Patents by Inventor Chii-Horng Li

Chii-Horng Li 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).

  • Publication number: 20210119013
    Abstract: An improved dummy gate and a method of forming the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes depositing a first material in a trench, the trench being disposed between a first fin and a second fin; etching the first material to expose an upper portion of sidewalls of the trench; and depositing a second material on the first material without the second material being deposited on the exposed upper portion of the sidewalls of the trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Meng-Ku Chen, Chii-Horng Li, Cheng-Po Chau, Pei-Ren Jeng, Yee-Chia Yeo, Chia-Ao Chang
  • Publication number: 20210119048
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming a transistor device. The method may be performed by forming a gate structure onto a semiconductor substrate and forming a source/drain recess within the semiconductor substrate adjacent to a side of the gate structure. One or more strain inducing materials are formed within the source/drain recess. The one or more strain inducing materials include a strain inducing component with a strain inducing component concentration profile that continuously decreases from a bottommost surface of the one or more strain inducing materials to a position above the bottommost surface. The bottommost surface contacts the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Hsueh-Chang Sung, Tsz-Mei Kwok, Kun-Mu Li, Tze-Liang Lee, Chii-Horng Li
  • Publication number: 20210098308
    Abstract: A device is manufactured by providing a semiconductor fin protruding from a major surface of a silicon substrate comprising silicon. A liner and a shallow trench isolation (STI) region are formed adjacent the semiconductor fin. A silicon cap is deposited over the semiconductor fin. The resulting cap consists of crystalline silicon in the portion over the semiconductor fin and consists of amorphous silicon in the portions over the liner and STI region. An HCl etch bake process is performed to remove the portions of amorphous silicon over the liner and the STI region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsiung Yen, Ta-Chun Ma, Chien-Chang Su, Jung-Jen Chen, Pei-Ren Jeng, Chii-Horng Li, Kei-Wei Chen
  • Publication number: 20210083052
    Abstract: An embodiment is a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a fin on a substrate. A gate structure is over the fin. A source/drain is in the fin proximate the gate structure. The source/drain includes a bottom layer, a supportive layer over the bottom layer, and a top layer over the supportive layer. The supportive layer has a different property than the bottom layer and the top layer, such as a different material, a different natural lattice constant, a different dopant concentration, and/or a different alloy percent content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Jung-Chi Tai, Chii-Horng Li, Pei-Ren Jeng, Yen-Ru Lee, Yan-Ting Lin, Chih-Yun Chin
  • Publication number: 20210083115
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first gate stack over a substrate. The method further includes etching the substrate to define a cavity. The method further includes growing a first epitaxial (epi) material in the cavity, wherein the first epi material includes a first upper surface having a first crystal plane. The method further includes growing a second epi material on the first epi material, wherein the second epi material includes a second upper surface having the first crystal plane. The method further includes treating the second epi material, wherein treating the second epi material comprises causing the second upper surface to transform to a second crystal plane different from the first crystal plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Lilly SU, Chii-Horng LI, Ming-Hua YU, Pang-Yen TSAI, Tze-Liang LEE, Yen-Ru LEE
  • Patent number: 10944005
    Abstract: An embodiment is a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate. A fin is on the substrate. The fin includes silicon germanium. An interfacial layer is over the fin. The interfacial layer has a thickness in a range from greater than 0 nm to about 4 nm. A source/drain region is over the interfacial layer. The source/drain region includes silicon germanium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Yun Chin, Chii-Horng Li, Chien-Wei Lee, Hsueh-Chang Sung, Heng-Wen Ting, Roger Tai, Pei-Ren Jeng, Tzu-Hsiang Hsu, Yen-Ru Lee, Yan-Ting Lin, Davie Liu
  • Patent number: 10916656
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate, and an opening extending into the semiconductor substrate, wherein the opening is adjacent to the gate stack. A first silicon germanium region is disposed in the opening, wherein the first silicon germanium region has a first germanium percentage. A second silicon germanium region is over the first silicon germanium region. The second silicon germanium region comprises a portion in the opening. The second silicon germanium region has a second germanium percentage greater than the first germanium percentage. A silicon cap substantially free from germanium is over the second silicon germanium region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsueh-Chang Sung, Kun-Mu Li, Tze-Liang Lee, Chii-Horng Li, Tsz-Mei Kwok
  • Patent number: 10879128
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor fin extending from a substrate, a first dielectric fin extending from the substrate adjacent a first side of the first semiconductor fin and a second dielectric fin extending from the substrate adjacent a second side of the first semiconductor fin, a first gate stack over and along sidewalls of the first semiconductor fin, the first dielectric fin, and the second dielectric fin, a first epitaxial source/drain region in the first semiconductor fin and extending from the first dielectric fin to the second dielectric fin, and an air gap between the first epitaxial source/drain region and the substrate, the air gap extending between the first dielectric fin and the second dielectric fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsz-Mei Kwok, Tsung-Hsi Yang, Jeng-Wei Yu, Li-Wei Chou, Ming-Hua Yu, Chii-Horng Li
  • Patent number: 10867861
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a fin protruding above a substrate; forming a gate structure over the fin; forming a recess in the fin adjacent to the gate structure; and forming a source/drain region in the recess, the source/drain region including a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, where forming the source/drain region includes performing a first epitaxy process under first process conditions to form the first layer in the recess, the first layer extending along surfaces of the fin exposed by the recess; performing a second epitaxy process under second process conditions to form the second layer over the first layer; and performing a third epitaxy process under third process conditions to form the third layer over the second layer, the third layer filling the recess, where the first processing conditions, the second process conditions and the third process conditions are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzu-Ching Lin, Chien-Chih Lin, Feng-Ching Chu, Li-Li Su, Chii-Horng Li
  • Patent number: 10867862
    Abstract: A device is manufactured by providing a semiconductor fin protruding from a major surface of a silicon substrate comprising silicon. A liner and a shallow trench isolation (STI) region are formed adjacent the semiconductor fin. A silicon cap is deposited over the semiconductor fin. The resulting cap consists of crystalline silicon in the portion over the semiconductor fin and consists of amorphous silicon in the portions over the liner and STI region. An HCl etch bake process is performed to remove the portions of amorphous silicon over the liner and the STI region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsiung Yen, Ta-Chun Ma, Chien-Chang Su, Jung-Jen Chen, Pei-Ren Jeng, Chii-Horng Li, Kei-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 10861935
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to an epitaxy scheme for forming source/drain regions in a semiconductor device, such as an n-channel device. In an example, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an active area on a substrate. The active area includes a source/drain region. The formation of the source/drain region includes forming a barrier region along a bottom surface and side surface of a recess in the active area. The barrier region includes arsenic having a first dopant concentration. The formation of the source/drain region further includes forming an epitaxial material on the barrier region in the recess. The epitaxial material includes phosphorous having a second dopant concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-I Kuo, Shao-Fu Fu, Chia-Ling Chan, Yi-Fang Pai, Li-Li Su, Wei Hao Lu, Wei Te Chiang, Chii-Horng Li
  • Patent number: 10861971
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a transistor device having a strained source/drain region. In some embodiments, the transistor device has a gate structure arranged over a semiconductor substrate. The transistor device also has a strained source/drain region arranged within the semiconductor substrate along a side of the gate structure. The strained source/drain region includes a first layer and a second layer over the first layer. The first layer has a strain inducing component with a first concentration profile that decreases as a distance from the second layer decreases, and the second layer has the strain inducing component with a second non-zero concentration profile that is discontinuous with the first concentration profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsueh-Chang Sung, Tsz-Mei Kwok, Kun-Mu Li, Tze-Liang Lee, Chii-Horng Li
  • Publication number: 20200381539
    Abstract: A method includes etching a semiconductor substrate to form a plurality of semiconductor fins. The semiconductor fins are etched to form a recess. An epitaxy structure is grown in the recess. The epitaxy structure has a W-shape cross section. A capping layer is formed over the epitaxy structure. The capping layer is at least conformal to a sidewall of the epitaxy structure. The capping layer is etched to expose a top surface of the epitaxy structure. A first portion of the capping layer remains over the sidewall of the epitaxy structure after etching the capping layer. A contact is formed in contact with the exposed top surface of the epitaxy structure and the first portion of the capping layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: 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
  • Patent number: 10854715
    Abstract: An embodiment is a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a fin on a substrate. A gate structure is over the fin. A source/drain is in the fin proximate the gate structure. The source/drain includes a bottom layer, a supportive layer over the bottom layer, and a top layer over the supportive layer. The supportive layer has a different property than the bottom layer and the top layer, such as a different material, a different natural lattice constant, a different dopant concentration, and/or a different alloy percent content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Chi Tai, Chii-Horng Li, Pei-Ren Jeng, Yen-Ru Lee, Yan-Ting Lin, Chih-Yun Chin
  • Patent number: 10854748
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first gate stack over a substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a first epitaxial (epi) material in the substrate on a first side of the first gate stack. The first epi material includes a first upper surface having a first crystal plane. The semiconductor device further includes a second epi material in the substrate on a second side of the first gate stack opposite the first side. The second epi material includes a second upper surface having a second crystal plane, and the first crystal plane is different from the second crystal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Lilly SU, Pang-Yen Tsai, Tze-Liang Lee, Chii-Horng Li, Yen-Ru Lee, Ming-Hua Yu
  • Patent number: 10854602
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, at least one first isolation structure, at least one second isolation structure, a source structure, a drain structure and a plurality of semiconductor fins. The first isolation structure and the second isolation structure are located on the semiconductor substrate. The source structure is located on the semiconductor substrate and the first isolation structure, in which at least one first gap is located between the source structure and the first isolation structure. The drain structure is located on the semiconductor substrate and the second isolation structure, in which at least one second gap is located between the drain structure and the second isolation structure. The semiconductor fins protrude from the semiconductor substrate, in which the semiconductor fins are spaced apart from each other, and connect the source structure and the drain structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chii-Horng Li, Chien-I Kuo, Lilly Su, Chien-Chang Su, Ying-Wei Li
  • Patent number: 10854729
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming a transistor device. In this method, first and second well regions are formed within a semiconductor substrate. The first and second well regions have first and second etch rates, respectively, which are different from one another. Dopants are selectively implanted into the first well region to alter the first etch rate to make the first etch rate substantially equal to the second etch rate. The first, selectively implanted well region and the second well region are etched to form channel recesses having equal recess depths. An epitaxial growth process is performed to form one or more epitaxial layers within the channel recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsan-Chun Wang, Ziwei Fang, Chii-Horng Li, Tze-Liang Lee, Chao-Cheng Chen, Syun-Ming Jang
  • Publication number: 20200357921
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate, and an opening extending into the semiconductor substrate, wherein the opening is adjacent to the gate stack. A first silicon germanium region is disposed in the opening, wherein the first silicon germanium region has a first germanium percentage. A second silicon germanium region is over the first silicon germanium region. The second silicon germanium region comprises a portion in the opening. The second silicon germanium region has a second germanium percentage greater than the first germanium percentage. A silicon cap substantially free from germanium is over the second silicon germanium region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Hsueh-Chang Sung, Kun-Mu Li, Tze-Liang Lee, Chii-Horng Li, Tsz-Mei Kwok
  • Publication number: 20200343381
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate, and a silicon germanium region extending into the semiconductor substrate and adjacent to the gate stack. The silicon germanium region has a top surface, with a center portion of the top surface recessed from edge portions of the top surface to form a recess. The edge portions are on opposite sides of the center portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Kun-Mu Li, Tsz-Mei Kwok, Hsueh-Chang Sung, Chii-Horng Li, Tze-Liang Lee
  • Patent number: 10797173
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure include a semiconductor substrate, a gate stack over the semiconductor substrate, and a recess extending into the semiconductor substrate, wherein the recess is adjacent to the gate stack. A silicon germanium region is disposed in the recess, wherein the silicon germanium region has a first p-type impurity concentration. A silicon cap substantially free from germanium is overlying the silicon germanium region. The silicon cap has a second p-type impurity concentration greater than the first p-type impurity concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsueh-Chang Sung, Tsz-Mei Kwok, Kun-Mu Li, Tze-Liang Lee, Chii-Horng Li