Patents by Inventor Chien-Ning YAO

Chien-Ning YAO 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: 11710774
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of forming N-type and P-type source/drain features using one patterned mask and one self-aligned mask to increase windows of error tolerance and provide flexibilities for source/drain features of various shapes and/or volumes. The present disclosure also includes forming a trench between neighboring source/drain features to remove bridging between the neighboring source/drain features. In some embodiments, the trenches between the source/drain features are formed by etching from the backside of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Jung-Hung Chang, Zhi-Chang Lin, Shih-Cheng Chen, Chien Ning Yao, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11699760
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to the present disclosure includes a stack of first channel members, a stack of second channel members disposed directly over the stack of first channel members, a bottom source/drain feature in contact with the stack of the first channel members, a separation layer disposed over the bottom source/drain feature, a top source/drain feature in contact with the stack of second channel members and disposed over the separation layer, and a frontside contact that extends through the top source/drain feature and the separation layer to be electrically coupled to the bottom source/drain feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Zhi-Chang Lin, Shih-Cheng Chen, Jung-Hung Chang, Chien Ning Yao, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20230215950
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate, a channel layer, a gate structure, source/drain epitaxial structures, and a dielectric isolation layer. The channel layer is over the semiconductor substrate. The gate structure is over the semiconductor substrate and surrounds the channel layer. The source/drain epitaxial structures are connected to the channel layer and arranged in a first direction. The dielectric isolation layer is between the gate structure and the semiconductor substrate. The dielectric isolation layer is wider than the gate structure but narrower than the channel layer in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhi-Chang LIN, Shih-Cheng CHEN, Jung-Hung CHANG, Lo-Heng CHANG, Chien-Ning YAO
  • Publication number: 20230197856
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure and method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a plurality of first nanostructures stacked over a substrate in a vertical direction. The semiconductor device structure also includes a first bottom layer formed adjacent to the first nanostructures, and a first dielectric layer formed over the first bottom layer. The semiconductor device structure further includes a first source/drain (S/D) structure formed over the first dielectric layer, and the first S/D structure is isolated from the first bottom layer by the first dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Cheng CHEN, Zhi-Chang LIN, Jung-Hung CHANG, Chien-Ning YAO, Tsung-Han CHUANG, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20230178600
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a plurality of first nanostructures stacked over a substrate in a vertical direction. The semiconductor device structure includes a first bottom layer formed adjacent to the first nanostructures, and a first insulating layer formed over the first bottom layer. The semiconductor device structure includes a first source/drain (S/D) structure formed over the first insulating layer, and the first insulating layer is in direct contact with one of the first nanostructures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Tsung-Han Chuang, Zhi-Chang Lin, Shih-Cheng Chen, Jung-Hung Chang, Chien Ning Yao, Kai-Lin Chuang, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11670718
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate having a base and a fin over the base. The semiconductor device structure also includes a first nanostructure over the fin and a second nanostructure over the first nanostructure. The semiconductor device structure further includes a gate stack wrapping around an upper portion of the fin, the first nanostructure, and the second nanostructure. In addition, the semiconductor device structure includes a first inner spacer between the fin and the first nanostructure and a second inner spacer between the first nanostructure and the second nanostructure. The semiconductor device structure includes a first low dielectric constant structure in the first inner spacer and a second low dielectric constant structure in the second inner spacer. The first low dielectric constant structure is larger than the second low dielectric constant structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sai-Hooi Yeong, Chi-On Chui, Chien-Ning Yao
  • Publication number: 20230144099
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate and a bottom isolation feature formed over the substrate. The semiconductor structure also includes a bottom semiconductor layer formed over the bottom isolation feature and nanostructures formed over the bottom semiconductor layer. The semiconductor structure also includes a source/drain structure attached to the nanostructures and covering a portion of the bottom isolation feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Cheng CHEN, Zhi-Chang LIN, Jung-Hung CHANG, Chien-Ning YAO, Tsung-Han CHUANG, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG
  • Publication number: 20230113269
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a plurality of first nanostructures stacked over a substrate in a vertical direction. The semiconductor device structure also includes a first bottom layer formed adjacent to the first nanostructures, and a first dielectric liner layer formed over the first bottom layer and adjacent to the first nanostructures. The semiconductor device structure further includes a first source/drain (S/D) structure formed over the first dielectric liner layer, and the first S/D structure is isolated from the first bottom layer by the first dielectric liner layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Hung CHANG, Zhi-Chang LIN, Shih-Cheng CHEN, Chien-Ning YAO, Tsung-Han CHUANG, Kai-Lin CHUANG, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20230080922
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a stack of semiconductor layers disposed over a substrate, a metal gate stack having a top portion disposed over the stack of semiconductor layers and a bottom portion interleaved with the stack of semiconductor layers, an inner spacer disposed on sidewalls of the bottom portion of the metal gate stack, an air gap enclosed in the inner spacer, and an epitaxial source/drain (S/D) feature disposed over the inner spacer and adjacent to the metal gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Chien Ning Yao, Bo-Feng Young, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11605737
    Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a semiconductor layer, a gate structure, source/drain regions, a bottom isolation layer, and a bottom spacer. The semiconductor layer is above the substrate. The gate structure is above the substrate and surrounds the semiconductor layer. The source/drain regions are on opposite sides of the semiconductor layer. The bottom isolation layer is between the substrate and the semiconductor layer. The bottom spacer is on a sidewall of the bottom isolation layer. The bottom isolation layer has a seam therein, and the seam exposes a sidewall of the bottom spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhi-Chang Lin, Shih-Cheng Chen, Jung-Hung Chang, Lo-Heng Chang, Chien-Ning Yao
  • Publication number: 20230065208
    Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a first nanostructure channel above the substrate and a second nanostructure channel between the first nanostructure channel and the substrate. An inner spacer is between the first nanostructure channel and the second nanostructure channel. A gate structure abuts the first nanostructure channel, the second nanostructure channel and the inner spacer. A liner layer is between the inner spacer and the gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Tsung-Han CHUANG, Zhi-Chang LIN, Shih-Cheng CHEN, Jung-Hung CHANG, Chien Ning YAO, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20230064705
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The structure includes a plurality of semiconductor layers having a first group of semiconductor layers, a second group of semiconductor layers disposed over and aligned with the first group of semiconductor layers, and a third group of semiconductor layers disposed over and aligned with the second group of semiconductor layers. The structure further includes a first source/drain epitaxial feature in contact with a first number of semiconductor layers of the first group of semiconductor layers and a second source/drain epitaxial feature in contact with a second number of semiconductor layers of the third group of semiconductor layers. The first number of semiconductor layers of the first group of semiconductor layers is different from the second number of semiconductor layers of the third group of semiconductor layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Jung-Hung CHANG, Zhi-Chang LIN, Shih-Cheng CHEN, Chien Ning YAO, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20230026310
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure is provided. The method includes forming a fin structure over a substrate. The fin structure includes a protection layer and alternating first and second semiconductor layers over the protection layer. The method also includes etching the fin structure to form a source/drain recess, forming a sacrificial contact in the source/drain recess, forming a source/drain feature over the sacrificial contact in the source/drain recess, removing the first semiconductor layers of the fin structure, thereby forming a plurality of nanostructures, forming a gate stack wrapping around the nanostructures, removing the substrate thereby exposing the protection layer and the sacrificial contact and replacing the sacrificial contact with a contact plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Hung CHANG, Lo Heng CHANG, Zhi-Chang LIN, Shih-Cheng CHEN, Chien-Ning YAO, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20230028900
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first nanostructure transistor including a plurality of first semiconductor nanostructures over a substrate and a source/drain region in contact with each of the first semiconductor nanostructures. The integrated circuit includes a second nanostructure transistor including a plurality of second semiconductor nanostructures and a second source/drain region in contact with one or more of the second semiconductor nanostructures but not in contact with one or more other second semiconductor nanostructures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Zhi-Chang LIN, Chien Ning YAO, Shih-Cheng CHEN, Jung-Hung CHANG, Tsung-Han CHUANG, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20230012216
    Abstract: A method for forming a gate all around transistor includes forming a plurality of semiconductor nanosheets. The method includes forming a cladding inner spacer between a source region of the transistor and a gate region of the transistor. The method includes forming sheet inner spacers between the semiconductor nanosheets in a separate deposition process from the cladding inner spacer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Zhi-Chang LIN, Kuan-Ting PAN, Shih-Cheng CHEN, Jung-Hung CHANG, Lo-Heng CHANG, Chien-Ning YAO, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG
  • Publication number: 20220416036
    Abstract: A device includes a substrate. A first channel region of a first transistor overlies the substrate and a source/drain region is in contact with the first channel region. The source/drain region is adjacent to the first channel region along a first direction, and the source/drain region has a first surface opposite the substrate and side surfaces extending from the first surface. A dielectric fin structure is adjacent to the source/drain region along a second direction that is transverse to the first direction, and the dielectric fin structure has an upper surface, a lower surface, and an intermediate surface that is disposed between the upper and lower surfaces. A silicide layer is disposed on the first surface and the side surfaces of the source/drain region and on the intermediate surface of the dielectric fin structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Shih-Cheng CHEN, Zhi-Chang LIN, Jung-Hung CHANG, Chien-Ning YAO, Tsung-Han CHUANG, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20220384435
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The structure includes a stack of semiconductor layers spaced apart from and aligned with each other, a first source/drain epitaxial feature in contact with a first one or more semiconductor layers of the stack of semiconductor layers, and a second source/drain epitaxial feature disposed over the first source/drain epitaxial feature. The second source/drain epitaxial feature is in contact with a second one or more semiconductor layers of the stack of semiconductor layers. The structure further includes a first dielectric material disposed between the first source/drain epitaxial feature and the second source/drain epitaxial feature and a first liner disposed between the first source/drain epitaxial feature and the second source/drain epitaxial feature. The first liner is in contact with the first source/drain epitaxial feature and the first dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Shih-Cheng CHEN, Zhi-Chang LIN, Jung-Hung CHANG, Lo-Heng CHANG, Chien Ning YAO, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Patent number: 11502183
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a stack of semiconductor layers disposed over a substrate, a metal gate stack having a top portion disposed over the stack of semiconductor layers and a bottom portion interleaved with the stack of semiconductor layers, an inner spacer disposed on sidewalls of the bottom portion of the metal gate stack, an air gap enclosed in the inner spacer, and an epitaxial source/drain (S/D) feature disposed over the inner spacer and adjacent to the metal gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien Ning Yao, Bo-Feng Young, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20220359708
    Abstract: Fin-like field effect transistors (FinFETs) and methods of fabrication thereof are disclosed herein. The FinFETs disclosed herein have gate air spacers integrated into their gate structures. An exemplary transistor includes a fin and a gate structure disposed over the fin between a first epitaxial source/drain feature and a second epitaxial source/drain feature. The gate structure includes a gate electrode, a gate dielectric, and gate air spacers disposed between the gate dielectric and sidewalls of the gate electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Chien-Ning Yao, Bo-Feng Young, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20220359744
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an un-doped or low-doped epitaxial layer formed below the source/drain features. The un-doped or low-doped epitaxial layer protects the source/drain features from damage during replacement gate processes, and also prevent leakage currents in the mesa device. A semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes an epitaxial feature having a dopant of a first concentration, and a source/drain feature in contact with the epitaxial feature. The source/drain feature comprises the dopant of a second concentration, and the second concentration is higher than the first concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: SHIH-CHENG CHEN, ZHI-CHANG LIN, JUNG-HUNG CHANG, LO-HENG CHANG, CHIEN-NING YAO, KUO-CHENG CHIANG, CHIH-HAO WANG