Patents by Inventor Chun-Cheng CHOU

Chun-Cheng CHOU 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: 20250098214
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided, including a substrate, a transistor structure, a metal silicide layer, and a metal silicon nitride layer. The transistor structure is formed on the substrate. The transistor structure includes a source region, a drain region and a gate structure. The gate structure is located between the source region and the drain region. The metal silicide layer is formed on the top surface of the source region and the top surface of the drain region, and the metal silicon nitride layer is formed on the surface of the metal silicide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yao-Wen HSU, Chun-Cheng CHOU
  • Publication number: 20250089325
    Abstract: A method includes forming a multi-layer stack over a semiconductor substrate, the multi-layer stack comprising a plurality of sacrificial layers that alternate with a plurality of channel layers, forming a dummy gate stack over a top surface and sidewalls of the multi-layer stack, forming first spacers on sidewalls of the dummy gate stack, growing an epitaxial source/drain region that extends through the plurality of sacrificial layers and the plurality of channel layers, forming a metal-semiconductor alloy region on first portions of the epitaxial source/drain region, forming a coating layer on the metal-semiconductor alloy region, wherein during the forming of the metal-semiconductor alloy region and the coating layer, a residual layer is formed on sidewalls of the first spacers, and performing a wet clean process to selectively etch the residual layer from the sidewalls of the first spacers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Inventors: Yao-Wen Hsu, Yun-Ting Chiang, Chun-Cheng Chou
  • Publication number: 20240371962
    Abstract: In some implementations, fluorine is oxidized after dry etching an oxide layer above a source/drain contact and before cleaning. Accordingly, less hydrofluoric acid is formed during cleaning, which reduces unexpected wet etching of the source/drain contact. This allows for forming a recess in the source/drain contact with a depth to width ratio in a range from approximately 1.0 to approximately 1.4 and prevents damage to a layer of silicide below the source/drain that can be caused by excessive hydrofluoric acid. Additionally, or alternatively, the recess is formed using multiple wet etch processes, and any residual fluorine is oxidized between the wet etch processes. Accordingly, each wet etching process may be shorter and less corrosive, which allows for greater control over dimensions of the recess. Additionally, less hydrofluoric acid may be formed during cleaning processes between the wet etch processes, which reduces the etching of the source/drain contact between processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Inventors: U-Ting CHIU, Chun-Cheng CHOU, Chi-Shin WANG, Chun-Neng LIN, Ming-Hsi YEH
  • Publication number: 20240355680
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming one or more work function layers over a semiconductor structure. The method includes forming a hardmask layer over the one or more work function layers. The method includes forming an adhesion layer over the hardmask layer. The method includes removing a first portion of a patternable layer that is disposed over the hardmask layer. The adhesion layer comprises an organic acid that concurrently bonds metal atoms of the hardmask layer and phenol groups of the patternable layer, thereby preventing an etchant from penetrating into a second portion of the patternable layer that still remains over the hardmask layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2024
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Cheng Chou, Ying-Liang Chuang, Chun-Neng Lin, Ming-Hsi Yeh, Kuo-Bin Huang
  • Patent number: 12068385
    Abstract: In some implementations, fluorine is oxidized after dry etching an oxide layer above a source/drain contact and before cleaning. Accordingly, less hydrofluoric acid is formed during cleaning, which reduces unexpected wet etching of the source/drain contact. This allows for forming a recess in the source/drain contact with a depth to width ratio in a range from approximately 1.0 to approximately 1.4 and prevents damage to a layer of silicide below the source/drain that can be caused by excessive hydrofluoric acid. Additionally, or alternatively, the recess is formed using multiple wet etch processes, and any residual fluorine is oxidized between the wet etch processes. Accordingly, each wet etching process may be shorter and less corrosive, which allows for greater control over dimensions of the recess. Additionally, less hydrofluoric acid may be formed during cleaning processes between the wet etch processes, which reduces the etching of the source/drain contact between processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: U-Ting Chiu, Chun-Cheng Chou, Chi-Shin Wang, Chun-Neng Lin, Ming-Hsi Yeh
  • Patent number: 12051626
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming one or more work function layers over a semiconductor structure. The method includes forming a hardmask layer over the one or more work function layers. The method includes forming an adhesion layer over the hardmask layer. The method includes removing a first portion of a patternable layer that is disposed over the hardmask layer. The adhesion layer comprises an organic acid that concurrently bonds metal atoms of the hardmask layer and phenol groups of the patternable layer, thereby preventing an etchant from penetrating into a second portion of the patternable layer that still remains over the hardmask layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Cheng Chou, Ying-Liang Chuang, Chun-Neng Lin, Ming-Hsi Yeh, Kuo-Bin Huang
  • Patent number: 11854870
    Abstract: A method for making a middle-of-line interconnect structure in a semiconductor device includes forming, near a surface of a first interconnect structure comprised of a first metal, a region of varied composition including the first metal and a second element. The method further includes forming a recess within the region of varied composition. The recess laterally extends a first distance along the surface and vertically extends a second distance below the first surface. The method further includes filling the recess with a second metal to form a second interconnect structure that contacts the first interconnect structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Cheng Chou, Yu-Fang Huang, Kuo-Ju Chen, Ying-Liang Chuang, Chun-Neng Lin, Ming-Hsi Yeh, Kuo-Bin Huang
  • Publication number: 20230386898
    Abstract: A method for making a middle-of-line interconnect structure in a semiconductor device includes forming, near a surface of a first interconnect structure comprised of a first metal, a region of varied composition including the first metal and a second element. The method further includes forming a recess within the region of varied composition. The recess laterally extends a first distance along the surface and vertically extends a second distance below the first surface. The method further includes filling the recess with a second metal to form a second interconnect structure that contacts the first interconnect structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Cheng Chou, Yu-Fang Huang, Kuo-Ju Chen, Ying-Liang Chuang, Chun-Neng Lin, Ming-Hsi Yeh, Kuo-Bin Huang
  • Publication number: 20230197617
    Abstract: A connecting structure includes a substrate, a first conductive feature, a second conductive feature, a third conductive feature over the first conductive feature, and a fourth conductive feature over the second conductive feature. The substrate includes a first region and a second region. The first conductive feature is disposed in the first region and has a first width. The second conductive feature is disposed in the second region and has a second width greater than the first width of the first conductive feature. The third conductive feature includes a first anchor portion surrounded by the first conductive feature. The fourth conductive feature includes a second anchor portion surrounded by the second conductive feature. A depth difference ratio between a depth of the first anchor portion and a depth of the second anchor portion is less than approximately 10%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: U-TING CHIU, YU-SHIH WANG, CHUN-CHENG CHOU, YU-FANG HUANG, CHUN-NENG LIN, MING-HSI YEH
  • Publication number: 20230068714
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming one or more work function layers over a semiconductor structure. The method includes forming a hardmask layer over the one or more work function layers. The method includes forming an adhesion layer over the hardmask layer. The method includes removing a first portion of a patternable layer that is disposed over the hardmask layer. The adhesion layer comprises an organic acid that concurrently bonds metal atoms of the hardmask layer and phenol groups of the patternable layer, thereby preventing an etchant from penetrating into a second portion of the patternable layer that still remains over the hardmask layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Cheng Chou, Ying-Liang Chuang, Chun-Neng Lin, Ming-Hsi Yeh, Kuo-Bin Huang
  • Publication number: 20230067300
    Abstract: A method for making a middle-of-line interconnect structure in a semiconductor device includes forming, near a surface of a first interconnect structure comprised of a first metal, a region of varied composition including the first metal and a second element. The method further includes forming a recess within the region of varied composition. The recess laterally extends a first distance along the surface and vertically extends a second distance below the first surface. The method further includes filling the recess with a second metal to form a second interconnect structure that contacts the first interconnect structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Cheng Chou, Yu-Fang Huang, Kuo-Ju Chen, Ying-Liang Chuang, Chun-Neng Lin, Ming-Hsi Yeh, Kuo-Bin Huang
  • Patent number: 11587875
    Abstract: A connecting structure includes a substrate, a first conductive feature, a second conductive feature, a third conductive feature over the first conductive feature and a fourth conductive feature over the second conductive feature. The substrate includes a first region and a second region. The first conductive feature is disposed in the first region and has a first width. The second conductive feature is disposed in the second region and has a second width greater than the first width of the first conductive feature. The third conductive feature includes a first anchor portion surrounded by the first conductive feature. The fourth conductive feature includes a second anchor portion surrounded by the second conductive feature. A depth difference ratio between a depth of the first anchor portion and a depth of the second anchor portion is less than approximately 10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: U-Ting Chiu, Yu-Shih Wang, Chun-Cheng Chou, Yu-Fang Huang, Chun-Neng Lin, Ming-Hsi Yeh
  • Publication number: 20220376079
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a fin spacer alongside a fin structure, a source/drain structure over the fin structure, and a salicide layer along a surface of the source/drain structure. A bottom portion of the salicide layer is in contact with the fin spacer. The semiconductor device structure also includes a capping layer over the salicide layer. A portion of the capping layer directly below the bottom portion of the salicide layer is in contact with the fin spacer. The semiconductor device structure also includes a dielectric layer over the capping layer. The dielectric layer is made of a different material than the capping layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiang-Ku SHEN, Jin-Mu YIN, Tsung-Chieh HSIAO, Chia-Lin CHUANG, Li-Zhen YU, Dian-Hau CHEN, Shih-Wei WANG, De-Wei YU, Chien-Hao CHEN, Bo-Cyuan LU, Jr-Hung LI, Chi-On CHUI, Min-Hsiu HUNG, Hung-Yi HUANG, Chun-Cheng CHOU, Ying-Liang CHUANG, Yen-Chun HUANG, Chih-Tang PENG, Cheng-Po CHAU, Yen-Ming CHEN
  • Publication number: 20220336615
    Abstract: In some implementations, fluorine is oxidized after dry etching an oxide layer above a source/drain contact and before cleaning. Accordingly, less hydrofluoric acid is formed during cleaning, which reduces unexpected wet etching of the source/drain contact. This allows for forming a recess in the source/drain contact with a depth to width ratio in a range from approximately 1.0 to approximately 1.4 and prevents damage to a layer of silicide below the source/drain that can be caused by excessive hydrofluoric acid. Additionally, or alternatively, the recess is formed using multiple wet etch processes, and any residual fluorine is oxidized between the wet etch processes. Accordingly, each wet etching process may be shorter and less corrosive, which allows for greater control over dimensions of the recess. Additionally, less hydrofluoric acid may be formed during cleaning processes between the wet etch processes, which reduces the etching of the source/drain contact between processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: U-Ting CHIU, Chun-Cheng CHOU, Chi-Shin WANG, Chun-Neng LIN, Ming-Hsi YEH
  • Patent number: 11444173
    Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The method includes forming a fin structure over a substrate. The method also includes forming a gate structure over the fin structure. The method further includes forming fin spacers over sidewalls of the fin structure and gate spacers over sidewalls of the gate structure. In addition, the method includes forming a source/drain structure over the fin structure and depositing a dummy material layer to cover the source/drain structure. The dummy material layer is removed faster than the gate spacers during the removal of the dummy material layer. The method further includes forming a salicide layer over the source/drain structure and the fin spacers, and forming a contact over the salicide layer. The dummy material layer includes Ge, amorphous silicon or spin-on carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsiang-Ku Shen, Jin-Mu Yin, Tsung-Chieh Hsiao, Chia-Lin Chuang, Li-Zhen Yu, Dian-Hau Chen, Shih-Wei Wang, De-Wei Yu, Chien-Hao Chen, Bo-Cyuan Lu, Jr-Hung Li, Chi-On Chui, Min-Hsiu Hung, Hung-Yi Huang, Chun-Cheng Chou, Ying-Liang Chuang, Yen-Chun Huang, Chih-Tang Peng, Cheng-Po Chau, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20220051982
    Abstract: A connecting structure includes a substrate, a first conductive feature, a second conductive feature, a third conductive feature over the first conductive feature and a fourth conductive feature over the second conductive feature. The substrate includes a first region and a second region. The first conductive feature is disposed in the first region and has a first width. The second conductive feature is disposed in the second region and has a second width greater than the first width of the first conductive feature. The third conductive feature includes a first anchor portion surrounded by the first conductive feature. The fourth conductive feature includes a second anchor portion surrounded by the second conductive feature. A depth difference ratio between a depth of the first anchor portion and a depth of the second anchor portion is less than approximately 10%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: U-TING CHIU, YU-SHIH WANG, CHUN-CHENG CHOU, YU-FANG HUANG, CHUN-NENG LIN, MING-HSI YEH
  • Publication number: 20190131421
    Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The method includes forming a fin structure over a substrate. The method also includes forming a gate structure over the fin structure. The method further includes forming fin spacers over sidewalls of the fin structure and gate spacers over sidewalls of the gate structure. In addition, the method includes forming a source/drain structure over the fin structure and depositing a dummy material layer to cover the source/drain structure. The dummy material layer is removed faster than the gate spacers during the removal of the dummy material layer. The method further includes forming a salicide layer over the source/drain structure and the fin spacers, and forming a contact over the salicide layer. The dummy material layer includes Ge, amorphous silicon or spin-on carbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiang-Ku SHEN, Jin-Mu YIN, Tsung-Chieh HSIAO, Chia-Lin CHUANG, Li-Zhen YU, Dian-Hau CHEN, Shih-Wei WANG, De-Wei YU, Chien-Hao CHEN, Bo-Cyuan LU, Jr-Hung LI, Chi-On CHUI, Min-Hsiu HUNG, Huang-Yi HUANG, Chun-Cheng CHOU, Ying-Liang CHUANG, Yen-Chun HUANG, Chih-Tang PENG, Cheng-Po CHAU, Yen-Ming CHEN
  • Patent number: 9156869
    Abstract: A ruthenium complex for a dye-sensitized solar cell includes a chemical formula represented by Formula (I): RuL1L2L3??(I) where L1 represents a monodentate ligand; L2 represents a tridentate ligand of ?and L3 represents a bidentate ligand of where R1 to R27 have meaning as defined in the specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yun Chi, Chun-Cheng Chou, Fa-Chun Hu, Sheng-Wei Wang
  • Publication number: 20140094606
    Abstract: A ruthenium complex for a dye-sensitized solar cell includes a chemical formula represented by Formula (I): RuL1L2L3??(I) where L1 represents a monodentate ligand; L2 represents a tridentate ligand of and L3 represents a bidentate ligand of where R1 to R27 have meaning as defined in the specification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Yun CHI, Chun-Cheng CHOU, Fa-Chun HU, Sheng-Wei WANG
  • Patent number: 8507679
    Abstract: Photosensitizers having a formula of RuL1L2 (1) are provided, wherein Ru is ruthenium; L1 and L2 are heterocyclic tridentate ligands. L1 has a formula of (2), and L2 has a formula of G1G2G3 (3), wherein G1 and G3 are selected from the group consisting of formulae (4) to (7), and G2 is selected from the group consisting of formulae (7) and (8). The above-mentioned photosensitizers are suitable to be used as sensitizers for fabrication of high efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Yun Chi, Chun-Cheng Chou, Kuan-Lin Wu