Patents by Inventor Hai-Ching Chen

Hai-Ching 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).

  • Patent number: 12733212
    Abstract: A thin film transistor may be manufactured by forming a gate electrode in an insulating layer over a substrate, forming a gate dielectric over the gate electrode and the insulating layer, forming an active layer over the gate electrode, and forming a source electrode and a drain electrode contacting a respective portion of a top surface of the active layer. A surface oxygen concentration may be increased in at least one of the gate dielectric and the active layer by introducing oxygen atoms into a surface region of a respective one of the gate dielectric and the active layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2026
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Wu-Wei Tsai, Chun-Chieh Lu, Hai-Ching Chen, Yu-Ming Lin, Sai-Hooi Yeong
  • Patent number: 12733473
    Abstract: Integrated circuit devices and methods of forming the same are provided. A method according to the present disclosure includes providing a workpiece including a semiconductor substrate, a first ILD layer over the semiconductor substrate, and a first metal feature in the first ILD layer; depositing a second metal feature over the workpiece such that the second metal feature is electrically coupled to the first metal feature; patterning the second metal feature to form a first trench adjacent to the first metal feature; depositing a blocking layer over the workpiece, wherein the blocking layer selectively attaches to the first ILD layer; depositing a barrier layer over the workpiece, wherein the barrier layer selectively forms over the second metal feature relative to the first ILD layer; and depositing a second ILD layer over the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2026
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yen Huang, Hai-Ching Chen, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Patent number: 12733175
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip (IC) comprising a first electrode structure disposed in a substrate. A first ferroelectric structure is disposed on a first side of the first electrode structure. A channel structure is disposed on a first side of the first ferroelectric structure. The channel structure includes a plurality of individual channel structures and a plurality of insulator structures. The plurality of individual channel structures and the plurality of insulator structures are alternately stacked. A pair of source/drain (S/D) structures are disposed on the first side of the first ferroelectric structure. The pair of S/D structures extend vertically through the channel structure, and the first electrode structure is disposed laterally between the S/D structures of the pair of S/D structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2026
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yen-Chieh Huang, Po-Ting Lin, Song-Fu Liao, Hai-Ching Chen, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Yu-Ming Lin, Chung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 12713658
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device is provided. A gate electrode is formed within an insulating layer that overlies a substrate. A gate dielectric layer is formed over the gate electrode. A first oxide semiconductor layer is formed over the gate dielectric layer. A dielectric layer is formed over the first oxide semiconductor layer. The dielectric layer and the first oxide semiconductor layer are patterned, so as to form first and second openings that expose portions of the gate dielectric layer. An interfacial layer is conformally formed on sidewalls and bottoms of the first and second openings. A second oxide semiconductor layer is formed over the interfacial layer in the first and second openings. A metal layer is formed over the second oxide semiconductor layer in the first and second openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2026
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wu-Wei Tsai, Po-Ting Lin, Kai-Wen Cheng, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Han-Ting Tsai, Ya-Ling Lee, Hai-Ching Chen, Chung-Te Lin, Yu-Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 12701734
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first transistor. The first transistor includes a source region, a drain region, a semiconductive material layer, a gate dielectric film stack and a gate electrode. The semiconductive material layer is disposed between the source region and the drain region. The gate dielectric film stack is disposed on the semiconductive material layer and includes a first film layer, a second film layer and an intermediate film layer. The first film layer and the second film layer include hafnium. The intermediate layer is sandwiched in between the first film layer and the second film layer and includes hafnium, wherein a hafnium content of the intermediate film layer is lower than a hafnium content of the first film layer and a hafnium content of the second film layer. The gate electrode is disposed on the gate dielectric film stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2026
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Ting Lin, Wu-Wei Tsai, Hai-Ching Chen, Yu-Ming Lin, Chung-Te Lin
  • Publication number: 20260190416
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an active layer, a first gate insulator layer disposed over the active layer, a first gate layer disposed over the gate insulator layer, at least one charged layer disposed between the first gate insulator layer and the active layer, and a pair of contact structures disposed over the active layer. The at least one charged layer includes an oxide material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2026
    Publication date: July 2, 2026
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wu-Wei Tsai, Yan-Yi Chen, Yu-Ming Hsiang, Hai-Ching Chen, Chung-Te Lin
  • Publication number: 20260173833
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip may comprise a first metal line disposed over a substrate. A via may be disposed directly over a top of the first metal line and the via may comprise a first lower surface and a second lower surface above the first lower surface. A first dielectric structure may be disposed laterally adjacent to the first metal line and may be disposed along a sidewall of the first metal line. A first protective etch-stop structure may be disposed directly over a top of the first dielectric structure and the first protective etch-stop structure may vertically separate the second lower surface of the via from the top of the first dielectric structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2026
    Publication date: June 18, 2026
    Inventors: Shao-Kuan Lee, Hai-Ching Chen, Hsin-Yen Huang, Shau-Lin Shue, Cheng-Chin Lee
  • Patent number: 12660252
    Abstract: Ferroelectric devices, including FeFET and/or FeRAM devices, include ferroelectric material layers deposited using atomic layer deposition (ALD). By controlling parameters of the ALD deposition sequence, the crystal structure and ferroelectric properties of the ferroelectric layer may be engineered. An ALD deposition sequence including relatively shorter precursor pulse durations and purge durations between successive precursor pulses may provide a ferroelectric layer having relatively uniform crystal grain sizes and a small mean grain size (e.g., ?3 nm), which may provide effective ferroelectric performance. An ALD deposition sequence including relatively longer precursor pulse durations and purge durations between successive precursor pulses may provide a ferroelectric layer having less uniform crystal grain sizes and a larger mean grain size (e.g., ?7 nm).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2026
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Po-Ting Lin, Song-Fu Liao, Rainer Yen-Chieh Huang, Hai-Ching Chen, Yu-Ming Lin, Chung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 12660293
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated circuit (IC) in which a memory structure comprises an inhibition layer inserted between two ferroelectric layers to create a tetragonal-phase dominant ferroelectric structure. In some embodiments, the ferroelectric structure includes a first ferroelectric layer, a second ferroelectric layer overlying the first ferroelectric layer, and a first inhibition layer disposed between the first and second ferroelectric layers and bordering the second ferroelectric layer. The first inhibition layer is a different material than the first and second ferroelectric layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2026
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Ting Lin, Yu-Ming Hsiang, Wei-Chih Wen, Yin-Hao Wu, Wu-Wei Tsai, Hai-Ching Chen, Yu-Ming Lin, Chung-Te Lin
  • Publication number: 20260156871
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an insulating layer having formed therein a gate electrode and overlying a substrate, a stack of a gate dielectric including a gate dielectric material, a dielectric diffusion barrier liner including a dielectric diffusion barrier material, and an active layer overlying a top surface of the gate electrode, and a source electrode and a drain electrode contacting a respective portion of a top surface of the active layer. The dielectric diffusion barrier material is different from the gate dielectric material and is selected from a dielectric metal oxide material and a dielectric compound of silicon, and suppresses loss of metallic elements during subsequent anneal processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2026
    Publication date: June 4, 2026
    Inventors: Wu-Wei Tsai, Yu-Ming Lin, Hai-Ching Chen, Sai-Hooi Yeong
  • Publication number: 20260136607
    Abstract: A ferroelectric field effect transistor (FeFET) having a double-gate structure includes a first gate electrode, a first ferroelectric material layer over the first gate electrode, a semiconductor channel layer over the first ferroelectric material layer, source and drain electrodes contacting the semiconductor channel layer, a second ferroelectric material layer over the semiconductor channel layer, and a second gate electrode over the second ferroelectric material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2026
    Publication date: May 14, 2026
    Inventors: Yen-Chieh HUANG, Song-Fu LIAO, Po-Ting LIN, Hai-Ching CHEN, Sai-Hooi YEONG, Yu-Ming LIN, Chung-Te LIN
  • Patent number: 12593673
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for forming an integrated circuit (IC) structure. The method comprises providing a substrate including a conductive feature; forming aluminum (Al)-containing dielectric layer on the conductive feature; forming a low-k dielectric layer on the Al-containing dielectric layer; and etching the low-k dielectric layer to form a contact trench aligned with the conductive feature. A bottom of the contact trench is on a surface of the Al-containing dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2026
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yen Huang, Kai-Fang Cheng, Chi-Lin Teng, Hai-Ching Chen, Tien-I Bao
  • Patent number: 12581928
    Abstract: An integrated chip includes a first metal line disposed over a substrate. A via is disposed directly over a top of the first metal line and the via has a first lower surface and a second lower surface above the first lower surface. A first dielectric structure is disposed laterally adjacent to the first metal line and along a sidewall of the first metal line. A first protective etch-stop structure is disposed directly over a top of the first dielectric structure and vertically separates the second lower surface of the via from the top of the first dielectric structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2026
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shao-Kuan Lee, Hai-Ching Chen, Hsin-Yen Huang, Shau-Lin Shue, Cheng-Chin Lee
  • Patent number: 12575137
    Abstract: A thin film transistor includes an active layer and at least one gate stack. The active layer may be formed using multiple iterations of a unit layer stack deposition process, which includes an acceptor-type oxide deposition process and a post-transition metal oxide deposition process. A surface of each gate dielectric within the at least one gate stack contacts a surface of a respective layer of the oxide of the acceptor-type element so that leakage current of the active layer may be minimized. A source electrode and a drain electrode may contact an oxide layer providing lower contact resistance such as a layer of the post-transition metal oxide or a zinc oxide layer within the active layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Wu-Wei Tsai, Chung-Te Lin, Po-Ting Lin, Hai-Ching Chen
  • Patent number: 12568656
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an insulating layer having formed therein a gate electrode and overlying a substrate, a stack of a gate dielectric including a gate dielectric material, a dielectric diffusion barrier liner including a dielectric diffusion barrier material, and an active layer overlying a top surface of the gate electrode, and a source electrode and a drain electrode contacting a respective portion of a top surface of the active layer. The dielectric diffusion barrier material is different from the gate dielectric material and is selected from a dielectric metal oxide material and a dielectric compound of silicon, and suppresses loss of metallic elements during subsequent anneal processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2026
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Wu-Wei Tsai, Yu-Ming Lin, Hai-Ching Chen, Sai-Hooi Yeong
  • Patent number: 12563807
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an active layer, a first gate insulator layer disposed over the active layer, a first gate layer disposed over the gate insulator layer, at least one charged layer disposed between the first gate insulator layer and the active layer, and a pair of contact structures disposed over the active layer. The at least one charged layer includes an oxide material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2026
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wu-Wei Tsai, Yan-Yi Chen, Yu-Ming Hsiang, Hai-Ching Chen, Chung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 12550383
    Abstract: A ferroelectric field effect transistor (FeFET) having a double-gate structure includes a first gate electrode, a first ferroelectric material layer over the first gate electrode, a semiconductor channel layer over the first ferroelectric material layer, source and drain electrodes contacting the semiconductor channel layer, a second ferroelectric material layer over the semiconductor channel layer, and a second gate electrode over the second ferroelectric material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2026
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Yen-Chieh Huang, Song-Fu Liao, Po-Ting Lin, Hai-Ching Chen, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Yu-Ming Lin, Chung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 12550694
    Abstract: Examples of an integrated circuit with an interconnect structure and a method for forming the integrated circuit are provided herein. In some examples, the method includes receiving a workpiece that includes a substrate and an interconnect structure. The interconnect structure includes a first conductive feature disposed within a first inter-level dielectric layer. A blocking layer is selectively formed on the first conductive feature without forming the blocking layer on the first inter-level dielectric layer. An alignment feature is selectively formed on the first inter-level dielectric layer without forming the alignment feature on the blocking layer. The blocking layer is removed from the first conductive feature, and a second inter-level dielectric layer is formed on the alignment feature and on the first conductive feature. The second inter-level dielectric layer is patterned to define a recess for a second conductive feature, and the second conductive feature is formed within the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2026
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yen Huang, Shao-Kuan Lee, Cheng-Chin Lee, Hai-Ching Chen, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Publication number: 20260033305
    Abstract: Integrated circuit devices and methods of forming the same are provided. A method according to the present disclosure includes providing a workpiece including a first metal feature in a dielectric layer and a capping layer over the first metal feature, selectively depositing a blocking layer over the capping layer, depositing an etch stop layer (ESL) over the workpiece, removing the blocking layer, and depositing a second metal feature over the workpiece such that the first metal feature is electrically coupled to the second metal feature. The blocking layer prevents the ESL from being deposited over the capping layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2025
    Publication date: January 29, 2026
    Inventors: Hsin-Yen Huang, Tai-I Yang, Shao-Kuan Lee, Cheng-Chin Lee, Chia-Tien Wu, Hai-Ching Chen, Hsiang-Wei Liu, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Patent number: 12512403
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first conductive feature, a second conductive feature, and a first dielectric layer positioned between the first conductive feature and the second conductive feature. An etch stop layer is over the first dielectric layer. A cap layer is over the first conductive feature, the second conductive feature, and the etch stop layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Shao-Kuan Lee, Hai-Ching Chen, Hsin-Yen Huang, Shau-Lin Shue, Cheng-Chin Lee