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: 11984508
    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: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Wu-Wei Tsai, Po-Ting Lin, Hai-Ching Chen, Chung-Te Lin
  • Publication number: 20240145571
    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: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    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: 20240145600
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, an active layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode. The gate insulating layer is disposed between the gate electrode and the active layer, the source electrode and the drain electrode are arranged on one side of the gate insulating layer, wherein the gate insulating layer includes multilayer oxide films stacked on each other and at least one interface layer between the multilayer oxide films, and the material of the at least one interface layer is different from the material of the oxide films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-Chih WEN, Yi-Lin YANG, Hai-Ching CHEN
  • Publication number: 20240136221
    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: January 3, 2024
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Shao-Kuan Lee, Hai-Ching Chen, Hsin-Yen Huang, Shau-Lin Shue, Cheng-Chin Lee
  • Patent number: 11955561
    Abstract: A disclosed transistor structure includes a gate electrode, an active layer, a source electrode, a drain electrode, an insulating layer separating the gate electrode from the active layer, and a carrier modification device that reduces short channel effects by reducing carrier concentration variations in the active layer. The carrier modification device may include a capping layer in contact with the active layer that acts to increase a carrier concentration in the active layer. Alternatively, the carrier modification device may include a first injection layer in contact with the source electrode and the active layer separating the source electrode from the active layer, and a second injection layer in contact with the drain electrode and the active layer separating the drain electrode from the active layer. The first and second injection layers may act to reduce a carrier concentration within the active layer near the source electrode and the drain electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Wu-Wei Tsai, Hai-Ching Chen
  • Publication number: 20240113225
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate, a semiconductor structure, a gate insulating layer, a first source/drain feature and a second source/drain feature. The gate insulating layer is located between the gate and the semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes at least one first metal oxide layer, a first oxide layer, and at least one second metal oxide layer. The first oxide layer is located between the first metal oxide layer and the second metal oxide layer. The first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature are electrically connected with the semiconductor structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wu-Wei Tsai, Yan-Yi Chen, Hai-Ching Chen, Yu-Ming Lin, Chung-Te Lin
  • Publication number: 20240113222
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a thin film transistor comprising an active layer over a substrate. An insulator is stacked with the active layer. A gate electrode structure is stacked with the insulator and includes a gate material layer having a first work function and a first interfacial layer. The first interfacial layer is directly between the insulator and the gate material layer, wherein the gate electrode structure has a second work function that is different from the first work function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Yan-Yi Chen, Wu-Wei Tsai, Yu-Ming Hsiang, Hai-Ching Chen, Yu-Ming Lin, Chung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 11948834
    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: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yen Huang, Hai-Ching Chen, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Patent number: 11935783
    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: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yen Huang, Shao-Kuan Lee, Cheng-Chin Lee, Hai-Ching Chen, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Publication number: 20240088025
    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: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Hsin-Yen Huang, Kai-Fang Cheng, Chi-Lin Teng, Hai-Ching Chen, Tien-I Bao
  • Patent number: 11917831
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a first conductive structure arranged over a substrate. A memory layer is arranged over the first conductive structure, below a second conductive structure, and includes a ferroelectric material. An annealed seed layer is arranged between the first and second conductive structures and directly on a first side of the memory layer. An amount of the crystal structure that includes an orthorhombic phase is greater than about 35 percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Song-Fu Liao, Rainer Yen-Chieh Huang, Hai-Ching Chen, Chung-Te Lin
  • Publication number: 20240064993
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a transistor structure is provided. The method comprises forming a gate electrode in a dielectric layer of an interconnect structure; forming a monolayer on a portion of the dielectric layer laterally spaced from the gate electrode; sequentially forming a ferroelectric layer, a barrier layer and a channel layer on the gate electrode; and forming a source/drain electrode on the channel layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Song-Fu Liao, Kuo-Chang Chiang, Hai-Ching Chen, Chung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 11908792
    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: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Shao-Kuan Lee, Hai-Ching Chen, Hsin-Yen Huang, Shau-Lin Shue, Cheng-Chin Lee
  • Patent number: 11908936
    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: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    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
  • Publication number: 20240055517
    Abstract: Provided are a ferroelectric memory device and a method of forming the same. The ferroelectric memory device includes: a gate electrode; a ferroelectric layer, disposed on the gate electrode; a channel layer, disposed on the ferroelectric layer; a pair of source/drain (S/D) electrodes, disposed on the channel layer; a first insertion layer, disposed between the gate electrode and the ferroelectric layer; and a second insertion layer, disposed between the ferroelectric layer and the channel layer, wherein the second insertion layer has a thickness less than a thickness of the first insertion layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chang Chiang, Yu-Chuan Shih, Chun-Chieh Lu, Po-Ting Lin, Hai-Ching Chen, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Yu-Ming Lin, Chung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 11901221
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shao-Kuan Lee, Hai-Ching Chen, Hsin-Yen Huang, Shau-Lin Shue, Cheng-Chin Lee
  • Patent number: 11903217
    Abstract: An integrated chip including a semiconductor layer over a substrate. A pair of source/drains are arranged along the semiconductor layer. A first metal layer is over the substrate. A second metal layer is over the first metal layer. A ferroelectric layer is over the second metal layer. The first metal layer has a first crystal orientation and the second metal layer has a second crystal orientation different from the first crystal orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yen-Chieh Huang, Hai-Ching Chen, Chung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 11894266
    Abstract: A method and structure for forming an enhanced metal capping layer includes forming a portion of a multi-level metal interconnect network over a substrate. In some embodiments, the portion of the multi-level metal interconnect network includes a plurality of metal regions. In some cases, a dielectric region is disposed between each of the plurality of metal regions. By way of example, a metal capping layer may be deposited over each of the plurality of metal regions. Thereafter, in some embodiments, a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) may be deposited, where the SAM forms selectively on the metal capping layer, while the dielectric region is substantially free of the SAM. In various examples, after selectively forming the SAM on the metal capping layer, a thermal process may be performed, where the SAM prevents diffusion of the metal capping layer during the thermal process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shao-Kuan Lee, Cheng-Chin Lee, Hsin-Yen Huang, Hai-Ching Chen, Shau-Lin Shue
  • Publication number: 20240038854
    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: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wu-Wei Tsai, Yan-Yi Chen, Yu-Ming Hsiang, Hai-Ching Chen, Chung-Te Lin
  • Publication number: 20240032300
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a 3D memory device, including a plurality of gate lines interleaved between a plurality of dielectric layers in a vertical direction, the plurality of gate lines forming recesses between the plurality of dielectric layers; a source/drain line disposed next to the plurality of dielectric layers, spaced from the plurality of gate lines by the recesses in a lateral direction; a ferroelectric film arranged laterally between sidewalls of the plurality of gate lines and the source/drain line and confined within the recesses; and a semiconductor film disposed within the recesses and spacing the ferroelectric film from the source/drain line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Song-Fu Liao, Kuo-Chang Chiang, Hai-Ching Chen, Chung-Te Lin