chi-Wen Liu, Chih-Sheng Chang, Yee-Chia Yeo
  • Patent number: 10854724
    Abstract: A method and structure for providing a GAA device. In some embodiments, a substrate including an insulating layer disposed thereon is provided. By way of example, a first metal portion is formed within the insulating layer. In various embodiments, a first lateral surface of the first metal portion is exposed. After exposure of the first lateral surface of the first metal portion, a first graphene layer is formed on the exposed first lateral surface. In some embodiments, the first graphene layer defines a first vertical plane parallel to the exposed first lateral surface. Thereafter, in some embodiments, a first nanobar is formed on the first graphene layer, where the first nanobar extends in a first direction normal to the first vertical plane defined by the first graphene layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Che-Wei Yang, Chi-Wen Liu, Hao-Hsiung Lin, Ling-Yen Yeh
  • Patent number: 10840126
    Abstract: A method for forming FinFETs comprises forming a plurality of first fins and a plurality of second fins over a substrate and embedded in isolation regions, depositing a first photoresist layer over the substrate, removing the first photoresist layer over an n-type region, applying a first ion implantation process to the first isolation regions, wherein dopants with a first polarity type are implanted in the first isolation regions, depositing a second photoresist layer over the substrate, removing the second photoresist layer over a p-type region, applying a second ion implantation process to the second isolation regions, wherein dopants with a second polarity type are implanted in the second isolation regions, applying an annealing process to the isolation regions and recessing the first isolation regions and the second isolation regions through an etching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Lien Huang, Chi-Kang Liu, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Publication number: 20200357885
    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: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Cheng-Yi Peng, Hung-Li Chiang, Yu-Lin Yang, Chih Chieh Yeh, Yee-Chia Yeo, Chi-Wen Liu