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: 20230377993
    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: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang CHENG, Ziwei FANG
  • Publication number: 20230378057
    Abstract: A semiconductor process system etches thin films on semiconductor wafers. The semiconductor process system includes a machine learning based analysis model. The analysis model dynamically selects process conditions for an etching process by receiving static process conditions and target thin-film data. The analysis model identifies dynamic process conditions data that, together with the static process conditions data, result in predicted remaining thin-film data that matches the target thin-film data. The process system then uses the static and dynamic process conditions data for the next etching process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventor: Chung-Liang CHENG
  • Publication number: 20230369057
    Abstract: A semiconductor process system etches gate metals on semiconductor wafers. The semiconductor process system includes a machine learning based analysis model. The analysis model dynamically selects process conditions for an etching process. The process system then uses the selected process conditions data for the next etching process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventor: Chung-Liang CHENG
  • Publication number: 20230363145
    Abstract: A device includes a substrate. A first nanostructure is over the substrate, and includes a semiconductor having a first resistance. A second nanostructure is over the substrate, is offset laterally from the first nanostructure, is at about the same height above the substrate as the first nanostructure, and includes a conductor having a second resistance lower than the first resistance. A first gate structure is over and wrapped around the first nanostructure, and a second gate structure is over and wrapped around the second nanostructure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventor: Chung-Liang CHENG
  • Publication number: 20230352553
    Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a semiconductor channel over the substrate, and a gate structure over and laterally surrounding the semiconductor channel. The gate structure includes a first dielectric layer over the semiconductor channel, a first work function metal layer over the first dielectric layer, a first protection layer over the first work function metal layer, a second protection layer over the first protection layer, and a metal fill layer over the second protection layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventor: Chung-Liang CHENG
  • Publication number: 20230343847
    Abstract: A device comprises a substrate, a semiconductor channel over the substrate, and a gate structure over and laterally surrounding the semiconductor channel. The gate structure comprises a first dielectric layer comprising a first dielectric material including dopants. A second dielectric layer is on the first dielectric layer, and comprises a second dielectric material substantially free of the dopants. A metal fill layer is over the second dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventor: Chung-Liang CHENG
  • Publication number: 20230343699
    Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a vertical stack of nanostructure channels over the substrate, a gate structure wrapping around the nanostructure channels, and a source/drain region on the substrate. The device further includes a source/drain contact in contact with the source/drain region. The source/drain contact includes a core layer of a first material. A source/drain via is over and in contact with the source/drain contact. The source/drain via is the first material. A gate via is over and in electrical connection with the gate structure. The gate via is the first material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Min-Hsuan LU, Lin-Yu HUANG, Li-Zhen YU, Sheng-Tsung WANG, Chung-Liang CHENG, Huan-Chieh SU, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20230317828
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a fin structure disposed on the substrate, a source/drain (S/D) region disposed on the fin structure, and a gate structure disposed on the fin structure adjacent to the S/D region. The gate structure includes a gate stack disposed on the fin structure and a gate capping structure disposed on the gate stack. The gate capping structure includes a conductive gate cap disposed on the gate stack and an insulating gate cap disposed on the conductive gate cap. The semiconductor device further includes a first contact structure disposed over the gate stack. A portion of the first contact structure is disposed within the gate capping structure and is separated from the gate stack by a portion of the conductive gate cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Liang CHENG
  • Patent number: 11776900
    Abstract: A semiconductor process system etches thin films on semiconductor wafers. The semiconductor process system includes a machine learning based analysis model. The analysis model dynamically selects process conditions for an etching process by receiving static process conditions and target thin-film data. The analysis model identifies dynamic process conditions data that, together with the static process conditions data, result in predicted remaining thin-film data that matches the target thin-film data. The process system then uses the static and dynamic process conditions data for the next etching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Liang Cheng
  • Publication number: 20230296523
    Abstract: A thin-film deposition system deposits a thin-film on a wafer. A radiation source irradiates the wafer with excitation light. An emissions sensor detects an emission spectrum from the wafer responsive to the excitation light. A machine learning based analysis model analyzes the spectrum and detects contamination of the thin-film based on the spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventor: Chung-Liang CHENG
  • Patent number: 11756934
    Abstract: Some implementations described herein provide a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure may include a logic device disposed, at a first side of the logic device, on a carrier wafer of the semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure may include a dielectric structure disposed on a second side of the logic device, the second side being opposite the first side. The semiconductor structure may include a memory device formed on the dielectric structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Liang Cheng
  • Publication number: 20230268227
    Abstract: A semiconductor arrangement is provided. The semiconductor arrangement includes a dielectric layer defining an opening, an adhesion layer in the opening, and a conductive layer in the opening over the adhesion layer. A material of the conductive layer is a same material as an adhesion material of the adhesion layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Yu-Ting TSAI, Chung-Liang Cheng, Ching-Jing Wu, Chyi-Tsong Ni
  • Publication number: 20230270022
    Abstract: A resistive random access memory cell includes a gate all around transistor and a resistor device. The resistor device includes a first electrode including a plurality of conductive nanosheets. The resistor device includes a high-K resistive element surrounds the conductive nanosheets. The resistor device includes a second electrode separated from the conductive nanosheets by the resistive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventor: Chung-Liang CHENG
  • Publication number: 20230261070
    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: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang CHENG, Ziwei Fang
  • Patent number: 11728171
    Abstract: A semiconductor process system etches gate metals on semiconductor wafers. The semiconductor process system includes a machine learning based analysis model. The analysis model dynamically selects process conditions for an etching process. The process system then uses the selected process conditions data for the next etching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Liang Cheng
  • Patent number: 11728170
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a fin structure disposed on a substrate; a gate feature that traverses the fin structure to overlay a central portion of the fin structure; a pair of source/drain features, along the fin structure, that are disposed at respective sides of the gate feature; and a plurality of contact structures that are formed of tungsten, wherein a gate electrode of the gate feature and the pair of source/drain features are each directly coupled to a respective one of the plurality of contact structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong-Ying Lin, Cheng-Yi Wu, Alan Tu, Chung-Liang Cheng, Li-Hsuan Chu, Ethan Hsiao, Hui-Lin Sung, Sz-Yuan Hung, Sheng-Yung Lo, C. W. Chiu, Chih-Wei Hsieh, Chin-Szu Lee
  • Patent number: 11728413
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a fin structure disposed on the substrate, a source/drain (S/D) region disposed on the fin structure, and a gate structure disposed on the fin structure adjacent to the S/D region. The gate structure includes a gate stack disposed on the fin structure and a gate capping structure disposed on the gate stack. The gate capping structure includes a conductive gate cap disposed on the gate stack and an insulating gate cap disposed on the conductive gate cap. The semiconductor device further includes a first contact structure disposed over the gate stack. A portion of the first contact structure is disposed within the gate capping structure and is separated from the gate stack by a portion of the conductive gate cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Liang Cheng
  • Patent number: 11729967
    Abstract: A device includes a substrate. A first nanostructure is over the substrate, and includes a semiconductor having a first resistance. A second nanostructure is over the substrate, is offset laterally from the first nanostructure, is at about the same height above the substrate as the first nanostructure, and includes a conductor having a second resistance lower than the first resistance. A first gate structure is over and wrapped around the first nanostructure, and a second gate structure is over and wrapped around the second nanostructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Liang Cheng
  • Publication number: 20230253309
    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: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Chung-Liang CHENG, Shih Wei BIH, Yen-Yu CHEN
  • Publication number: 20230253314
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for forming a barrier structure between liner-free conductive structures and underlying conductive structures. The method includes forming openings in a dielectric layer disposed on a contact layer, where the openings expose conductive structures in the contact layer. A first metal layer is deposited in the openings and is grown thicker on top surfaces of the conductive structures and thinner on sidewall surfaces of the openings. The method further includes exposing the first metal layer to ammonia to form a bilayer with the first metal layer and a nitride of the first metal layer, and subsequently exposing the nitride to an oxygen plasma to convert a portion of the nitride of the first metal layer to an oxide layer. The method also includes removing the oxide layer and forming a semiconductor-containing layer on the nitride of the first metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yen-Yu CHEN, Chung-Liang CHENG