Patents by Inventor Chung-En TSAI

Chung-En 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: 20230378266
    Abstract: A device comprise a first semiconductor channel layer over a substrate, a second semiconductor channel layer over the first semiconductor channel layer, and source/drain epitaxial structures on opposite sides of the first semiconductor channel layer and opposite sides of the second semiconductor channel layer. A compressive strain in the second semiconductor channel layer is greater than a compressive strain in the first semiconductor channel layer. The source/drain epitaxial structures each comprise a first region interfacing the first semiconductor channel layer and a second region interfacing the second semiconductor channel layer, and the first region has a composition different from a composition of the second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chung-En TSAI, Chia-Che CHUNG, Chee-Wee LIU, Fang-Liang LU, Yu-Shiang HUANG, Hung-Yu YEH, Chien-Te TU, Yi-Chun LIU
  • Publication number: 20230369331
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate stack, and epitaxy structures. The substrate has a P-type region. The gate stack is over the P-type region of the substrate and includes a gate dielectric layer, a bottom work function (WF) metal layer, a top WF metal layer, and a filling metal. The bottom WF metal layer is over the gate dielectric layer. The top WF metal layer is over and in contact with the bottom WF metal layer. Dipoles are formed between the top WF metal layer and the bottom WF metal layer, and the dipoles direct from the bottom WF metal layer to the top WF metal layer. The filling metal is over the top WF metal layer. The epitaxy structures are over the P-type region of the substrate and on opposite sides of the gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chih-Hsiung HUANG, Chung-En TSAI, Chee-Wee LIU, Kun-Wa KUOK, Yi-Hsiu HSIAO
  • Patent number: 11791338
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate stack, and epitaxy structures. The substrate has a P-type region. The gate stack is over the P-type region of the substrate and includes a gate dielectric layer, a bottom work function (WF) metal layer, a top WF metal layer, and a filling metal. The bottom WF metal layer is over the gate dielectric layer. The top WF metal layer is over and in contact with the bottom WF metal layer. Dipoles are formed between the top WF metal layer and the bottom WF metal layer, and the dipoles direct from the bottom WF metal layer to the top WF metal layer. The filling metal is over the top WF metal layer. The epitaxy structures are over the P-type region of the substrate and on opposite sides of the gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chih-Hsiung Huang, Chung-En Tsai, Chee-Wee Liu, Kun-Wa Kuok, Yi-Hsiu Hsiao
  • Patent number: 11776998
    Abstract: A device comprises a plurality of nanosheets, source/drain stressors, and a gate structure wrapping around the nanosheets. The nanosheets extend in a first direction above a semiconductor substrate and are arranged in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The source/drain stressors are on either side of the nanosheets. Each of the source/drain stressors comprises a first epitaxial layer and a second epitaxial layer over the first epitaxial layer. The first and second epitaxial layers are made of a Group IV element and a Group V element. An atomic ratio of the Group V element to the Group IV element in the second epitaxial layer is greater than an atomic ratio of the Group V element to the Group IV element in the first epitaxial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chung-En Tsai, Chia-Che Chung, Chee-Wee Liu, Fang-Liang Lu, Yu-Shiang Huang, Hung-Yu Yeh, Chien-Te Tu, Yi-Chun Liu
  • Publication number: 20230253500
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a fin extending along a first direction over a substrate, and a gate structure extending in a second direction overlying the fin. The gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer overlying the fin, a gate electrode overlying the gate dielectric layer, and insulating gate sidewalls on opposing lateral surfaces of the gate electrode extending along the second direction. A source/drain region is formed in the fin in a region adjacent the gate electrode structure, and a stressor layer is between the source/drain region and the semiconductor substrate. The stressor layer includes GeSn or SiGeSn containing 1019 atoms cm?3 or less of a dopant, and a portion of the fin under the gate structure is a channel region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Huang-Siang LAN, CheeWee Liu, Chi-Wen Liu, Shih-Hsien Huang, I-Hsieh WONG, Hung-Yu YEH, Chung-En TSAI
  • Publication number: 20230207634
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a semiconductor device includes a substrate, a buffer layer on the substrate, and a stacked fin structure on the buffer layer. The buffer layer can include germanium, and the stacked fin structure can include a semiconductor layer with germanium and tin. The semiconductor device further includes a gate structure wrapped around a portion of the semiconductor layer and an epitaxial structure on the buffer layer and in contact with the semiconductor layer. The epitaxial structure includes germanium and tin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shahaji B. More, Cheng-Han Lee, Shih-Chieh Chang, Shih-Ya Lin, Chung-En Tsai, Chee-Wee Liu
  • Publication number: 20230154923
    Abstract: A device comprises a gate structure, n-type source/drain features, p-type source/drain features, an NFET channel, and a PFET channel. The gate structure is over a substrate. The n-type source/drain features are on opposite first and second sides of the gate structure, respectively. The p-type source/drain features are on opposite third and fourth sides of the gate structure, respectively. The NFET channel extends within the gate structure and connects the n-type source/drain features. The PFET channel extends within the gate structure and connects the p-type source/drain features. The NFET channel and the PFET channel are vertically spaced apart by the gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shih-Ya LIN, Chien-Te TU, Chung-En TSAI, Chee-Wee LIU
  • Patent number: 11631768
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a fin extending along a first direction over a substrate, and a gate structure extending in a second direction overlying the fin. The gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer overlying the fin, a gate electrode overlying the gate dielectric layer, and insulating gate sidewalls on opposing lateral surfaces of the gate electrode extending along the second direction. A source/drain region is formed in the fin in a region adjacent the gate electrode structure, and a stressor layer is between the source/drain region and the semiconductor substrate. The stressor layer includes GeSn or SiGeSn containing 1019 atoms cm?3 or less of a dopant, and a portion of the fin under the gate structure is a channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Huang-Siang Lan, CheeWee Liu, Chi-Wen Liu, Shih-Hsien Huang, I-Hsieh Wong, Hung-Yu Yeh, Chung-En Tsai
  • Patent number: 11600703
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a semiconductor device includes a substrate, a buffer layer on the substrate, and a stacked fin structure on the buffer layer. The buffer layer can include germanium, and the stacked fin structure can include a semiconductor layer with germanium and tin. The semiconductor device further includes a gate structure wrapped around a portion of the semiconductor layer and an epitaxial structure on the buffer layer and in contact with the semiconductor layer. The epitaxial structure includes germanium and tin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shahaji B. More, Cheng-Han Lee, Shih-Chieh Chang, Shih-Ya Lin, Chung-En Tsai, Chee-Wee Liu
  • Publication number: 20230054243
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure and a method of forming the same. A semiconductor structure according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of nanostructures disposed over a substrate and a gate structure wrapping around each of the plurality of nanostructure. Each of the plurality of nanostructures includes a channel layer sandwiched between two cap layers along a direction perpendicular to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Shahaji B. More, Cheng-Han Lee, Shih-Chieh Chang, Wan-Hsuan Hsieh, Chung-En Tsai, Chee-Wee Liu
  • Publication number: 20220246726
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a semiconductor device includes a substrate, a buffer layer on the substrate, and a stacked fin structure on the buffer layer. The buffer layer can include germanium, and the stacked fin structure can include a semiconductor layer with germanium and tin. The semiconductor device further includes a gate structure wrapped around a portion of the semiconductor layer and an epitaxial structure on the buffer layer and in contact with the semiconductor layer. The epitaxial structure includes germanium and tin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shahaji B. MORE, Cheng-Han Lee, Shih-Chieh Chang, Shih-Ya Lin, Chung-En Tsai, Chee-Wee Liu
  • Patent number: 11374115
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first semiconductor layer over a substrate; forming a second semiconductor layer over the first semiconductor layer; forming a dummy gate structure over the second semiconductor layer; performing an etching process to form a recess in the first and second semiconductor layers; forming a epitaxy structure over in the recess, wherein the epitaxy structure is in contact with the first and second semiconductor layers; performing a solid phase diffusion process to form a doped region in the epitaxy structure, in which the doped region is in contact with the second semiconductor layer and is separated from the first semiconductor layer; and replacing the dummy gate structure with a metal gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chung-En Tsai, Fang-Liang Lu, Pin-Shiang Chen, Chee-Wee Liu
  • Publication number: 20220149172
    Abstract: A device comprises a plurality of nanosheets, source/drain stressors, and a gate structure wrapping around the nanosheets. The nanosheets extend in a first direction above a semiconductor substrate and are arranged in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The source/drain stressors are on either side of the nanosheets. Each of the source/drain stressors comprises a first epitaxial layer and a second epitaxial layer over the first epitaxial layer. The first and second epitaxial layers are made of a Group IV element and a Group V element. An atomic ratio of the Group V element to the Group IV element in the second epitaxial layer is greater than an atomic ratio of the Group V element to the Group IV element in the first epitaxial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chung-En TSAI, Chia-Che CHUNG, Chee-Wee LIU, Fang-Liang LU, Yu-Shiang HUANG, Hung-Yu YEH, Chien-Te TU, Yi-Chun LIU
  • Publication number: 20220149041
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate stack, and epitaxy structures. The substrate has a P-type region. The gate stack is over the P-type region of the substrate and includes a gate dielectric layer, a bottom work function (WF) metal layer, a top WF metal layer, and a filling metal. The bottom WF metal layer is over the gate dielectric layer. The top WF metal layer is over and in contact with the bottom WF metal layer. Dipoles are formed between the top WF metal layer and the bottom WF metal layer, and the dipoles direct from the bottom WF metal layer to the top WF metal layer. The filling metal is over the top WF metal layer. The epitaxy structures are over the P-type region of the substrate and on opposite sides of the gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chih-Hsiung HUANG, Chung-En TSAI, Chee-Wee LIU, Kun-Wa KUOK, Yi-Hsiu HSIAO
  • Patent number: 11244945
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate stack, and an epitaxy structure. The gate stack over the substrate and includes a gate dielectric layer, a bottom work function (WF) metal layer, a top WF metal layer, and a filling metal. The bottom WF metal layer is over the gate dielectric layer. The top WF metal layer is over and in contact with the bottom WF metal layer. At least one of the top and bottom WF metal layers includes dopants, and the top WF metal layer is thicker than the bottom WF metal layer. The filling metal is over the top WF metal layer. The epitaxy structure is over the substrate and adjacent the gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chih-Hsiung Huang, Chung-En Tsai, Chee-Wee Liu, Kun-Wa Kuok, Yi-Hsiu Hsiao
  • Patent number: 11233120
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a gate-all-around (GAA) transistor. The GAA transistor may include regrown source/drain layers in source/drain stressors. Atomic ratio differences among the regrown source/drain layers are tuned to reduce strain mismatch among the semiconductor nanosheets. Alternatively, the GAA transistor may include strained channels formed using a layer stack of alternating semiconductor layers having different lattice constants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chung-En Tsai, Chia-Che Chung, Chee-Wee Liu, Fang-Liang Lu, Yu-Shiang Huang, Hung-Yu Yeh, Chien-Te Tu, Yi-Chun Liu
  • Publication number: 20210328012
    Abstract: A method includes forming a fin structure having a stack of alternating first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers over a substrate; forming a dummy gate structure across the fin structure; etching portions of the fin structure to expose portions of the substrate; forming source/drain stressors over the exposed portions of the substrate; after forming the source/drain stressors, removing the dummy gate structure; after removing the dummy gate structure, removing the first semiconductor layers such that the second semiconductor layers are suspended between the source/drain stressors; and forming a gate structure to surround each of the suspended second semiconductor layers. The source/drain stressors each comprise a first source/drain layer and a second source/drain layer over the first source/drain layer. An atomic concentration of a Group IV element or a Group V element in the second source/drain layer is greater than that in the first source/drain layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chung-En TSAI, Chia-Che CHUNG, Chee-Wee LIU, Fang-Liang LU, Yu-Shiang HUANG, Hung-Yu YEH, Chien-Te TU, Yi-Chun LIU
  • Patent number: 10957784
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a fin structure having a stack of alternating first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers on a substrate. The first and second semiconductor layers include first end portions on either side of a second portion along a length of the first and second semiconductor layers. The first and second semiconductor layers are formed of different materials. The second portion of the first semiconductor layers is removed to form spaces. A mask layer is formed over the second portion of an uppermost second semiconductor layer above the spaces. The first portions of first and second semiconductor layers are irradiated with radiation from a radiation source to cause material from the first portions of the first and second semiconductor layers to combine with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: I-Hsieh Wong, Samuel C. Pan, Chee-Wee Liu, Huang-Siang Lan, Chung-En Tsai, Fang-Liang Lu
  • Publication number: 20210057408
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate stack, and an epitaxy structure. The gate stack over the substrate and includes a gate dielectric layer, a bottom work function (WF) metal layer, a top WF metal layer, and a filling metal. The bottom WF metal layer is over the gate dielectric layer. The top WF metal layer is over and in contact with the bottom WF metal layer. At least one of the top and bottom WF metal layers includes dopants, and the top WF metal layer is thicker than the bottom WF metal layer. The filling metal is over the top WF metal layer. The epitaxy structure is over the substrate and adjacent the gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chih-Hsiung HUANG, Chung-En TSAI, Chee-Wee LIU, Kun-Wa KUOK, Yi-Hsiu HSIAO
  • Publication number: 20200411671
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first semiconductor layer over a substrate; forming a second semiconductor layer over the first semiconductor layer; forming a dummy gate structure over the second semiconductor layer; performing an etching process to form a recess in the first and second semiconductor layers; forming a epitaxy structure over in the recess, wherein the epitaxy structure is in contact with the first and second semiconductor layers; performing a solid phase diffusion process to form a doped region in the epitaxy structure, in which the doped region is in contact with the second semiconductor layer and is separated from the first semiconductor layer; and replacing the dummy gate structure with a metal gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chung-En TSAI, Fang-Liang LU, Pin-Shiang CHEN, Chee-Wee LIU