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).

  • Publication number: 20230411242
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kan-Ju LIN, Lin-Yu HUANG, Min-Hsuan LU, Wei-Yip LOH, Hong-Mao LEE, Harry CHIEN
  • Publication number: 20230411496
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20230402278
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2022
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20230402366
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20230386918
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Chun-Hsien Huang, Hong-Mao Lee, Hsien-Lung Yang, Yu-Kai Chen, Wei-Jung Lin
  • Publication number: 20230387316
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: 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
  • Patent number: 11791208
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsien Huang, Hong-Mao Lee, Hsien-Lung Yang, Yu-Kai Chen, Wei-Jung Lin
  • Publication number: 20230230916
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20220375863
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Pin-Wen CHEN, Mei-Hui FU, Hong-Mao LEE, Wei-Jung LIN, Chih-Wei CHANG
  • Publication number: 20220367667
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    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
  • Patent number: 11482495
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, ltd.
    Inventors: Pin-Wen Chen, Mei-Hui Fu, Hong-Mao Lee, Wei-Jung Lin, Chih-Wei Chang
  • Patent number: 11444028
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 11411094
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20220148920
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Chun-Hsien Huang, Hong-Mao Lee, Hsien-Lung Yang, Yu-Kai Chen, Wei-Jung Lin
  • Patent number: 11232985
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsien Huang, Hong-Mao Lee, Hsien-Lung Yang, Yu-Kai Chen, Wei-Jung Lin
  • Patent number: 11195791
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20210296168
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    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
  • Patent number: 11031286
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20200176382
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Pin-Wen Chen, Mei-Hui Fu, Hong-Mao Lee, Wei-jung Lin, Chih-Wei Chang
  • Publication number: 20200152763
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    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