Patents by Inventor ERHU ZHENG

ERHU ZHENG 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: 20230223452
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a forming method thereof are provided. The method includes: providing a substrate, a dummy spacer being formed on a side wall of the gate structure, a contact etch stop layer being formed on a side wall of the dummy spacer, and a source/drain doped area being formed in the substrate on two sides of the gate structure; forming a sacrificial dielectric layer above tops of the source/drain doped area and the gate structure; forming a source/drain plug running through the sacrificial dielectric layer; etching the sacrificial dielectric layer until a top of the dummy spacer is exposed; removing, after the top of the dummy spacer is exposed, the dummy spacer to form a gap between the contact etch stop layer and the side wall of the gate structure; and forming a top dielectric layer filling between the source/drain plugs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Applicants: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation, Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) Corporation
    Inventors: Bo Su, Hansu OH, Chunsheng ZHENG, Erhu ZHENG, Haiyang ZHANG
  • Patent number: 11393685
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for forming a semiconductor structure. The method includes providing a to-be-etched layer; forming a plurality of initial sidewall spacers on the to-be-etched layer; and performing at least one modification treatment process on the plurality of initial sidewall spacers to form a plurality of sidewall spacers. Each of the at least one modification treatment process includes modifying the plurality of initial sidewall spacers to form a transition layer on the top and sidewall surfaces of each initial sidewall spacer of the plurality of initial sidewall spacers, and then removing the transition layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignees: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation, Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) Corporation
    Inventors: Bo Su, Shiliang Ji, Erhu Zheng, Yan Wang, Haiyang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20210134595
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for forming a semiconductor structure. The method includes providing a to-be-etched layer; forming a plurality of initial sidewall spacers on the to-be-etched layer; and performing at least one modification treatment process on the plurality of initial sidewall spacers to form a plurality of sidewall spacers. Each of the at least one modification treatment process includes modifying the plurality of initial sidewall spacers to form a transition layer on the top and sidewall surfaces of each initial sidewall spacer of the plurality of initial sidewall spacers, and then removing the transition layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Bo SU, Shiliang JI, Erhu ZHENG, Yan WANG, Haiyang ZHANG
  • Patent number: 10957550
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a formation method thereof are provided. The formation method includes: providing a base, the base including a pattern dense region and a pattern isolated region; forming a plurality of separate hard mask layers on the base, where adjacent hard mask layers and the base define an opening, and an opening of the pattern isolated region is wider than an opening of the pattern dense region; forming a trimming layer at least on a side wall of the opening of the pattern isolated region, the trimming layer and the hard mask layer constituting a mask structure layer; and etching, using the mask structure layer as a mask, a portion of the thickness of the base exposed by the opening to form a plurality of target pattern layers protruding from the remaining base. Embodiments and implementations of the present disclosure are advantageous for improving a critical dimension uniformity of a target pattern layer in each region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignees: Semiconductor Manufacturing (Beijing) International Corporation, Semconductor Manufacturing (Shanghai) International Corporation
    Inventors: Haiyang Zhang, Erhu Zheng
  • Publication number: 20200279748
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a formation method thereof are provided. The formation method includes: providing a base, the base including a pattern dense region and a pattern isolated region; forming a plurality of separate hard mask layers on the base, where adjacent hard mask layers and the base define an opening, and an opening of the pattern isolated region is wider than an opening of the pattern dense region; forming a trimming layer at least on a side wall of the opening of the pattern isolated region, the trimming layer and the hard mask layer constituting a mask structure layer; and etching, using the mask structure layer as a mask, a portion of the thickness of the base exposed by the opening to form a plurality of target pattern layers protruding from the remaining base. Embodiments and implementations of the present disclosure are advantageous for improving a critical dimension uniformity of a target pattern layer in each region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Applicants: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) Corporation, Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventors: Haiyang ZHANG, Erhu ZHENG
  • Patent number: 10763169
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate structure comprising an active region, a first interlayer dielectric layer on the active region, and a first opening in the first interlayer dielectric layer and extending to the active region, at least one gate structure in the first opening and comprising spacers on sidewalls of the first opening, a gate dielectric layer on the active region, a metal gate on the gate dielectric layer, and a hardmask on the metal gate and having a first recess in a middle portion of its upper surface, the gate dielectric layer, the metal gate, and the hardmask being between the spacers, a second interlayer dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer and on at least a portion of the hardmask, and a second opening adjacent to the at least one gate structure in the first opening and exposing the spacers and a surface of the active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignees: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION, SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (BEIJING) CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chenglong Zhang, Erhu Zheng, Haiyang Zhang
  • Patent number: 10593550
    Abstract: This application relates to the technical field of semiconductors, and teaches methods for manufacturing a semiconductor structure. One implementation of a method includes: forming a semiconductor layer at a surface of a to-be-etched material layer on a substrate; forming an amorphous carbon layer on the semiconductor layer; forming a patterned mask layer on the amorphous carbon layer; and etching the amorphous carbon layer, the semiconductor layer, and the to-be-etched material layer using the patterned mask layer as a mask. This application may improve uniformity of the amorphous carbon layer, so that a position of a pattern that is formed after the to-be-etched material layer is etched does not deviate from an expected position, and a shape of the pattern is an expected shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignees: Semiconductor Manufacturing (Shanghai) International Corporation, Semiconductor Manufacturing (Beijing) International Corporation
    Inventors: Erhu Zheng, Jinhe Qi
  • Patent number: 10453968
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and its manufacturing method are presented, relating to semiconductor techniques. The manufacturing method includes: forming a multi-layer structure comprising one or more semiconductor structures on a substrate. The semiconductor structure is formed by: forming a first semiconductor layer; and forming a second semiconductor layer on the first semiconductor layer, wherein in at least one semiconductor structure, an ion implantation is conducted on a portion of the first semiconductor layer to form a doped region therein; etching the multi-layer structure to form a fin structure and a support structure on at least one side of the fin structure, with the support structure comprising at least a portion of the doped region; and removing the first semiconductor layer in the fin structure so that the second semiconductor layer becomes hanging over the substrate. This inventive concept ameliorates the bending issue of the second semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignees: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION, SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (BEIJING) CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hai Yang Zhang, Erhu Zheng
  • Publication number: 20190189511
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate structure comprising an active region, a first interlayer dielectric layer on the active region, and a first opening in the first interlayer dielectric layer and extending to the active region, at least one gate structure in the first opening and comprising spacers on sidewalls of the first opening, a gate dielectric layer on the active region, a metal gate on the gate dielectric layer, and a hardmask on the metal gate and having a first recess in a middle portion of its upper surface, the gate dielectric layer, the metal gate, and the hardmask being between the spacers, a second interlayer dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer and on at least a portion of the hardmask, and a second opening adjacent to the at least one gate structure in the first opening and exposing the spacers and a surface of the active region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicants: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation, Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) Corporation
    Inventors: Chenglong Zhang, Erhu Zheng, Haiyang Zhang
  • Patent number: 10242910
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate structure having an action region and a gate structure having a gate dielectric layer, a gate, a hardmask. The method also includes forming a first dielectric layer on the gate structure, forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer, performing a surface treatment on the second dielectric layer so that the upper surface of the second dielectric layer is flush with the upper surface of the mask member, which has a first recess is in its middle portion, forming a third dielectric layer on the second dielectric layer covering the mask member and selectively etching the third dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer relative to the first dielectric layer and the hardmask to form an opening adjacent to the gate structure and exposing the first dielectric layer on sidewalls of the gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignees: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION, SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (BEIJING) CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chenglong Zhang, Erhu Zheng, Haiyang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20180351001
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and its manufacturing method are presented, relating to semiconductor techniques. The manufacturing method includes: forming a multi-layer structure comprising one or more semiconductor structures on a substrate. The semiconductor structure is formed by: forming a first semiconductor layer; and forming a second semiconductor layer on the first semiconductor layer, wherein in at least one semiconductor structure, an ion implantation is conducted on a portion of the first semiconductor layer to form a doped region therein; etching the multi-layer structure to form a fin structure and a support structure on at least one side of the fin structure, with the support structure comprising at least a portion of the doped region; and removing the first semiconductor layer in the fin structure so that the second semiconductor layer becomes hanging over the substrate. This inventive concept ameliorates the bending issue of the second semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Hai Yang ZHANG, Erhu ZHENG
  • Publication number: 20180342393
    Abstract: This application relates to the technical field of semiconductors, and teaches methods for manufacturing a semiconductor structure. One implementation of a method includes: forming a semiconductor layer at a surface of a to-be-etched material layer on a substrate; forming an amorphous carbon layer on the semiconductor layer; forming a patterned mask layer on the amorphous carbon layer; and etching the amorphous carbon layer, the semiconductor layer, and the to-be-etched material layer using the patterned mask layer as a mask. This application may improve uniformity of the amorphous carbon layer, so that a position of a pattern that is formed after the to-be-etched material layer is etched does not deviate from an expected position, and a shape of the pattern is an expected shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicants: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation, Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) Corporation
    Inventors: Erhu Zheng, Jinhe Qi
  • Patent number: 9978760
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device may include the following steps: providing a spacer structure on a first side of a stack structure, wherein the stack structure includes a mask and a conductor; providing an etch stop layer, wherein a portion of the etch stop layer directly contacts both the mask and a portion of the spacer structure; providing a dielectric material member on the etch stop layer; partially removing the first dielectric material member to expose the portion of the etch stop layer; removing the portion of the etch stop layer to expose the portion of the spacer structure; removing the portion of the spacer structure to expose a side of the mask and to form a first spacer; and providing a second spacer, which directly contacts both the first spacer and the side of the mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignees: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (BEIJING) CORPORATION, SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yiying Zhang, Erhu Zheng
  • Patent number: 9911593
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an NAND flash memory includes providing a semiconductor substrate with a core region and a peripheral region, forming a plurality of discrete gate stack structures in the core region with neighboring gate stack structures separated by a first dielectric layer. The method further includes forming a flowable dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer and the gate stack structures, and forming a solid dielectric layer through a solidification treatment process performed on the flowable dielectric layer. Voids and seams formed in the top portion of the first dielectric layer are filled by the solid dielectric layer. The method also includes removing the solid dielectric layer and a portion of the first dielectric layer to expose a top portion of the gate stack structures, and forming a metal silicide layer on each gate stack structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignees: SEIMCONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (BEIJING) CORPORATION, SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION
    Inventors: Erhu Zheng, Shiliang Ji, Yiying Zhang
  • Publication number: 20180005886
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate structure having an action region and a gate structure having a gate dielectric layer, a gate, a hardmask. The method also includes forming a first dielectric layer on the gate structure, forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer, performing a surface treatment on the second dielectric layer so that the upper surface of the second dielectric layer is flush with the upper surface of the mask member, which has a first recess is in its middle portion, forming a third dielectric layer on the second dielectric layer covering the mask member and selectively etching the third dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer relative to the first dielectric layer and the hardmask to form an opening adjacent to the gate structure and exposing the first dielectric layer on sidewalls of the gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: CHENGLONG ZHANG, ERHU ZHENG, HAIYANG ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20170179142
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device may include the following steps: providing a spacer structure on a first side of a stack structure, wherein the stack structure includes a mask and a conductor; providing an etch stop layer, wherein a portion of the etch stop layer directly contacts both the mask and a portion of the spacer structure; providing a dielectric material member on the etch stop layer; partially removing the first dielectric material member to expose the portion of the etch stop layer; removing the portion of the etch stop layer to expose the portion of the spacer structure; removing the portion of the spacer structure to expose a side of the mask and to form a first spacer; and providing a second spacer, which directly contacts both the first spacer and the side of the mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Yiying ZHANG, Erhu ZHENG
  • Publication number: 20170170011
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an NAND flash memory includes providing a semiconductor substrate with a core region and a peripheral region, forming a plurality of discrete gate stack structures in the core region with neighboring gate stack structures separated by a first dielectric layer. The method further includes forming a flowable dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer and the gate stack structures, and forming a solid dielectric layer through a solidification treatment process performed on the flowable dielectric layer. Voids and seams formed in the top portion of the first dielectric layer are filled by the solid dielectric layer. The method also includes removing the solid dielectric layer and a portion of the first dielectric layer to expose a top portion of the gate stack structures, and forming a metal silicide layer on each gate stack structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: ERHU ZHENG, SHILIANG JI, YIYING ZHANG