Patents by Inventor Hou-Ju Li

Hou-Ju Li 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: 20230387024
    Abstract: A method includes forming a gate structure on a substrate; forming a gate spacer on a sidewall of the gate structure; forming a carbon-containing layer on the gate spacer; diffusing carbon from the carbon-containing layer into a portion of the substrate below the gate spacer; forming a recess in the substrate on one side of the gate spacer opposite to the gate structure; and forming an epitaxy feature in the recess of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hung-Ming CHEN, Yu-Chang LIN, Chung-Ting LI, Jen-Hsiang LU, Hou-Ju LI, Chih-Pin TSAO
  • Publication number: 20230386935
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes providing a substrate having a base, a first fin, and a second fin over the base. The method includes forming a gate stack over the first fin and the second fin. The method includes forming a first spacer over gate sidewalls of the gate stack and a second spacer adjacent to the second fin. The method includes partially removing the first fin and the second fin. The method includes forming a first source/drain structure and a second source/drain structure in the first trench and the second trench respectively. A first ratio of a first height of the first merged portion to a second height of a first top surface of the first source/drain structure is greater than or equal to about 0.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ta-Chun LIN, Hou-Ju LI, Chun-Jun LIN, Yi-Fang PAI, Kuo-Hua PAN, Jhon-Jhy LIAW
  • Patent number: 11776911
    Abstract: A method includes forming a gate structure on a substrate; forming a gate spacer on a sidewall of the gate structure; forming a carbon-containing layer on the gate spacer; diffusing carbon from the carbon-containing layer into a portion of the substrate below the gate spacer; forming a recess in the substrate on one side of the gate spacer opposite to the gate structure; and forming an epitaxy feature in the recess of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hung-Ming Chen, Yu-Chang Lin, Chung-Ting Li, Jen-Hsiang Lu, Hou-Ju Li, Chih-Pin Tsao
  • Patent number: 11450757
    Abstract: A finFET device and methods of forming a finFET device are provided. The method includes depositing a dummy gate over and along sidewalls of a fin extending upwards from a semiconductor substrate, forming a first gate spacer along a sidewall of the dummy gate, and plasma-doping the first gate spacer with carbon to form a carbon-doped gate spacer. The method further includes forming a source/drain region adjacent a channel region of the fin and diffusing carbon from the carbon-doped gate spacer into a first region of the fin to provide a first carbon-doped region. The first carbon-doped region is disposed between at least a portion of the source/drain region and the channel region of the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Chang Lin, Chun-Feng Nieh, Huicheng Chang, Wei-Ting Chien, Chih-Pin Tsao, Hou-Ju Li, Tien-Shun Chang
  • Patent number: 11264380
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first active fin, a second active fin, a dummy fin and a first gate structure. The first and the second active fin are on the substrate and extend along a first direction. The dummy fin is disposed between the first active fin and the second active fin, and extends in the first direction. The dummy fin includes a plurality of layers, and each of the layers includes a material different from another layer. The first gate structure crosses over the dummy fin, the first and the second active fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hou-Ju Li, Chur-Shyang Fu, Chun-Sheng Liang, Jeng-Ya David Yeh
  • Publication number: 20210280516
    Abstract: A method includes forming a gate structure on a substrate; forming a gate spacer on a sidewall of the gate structure; forming a carbon-containing layer on the gate spacer; diffusing carbon from the carbon-containing layer into a portion of the substrate below the gate spacer; forming a recess in the substrate on one side of the gate spacer opposite to the gate structure; and forming an epitaxy feature in the recess of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hung-Ming CHEN, Yu-Chang LIN, Chung-Ting LI, Jen-Hsiang LU, Hou-Ju LI, Chih-Pin TSAO
  • Patent number: 11024582
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a carbon-containing diffusion barrier, a phosphorus-containing source/drain feature, a gate structure, and a gate spacer. The substrate has a channel region. The carbon-containing diffusion barrier is present in the substrate. The phosphorus-containing source/drain feature is present in the substrate, and the carbon-containing diffusion barrier is between the channel region and the phosphorus-containing source/drain feature. The gate is present over the channel region of the substrate. The gate spacer abuts the gate structure and is present over a portion of the phosphorus-containing source/drain feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hung-Ming Chen, Yu-Chang Lin, Chung-Ting Li, Jen-Hsiang Lu, Hou-Ju Li, Chih-Pin Tsao
  • Publication number: 20200411672
    Abstract: A finFET device and methods of forming a finFET device are provided. The method includes depositing a dummy gate over and along sidewalls of a fin extending upwards from a semiconductor substrate, forming a first gate spacer along a sidewall of the dummy gate, and plasma-doping the first gate spacer with carbon to form a carbon-doped gate spacer. The method further includes forming a source/drain region adjacent a channel region of the fin and diffusing carbon from the carbon-doped gate spacer into a first region of the fin to provide a first carbon-doped region. The first carbon-doped region is disposed between at least a portion of the source/drain region and the channel region of the fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Yu-Chang Lin, Chun-Feng Nieh, Huicheng Chang, Wei-Ting Chien, Chih-Pin Tsao, Hou-Ju Li, Tien-Shun Chang
  • Patent number: 10770570
    Abstract: A finFET device and methods of forming a finFET device are provided. The method includes depositing a dummy gate over and along sidewalls of a fin extending upwards from a semiconductor substrate, forming a first gate spacer along a sidewall of the dummy gate, and plasma-doping the first gate spacer with carbon to form a carbon-doped gate spacer. The method further includes forming a source/drain region adjacent a channel region of the fin and diffusing carbon from the carbon-doped gate spacer into a first region of the fin to provide a first carbon-doped region. The first carbon-doped region is disposed between at least a portion of the source/drain region and the channel region of the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Chang Lin, Chun-Feng Nieh, Huicheng Chang, Wei-Ting Chien, Chih-Pin Tsao, Hou-Ju Li, Tien-Shun Chang
  • Publication number: 20200066718
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first active fin, a second active fin, a dummy fin and a first gate structure. The first and the second active fin are on the substrate and extend along a first direction. The dummy fin is disposed between the first active fin and the second active fin, and extends in the first direction. The dummy fin includes a plurality of layers, and each of the layers includes a material different from another layer. The first gate structure crosses over the dummy fin, the first and the second active fins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Hou-Ju LI, Chur-Shyang FU, Chun-Sheng LIANG, Jeng-Ya David YEH
  • Publication number: 20190067458
    Abstract: A finFET device and methods of forming a finFET device are provided. The method includes depositing a dummy gate over and along sidewalls of a fin extending upwards from a semiconductor substrate, forming a first gate spacer along a sidewall of the dummy gate, and plasma-doping the first gate spacer with carbon to form a carbon-doped gate spacer. The method further includes forming a source/drain region adjacent a channel region of the fin and diffusing carbon from the carbon-doped gate spacer into a first region of the fin to provide a first carbon-doped region. The first carbon-doped region is disposed between at least a portion of the source/drain region and the channel region of the fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Yu-Chang Lin, Chun-Feng Nieh, Huicheng Chang, Wei-Ting Chien, Chih-Pin Tsao, Hou-Ju Li, Tien-Shun Chang
  • Patent number: 10115808
    Abstract: A finFET device and methods of forming a finFET device are provided. The method includes depositing a dummy gate over and along sidewalls of a fin extending upwards from a semiconductor substrate, forming a first gate spacer along a sidewall of the dummy gate, and plasma-doping the first gate spacer with carbon to form a carbon-doped gate spacer. The method further includes forming a source/drain region adjacent a channel region of the fin and diffusing carbon from the carbon-doped gate spacer into a first region of the fin to provide a first carbon-doped region. The first carbon-doped region is disposed between at least a portion of the source/drain region and the channel region of the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Chang Lin, Chun-Feng Nieh, Huicheng Chang, Tien-Shun Chang, Wei-Ting Chien, Chih-Pin Tsao, Hou-Ju Li
  • Publication number: 20180301417
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a carbon-containing diffusion barrier, a phosphorus-containing source/drain feature, a gate structure, and a gate spacer. The substrate has a channel region. The carbon-containing diffusion barrier is present in the substrate. The phosphorus-containing source/drain feature is present in the substrate, and the carbon-containing diffusion barrier is between the channel region and the phosphorus-containing source/drain feature. The gate is present over the channel region of the substrate. The gate spacer abuts the gate structure and is present over a portion of the phosphorus-containing source/drain feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Hung-Ming Chen, Yu-Chang Lin, Chung-Ting Li, Jen-Hsiang Lu, Hou-Ju Li, Chih-Pin Tsao
  • Patent number: 9997629
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a fin having a gate area beneath a gate electrode structure, a source/drain region disposed beyond ends of the fin, and a first conformal layer formed around an embedded portion of the source/drain region. A vertical sidewall of the first conformal layer is oriented parallel to the gate area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Hou-Ju Li, Kao-Ting Lai, Kuo-Chiang Ting, Chi-Hsi Wu
  • Publication number: 20180151706
    Abstract: A finFET device and methods of forming a finFET device are provided. The method includes depositing a dummy gate over and along sidewalls of a fin extending upwards from a semiconductor substrate, forming a first gate spacer along a sidewall of the dummy gate, and plasma-doping the first gate spacer with carbon to form a carbon-doped gate spacer. The method further includes forming a source/drain region adjacent a channel region of the fin and diffusing carbon from the carbon-doped gate spacer into a first region of the fin to provide a first carbon-doped region. The first carbon-doped region is disposed between at least a portion of the source/drain region and the channel region of the fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Yu-Chang Lin, Chun-Feng Nieh, Huicheng Chang, Tien-Shun Chang, Wei-Ting Chien, Chin-Pin Tsao, Hou-Ju Li
  • Publication number: 20160293762
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a fin having a gate area beneath a gate electrode structure, a source/drain region disposed beyond ends of the fin, and a first conformal layer formed around an embedded portion of the source/drain region. A vertical sidewall of the first conformal layer is oriented parallel to the gate area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Hou-Ju Li, Kao-Ting Lai, Kuo-Chiang Ting, Chi-Hsi Wu
  • Patent number: 9368628
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a fin having a gate area beneath a gate electrode structure, a source/drain region disposed beyond ends of the fin, and a first conformal layer formed around an embedded portion of the source/drain region. A vertical sidewall of the first conformal layer is oriented parallel to the gate area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hou-Ju Li, Kao-Ting Lai, Kuo-Chiang Ting, Chi-Hsi Wu
  • Patent number: 8729634
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a fin at least partially embedded in a shallow trench isolation (STI) region and extending between a source and a drain. The fin is formed from a first semiconductor material and having a trimmed portion between first and second end portions. A cap layer, which is formed from a second semiconductor material, is disposed over the trimmed portion of the fin to form a high mobility channel. A gate electrode structure is formed over the high mobility channel and between the first and second end portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Liang Shen, Kuo-Ching Tsai, Hou-Ju Li, Chun-Sheng Liang, Kao-Ting Lai, Kuo-Chiang Ting, Chi-Hsi Wu
  • Publication number: 20140008736
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a fin having a gate area beneath a gate electrode structure, a source/drain region disposed beyond ends of the fin, and a first conformal layer formed around an embedded portion of the source/drain region. A vertical sidewall of the first conformal layer is oriented parallel to the gate area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hou-Ju Li, Kao-Ting Lai, Kuo-Chiang Ting, Chi-Hsi Wu
  • Publication number: 20130334606
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a fin at least partially embedded in a shallow trench isolation (STI) region and extending between a source and a drain. The fin is formed from a first semiconductor material and having a trimmed portion between first and second end portions. A cap layer, which is formed from a second semiconductor material, is disposed over the trimmed portion of the fin to form a high mobility channel. A gate electrode structure is formed over the high mobility channel and between the first and second end portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Liang Shen, Kuo-Ching Tsai, Hou-Ju Li, Chun-Sheng Liang, Kao-Ting Lai, Kuo-Chiang Ting, Chi-Hsi Wu