Patents by Inventor Chih-Han Lin

Chih-Han Lin 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: 12094957
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes providing a fin layer. Dummy gates are formed over the fin layer, where the dummy gates are formed to taper from a smaller width at a top region of the dummy gates to a larger width at a bottom region of the dummy gates. Sidewall spacers are formed on sidewalls of the dummy gates. An interlayer dielectric is formed in regions between the dummy gates and contacts the sidewall spacers. The dummy gates are removed to form openings in the interlayer dielectric and to expose the sidewall spacers on sides of the openings in the interlayer dielectric. The sidewall spacers are etched at a greater rate at a top region of the sidewall spacers than at a bottom region of the sidewall spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chih-Han Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee
  • Patent number: 12087638
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed towards semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing the semiconductor devices. The methods include forming fins in a device region and forming other fins in a multilayer stack of semiconductor materials in a multi-channel device region. A topmost nanostructure may be exposed in the multi-channel device region by removing a sacrificial layer from the top of the multilayer stack. Once removed, a stack of nanostructures are formed from the multilayer stack. A native oxide layer is formed to a first thickness over the topmost nanostructure and to a second thickness over the remaining nanostructures of the stack, the first thickness being greater than the second thickness. A gate dielectric is formed over the fins in the device region. A gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric in the device region and surrounding the native oxide layer in the multi-channel device region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chih-Chung Chiu, Kuei-Yu Kao, Chen-Ping Chen, Chih-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 12080770
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacture are provided. A source/drain region is formed next to a spacer, which is adjacent to a gate electrode. An implantation is performed through an implantation mask into the source/drain region as well as the first spacer, forming an implantation region within the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD
    Inventors: Che-Cheng Chang, Chih-Han Lin, Horng-Huei Tseng
  • Publication number: 20240290867
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a fin extending from a substrate, a gate stack over and along a sidewall of the fin, a spacer along a first sidewall of the gate stack and the sidewall of the fin, a dummy gate material along the sidewall of the fin, wherein the dummy gate material is between the spacer and the gate stack, and a first epitaxial source/drain region in the fin and adjacent the gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: Chih-Han Lin, Ming-Ching Chang, Chao-Cheng Chen
  • Publication number: 20240266209
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a fin extending from a substrate and including a first fin end, a separation structure separating the first fin end from an adjacent fin end of another fin, a dummy gate spacer along sidewalls of the separation structure and the fin, a first epitaxial source/drain region in the fin and adjacent the separation structure, and a residue of a dummy gate material in a corner region between the dummy gate spacer and the first fin end. The first fin end protrudes from the dummy gate spacer into the separation structure. The residue of the dummy gate material separates the first epitaxial source/drain region from the separation structure and is triangle shaped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2023
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Chih-Han LIN, Kuei-Yu KAO, Shih-Yao LIN, Ke-Chia TSENG, Min Chiao LIN, Hsien-Chung HUANG, Chun-Hung CHEN, Guan Kai HUANG, Chao-Cheng CHEN, Chen-Ping CHEN, Ming-Ching CHANG
  • Publication number: 20240266226
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device includes: forming a first through sixth fin structures over a substrate, all extending along a first lateral direction, the second fin structure separated from each of the first and third fin structures with a first distance, the fifth fin structure separated from each of the fourth and sixth fin structures with the first distance, and the third fin structure separated from the fourth fin structure with a second distance; forming gate structures overlaying a respective portion of each of the first through sixth fin structures; forming a first through sixth pairs of trenches by removing respective portions of each of the first through sixth fin structures not overlaid by the gate structures; forming a dielectric passivation layer over the third and fourth pairs of trenches; and growing source/drain structures in the first, second, fifth, and sixth pairs of trenches, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2024
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chih-Han Lin, Chen-Ping Chen, Hsiao Wen Lee
  • Patent number: 12057343
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first gate structure disposed over a substrate. The first gate structure extends in a first direction. A second gate structure is disposed over the substrate. The second gate structure extends in the first direction. A dielectric material is disposed between the first gate structure and the second gate structure. An air gap is disposed within the dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Che-Cheng Chang, Chih-Han Lin
  • Publication number: 20240258162
    Abstract: A device comprises a non-insulator structure, a dielectric layer, a metal via, a metal line, and a dielectric structure. The dielectric layer is over the non-insulator structure. The metal via is in a lower portion of the dielectric layer. The metal line is in an upper portion of the dielectric layer. The dielectric structure is embedded in a recessed region in the lower portion of the dielectric layer. The dielectric structure has a tapered top portion interfacing the metal via.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Che-Cheng CHANG, Chih-Han LIN
  • Patent number: 12051733
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device includes forming a fin structure that extends along a first direction and comprises a plurality of sacrificial layers and a plurality of channel layers alternately stacked on top of one another. The method includes forming a dummy gate structure, over the fin structure, that extends along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The method includes forming a gate spacer extending along respective upper sidewall portions of the dummy gate structure, thereby defining a first distance between a bottom surface of the gate spacer and a top surface of a topmost one of the plurality of channel layers. The first distance is either zero or similar to a second distance that separates neighboring ones of the plurality of channel layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Chih-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 12046515
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may be formed by forming a first fin and a second fin in a first area and a second area of a substrate, respectively; which may be followed by forming of a first dummy gate structure and a second dummy gate structure straddling the first fin and second fin, respectively and forming a sacrificial layer extending along a bottom portion of the second dummy gate structure. The first dummy gate structure may be replaced with a first metal gate structure, while the second dummy gate structure and the sacrificial layer may be replaced with a second metal gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Chih-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 12046663
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first fin and a second fin over a substrate. The method includes forming a first dummy gate structure that straddles the first fin and the second fin. The first dummy gate structure includes a first dummy gate dielectric and a first dummy gate disposed over the first dummy gate dielectric. The method includes replacing a portion of the first dummy gate with a gate isolation structure. The portion of the first dummy gate is disposed over the second fin. The method includes removing the first dummy gate. The method includes removing a first portion of the first dummy gate dielectric around the first fin, while leaving a second portion of the first dummy gate dielectric around the second fin intact. The method includes forming a gate feature straddling the first fin and the second fin, wherein the gate isolation structure intersects the gate feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chih-Han Lin, Shu-Uei Jang, Ya-Yi Tsai, Chi-Hsiang Chang, Tzu-Chung Wang, Shu-Yuan Ku
  • Publication number: 20240243011
    Abstract: A method includes etching a semiconductor substrate to form a trench, with the semiconductor substrate having a sidewall facing the trench, and depositing a first semiconductor layer extending into the trench. The first semiconductor layer includes a first bottom portion at a bottom of the trench, and a first sidewall portion on the sidewall of the semiconductor substrate. The first sidewall portion is removed to reveal the sidewall of the semiconductor substrate. The method further includes depositing a second semiconductor layer extending into the trench, with the second semiconductor layer having a second bottom portion over the first bottom portion, and a second sidewall portion contacting the sidewall of the semiconductor substrate. The second sidewall portion is removed to reveal the sidewall of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2024
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Kuei-Yu Kao, Chen-Ping Chen, Chih-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 12034056
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of semiconductor layers vertically separated from one another. The semiconductor device includes a gate structure that comprises a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion wraps around each of the plurality of semiconductor layers. The semiconductor device includes a gate spacer that extends along a sidewall of the upper portion of the gate structure and comprises a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is in contact with a first portion of the sidewall and the second layer is in contact with a second portion of the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Kuei-Yu Kao, Chen-Ping Chen, Chih-Chung Chiu, Chih-Han Lin, Ming-Ching Chiang, Chao-Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 12033891
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a material layer over a substrate and forming a first trench in the material layer, forming a conformal capping layer along sidewalls of the first trench, forming a second trench in the material layer while the capping layer is disposed along sidewalls of the first trench and forming a conductive feature within the first trench and the second trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Che-Cheng Chang, Chih-Han Lin
  • Publication number: 20240213344
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of semiconductor layers vertically separated from one another. Each of the plurality of semiconductor layers extends along a first lateral direction. The semiconductor device includes a gate structure that extends along a second lateral direction and comprises at least a lower portion that wraps around each of the plurality of semiconductor layers. The lower portion of the gate structure comprises a plurality of first gate sections that are laterally aligned with the plurality of semiconductor layers, respectively, and wherein each of the plurality of first gate sections has ends that each extend along the second lateral direction and present a first curvature-based profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2024
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chih-Han Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee
  • Patent number: 12021084
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate. The semiconductor device includes a dielectric fin that is formed over the substrate and extends along a first direction. The semiconductor device includes a gate isolation structure vertically disposed above the dielectric fin. The semiconductor device includes a gate structure extending along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The gate structure includes a first portion and a second portion separated by the gate isolation structure and the dielectric fin. The first portion of the gate structure presents a first beak profile and the second portion of the gate structure presents a second beak profile. The first and second beak profiles point toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chih-Han Lin, Ming-Ching Chang, Shu-Yuan Ku, Tzu-Chung Wang
  • Publication number: 20240204105
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an isolation insulating layer disposed over a substrate, a semiconductor fin disposed over the substrate, an upper portion of the semiconductor fin protruding from the isolation insulating layer and a lower portion of the semiconductor fin being embedded in the isolation insulating layer, a gate structure disposed over the upper portion of the semiconductor fin and including a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode layer, gate sidewall spacers disposed over opposing side faces of the gate structure, and a source/drain epitaxial layer. The upper portion of the semiconductor fin includes a first epitaxial growth enhancement layer made of a semiconductor material different from a remaining part of the semiconductor fin. The first epitaxial growth enhancement layer is in contact with the source/drain epitaxial layer. The gate dielectric layer covers the upper portion of the semiconductor fin including the first epitaxial growth enhancement layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2024
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Yin CHEN, Che-Cheng CHANG, Chih-Han LIN
  • Patent number: 12009406
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a fin extending from a substrate, a gate stack over and along a sidewall of the fin, a spacer along a first sidewall of the gate stack and the sidewall of the fin, a dummy gate material along the sidewall of the fin, wherein the dummy gate material is between the spacer and the gate stack, and a first epitaxial source/drain region in the fin and adjacent the gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Han Lin, Ming-Ching Chang, Chao-Cheng Chen
  • Publication number: 20240186186
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first protruding semiconductor fin and a dummy fin protruding higher than top surfaces of isolation regions. The first protruding semiconductor fin is parallel to the dummy fin, forming a gate stack on a first portion of the first protruding semiconductor fin and a second portion of the dummy fin. The method further includes recessing a third portion of the first protruding semiconductor fin to form a recess, recessing an fourth portion of the dummy fin to reduce a height of the fourth portion of the dummy fin, and forming an epitaxy semiconductor region in the recess. The epitaxy semiconductor region is grown toward the dummy fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2024
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Te-Yung Liu, Chih-Han Lin
  • Publication number: 20240178300
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor fin semiconductor fin extending from a substrate, a gate structure extending across the semiconductor fin, and a multilayer gate spacer on a sidewall of the gate structure. The multilayer gate spacer includes an inner spacer layer, an outer spacer layer, and a dielectric structure. The inner spacer layer has a vertical portion extending along the sidewall of the gate structure, and a lateral portion laterally extending from the vertical portion in a direction away from the gate structure. The outer spacer layer is spaced apart from the vertical portion of the inner spacer layer by an air gap. The dielectric structure spaces apart a bottom end of the outer spacer layer from the lateral portion of the inner spacer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2024
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang-Yin CHEN, Che-Cheng CHANG, Chih-Han LIN