Patents by Inventor De-Fang Chen
De-Fang Chen 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).
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Patent number: 11916131Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, a method of forming a vertical device is provided. The method includes: providing a protrusion over a substrate; forming an etch stop layer over the protrusion; laterally etching a sidewall of the etch stop layer; forming an insulating layer over the etch stop layer; forming a film layer over the insulating layer and the etch stop layer; performing chemical mechanical polishing on the film layer and exposing the etch stop layer; etching a portion of the etch stop layer to expose a top surface of the protrusion; forming an oxide layer over the protrusion and the film layer; and performing chemical mechanical polishing on the oxide layer and exposing the film layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2020Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company LimitedInventors: De-Fang Chen, Teng-Chun Tsai, Cheng-Tung Lin, Li-Ting Wang, Chun-Hung Lee, Ming-Ching Chang, Huan-Just Lin
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Patent number: 11901188Abstract: Exemplary methods of patterning a device layer are described, including operations of patterning a protector layer and forming a first opening in a first patterning layer to expose a first portion of the protector layer and a first portion of the hard mask layer, which are then are exposed to a first etch to form a first opening in the first portion of the hard mask layer. A second opening is formed in a second patterning layer to expose a second portion of the protector layer and a second portion of the hard mask layer. The second portion of the protector layer and the second portion of the hard mask layer are exposed to an etch to form a second opening in the second portion of the hard mask layer. Exposed portions of the device layer are then etched through the first opening and the second opening.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Chi-Cheng Hung, Chun-Kuang Chen, De-Fang Chen, Wei-Liang Lin, Yu-Tien Shen
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Patent number: 11855167Abstract: A semiconductor device structure and a method for forming a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a stack of channel structures over a semiconductor fin and a gate stack wrapped around the channel structures. The semiconductor device structure also includes a source/drain epitaxial structure adjacent to the channel structures and multiple inner spacers. Each of the inner spacers is between the gate stack and the source/drain epitaxial structure. The semiconductor device structure further includes an isolation structure between the semiconductor fin and the source/drain epitaxial structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Po-Cheng Wang, Ting-Yeh Chen, De-Fang Chen, Wei-Yang Lee
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Publication number: 20230361122Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a channel layer, a gate structure, a first source/drain epitaxial structure, a second source/drain epitaxial structure, and a bottom dielectric structure. The channel layer is over the substrate. The gate structure is across the channel layer. The first source/drain epitaxial structure and the second source/drain epitaxial structure are on opposite sides of the channel layer and are connected to the channel layer. The bottom dielectric structure is between the first source/drain epitaxial structure and the substrate. A maximum width of the first source/drain epitaxial structure is greater than or equal to a maximum width of the bottom dielectric structure in a cross-sectional view.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2023Publication date: November 9, 2023Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Kuo-Pi TSENG, De-Fang CHEN, Chao-Cheng CHEN
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Patent number: 11742353Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a channel layer, a gate structure, a source/drain epitaxial structure, and a bottom dielectric structure. The channel layer is over the substrate. The gate structure is over the substrate and surrounds the channel layer. The source/drain epitaxial structure is over the substrate and is connected to the channel layer. The bottom dielectric structure is between the source/drain epitaxial structure and the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Kuo-Pi Tseng, De-Fang Chen, Chao-Cheng Chen
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Publication number: 20230010717Abstract: A semiconductor device structure and a method for forming a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a stack of channel structures over a semiconductor fin and a gate stack wrapped around the channel structures. The semiconductor device structure also includes a source/drain epitaxial structure adjacent to the channel structures and multiple inner spacers. Each of the inner spacers is between the gate stack and the source/drain epitaxial structure. The semiconductor device structure further includes an isolation structure between the semiconductor fin and the source/drain epitaxial structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2021Publication date: January 12, 2023Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Po-Cheng WANG, Ting-Yeh CHEN, De-Fang CHEN, Wei-Yang LEE
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Publication number: 20220375752Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit includes forming a patterned mask layer on a material layer, wherein the patterned mask layer has a plurality of first features, and a first distance between adjacent first features of the plurality of first features. The method further includes patterning the material layer to form the first features in the material layer. The method further includes increasing the first distance between adjacent first features of the plurality of first features to a second distance. The method further includes treating portions of the material layer exposed by the patterned mask layer. The method further includes removing the patterned mask layer; and removing non-treated portions of the material layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2022Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: Tzu-Yen Hsieh, Ming-Ching Chang, Chun-Hung Lee, Yih-Ann Lin, De-Fang Chen, Chao-Cheng Chen
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Publication number: 20220336457Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a channel layer, a gate structure, a source/drain epitaxial structure, and a bottom dielectric structure. The channel layer is over the substrate. The gate structure is over the substrate and surrounds the channel layer. The source/drain epitaxial structure is over the substrate and is connected to the channel layer. The bottom dielectric structure is between the source/drain epitaxial structure and the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2021Publication date: October 20, 2022Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Kuo-Pi TSENG, De-Fang CHEN, Chao-Cheng CHEN
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Patent number: 11462408Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit includes forming a patterned mask layer on a material layer, wherein the patterned mask layer has a plurality of first features, and a first distance between adjacent first features of the plurality of first features. The method further includes patterning the material layer to form the first features in the material layer. The method further includes increasing the first distance between adjacent first features of the plurality of first features to a second distance. The method further includes treating portions of the material layer exposed by the patterned mask layer. The method further includes removing the patterned mask layer; and removing non-treated portions of the material layer.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2020Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Tzu-Yen Hsieh, Ming-Ching Chang, Chun-Hung Lee, Yih-Ann Lin, De-Fang Chen, Chao-Cheng Chen
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Publication number: 20220285561Abstract: A method includes providing a semiconductor structure including a fin protruding from a substrate, where the fin includes first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers, recessing the fin to form a source/drain (S/D) recess, forming an S/D feature in the S/D recess, trimming the S/D feature, depositing a dielectric layer to cover the S/D feature, forming a contact hole in the dielectric layer to expose the S/D feature, and forming a metal contact in the contact hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2021Publication date: September 8, 2022Inventors: Wei-Jen Lai, Wei-Yang Lee, De-Fang Chen, Ting-Wen Shih
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Publication number: 20220223428Abstract: Exemplary methods of patterning a device layer are described, including operations of patterning a protector layer and forming a first opening in a first patterning layer to expose a first portion of the protector layer and a first portion of the hard mask layer, which are then are exposed to a first etch to form a first opening in the first portion of the hard mask layer. A second opening is formed in a second patterning layer to expose a second portion of the protector layer and a second portion of the hard mask layer. The second portion of the protector layer and the second portion of the hard mask layer are exposed to an etch to form a second opening in the second portion of the hard mask layer. Exposed portions of the device layer are then etched through the first opening and the second opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2022Publication date: July 14, 2022Inventors: Chi-Cheng Hung, Chun-Kuang Chen, De-Fang Chen, Wei-Liang Lin, Yu-Tien Shen
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Patent number: 11289338Abstract: Exemplary methods of patterning a device layer are described, including operations of patterning a protector layer and forming a first opening in a first patterning layer to expose a first portion of the protector layer and a first portion of the hard mask layer, which are then are exposed to a first etch to form a first opening in the first portion of the hard mask layer. A second opening is formed in a second patterning layer to expose a second portion of the protector layer and a second portion of the hard mask layer. The second portion of the protector layer and the second portion of the hard mask layer are exposed to an etch to form a second opening in the second portion of the hard mask layer. Exposed portions of the device layer are then etched through the first opening and the second opening.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Chi-Cheng Hung, Chun-Kuang Chen, De-Fang Chen, Wei-Liang Lin, Yu-Tien Shen
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Patent number: 11227788Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, a method of forming an isolation layer is provided. The method includes the following operations: providing a substrate; providing a vertical structure having a first layer over the substrate; providing a first interlayer dielectric over the first layer; performing CMP on the first interlayer dielectric; and etching back the first interlayer dielectric and the first layer to form the isolation layer corresponding to a source of the vertical structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2020Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Teng-Chun Tsai, Bing-Hung Chen, Chien-Hsun Wang, Cheng-Tung Lin, Chih-Tang Peng, De-Fang Chen, Huan-Just Lin, Li-Ting Wang, Yung-Cheng Lu
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Patent number: 11056486Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first vertical device having a first threshold and second vertical device having a second threshold. The first vertical device includes a first source; a first channel over the first source; a first drain over the first channel; a first conductive layer adjacent to the first channel; and a first gate adjacent to the first conductive layer. The second vertical device includes a second source; a second channel over the second source; a second drain over the second channel; a second conductive layer adjacent to the second channel; and a second gate adjacent to the second conductive layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2019Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Li-Ting Wang, Teng-Chun Tsai, Cheng-Tung Lin, De-Fang Chen, Hui-Cheng Chang
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Publication number: 20210050430Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, a method of forming a vertical device is provided. The method includes: providing a protrusion over a substrate; forming an etch stop layer over the protrusion; laterally etching a sidewall of the etch stop layer; forming an insulating layer over the etch stop layer; forming a film layer over the insulating layer and the etch stop layer; performing chemical mechanical polishing on the film layer and exposing the etch stop layer; etching a portion of the etch stop layer to expose a top surface of the protrusion; forming an oxide layer over the protrusion and the film layer; and performing chemical mechanical polishing on the oxide layer and exposing the film layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: DE-FANG CHEN, TENG-CHUN TSAI, CHENG-TUNG LIN, LI-TING WANG, CHUN-HUNG LEE, MING-CHING CHANG, HUAN-JUST LIN
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Patent number: 10879129Abstract: A method includes forming a pattern-reservation layer over a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate has a major surface. A first self-aligned multi-patterning process is performed to pattern a pattern-reservation layer. The remaining portions of the pattern-reservation layer include pattern-reservation strips extending in a first direction that is parallel to the major surface of the semiconductor substrate. A second self-aligned multi-patterning process is performed to pattern the pattern-reservation layer in a second direction parallel to the major surface of the semiconductor substrate. The remaining portions of the pattern-reservation layer include patterned features. The patterned features are used as an etching mask to form semiconductor nanowires by etching the semiconductor substrate.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Ching-Feng Fu, De-Fang Chen, Yu-Chan Yen, Chia-Ying Lee, Chun-Hung Lee, Huan-Just Lin
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Patent number: 10854728Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, a method of forming a vertical device is provided. The method includes: providing a protrusion over a substrate; forming an etch stop layer over the protrusion; laterally etching a sidewall of the etch stop layer; forming an insulating layer over the etch stop layer; forming a film layer over the insulating layer and the etch stop layer; performing chemical mechanical polishing on the film layer and exposing the etch stop layer; etching a portion of the etch stop layer to expose a top surface of the protrusion; forming an oxide layer over the protrusion and the film layer; and performing chemical mechanical polishing on the oxide layer and exposing the film layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2019Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company LimitedInventors: De-Fang Chen, Teng-Chun Tsai, Cheng-Tung Lin, Li-Ting Wang, Chun-Hung Lee, Ming-Ching Chang, Huan-Just Lin
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Publication number: 20200343097Abstract: Exemplary methods of patterning a device layer are described, including operations of patterning a protector layer and forming a first opening in a first patterning layer to expose a first portion of the protector layer and a first portion of the hard mask layer, which are then are exposed to a first etch to form a first opening in the first portion of the hard mask layer. A second opening is formed in a second patterning layer to expose a second portion of the protector layer and a second portion of the hard mask layer. The second portion of the protector layer and the second portion of the hard mask layer are exposed to an etch to form a second opening in the second portion of the hard mask layer. Exposed portions of the device layer are then etched through the first opening and the second opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2020Publication date: October 29, 2020Inventors: Chi-Cheng Hung, Chun-Kuang Chen, De-Fang Chen, Wei-Liang Lin, Yu-Tien Shen
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Publication number: 20200335388Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, a method of forming an isolation layer is provided. The method includes the following operations: providing a substrate; providing a vertical structure having a first layer over the substrate; providing a first interlayer dielectric over the first layer; performing CMP on the first interlayer dielectric; and etching back the first interlayer dielectric and the first layer to form the isolation layer corresponding to a source of the vertical structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Teng-Chun TSAI, Bing-Hung CHEN, Chien-Hsun WANG, Cheng-Tung LIN, Chih-Tang PENG, De-Fang CHEN, Huan-Just LIN, Li-Ting WANG, Yung-Cheng LU
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Publication number: 20200312663Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit includes forming a patterned mask layer on a material layer, wherein the patterned mask layer has a plurality of first features, and a first distance between adjacent first features of the plurality of first features. The method further includes patterning the material layer to form the first features in the material layer. The method further includes increasing the first distance between adjacent first features of the plurality of first features to a second distance. The method further includes treating portions of the material layer exposed by the patterned mask layer. The method further includes removing the patterned mask layer; and removing non-treated portions of the material layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Inventors: Tzu-Yen Hsieh, Ming-Ching Chang, Chun-Hung Lee, Yi-Ann Lin, De-Fang Chen, Chao-Cheng Chen