Patents by Inventor Chung-Chiang WU

Chung-Chiang WU 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: 10867864
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices with differing threshold voltages are provided. In embodiments the threshold voltages of individual semiconductor devices are tuned through the removal and placement of differing materials within each of the individual gate stacks within a replacement gate process, whereby the removal and placement helps keep the overall process window for a fill material large enough to allow for a complete fill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Chiang Wu, Hsin-Han Tsai, Wei-Chin Lee, Chia-Ching Lee, Hung-Chin Chung, Cheng-Lung Hung, Da-Yuan Lee
  • Patent number: 10867848
    Abstract: A method includes forming an opening in a dielectric layer, depositing a seed layer in the opening, wherein first portions of the seed layer have a first concentration of impurities, exposing the first portions of the seed layer to a plasma, wherein after exposure to the plasma the first portions have a second concentration of impurities that is less than the first concentration of impurities, and filling the opening with a conductive material to form a conductive feature. In an embodiment, the seed layer includes tungsten, and the conductive material includes tungsten. In an embodiment, the impurities include boron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Chiang Wu, Hsueh Wen Tsau, Chia-Ching Lee, Cheng-Lung Hung, Ching-Hwanq Su
  • Publication number: 20200388616
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first semiconductor fin in a substrate, forming a metal gate structure over the first semiconductor fin, removing a portion of the metal gate structure to form a first recess in the metal gate structure that is laterally separated from the first semiconductor fin by a first distance, wherein the first distance is determined according to a first desired threshold voltage associated with the first semiconductor fin, and filling the recess with a dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Chung-Chiang Wu, Shih-Hang Chiu, Chih-Chang Hung, I-Wei Yang, Shu-Yuan Ku, Cheng-Lung Hung, Da-Yuan Lee, Ching-Hwanq Su
  • Patent number: 10847637
    Abstract: A method includes forming a dummy gate structure over a semiconductor fin, forming a dielectric layer on opposing sides of the dummy gate structure, and removing the dummy gate structure to form a recess in the dielectric layer. The method further includes forming a gate dielectric layer and at least one conductive layer successively over sidewalls and a bottom of the recess, and treating the gate dielectric layer and the at least one conductive layer with a chemical containing fluoride (F).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Hang Chiu, Chung-Chiang Wu, Chia-Ching Lee, Da-Yuan Lee, Ching-Hwanq Su
  • Publication number: 20200357645
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacture are provided. In an embodiment a metal layer is formed over a substrate using a fluorine-free deposition process, a nucleation layer is formed over the metal layer using a fluorine included deposition process, and a fill material is formed to fill an opening and form a gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Jung-Shiung Tsai, Chung-Chiang Wu, Wei-Fan Liao, Han-Ti Hsiaw
  • Patent number: 10833196
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first semiconductor fin protruding from a substrate and forming a gate stack over the first semiconductor fin. Forming the gate stack includes depositing a gate dielectric layer over the first semiconductor fin, depositing a first seed layer over the gate dielectric layer, depositing a second seed layer over the first seed layer, wherein the second seed layer has a different structure than the first seed layer, and depositing a conductive layer over the second seed layer, wherein the first seed layer, the second seed layer, and the conductive layer include the same conductive material. The method also includes forming source and drain regions adjacent the gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Sheng Wang, Chi-Cheng Hung, Chia-Ching Lee, Chung-Chiang Wu, Ching-Hwanq Su
  • Publication number: 20200321252
    Abstract: Semiconductor device structures having gate structures with tunable threshold voltages are provided. Various geometries of device structure can be varied to tune the threshold voltages. In some examples, distances from tops of fins to tops of gate structures can be varied to tune threshold voltages. In some examples, distances from outermost sidewalls of gate structures to respective nearest sidewalls of nearest fins to the respective outermost sidewalls (which respective gate structure overlies the nearest fin) can be varied to tune threshold voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Chung-Chiang Wu, Wei-Chin Lee, Shih-Hang Chiu, Chia-Ching Lee, Hsueh Wen Tsau, Cheng-Yen Tsai, Cheng-Lung Hung, Da-Yuan Lee, Ching-Hwanq Su
  • Patent number: 10756087
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first semiconductor fin in a substrate, forming a metal gate structure over the first semiconductor fin, removing a portion of the metal gate structure to form a first recess in the metal gate structure that is laterally separated from the first semiconductor fin by a first distance, wherein the first distance is determined according to a first desired threshold voltage associated with the first semiconductor fin, and filling the recess with a dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Chiang Wu, Shih-Hang Chiu, Chih-Chang Hung, I-Wei Yang, Shu-Yuan Ku, Cheng-Lung Hung, Da-Yuan Lee, Ching-Hwanq Su
  • Patent number: 10741400
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of fins on a substrate, and a metal gate structure disposed on the plurality of fins. The metal gate structure includes a work function metal layer over the plurality of fins, a metal layer on the work function metal layer, and a metal oxide layer on the metal layer. A first portion of the metal oxide layer is formed within an area between adjacent fins from among the plurality of tins. An example benefit includes reduced diffusion of unwanted and/or detrimental elements from the first metal layer into its underlying layers and consequently, the reduction of the negative impact of these unwanted and/or detrimental elements on the semiconductor device performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsueh Wen Tsau, Chia-Ching Lee, Chung-Chiang Wu, Da-Yuan Lee
  • Patent number: 10727066
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacture are provided. In an embodiment a metal layer is formed over a substrate using a fluorine-free deposition process, a nucleation layer is formed over the metal layer using a fluorine included deposition process, and a fill material is formed to fill an opening and form a gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Shiung Tsai, Chung-Chiang Wu, Wei-Fan Liao, Han-Ti Hsiaw
  • Patent number: 10692770
    Abstract: Semiconductor device structures having gate structures with tunable threshold voltages are provided. Various geometries of device structure can be varied to tune the threshold voltages. In some examples, distances from tops of fins to tops of gate structures can be varied to tune threshold voltages. In some examples, distances from outermost sidewalls of gate structures to respective nearest sidewalls of nearest fins to the respective outermost sidewalls (which respective gate structure overlies the nearest fin) can be varied to tune threshold voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Chiang Wu, Wei-Chin Lee, Shih-Hang Chiu, Chia-Ching Lee, Hsueh Wen Tsau, Cheng-Yen Tsai, Cheng-Lung Hung, Da-Yuan Lee, Ching-Hwanq Su
  • Publication number: 20200105602
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices with differing threshold voltages are provided. In embodiments the threshold voltages of individual semiconductor devices are tuned through the removal and placement of differing materials within each of the individual gate stacks within a replacement gate process, whereby the removal and placement helps keep the overall process window for a fill material large enough to allow for a complete fill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Chung-Chiang Wu, Hsin-Han Tsai, Wei-Chin Lee, Chia-Ching Lee, Hung-Chin Chung, Cheng-Lung Hung, Da-Yuan Lee
  • Publication number: 20200091006
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a pre-deposition treatment of materials utilized in metal gates of different transistors on a semiconductor substrate. In an embodiment, a method includes exposing a first metal-containing layer of a first device and a second metal-containing layer of a second device to a reactant to form respective monolayers on the first and second metal-containing layers. The first and second devices are on a substrate. The first device includes a first gate structure including the first metal-containing layer. The second device includes a second gate structure including the second metal-containing layer different from the second metal-containing layer. The monolayers on the first and second metal-containing layers are exposed to an oxidant to provide a hydroxyl group (—OH) terminated surface for the monolayers. Thereafter, a third metal-containing layer is formed on the —OH terminated surfaces of the monolayers on the first and second metal-containing layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Cheng-Yen Tsai, Chung-Chiang Wu, Tai-Wei Hwang, Hung-Chin Chung, Wei-Chin Lee, Da-Yuan Lee, Ching-Hwanq Su, Yin-Chuan Chuang, Kuan-Ting Liu
  • Publication number: 20200090939
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacture are provided. In an embodiment a metal layer is formed over a substrate using a fluorine-free deposition process, a nucleation layer is formed over the metal layer using a fluorine included deposition process, and a fill material is formed to fill an opening and form a gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Jung-Shiung Tsai, Chung-Chiang Wu, Wei-Fan Liao, Han-Ti Hsiaw
  • Publication number: 20200083108
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a pre-deposition treatment of materials utilized in metal gates of different transistors on a semiconductor substrate. In an embodiment, a method includes exposing a first metal-containing layer of a first device and a second metal-containing layer of a second device to a reactant to form respective monolayers on the first and second metal-containing layers. The first and second devices are on a substrate. The first device includes a first gate structure including the first metal-containing layer. The second device includes a second gate structure including the second metal-containing layer different from the second metal-containing layer. The monolayers on the first and second metal-containing layers are exposed to an oxidant to provide a hydroxyl group (—OH) terminated surface for the monolayers. Thereafter, a third metal-containing layer is formed on the —OH terminated surfaces of the monolayers on the first and second metal-containing layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Cheng-Yen Tsai, Chung-Chiang Wu, Tai-Wei Hwang, Hung-Chin Chung, Wei-Chin Lee, Da-Yuan Lee, Ching-Hwanq Su, Yin-Chuan Chuang, Kuan-Ting Liu
  • Publication number: 20200075765
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first semiconductor fin protruding from a substrate and forming a gate stack over the first semiconductor fin. Forming the gate stack includes depositing a gate dielectric layer over the first semiconductor fin, depositing a first seed layer over the gate dielectric layer, depositing a second seed layer over the first seed layer, wherein the second seed layer has a different structure than the first seed layer, and depositing a conductive layer over the second seed layer, wherein the first seed layer, the second seed layer, and the conductive layer include the same conductive material. The method also includes forming source and drain regions adjacent the gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Yu-Sheng Wang, Chi-Cheng Hung, Chia-Ching Lee, Chung-Chiang Wu, Ching-Hwanq Su
  • Publication number: 20190386002
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first semiconductor fin in a substrate, forming a metal gate structure over the first semiconductor fin, removing a portion of the metal gate structure to form a first recess in the metal gate structure that is laterally separated from the first semiconductor fin by a first distance, wherein the first distance is determined according to a first desired threshold voltage associated with the first semiconductor fin, and filling the recess with a dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Chung-Chiang Wu, Shih-Hang Chiu, Chih-Chang Hung, I-Wei Yang, Shu-Yuan Ku, Cheng-Lung Hung, Da-Yuan Lee, Ching-Hwanq Su
  • Patent number: 10504789
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a pre-deposition treatment of materials utilized in metal gates of different transistors on a semiconductor substrate. In an embodiment, a method includes exposing a first metal-containing layer of a first device and a second metal-containing layer of a second device to a reactant to form respective monolayers on the first and second metal-containing layers. The first and second devices are on a substrate. The first device includes a first gate structure including the first metal-containing layer. The second device includes a second gate structure including the second metal-containing layer different from the second metal-containing layer. The monolayers on the first and second metal-containing layers are exposed to an oxidant to provide a hydroxyl group (—OH) terminated surface for the monolayers. Thereafter, a third metal-containing layer is formed on the —OH terminated surfaces of the monolayers on the first and second metal-containing layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Yen Tsai, Chung-Chiang Wu, Tai-Wei Hwang, Hung-Chin Chung, Wei-Chin Lee, Da-Yuan Lee, Ching-Hwanq Su, Yin-Chuan Chuang, Kuan-Ting Liu
  • Patent number: 10504734
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacture are provided. In an embodiment a metal layer is formed over a substrate using a fluorine-free deposition process, a nucleation layer is formed over the metal layer using a fluorine included deposition process, and a fill material is formed to fill an opening and form a gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Shiung Tsai, Chung-Chiang Wu, Wei-Fan Liao, Han-Ti Hsiaw
  • Publication number: 20190371675
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a pre-deposition treatment of materials utilized in metal gates of different transistors on a semiconductor substrate. In an embodiment, a method includes exposing a first metal-containing layer of a first device and a second metal-containing layer of a second device to a reactant to form respective monolayers on the first and second metal-containing layers. The first and second devices are on a substrate. The first device includes a first gate structure including the first metal-containing layer. The second device includes a second gate structure including the second metal-containing layer different from the second metal-containing layer. The monolayers on the first and second metal-containing layers are exposed to an oxidant to provide a hydroxyl group (—OH) terminated surface for the monolayers. Thereafter, a third metal-containing layer is formed on the —OH terminated surfaces of the monolayers on the first and second metal-containing layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Cheng-Yen Tsai, Chung-Chiang Wu, Tai-Wei Hwang, Hung-Chin Chung, Wei-Chin Lee, Da-Yuan Lee, Ching-Hwanq Su, Yin-Chuan Chuang, Kuan-Ting Liu