Patents by Inventor Chung-Liang Cheng

Chung-Liang Cheng 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: 20210118995
    Abstract: The structure of a semiconductor device with different gate structures configured to provide ultra-low threshold voltages and a method of fabricating the semiconductor device are disclosed. The method includes forming first and second nanostructured channel regions in first and second nanostructured layers, respectively, and forming first and second gate-all-around (GAA) structures surrounding the first and second nanostructured channel regions, respectively. The forming the first and second GAA structures includes selectively forming an Al-based n-type work function metal layer and a Si-based capping layer on the first nanostructured channel regions, depositing a bi-layer of Al-free p-type work function metal layers on the first and second nanostructured channel regions, depositing a fluorine blocking layer on the bi-layer of Al-free p-type work function layers, and depositing a gate metal fill layer on the fluorine blocking layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang CHENG, Chun-I Wu, Huang-Lin Chao
  • Patent number: 10985022
    Abstract: Examples of a method of forming an integrated circuit device with an interfacial layer disposed between a channel region and a gate dielectric are provided herein. In some examples, the method includes receiving a workpiece having a substrate and a fin having a channel region disposed on the substrate. An interfacial layer is formed on the channel region of the fin, and a gate dielectric layer is formed on the interfacial layer. A first capping layer is formed on the gate dielectric layer, and a second capping layer is formed on the first capping layer. An annealing process is performed on the workpiece configured to cause a first material to diffuse from the first capping layer into the gate dielectric layer. The forming of the first and second capping layers and the annealing process may be performed in the same chamber of a fabrication tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang Cheng, Chun-I Wu, Ziwei Fang, Huang-Lin Chao
  • Patent number: 10985265
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a semiconductor layer on a semiconductor substrate, forming an interfacial layer on the semiconductor layer, forming a first gate dielectric layer on the interfacial layer, introducing fluorine on the first gate dielectric layer, annealing the first gate dielectric layer, forming a second gate dielectric layer on the first gate dielectric layer, introducing fluorine on the second gate dielectric layer, annealing the second gate dielectric layer, and forming a gate stack structure on the second gate dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang Cheng, I-Ming Chang, Hsiang-Pi Chang, Hsueh-Wen Tsau, Ziwei Fang, Huang-Lin Chao
  • Patent number: 10978357
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor arrangement includes forming a fin. A diffusion process is performed to diffuse a first dopant into the channel region of the fin. A first gate electrode is formed over the channel region of the fin after the first dopant is diffused into the channel region of the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: I-Ming Chang, Chung-Liang Cheng, Hsiang-Pi Chang, Hsueh Wen Tsau, Ziwei Fang
  • Patent number: 10971402
    Abstract: A method includes providing a channel region and growing an oxide layer on the channel region. Growing the oxide layer includes introducing a first source gas providing oxygen and introducing a second source gas providing hydrogen. The second source gas being different than the first source gas. The growing the oxide layer is grown by bonding the oxygen to a semiconductor element of the channel region to form the oxide layer and bonding the hydrogen to the semiconductor element of the channel region to form a semiconductor hydride byproduct. A gate dielectric layer and electrode can be formed over the oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang Cheng, I-Ming Chang, Hsiang-Pi Chang, Yu-Wei Lu, Ziwei Fang, Huang-Lin Chao
  • Publication number: 20210098589
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure is provided. The method for forming the semiconductor structure includes alternately stacking first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers over a substrate, patterning the first semiconductor layers and the second semiconductor layers into a fin structure, removing the first semiconductor layers of the fin structure thereby forming gaps between the second semiconductor layers of the fin structure, forming a gate dielectric layer wrapping around the second semiconductor layers, forming a barrier material on the gate dielectric layer. At least a portion of the barrier material is oxidized to form a first barrier oxide. The method for forming the semiconductor structure also includes etching away the first barrier oxide, forming a work function layer to wrap around the second semiconductor layers, and forming a metal fill layer over the work function layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang CHENG, Ziwei FANG
  • Publication number: 20210098457
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a semiconductor device that includes a semiconductor device that includes a first transistor having a first gate structure. The first gate structure includes a first gate dielectric layer doped with a first dopant at a first dopant concentration and a first work function layer on the first gate dielectric layer. The first gate structure also includes a first gate electrode on the first work function layer. The semiconductor device also includes a second transistor having a second gate structure, where the second gate structure includes a second gate dielectric layer doped with a second dopant at a second dopant concentration lower than the first dopant concentration. The second gate structure also includes a second work function layer on the second gate dielectric layer and a second gate electrode on the second work function layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang CHENG, I-Ming CHANG, Ziwei FANG, Huang-Lin CHAO
  • Patent number: 10964792
    Abstract: The structure of a semiconductor device with dual metal capped via contact structures and a method of fabricating the semiconductor device are disclosed. A method of fabricating the semiconductor device includes forming a source/drain (S/D) region and a gate structure on a fin structure, forming S/D and gate contact structures on the S/D region and the gate structure, respectively, forming first and second via contact structures on the S/D and gate contact structures, respectively, and forming first and second interconnect structures on the first and second via contact structures, respectively. The forming of the first and second via contact structures includes forming a first via contact plug interposed between first top and bottom metal capping layers and a second via contact plug interposed between second top and bottom metal capping layers, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang Cheng, Ziwei Fang
  • Publication number: 20210090948
    Abstract: A method includes etching a dielectric layer to form a trench in the dielectric layer, depositing a metal layer extending into the trench, performing a nitridation process on the metal layer to convert a portion of the metal layer into a metal nitride layer, performing an oxidation process on the metal nitride layer to form a metal oxynitride layer, removing the metal oxynitride layer, and filling a metallic material into the trench using a bottom-up deposition process to form a contact plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Yen-Yu Chen, Chung-Liang Cheng
  • Publication number: 20210082918
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. A substrate is provided. The substrate has a first region and a second region. An n-type work function layer is formed over the substrate in the first region but not in the second region. A p-type work function layer is formed over the n-type work function layer in the first region, and over the substrate in the second region. The p-type work function layer directly contacts the substrate in the second region. And the p-type work function layer includes a metal oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Chung-Liang Cheng, Ziwei Fang
  • Publication number: 20210057550
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a semiconductor layer on a semiconductor substrate, forming an interfacial layer on the semiconductor layer, forming a first gate dielectric layer on the interfacial layer, introducing fluorine on the first gate dielectric layer, annealing the first gate dielectric layer, forming a second gate dielectric layer on the first gate dielectric layer, introducing fluorine on the second gate dielectric layer, annealing the second gate dielectric layer, and forming a gate stack structure on the second gate dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang CHENG, I-Ming CHANG, Hsiang-Pi CHANG, Hsueh-Wen TSAU, Ziwei FANG, Huang-Lin CHAO
  • Patent number: 10930495
    Abstract: Examples of an integrated circuit with a gate structure and a method for forming the integrated circuit are provided herein. In some examples, a workpiece is received that includes a substrate having a channel region. A gate dielectric is formed on the channel region, and a layer containing a dopant is formed on the gate dielectric. The workpiece is annealed to transfer the dopant to the gate dielectric, and the layer is removed after the annealing. In some such examples, after the layer is removed, a work function layer is formed on the gate dielectric and a fill material is formed on the work function layer to form a gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang Cheng, Yen-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 10923393
    Abstract: A first conductive feature has a dielectric layer formed thereover. An opening is formed in the dielectric layer to expose a portion of the first conductive feature. A first barrier layer is formed over the first conductive feature and over a top surface of the dielectric layer. A second barrier layer is formed over the first barrier layer and on sidewalls of the opening. The second barrier layer is removed, resulting in at least a portion of the first barrier layer disposed over the first conductive feature. A second conductive feature is formed over the portion of the first barrier layer. Sidewalls of the second conductive feature directly contact the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang Cheng, Ziwei Fang
  • Patent number: 10923416
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a first conductive structure having sidewalls and a bottom surface, the first conductive structure extending through one or more isolation layers formed on a substrate; and an insulation layer disposed between at least one of the sidewalls of the first conductive structure and respective sidewalls of the one or more isolation layers, wherein the first conductive structure is electrically coupled to a second conductive structure through at least the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang Cheng, Shih Wei Bih, Yen-Yu Chen
  • Publication number: 20210043747
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a fin protruding from a substrate and a gate stack formed across the fin. The semiconductor structure further includes a first cap layer formed over the gate stack and a source/drain structure formed adjacent to the gate stack in the fin. The semiconductor structure further includes a contact structure formed over the source/drain structure and a second cap layer formed over the contact structure. In addition, the first cap layer and the second cap layer include different halogens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang CHENG, Ziwei FANG
  • Patent number: 10879246
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes first nanostructures vertically stacked over a first region of a substrate, a gate dielectric layer wrapping around the first nanostructures, a first oxygen blocking layer wrapping around the gate dielectric layer in the first region, a first-type work function layer wrapping around the first oxygen blocking layer in the first region, a second oxygen blocking layer wrapping around the first-type work function layer in the first region, and a second-type work function layer wrapping around the second oxygen blocking layer in the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang Cheng, Ziwei Fang
  • Publication number: 20200403078
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming the same are provided. In one embodiment, the semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of channel regions including first, second, and third p-type channel regions as well as first, second, and third n-type channel regions, and a plurality of gate structures. The plurality of gate structures includes an interfacial layer (IL) disposed over the plurality of channel regions, a first high-k (HK) dielectric layer disposed over the first p-type channel region and the first n-type channel region, a second high-k dielectric layer disposed over the first n-type channel region, the second n-type channel region, the first p-type channel region, and the second p-type channel region; and a third high-k dielectric layer disposed over the plurality of channel regions. The first, second and third high-k dielectric layers are different from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Chung-Liang Cheng, Ziwei Fang
  • Publication number: 20200395250
    Abstract: A method includes providing a channel region and growing an oxide layer on the channel region. Growing the oxide layer includes introducing a first source gas providing oxygen and introducing a second source gas providing hydrogen. The second source gas being different than the first source gas. The growing the oxide layer is grown by bonding the oxygen to a semiconductor element of the channel region to form the oxide layer and bonding the hydrogen to the semiconductor element of the channel region to form a semiconductor hydride byproduct. A gate dielectric layer and electrode can be formed over the oxide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Chung-Liang CHENG, I-Ming CHANG, Hsiang-Pi CHANG, Yu-Wei LU, Ziwei FANG, Huang-Lin CHAO
  • Patent number: 10868171
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes providing a substrate and an insulating layer over the substrate. The insulating layer has a trench partially exposing the substrate. The method includes forming a gate dielectric layer over an inner wall and a bottom of the trench. The method includes forming a mask layer over the gate dielectric layer over the bottom. The method includes removing the gate dielectric layer over the inner wall. The method includes removing the mask layer. The method includes forming a gate electrode in the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang Cheng, Ziwei Fang
  • Publication number: 20200373206
    Abstract: The structure of a semiconductor device with different gate structures configured to provide ultra-low threshold voltages and a method of fabricating the semiconductor device are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes first and second nanostructured channel regions in first and second nanostructured layers, respectively, and first and second gate-all-around (GAA) structures surrounding the first and second nanostructured channel regions, respectively. The first GAA structure includes an Al-based gate stack with a first gate dielectric layer, an Al-based n-type work function metal layer, a first metal capping layer, and a first gate metal fill layer. The second GAA structure includes an Al-free gate stack with a second gate dielectric layer, an Al-free p-type work function metal layer, a metal growth inhibition layer, a second metal capping layer, and a second gate metal fill layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang CHENG, Ziwei FANG