Patents by Inventor Hong-Mao Lee
Hong-Mao Lee 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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Publication number: 20230411242Abstract: The present disclosure describes a buried conductive structure in a semiconductor substrate and a method for forming the structure. The structure includes an epitaxial region disposed on a substrate and adjacent to a nanostructured gate layer and a nanostructured channel layer, a first silicide layer disposed within a top portion of the epitaxial region, and a first conductive structure disposed on a top surface of the first silicide layer. The structure further includes a second silicide layer disposed within a bottom portion of the epitaxial region and a second conductive structure disposed on a bottom surface of the second silicide layer and traversing through the substrate, where the second conductive structure includes a first metal layer in contact with the second silicide layer and a second metal layer in contact with the first metal layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2022Publication date: December 21, 2023Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kan-Ju LIN, Lin-Yu HUANG, Min-Hsuan LU, Wei-Yip LOH, Hong-Mao LEE, Harry CHIEN
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Publication number: 20230411496Abstract: A semiconductor structure and method of forming a semiconductor structure are provided. In some embodiments, the method includes forming a gate structure over a substrate. An epitaxial source/drain region is formed adjacent to the gate structure. A dielectric layer is formed over the epitaxial source/drain region. An opening is formed, the opening extending through the dielectric layer and exposing the epitaxial source/drain region. Sidewalls of the opening are defined by the dielectric layer and a bottom of the opening is defined by the epitaxial source/drain region. A silicide layer is formed on the epitaxial source/drain region. A metal capping layer including tungsten, molybdenum, or a combination thereof is selectively formed on the silicide layer by a first deposition process. The opening is filled with a first conductive material in a bottom-up manner from the metal capping layer by a second deposition process different from the first deposition process.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2022Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Kan-Ju LIN, Chien CHANG, Chih-Shiun CHOU, Tai Min CHANG, Yi-Ning TAI, Hong-Mao LEE, Yan-Ming TSAI, Wei-Yip LOH, Harry CHIEN, Chih-Wei CHANG, Ming-Hsing TSAI, Lin-Yu HUANG
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Publication number: 20230402278Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes following operations. A substrate is provided with a gate stack thereon, an epitaxial layer therein, and a dielectric layer aside the gate stack and over the epitaxial layer. An opening is formed through the dielectric layer, and the opening exposes the epitaxial layer. A metal silicon-germanide layer is formed on the epitaxial layer, wherein the metal silicon-germanide layer includes a metal having a melting point of about 1700° C. or higher. A connector is formed over the metal silicon-germanide layer in the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2022Publication date: December 14, 2023Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yan-Ming Tsai, Wei-Yip Loh, Harry CHIEN, Chih-Shiun Chou, Hong-Mao Lee, Chih-Wei Chang, Ming-Hsing Tsai
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Publication number: 20230402366Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a source/drain region disposed in the substrate, a silicide structure disposed on the source/drain region, a first dielectric layer disposed over the substrate, a conductive contact disposed in the first dielectric layer and over the silicide structure, a second dielectric layer disposed over the first dielectric layer, a via contact disposed in the second dielectric layer and connected to the conductive contact, and a first metal surrounding the via contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2022Publication date: December 14, 2023Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Shuen-Shin LIANG, Chia-Hung CHU, Po-Chin CHANG, Hsu-Kai CHANG, Kuan-Kan HU, Ken-Yu CHANG, Hung-Yi HUANG, Harry CHIEN, Wei-Yip LOH, Chun-I TSAI, Hong-Mao LEE, Sung-Li WANG, Pinyen LIN, Chuan-Hui SHEN
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Publication number: 20230386918Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed. The device includes a source/drain feature formed over a substrate. A dielectric layer formed over the source/drain feature. A contact trench formed through the dielectric layer to expose the source/drain feature. A titanium nitride (TiN) layer deposited in the contact trench and a cobalt layer deposited over the TiN layer in the contact trench.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventors: Chun-Hsien Huang, Hong-Mao Lee, Hsien-Lung Yang, Yu-Kai Chen, Wei-Jung Lin
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Publication number: 20230387316Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a source/drain portion, a metal silicide layer disposed over the source/drain portion, and a transition layer disposed between the source/drain portion and the metal silicide layer. The transition layer includes implantation elements, and an atomic concentration of the implantation elements in the transition layer is higher than that in each of the source/drain portion and the metal silicide layer so as to reduce a contact resistance between the source/drain portion and the metal silicide layer. Methods for manufacturing the semiconductor device are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2022Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Shuen-Shin LIANG, Min-Chiang CHUANG, Chia-Cheng CHEN, Chun-Hung WU, Liang-Yin CHEN, Sung-Li WANG, Pinyen LIN, Kuan-Kan HU, Jhih-Rong HUANG, Szu-Hsian LEE, Tsun-Jen CHAN, Cheng-Wei LIAN, Po-Chin CHANG, Chuan-Hui SHEN, Lin-Yu HUANG, Yuting CHENG, Yan-Ming TSAI, Hong-Mao LEE
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Patent number: 11791208Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed. The device includes a source/drain feature formed over a substrate. A dielectric layer formed over the source/drain feature. A contact trench formed through the dielectric layer to expose the source/drain feature. A titanium nitride (TiN) layer deposited in the contact trench and a cobalt layer deposited over the TiN layer in the contact trench.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Chun-Hsien Huang, Hong-Mao Lee, Hsien-Lung Yang, Yu-Kai Chen, Wei-Jung Lin
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Publication number: 20230230916Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming a lower metal contact in a trench of a first dielectric structure, the lower metal contact having a height less than a depth of the trench and being made of a first metal material; forming an upper metal contact to fill the trench and to be in contact with the lower metal contact, the upper metal contact being formed of a second metal material different from the first metal material and having a bottom surface with a dimension the same as a dimension of a top surface of the lower metal contact; forming a second dielectric structure on the first dielectric structure; and forming a via contact penetrating through the second dielectric structure to be electrically connected to the upper metal contact, the via contact being formed of a metal material the same as the second metal material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2022Publication date: July 20, 2023Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Shuen-Shin LIANG, Chia-Hung CHU, Po-Chin CHANG, Tzu-Pei CHEN, Ken-Yu CHANG, Hung-Yi HUANG, Harry CHIEN, Wei-Yip LOH, Chun-I TSAI, Hong-Mao LEE, Sung-Li WANG, Pinyen LIN
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Publication number: 20220375863Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor arrangement includes removing a portion of a first dielectric layer to form a first recess defined by sidewalls of the first dielectric layer, forming a first conductive layer in the first recess, removing a portion of the first conductive layer to form a second recess defined by the sidewalls of the first dielectric layer, forming a second conductive layer in the second recess, where the second conductive layer contacts the first conductive layer, forming a second dielectric layer over the second conductive layer, removing a portion of the second dielectric layer to form a third recess defined by sidewalls of the second dielectric layer, where the second conductive layer is exposed through the third recess, and forming a third conductive layer in the third recess, where the third conductive layer contacts the second conductive layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2022Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: Pin-Wen CHEN, Mei-Hui FU, Hong-Mao LEE, Wei-Jung LIN, Chih-Wei CHANG
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Publication number: 20220367667Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to forming an effective metal diffusion barrier in sidewalls of epitaxy source/drain regions. In an embodiment, a structure includes an active area having a source/drain region on a substrate, a dielectric layer over the active area and having a sidewall aligned with the sidewall of the source/drain region, and a conductive feature along the sidewall of the dielectric layer to the source/drain region. The source/drain region has a sidewall and a lateral surface extending laterally from the sidewall of the source/drain region, and the source/drain region further includes a nitrided region extending laterally from the sidewall of the source/drain region into the source/drain region. The conductive feature includes a silicide region along the lateral surface of the source/drain region and along at least a portion of the sidewall of the source/drain region.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Yu-Wen Cheng, Cheng-Tung Lin, Chih-Wei Chang, Hong-Mao Lee, Ming-Hsing Tsai, Sheng-Hsuan Lin, Wei-Jung Lin, Yan-Ming Tsai, Yu-Shiuan Wang, Hung-Hsu Chen, Wei-Yip Loh, Ya-Yi Cheng
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Patent number: 11482495Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor arrangement includes removing a portion of a first dielectric layer to form a first recess defined by sidewalls of the first dielectric layer, forming a first conductive layer in the first recess, removing a portion of the first conductive layer to form a second recess defined by the sidewalls of the first dielectric layer, forming a second conductive layer in the second recess, where the second conductive layer contacts the first conductive layer, forming a second dielectric layer over the second conductive layer, removing a portion of the second dielectric layer to form a third recess defined by sidewalls of the second dielectric layer, where the second conductive layer is exposed through the third recess, and forming a third conductive layer in the third recess, where the third conductive layer contacts the second conductive layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2019Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, ltd.Inventors: Pin-Wen Chen, Mei-Hui Fu, Hong-Mao Lee, Wei-Jung Lin, Chih-Wei Chang
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Patent number: 11444028Abstract: A semiconductor device and methods of formation are provided. A semiconductor device includes an annealed cobalt plug over a silicide in a first opening of the semiconductor device, wherein the annealed cobalt plug has a repaired lattice structure. The annealed cobalt plug is formed by annealing a cobalt plug at a first temperature for a first duration, while exposing the cobalt plug to a first gas. The repaired lattice structure of the annealed cobalt plug is more regular or homogenized as compared to a cobalt plug that is not so annealed, such that the annealed cobalt plug has a relatively increased conductivity or reduced resistivity.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2019Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY Ltd.Inventors: Hong-Mao Lee, Huicheng Chang, Chia-Han Lai, Chi-Hsuan Ni, Cheng-Tung Lin, Huang-Yi Huang, Chi-Yuan Chen, Li-Ting Wang, Teng-Chun Tsai, Wei-Jung Lin
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Patent number: 11411094Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to forming an effective metal diffusion barrier in sidewalls of epitaxy source/drain regions. In an embodiment, a structure includes an active area having a source/drain region on a substrate, a dielectric layer over the active area and having a sidewall aligned with the sidewall of the source/drain region, and a conductive feature along the sidewall of the dielectric layer to the source/drain region. The source/drain region has a sidewall and a lateral surface extending laterally from the sidewall of the source/drain region, and the source/drain region further includes a nitrided region extending laterally from the sidewall of the source/drain region into the source/drain region. The conductive feature includes a silicide region along the lateral surface of the source/drain region and along at least a portion of the sidewall of the source/drain region.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2020Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yu-Wen Cheng, Cheng-Tung Lin, Chih-Wei Chang, Hong-Mao Lee, Ming-Hsing Tsai, Sheng-Hsuan Lin, Wei-Jung Lin, Yan-Ming Tsai, Yu-Shiuan Wang, Hung-Hsu Chen, Wei-Yip Loh, Ya-Yi Cheng
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Publication number: 20220148920Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed. The device includes a source/drain feature formed over a substrate. A dielectric layer formed over the source/drain feature. A contact trench formed through the dielectric layer to expose the source/drain feature. A titanium nitride (TiN) layer deposited in the contact trench and a cobalt layer deposited over the TiN layer in the contact trench.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2022Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventors: Chun-Hsien Huang, Hong-Mao Lee, Hsien-Lung Yang, Yu-Kai Chen, Wei-Jung Lin
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Patent number: 11232985Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed. The device includes a source/drain feature formed over a substrate. A dielectric layer formed over the source/drain feature. A contact trench formed through the dielectric layer to expose the source/drain feature. A titanium nitride (TiN) layer deposited in the contact trench and a cobalt layer deposited over the TiN layer in the contact trench.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2019Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Chun-Hsien Huang, Hong-Mao Lee, Hsien-Lung Yang, Yu-Kai Chen, Wei-Jung Lin
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Patent number: 11195791Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor contact structure is provided. The method includes depositing a dielectric layer over a substrate. The method also includes etching the dielectric layer to expose a sidewall of the dielectric layer and a top surface of the substrate. In addition, the method includes forming a silicide region in the substrate. The method also includes applying a plasma treatment to the sidewall of the dielectric layer and the top surface of the substrate to form a nitridation region adjacent to a periphery of the silicide region. The method further includes depositing an adhesion layer on the dielectric layer and the silicide region.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yu-Wen Cheng, Wei-Yip Loh, Yu-Hsiang Liao, Sheng-Hsuan Lin, Hong-Mao Lee, Chun-I Tsai, Ken-Yu Chang, Wei-Jung Lin, Chih-Wei Chang, Ming-Hsing Tsai
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Publication number: 20210296168Abstract: Generally, examples are provided relating to conductive features that include a barrier layer, and to methods thereof. In an embodiment, a metal layer is deposited in an opening through a dielectric layer(s) to a source/drain region. The metal layer is along the source/drain region and along a sidewall of the dielectric layer(s) that at least partially defines the opening. The metal layer is nitrided, which includes performing a multiple plasma process that includes at least one directional-dependent plasma process. A portion of the metal layer remains un-nitrided by the multiple plasma process. A silicide region is formed, which includes reacting the un-nitrided portion of the metal layer with a portion of the source/drain region. A conductive material is disposed in the opening on the nitrided portions of the metal layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: Wei-Yip Loh, Chih-Wei Chang, Hong-Mao Lee, Chun-Hsien Huang, Yu-Ming Huang, Yan-Ming Tsai, Yu-Shiuan Wang, Hung-Hsu Chen, Yu-Kai Chen, Yu-Wen Cheng
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Patent number: 11031286Abstract: Generally, examples are provided relating to conductive features that include a barrier layer, and to methods thereof. In an embodiment, a metal layer is deposited in an opening through a dielectric layer(s) to a source/drain region. The metal layer is along the source/drain region and along a sidewall of the dielectric layer(s) that at least partially defines the opening. The metal layer is nitrided, which includes performing a multiple plasma process that includes at least one directional-dependent plasma process. A portion of the metal layer remains un-nitrided by the multiple plasma process. A silicide region is formed, which includes reacting the un-nitrided portion of the metal layer with a portion of the source/drain region. A conductive material is disposed in the opening on the nitrided portions of the metal layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Wei-Yip Loh, Chih-Wei Chang, Hong-Mao Lee, Chun-Hsien Huang, Yu-Ming Huang, Yan-Ming Tsai, Yu-Shiuan Wang, Hung-Hsu Chen, Yu-Kai Chen, Yu-Wen Cheng
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Publication number: 20200176382Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor arrangement includes removing a portion of a first dielectric layer to form a first recess defined by sidewalls of the first dielectric layer, forming a first conductive layer in the first recess, removing a portion of the first conductive layer to form a second recess defined by the sidewalls of the first dielectric layer, forming a second conductive layer in the second recess, where the second conductive layer contacts the first conductive layer, forming a second dielectric layer over the second conductive layer, removing a portion of the second dielectric layer to form a third recess defined by sidewalls of the second dielectric layer, where the second conductive layer is exposed through the third recess, and forming a third conductive layer in the third recess, where the third conductive layer contacts the second conductive layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2019Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: Pin-Wen Chen, Mei-Hui Fu, Hong-Mao Lee, Wei-jung Lin, Chih-Wei Chang
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Publication number: 20200152763Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to forming an effective metal diffusion barrier in sidewalls of epitaxy source/drain regions. In an embodiment, a structure includes an active area having a source/drain region on a substrate, a dielectric layer over the active area and having a sidewall aligned with the sidewall of the source/drain region, and a conductive feature along the sidewall of the dielectric layer to the source/drain region. The source/drain region has a sidewall and a lateral surface extending laterally from the sidewall of the source/drain region, and the source/drain region further includes a nitrided region extending laterally from the sidewall of the source/drain region into the source/drain region. The conductive feature includes a silicide region along the lateral surface of the source/drain region and along at least a portion of the sidewall of the source/drain region.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2020Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: Yu-Wen Cheng, Cheng-Tung Lin, Chih-Wei Chang, Hong-Mao Lee, Ming-Hsing Tsai, Sheng-Hsuan Lin, Wei-Jung Lin, Yan-Ming Tsai, Yu-Shiuan Wang, Hung-Hsu Chen, Wei-Yip Loh, Ya-Yi Cheng