Patents by Inventor Ching-Wei Tsai

Ching-Wei Tsai 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: 20200388706
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes various non-planar semiconductor devices, such as fin field-effect transistors (finFETs) to provide an example, having one or more metal rail conductors and various methods for fabricating these non-planar semiconductor devices. In some situations, the one or more metal rail conductors can be electrically connected to gate, source, and/or drain regions of these various non-planar semiconductor devices. In these situations, the one or more metal rail conductors can be utilized to electrically connect the gate, the source, and/or the drain regions of various non-planar semiconductor devices to other gate, source, and/or drain regions of various non-planar semiconductor devices and/or other semiconductor devices. However, in other situations, the one or more metal rail conductors can be isolated from the gate, the source, and/or the drain regions these various non-planar semiconductor devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Liang CHEN, Chih-Ming LAI, Ching-Wei TSAI, Charles Chew-Yuen YOUNG, Jiann-Tyng TZENG, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Ru-Gun LIU, Wei-Hao WU, Yi-Hsiung LIN, Chia-Hao CHANG, Lei-Chun CHOU
  • Patent number: 10861958
    Abstract: Examples of an integrated circuit with a gate stack and a method for forming the integrated circuit are provided herein. In some examples, a method includes receiving a workpiece that includes: a pair of sidewall spacers disposed over a channel region, a gate dielectric disposed on the channel region and extending along a vertical surface of a first spacer of the pair of sidewall spacers, and a capping layer disposed on the high-k gate dielectric and extending along the vertical surface. A shaping feature is formed on the capping layer and the high-k gate dielectric. A first portion of the high-k gate dielectric and a first portion of the capping layer disposed between the shaping feature and the first spacer are removed to leave a second portion of the high-k gate dielectric and a second portion of the capping layer extending along the vertical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuan-Lun Cheng, Li-Shyue Lai, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kai-Chieh Yang
  • Patent number: 10861952
    Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, in a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a fin structure in which first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers are alternately stacked is formed. A sacrificial gate structure is formed over the fin structure. A first cover layer is formed over the sacrificial gate structure, and a second cover layer is formed over the first cover layer. A source/drain epitaxial layer is formed. After the source/drain epitaxial layer is formed, the second cover layer is removed, thereby forming a gap between the source/drain epitaxial layer and the first cover layer, from which a part of the fin structure is exposed. Part of the first semiconductor layers is removed in the gap, thereby forming spaces between the second semiconductor layers. The spaces are filled with a first insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 10861973
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate. The semiconductor device includes a dielectric layer disposed over a portion of the substrate. The semiconductor device includes a diffusion blocking layer disposed over the dielectric layer. The diffusion blocking layer and the dielectric layer have different material compositions. The semiconductor device includes a ferroelectric layer disposed over the diffusion blocking layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chi-Hsing Hsu, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang, Sai-Hooi Yeong
  • Publication number: 20200381531
    Abstract: Multi-gate semiconductor devices and methods for forming thereof including forming air gaps between the gate and the adjacent source/drain features. A first fin element including a plurality of silicon layers is disposed on a substrate, a first gate structure is formed over a channel region of the first fin element. An air gap is formed such that it is disposed on a sidewall of the portion of the first gate structure. An epitaxial source/drain feature abuts the air gap. A portion of the first gate structure may also be disposed between first and second layers of the plurality of silicon layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Cheng-Ting CHUNG, Ching-Wei TSAI, Kuan-Lun CHENG
  • Publication number: 20200381530
    Abstract: Multi-gate semiconductor devices and methods for forming thereof including forming air gaps between the gate and the adjacent source/drain features. A first fin element including a plurality of silicon layers is disposed on a substrate, a first gate structure is formed over a channel region of the first fin element. An air gap is formed such that it is disposed on a sidewall of the portion of the first gate structure. An epitaxial source/drain feature abuts the air gap. A portion of the first gate structure may also be disposed between first and second layers of the plurality of silicon layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Cheng-Ting CHUNG, Ching-Wei TSAI, Kuan-Lun CHENG
  • Publication number: 20200365704
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a first gate-all-around (GAA) transistor over a first region of a substrate and a second GAA transistor over a second region of the substrate. The first GAA transistor includes a plurality of first channel members stacked along a first direction vertical to a top surface of the substrate and a first gate structure over the plurality of first channel members. The second GAA transistor includes a plurality of second channel members stacked along a second direction parallel to the top surface of the substrate and a second gate structure over the plurality of second channel members. The plurality of first channel members and the plurality of second channel members comprise a semiconductor material having a first crystal plane and a second crystal plane different from the first crystal plane. The first direction is normal to the first crystal plane and the second direction is normal to the second crystal plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Cheng-Ting Chung, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Publication number: 20200365707
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hybrid integrated circuit. In one implementation, an integrated circuit may have a first region with a first gate structure having a ferroelectric gate dielectric, at least one source associated with the first gate of the first region, and at least one drain associated with the first gate structure of the first region. Moreover, the integrated circuit may have a second region with a second gate structure having a high-K gate dielectric, at least one source associated with the second gate structure of the second region, and at least one drain associated with the second gate structure of the second region. The integrated circuit may further have at least one trench isolation between the first region and the second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chi-Yi CHUANG, Ching-Wei TSAI, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20200365703
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a first gate-all-around (GAA) transistor over a first region of a substrate and a second GAA transistor over a second region of the substrate. The first GAA transistor includes a plurality of first channel members stacked along a first direction vertical to a top surface of the substrate and a first gate structure over the plurality of first channel members. The second GAA transistor includes a plurality of second channel members stacked along a second direction parallel to the top surface of the substrate and a second gate structure over the plurality of second channel members. The plurality of first channel members and the plurality of second channel members comprise a semiconductor material having a first crystal plane and a second crystal plane different from the first crystal plane. The first direction is normal to the first crystal plane and the second direction is normal to the second crystal plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Cheng-Ting Chung, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Publication number: 20200343376
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate and a dielectric fin structure over the substrate. The semiconductor device structure also includes a semiconductor fin structure adjacent to the dielectric fin structure. The semiconductor device structure also includes a metal gate stack across the dielectric fin structure and the semiconductor fin structure. The semiconductor device structure also includes a source/drain feature over the semiconductor fin structure. The semiconductor device structure also includes a source/drain spacer interposed between the source/drain feature and the dielectric fin structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Shi-Ning JU, Ching-Wei TSAI, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20200343273
    Abstract: A finFET device that includes a substrate and at least one semiconductor fin extending from the substrate. The fin may include a plurality of wide portions comprising a first semiconductor material and one or more narrow portions. The one or more narrow portions have a second width less than the first width of the wide portions. Each of the one or more narrow portions separates two of the plurality of wide portions from one another such that the plurality of wide portions and the one or more narrow portions are arranged alternatingly in a substantially vertical direction that is substantially perpendicular with a surface of the substrate. The fin may also include a channel layer covering sidewalls of the plurality of wide portions and a sidewall of the one or more narrow portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wang-Chun Huang, Kai-Chieh Yang, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Chen, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20200343377
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a fin structure over a substrate, a first dielectric layer adjacent to the fin structure, and a second dielectric layer covering a sidewall of the first dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer has a different etching selectivity than the second dielectric layer. A bottom portion of the second dielectric layer is lower than a bottom surface of the first dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Shi-Ning JU, Ching-Wei TSAI, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20200312848
    Abstract: A method includes etching a hybrid substrate to form a recess extending into the hybrid substrate. The hybrid substrate includes a first semiconductor layer having a first surface orientation, a dielectric layer over the first semiconductor layer, and a second semiconductor layer having a second surface orientation different from the first surface orientation. After the etching, a top surface of the first semiconductor layer is exposed to the recess. A spacer is formed on a sidewall of the recess. The spacer contacts a sidewall of the dielectric layer and a sidewall of the second semiconductor layer. An epitaxy is performed to grow an epitaxy semiconductor region from the first semiconductor layer. The spacer is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Shi Ning Ju, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20200312847
    Abstract: A FinFET device includes a fin, an epitaxial layer disposed at a side surface of the fin, a contact disposed on the epitaxial layer and on the fin. The contact includes an epitaxial contact portion and a metal contact portion disposed on the epitaxial contact portion. The doping concentration of the epitaxial contact portion is higher than a doping concentration of the epitaxial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHING, Ching-Wei TSAI, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20200279853
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first semiconductor fin and a second semiconductor fin over a substrate; forming an shallow trench isolation (STI) structure on the substrate and between the first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin; forming a spacer layer on the first semiconductor fin, the second semiconductor fin, and the STI structure; patterning the spacer layer to form a spacer extending along the second sidewall of the first semiconductor fin, a top surface of the STI structure, and the second sidewall of the second semiconductor fin; forming a first epitaxy structure in contact with a top surface of the first semiconductor fin and the first sidewall of the first semiconductor fin; and forming a second epitaxy structure in contact with a top surface of the second semiconductor fin and the first sidewall of the second semiconductor fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsu OHTOU, Ching-Wei TSAI, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Yasutoshi OKUNO, Jiun-Jia HUANG
  • Patent number: 10763365
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes various non-planar semiconductor devices, such as fin field-effect transistors (finFETs) to provide an example, having one or more metal rail conductors and various methods for fabricating these non-planar semiconductor devices. In some situations, the one or more metal rail conductors can be electrically connected to gate, source, and/or drain regions of these various non-planar semiconductor devices. In these situations, the one or more metal rail conductors can be utilized to electrically connect the gate, the source, and/or the drain regions of various non-planar semiconductor devices to other gate, source, and/or drain regions of various non-planar semiconductor devices and/or other semiconductor devices. However, in other situations, the one or more metal rail conductors can be isolated from the gate, the source, and/or the drain regions these various non-planar semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Liang Chen, Chih-Ming Lai, Ching-Wei Tsai, Charles Chew-Yuen Young, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ru-Gun Liu, Wei-Hao Wu, Yi-Hsiung Lin, Chia-Hao Chang, Lei-Chun Chou
  • Patent number: 10741672
    Abstract: A method of forming a fin field effect transistors (finFET) on a substrate includes forming a fin structure on the substrate, forming a protective layer on the fin structure, and forming a polysilicon structure on the protective layer. The method further includes modifying the polysilicon structure such that a first horizontal dimension of a first portion of the modified polysilicon structure is smaller than a second horizontal dimension of a second portion of the modified polysilicon structure. The method further includes replacing the modified polysilicon structure with a gate structure having a first horizontal dimension of a first portion of the gate structure that is smaller than a second horizontal dimension of a second portion of the gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Chih-Hao Wang, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Patent number: 10727314
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first hard mask over a semiconductor substrate, etching the semiconductor substrate to form recesses, with a semiconductor strip located between two neighboring ones of the recesses, forming a second hard mask on sidewalls of the semiconductor strip, performing a first anisotropic etch on the second hard mask to remove horizontal portions of the second hard mask, and performing a second anisotropic etch on the semiconductor substrate using the first hard mask and vertical portions of the second hard mask as an etching mask to extend the recesses down. The method further includes removing the vertical portions of the second hard mask, and forming isolation regions in the recesses. The isolation regions are recessed, and a portion of the semiconductor strip between the isolation regions protrudes higher than the isolation regions to form a semiconductor fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Shi Ning Ju, Ching-Wei Tsai, Chih-Hao Wang, Ying-Keung Leung, Carlos H Diaz
  • Publication number: 20200176590
    Abstract: Present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure, including a semiconductor substrate, an insulator fin over the semiconductor substrate, the insulator fin having a principle dimension, from a cross sectional perspective, perpendicular to a top surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a semiconductor capping layer cover the insulator fin along the principle dimension. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure is also disclosed in the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: CHI-YI CHUANG, CHING-WEI TSAI, KUAN-LUN CHENG, CHIH-HAO WANG
  • Publication number: 20200176326
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: forming a first recess and a second recess in a substrate; growing a first epitaxial material stack in the first recess, the first epitaxial material stack including alternating layers of a first semiconductor material and a second semiconductor material, the layers of the first epitaxial material stack being undoped; growing a second epitaxial material stack in the second recess, the second epitaxial material stack including alternating layers of the first semiconductor material and the second semiconductor material, a first subset of the second epitaxial material stack being undoped, a second subset of the second epitaxial material stack being doped; patterning the first epitaxial material stack and the second epitaxial material stack to respectively form first nanowires and second nanowires; and forming a first gate structure around the first nanowires and a second gate structure around the second nanowires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Yi-Bo Liao, Kai-Chieh Yang, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng