Patents by Inventor Chien-I Kuo
Chien-I Kuo 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).
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Patent number: 11948999Abstract: A device includes a first semiconductor fin, a second semiconductor fin, a source/drain epitaxial structure, a semiconductive cap, and a contact. The first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin are over a substrate. The source/drain epitaxial structure is connected to the first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin. The source/drain epitaxial structure includes a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion aligned with the first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin, respectively. The semiconductive cap is on and in contact with the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion. A top surface of the semiconductive cap is lower than a top surface of the first protruding portion of the source/drain epitaxial structure. The contact is electrically connected to the source/drain epitaxial structure and covers the semiconductive cap.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yen-Ru Lee, Chii-Horng Li, Chien-I Kuo, Heng-Wen Ting, Jung-Chi Tai, Lilly Su, Yang-Tai Hsiao
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Patent number: 11942550Abstract: A method for manufacturing a nanosheet semiconductor device includes forming a poly gate on a nanosheet stack which includes at least one first nanosheet and at least one second nanosheet alternating with the at least one first nanosheet; recessing the nanosheet stack to form a source/drain recess proximate to the poly gate; forming an inner spacer laterally covering the at least one first nanosheet; and selectively etching the at least one second nanosheet.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Chien-Chang Su, Yan-Ting Lin, Chien-Wei Lee, Bang-Ting Yan, Chih Teng Hsu, Chih-Chiang Chang, Chien-I Kuo, Chii-Horng Li, Yee-Chia Yeo
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Publication number: 20230378176Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a first fin and a second fin extending from a substrate and an epitaxial source/drain region. The epitaxial source/drain region includes a first portion grown on the first fin and a second portion grown on the second fin, and the first portion and the second portion are joined at a merging boundary.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Inventors: Wei Hao Lu, Yi-Fang Pai, Cheng-Wen Cheng, Li-Li Su, Chien-I Kuo
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Publication number: 20230352594Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a semiconductor device structure. In one embodiment, the semiconductor device structure includes a source/drain feature over a substrate, a plurality of semiconductor layers over the substrate, a gate electrode layer surrounding a portion of each of the plurality of the semiconductor layers, a gate dielectric layer in contact with the gate electrode layer, and a cap layer. The cap layer has a first portion disposed between the plurality of semiconductor layers and the source/drain feature and a second portion extending outwardly from opposing ends of the first portion. The semiconductor device structure further includes a dielectric spacer disposed between and in contact with the source/drain feature and the second portion of the cap layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2022Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: Yen-Sheng LU, Chung-Chi WEN, Yen-Ting CHEN, Wei-Yang LEE, Chia-Pin LIN, Chih-Chiang CHANG, Chien-I KUO, Yuan-Ching PENG, Chih-Ching WANG, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Chii-Horng LI, Yee-Chia YEO
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Patent number: 11804487Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a first fin and a second fin extending from a substrate and an epitaxial source/drain region. The epitaxial source/drain region includes a first portion grown on the first fin and a second portion grown on the second fin, and the first portion and the second portion are joined at a merging boundary. The epitaxial source/drain region further includes a first subregion extending from a location level with a highest point of the epitaxial source/drain region to a location level with a highest point of the merging boundary, a second subregion extending from the location level with the highest point of the merging boundary to a location level with a lowest point of the merging boundary, and a third subregion extending from the location level with the lowest point of the merging boundary to a location level with a top surface of an STI region.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2022Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Wei Hao Lu, Yi-Fang Pai, Cheng-Wen Cheng, Li-Li Su, Chien-I Kuo
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Publication number: 20230343855Abstract: A method for manufacturing an integrated circuit (IC) structure is provided. The method includes: etching a first recess and a second recess in a substrate; forming a sacrificial epitaxial plug in the first recess in the substrate; forming a first epitaxial feature and a second epitaxial feature respectively in the first recess and the second recess, wherein the first epitaxial feature is over the sacrificial epitaxial plug; forming a first source/drain epitaxial structure and a second source/drain epitaxial structure over the first epitaxial feature and the second epitaxial feature respectively; forming a gate structure laterally between the first source/drain epitaxial structure and the second source/drain epitaxial structure; removing the sacrificial epitaxial plug and the first epitaxial feature to form a backside via opening exposing a backside of the first source/drain epitaxial structure; and forming a backside via in the backside via opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Wei-Hao LU, Chien-I KUO, Li-Li SU, Wei-Yang LEE, Yee-Chia YEO
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Publication number: 20230343635Abstract: An embodiment is a structure including a first fin over a substrate, a second fin over the substrate, the second fin being adjacent the first fin, an isolation region surrounding the first fin and the second fin, a gate structure along sidewalls and over upper surfaces of the first fin and the second fin, the gate structure defining channel regions in the first fin and the second fin, a source/drain region on the first fin and the second fin adjacent the gate structure, and an air gap separating the source/drain region from a top surface of the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Inventors: Yen-Ru Lee, Chii-Horng Li, Chien-I Kuo, Li-Li Su, Chien-Chang Su, Heng-Wen Ting, Jung-Chi Tai, Che-Hui Lee, Ying-Wei Li
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Publication number: 20230317791Abstract: A method includes forming a plurality of channel layers above a (110)-orientated substrate, the channel layers arranged in a <110> direction normal to a top surface the (110)-orientated substrate and extending in a <110> direction perpendicular to the <110> direction; epitaxial growing a plurality of silicon layers on either side of each of the channel layers; doping the silicon layers with boron; epitaxial growing a plurality of first silicon germanium layers on the silicon layers; forming a gate structure surrounding each of the channel layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2022Publication date: October 5, 2023Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Yan-Ting LIN, Chien-I KUO, Chii-Horng LI, Yee-Chia YEO
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Patent number: 11728208Abstract: An embodiment is a structure including a first fin over a substrate, a second fin over the substrate, the second fin being adjacent the first fin, an isolation region surrounding the first fin and the second fin, a gate structure along sidewalls and over upper surfaces of the first fin and the second fin, the gate structure defining channel regions in the first fin and the second fin, a source/drain region on the first fin and the second fin adjacent the gate structure, and an air gap separating the source/drain region from a top surface of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Yen-Ru Lee, Chii-Horng Li, Chien-I Kuo, Li-Li Su, Chien-Chang Su, Heng-Wen Ting, Jung-Chi Tai, Che-Hui Lee, Ying-Wei Li
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Publication number: 20230215935Abstract: An embodiment is a method including forming a raised portion of a substrate, forming fins on the raised portion of the substrate, forming an isolation region surrounding the fins, a first portion of the isolation region being on a top surface of the raised portion of the substrate between adjacent fins, forming a gate structure over the fins, and forming source/drain regions on opposing sides of the gate structure, wherein forming the source/drain regions includes epitaxially growing a first epitaxial layer on the fin adjacent the gate structure, etching back the first epitaxial layer, epitaxially growing a second epitaxial layer on the etched first epitaxial layer, and etching back the second epitaxial layer, the etched second epitaxial layer having a non-faceted top surface, the etched first epitaxial layer and the etched second epitaxial layer forming source/drain regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2023Publication date: July 6, 2023Inventors: Tzu-Ching Lin, Wei Te Chiang, Wei Hao Lu, Chii-Horng Li, Chien-I Kuo, Li-Li Su
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Patent number: 11688793Abstract: A method for manufacturing an integrated circuit (IC) structure is provided. The method includes: etching a first recess and a second recess in a substrate; forming a sacrificial epitaxial plug in the first recess in the substrate; forming a first epitaxial feature and a second epitaxial feature respectively in the first recess and the second recess, wherein the first epitaxial feature is over the sacrificial epitaxial plug; forming a first source/drain epitaxial structure and a second source/drain epitaxial structure over the first epitaxial feature and the second epitaxial feature respectively; forming a gate structure laterally between the first source/drain epitaxial structure and the second source/drain epitaxial structure; removing the sacrificial epitaxial plug and the first epitaxial feature to form a backside via opening exposing a backside of the first source/drain epitaxial structure; and forming a backside via in the backside via opening.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Wei-Hao Lu, Chien-I Kuo, LI-Li Su, Wei-Yang Lee, Yee-Chia Yeo
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Patent number: 11600715Abstract: An embodiment is a method including forming a raised portion of a substrate, forming fins on the raised portion of the substrate, forming an isolation region surrounding the fins, a first portion of the isolation region being on a top surface of the raised portion of the substrate between adjacent fins, forming a gate structure over the fins, and forming source/drain regions on opposing sides of the gate structure, wherein forming the source/drain regions includes epitaxially growing a first epitaxial layer on the fin adjacent the gate structure, etching back the first epitaxial layer, epitaxially growing a second epitaxial layer on the etched first epitaxial layer, and etching back the second epitaxial layer, the etched second epitaxial layer having a non-faceted top surface, the etched first epitaxial layer and the etched second epitaxial layer forming source/drain regions.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2019Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY. LTD.Inventors: Tzu-Ching Lin, Chien-I Kuo, Wei Te Chiang, Wei Hao Lu, Li-Li Su, Chii-Horng Li
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Publication number: 20230068434Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor includes forming a first recess in a first semiconductor fin protruding from a substrate and forming a second recess in a second semiconductor fin protruding from the substrate first semiconductor fin and forming a source/drain region in the first recess and the second recess. Forming the source/drain region includes forming a first portion of a first layer in the first recess and forming a second portion of the first layer in the second recess, forming a second layer on the first layer by flowing a first precursor, and forming a third layer on the second layer by flowing a second precursor, the third layer being a single continuous material.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2021Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: Chien-I Kuo, Wei Hao Lu, Li-Li Su, Yee-Chia Yeo
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Publication number: 20230058699Abstract: A method of forming source/drain features in a FinFET device includes providing a fin formed over a substrate and a gate structure formed over a fin, forming a recess in the fin adjacent to the gate structure, forming a first epitaxial layer in the recess, forming a second epitaxial layer over the first epitaxial layer, and forming a third epitaxial layer over the second epitaxial layer. The second epitaxial layer may be doped with a first element, while one or both of the first and the third epitaxial layer includes a second element different from the first element. One or both of the first and the third epitaxial layer may be formed by a plasma deposition process.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Inventors: Chia-Ling Chan, Derek Chen, Liang-Yin Chen, Chien-I Kuo
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Publication number: 20230028653Abstract: A method includes depositing a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer over a substrate; patterning the first semiconductor layer, the second semiconductor layer, and the substrate to form a first nanostructure, a second nanostructure, and a semiconductor fin; forming a recess in the first nanostructure and the second nanostructure, the recess exposing the semiconductor fin; epitaxially growing a first layer in the recess, a first portion of the first layer being disposed along a first sidewall of the first nanostructure, a second portion of the first layer being disposed along the semiconductor fin, the first portion of the first layer comprising two sidewalls extending toward a middle of the recess, the first portion of the first layer further comprising a first surface most distal from the first sidewall and directly interposed between the two sidewalls, the first portion being physically separated from the second portion; and epitaxially growing a second layer over the first portion ofType: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2022Publication date: January 26, 2023Inventors: Chih-Teng Hsu, Chien-I Kuo, Chii-Horng Li, Yee-Chia Yeo
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Patent number: 11532750Abstract: A device includes a fin extending from a substrate; a gate stack over and along sidewalls of the fin; a gate spacer along a sidewall of the gate stack; an epitaxial source/drain region in the fin and adjacent the gate spacer, the epitaxial source/drain region including a first epitaxial layer on the fin, the first epitaxial layer including silicon and arsenic; and a second epitaxial layer on the first epitaxial layer, the second epitaxial layer including silicon and phosphorus, the first epitaxial layer separating the second epitaxial layer from the fin; and a contact plug on the second epitaxial layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2020Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Li-Li Su, Wei-Min Liu, Wei Hao Lu, Chien-I Kuo, Yee-Chia Yeo
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Publication number: 20220367622Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a nanostructure; and a source/drain region adjoining a channel region of the nanostructure, the source/drain region including: a first epitaxial layer on a sidewall of the nanostructure, the first epitaxial layer including a germanium-free semiconductor material and a p-type dopant; a second epitaxial layer on the first epitaxial layer, the second epitaxial layer including a germanium-containing semiconductor material and the p-type dopant; and a third epitaxial layer on the second epitaxial layer, the third epitaxial layer including the germanium-containing semiconductor material and the p-type dopant.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2021Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Yan-Ting Lin, Wei-Jen Lai, Chien-I Kuo, Wei-Yuan Lu, Chia-Pin Lin, Yee-Chia Yeo
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Publication number: 20220367717Abstract: A device includes a fin extending from a substrate; a gate stack over and along sidewalls of the fin; a gate spacer along a sidewall of the gate stack; an epitaxial source/drain region in the fin and adjacent the gate spacer, the epitaxial source/drain region including a first epitaxial layer on the fin, the first epitaxial layer including silicon and arsenic; and a second epitaxial layer on the first epitaxial layer, the second epitaxial layer including silicon and phosphorus, the first epitaxial layer separating the second epitaxial layer from the fin; and a contact plug on the second epitaxial layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Li-Li Su, Wei-Min Liu, Wei Hao Lu, Chien-I Kuo, Yee-Chia Yeo
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Publication number: 20220359733Abstract: A device includes a first semiconductor fin, a second semiconductor fin, a source/drain epitaxial structure, a semiconductive cap, and a contact. The first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin are over a substrate. The source/drain epitaxial structure is connected to the first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin. The source/drain epitaxial structure includes a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion aligned with the first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin, respectively. The semiconductive cap is on and in contact with the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion. A top surface of the semiconductive cap is lower than a top surface of the first protruding portion of the source/drain epitaxial structure. The contact is electrically connected to the source/drain epitaxial structure and covers the semiconductive cap.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2022Publication date: November 10, 2022Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yen-Ru LEE, Chii-Horng LI, Chien-I KUO, Heng-Wen TING, Jung-Chi TAI, Lilly SU, Yang-Tai HSIAO
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Publication number: 20220359679Abstract: A semiconductor device, includes a device layer comprising: a channel region; a gate stack over and along sidewalls of the channel region and a first insulating fin; and an epitaxial source/drain region adjacent the channel region, wherein the epitaxial source/drain region extends through the first insulating fin. The semiconductor device further includes a front-side interconnect structure on a first side of the device layer; and a backside interconnect structure on a second side of the device layer opposite the first side of the device layer. The backside interconnect structure comprises a backside source/drain contact that is electrically connected to the epitaxial source/drain region.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2021Publication date: November 10, 2022Inventors: Wei Hao Lu, Li-Li Su, Chien-I Kuo, Yee-Chia Yeo, Wei-Yang Lee, Yu-Xuan Huang, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng