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).

  • Patent number: 11476361
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a gate stack over the substrate. The gate stack includes a first dielectric layer, a work function layer, and a gate electrode sequentially stacked over the substrate, the first dielectric layer is between the work function layer and the substrate, the work function layer is between the first dielectric layer and the gate electrode, the first dielectric layer has a thin portion and a thick portion, the thin portion is thinner than the thick portion and surrounds the thick portion. The semiconductor device structure includes. The semiconductor device structure includes an insulating layer over the substrate and wrapping around the gate stack. The thin portion is between the thick portion and the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang Cheng, Ziwei Fang
  • Publication number: 20220328500
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating a semiconductor devices are disclosed. The method include forming a transistor device in a first device region on the semiconductor device, and forming a memory device in a second device region on the semiconductor device, the memory device being connected to the transistor device. In some embodiments, forming the memory device includes forming a first bit line, forming a first word line connected to the first bit line, forming a plate line connected to the first word line and the first bit line, forming a second bit line connected to the plate line, and forming a second word line connected to the second bit line and the plate line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventor: Chung-Liang Cheng
  • Patent number: 11469139
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yen-Yu Chen, Chung-Liang Cheng
  • Patent number: 11469109
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure having metal contact features and a method for forming the same are provided. The method includes forming a dielectric layer covering an epitaxial structure over a semiconductor substrate and forming an opening in the dielectric layer to expose the epitaxial structure. The method includes forming a metal-containing layer over the dielectric layer and the epitaxial structure. The method includes heating the epitaxial structure and the metal-containing layer to transform a first portion of the metal-containing layer contacting the epitaxial structure into a metal-semiconductor compound layer. The method includes oxidizing the metal-containing layer to transform a second portion of the metal-containing layer over the metal-semiconductor compound layer into a metal oxide layer. The method includes applying a metal chloride-containing etching gas on the metal oxide layer to remove the metal oxide layer and forming a metal contact feature over the metal-semiconductor compound layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang Cheng, Ziwei Fang
  • Publication number: 20220320284
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with different gate structure configurations and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes first and second pair of source/drain regions disposed on a substrate, first and second nanostructured channel regions, and first and second gate structures with effective work function values different from each other. The first and second gate structures include first and second high-K gate dielectric layers, first and second barrier metal layers with thicknesses different from each, first and second work function metal (WFM) oxide layers with thicknesses substantially equal to each other disposed on the first and second barrier metal layers, respectively, a first dipole layer disposed between the first WFM oxide layer and the first barrier metal layer, and a second dipole layer disposed between the second WFM oxide layer and the second barrier metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yen-Yu CHEN, Chung-Liang CHENG
  • Publication number: 20220320180
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a first and second transistors arranged over a substrate. The first transistor includes first channel structures extending between first and second source/drain regions. A first gate electrode is arranged between the first channel structures, and a first protection layer is arranged over a topmost one of the first channel structures. The second transistor includes second channel structures extending between the second source/drain region and a third source/drain region. A second gate electrode is arranged between the second channel structures, and a second protection layer is arranged over a topmost one of the second channel structures. The integrated chip further includes a first interconnect structure arranged between the substrate and the first and second channel structures, and a contact plug structure coupled to the second source/drain region and arranged above the first and second gate electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Kuan-Liang Liu, Sheng-Chau Chen, Chung-Liang Cheng, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Yeong-Jyh Lin, Pinyen Lin, Huang-Lin Chao
  • Patent number: 11458586
    Abstract: A chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) system includes a platen, a pad, a polish head, a rotating mechanism, a light source, and a detector. The pad is disposed on the platen. The polish head is configured to hold a wafer against the pad. The rotating mechanism is configured to rotate at least one of the platen and the polish head. The light source is configured to provide incident light to an end-point layer on the wafer. The detector is configured to detect absorption of the incident light by the end-point layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang Cheng, Chang-Sheng Lee, Wei Zhang, Yen-Yu Chen
  • Publication number: 20220310638
    Abstract: A ferroelectric memory cell (FeRAM) is disclosed that includes an active device (e.g., a transistor) and a passive device (e.g., a ferroelectric capacitor) integrated in a substrate. The transistor and its gate contacts are formed on a front side of the substrate. A carrier wafer can be bonded to the active device to allow the active device to be inverted so that the passive device and associated contacts can be electrically coupled from a back side of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.,Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang CHENG, Huang-Lin CHAO
  • Publication number: 20220310846
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, an interfacial layer formed on the semiconductor substrate, a high-k dielectric layer formed on the interfacial layer, and a conductive gate electrode layer formed on the high-k dielectric layer. At least one of the high-k dielectric layer and the interfacial layer is doped with: a first dopant species, a second dopant species, and a third dopant species. The first dopant species and the second dopant species form a plurality of first dipole elements having a first polarity. The third dopant species forms a plurality of second dipole elements having a second polarity, and the first and second polarities are opposite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Hsiang-Pi Chang, Yen-Tien Tung, Dawei Heh, Chung-Liang Cheng, I-Ming Chang, Yao-Sheng Huang, Tzer-Min Shen, Huang-Lin Chao
  • Publication number: 20220302143
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a first stack of semiconductor layers on a substrate. The first stack of semiconductor layers includes alternating first and second semiconductor strips. The first and second semiconductor strips includes first and second semiconductor materials, respectively. The method also includes removing the first semiconductor strips to form voids between the second semiconductor strips in the first stack of semiconductor layers. The method further includes depositing a dielectric structure layer and a first conductive fill material in the voids to surround the second semiconductor strips. Further, the method includes removing the second semiconductor strips to form a second set of voids, and depositing a third semiconductor material in the second sets of voids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventor: Chung-Liang Cheng
  • Publication number: 20220302144
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a first stack of semiconductor layers on a substrate. The first stack of semiconductor layers includes alternating first and second semiconductor strips. The method also includes removing the first semiconductor strips to form voids between the second semiconductor strips in the first stack of semiconductor layers. The method further includes depositing a dielectric structure layer and a first conductive fill material in the voids to surround the second semiconductor strips. Further, the method includes removing the second semiconductor strips to form a second set of voids, and depositing a second conductive fill material in the second sets of voids. In some embodiments, the first conductive fill material and the second conductive fill material are configured to form first and second electrodes of a capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventor: Chung-Liang Cheng
  • Publication number: 20220298634
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor device may include a chamber, a chuck provided in the chamber, and a biased power supply physically connected with the chuck. The apparatus may include a target component provided over the chuck and the biased power supply, and a magnetron assembly provided over the target component. The magnetron assembly may include a plurality of outer magnetrons and a plurality of inner magnetrons, and a spacing between each adjacent magnetrons of the plurality of outer magnetrons may be different from a spacing between each adjacent magnetrons of the plurality of inner magnetrons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Yu-Ting TSAI, Chung-Liang CHENG, Wen-Cheng CHENG, Che-Hung LIU, Yu-Cheng SHEN, Chyi-Tsong NI
  • Publication number: 20220302278
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a multi-silicide structure comprising at least two conformal silicide layers. The multi-silicide structure may include a first conformal silicide layer on a source/drain, a second conformal silicide layer on the first conformal silicide layer, and a capping layer over the second conformal silicide layer. The semiconductor device includes a contact structure on the multi-silicide structure. The semiconductor device includes a dielectric material around the contact structure. In some implementations, a controller may determine etch process parameters to be used by an etch tool to perform an iteration of an atomic layer etch (ALE) process on the semiconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventor: Chung-Liang CHENG
  • Publication number: 20220293750
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first chip bonded to a second chip. The first chip includes gate all around transistors on a substrate. The first chip includes backside conductive vias extending through the substrate to the gate all around transistors. The second chip includes electronic circuitry electrically connected to the transistors by the backside conductive vias.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventor: Chung-Liang CHENG
  • Publication number: 20220293765
    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 source/drain structure attaching to the gate stack and a contact structure connecting to the source/drain structure. The semiconductor structure further includes a first cap layer covering a top surface of the contact structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang CHENG, Ziwei FANG
  • Publication number: 20220293770
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first cobalt-containing plug disposed over a substrate, a second cobalt-containing plug disposed over the first cobalt-containing plug, a first barrier layer over sidewalls of the second cobalt-containing plug, a second barrier layer over sidewalls of the first barrier layer, and a dielectric layer surrounding the second barrier layer. The first barrier layer contains a metal element. The first and second barrier layers include different material compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Chung-Liang Cheng, Yen-Yu Chen
  • Publication number: 20220285225
    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: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Chung-Liang Cheng, Ziwei Fang
  • Patent number: 11437477
    Abstract: A semiconductor may include an active region, an epitaxial source/drain formed in and extending above the active region, and a first dielectric layer formed over a portion of the active region. The semiconductor may include a first metal gate and a second metal gate formed in the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer formed over the first dielectric layer and the second metal gate, and a titanium layer, without an intervening fluorine residual layer, formed on the metal gate and the epitaxial source/drain. The semiconductor may include a first metal layer formed on top of the titanium layer on the first metal gate, a second metal layer formed on top of the titanium layer on the epitaxial source/drain, and a third dielectric layer formed on the second dielectric layer. The semiconductor may include first and second vias formed in the third dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Ting Tsai, Chung-Liang Cheng, Hong-Ming Lo, Chun-Chih Lin, Chyi-Tsong Ni
  • Patent number: 11430701
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with different gate structure configurations and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The method includes forming first and second nanostructured channel regions on first and second fin structures, forming first and second oxide layers with first and second thicknesses, forming a dielectric layer with first and second layer portions on the first and second oxide layers, forming first and second capping layers with first and second oxygen diffusivities on the first and second layer portions, growing the first and second oxide layers to have third and fourth thicknesses, and forming a gate metal fill layer over the dielectric layer. The first and second thicknesses are substantially equal to each other and the first and second oxide layers surround the first and second nanostructured channel regions. The second oxygen diffusivity is higher than the first oxygen diffusivity. The fourth thickness is greater than the third thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Inventor: Chung-Liang Cheng
  • Publication number: 20220254927
    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 within the gate capping structure and a first via structure disposed on the first contact structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manfacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Liang Cheng, Sheng-Tsung Wang, Huang-Lin Chao