Patents by Inventor Hsiao-Wen Lee
Hsiao-Wen 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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Patent number: 12376374Abstract: A method includes forming a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth fin structure. The second fin structure is separated from each of the first and third fin structures by a first distance, the fifth fin structure is separated from each of the fourth and sixth fin structures by the first distance, and the third fin structure is separated from the fourth fin structure by a second distance greater than the first distance. The method includes forming a first dummy gate structure overlaying the first through third fin structures, and a second dummy gate structure overlaying the fourth through sixth fin structures; forming a number of source/drain structures that are coupled to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth fin structures, respectively; and replacing the third fin structure with a first dielectric structure, and replacing the fourth fin structure with a second dielectric structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2021Date of Patent: July 29, 2025Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chen-Ping Chen, Chieh-Ning Feng, Hsiao Wen Lee, Chih-Han Lin
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Patent number: 12363995Abstract: A semiconductor device may be formed by forming a first fin and a second fin in a first area and a second area of a substrate, respectively; which may be followed by forming of a first dummy gate structure and a second dummy gate structure straddling the first fin and second fin, respectively and forming a sacrificial layer extending along a bottom portion of the second dummy gate structure. The first dummy gate structure may be replaced with a first metal gate structure, while the second dummy gate structure and the sacrificial layer may be replaced with a second metal gate structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2024Date of Patent: July 15, 2025Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Chih-Han Lin
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Patent number: 12363976Abstract: A semiconductor device is described. An isolation region is disposed on the substrate. A plurality of channels extend through the isolation region from the substrate. The channels including an active channel and an inactive channel. A dummy fin is disposed on the isolation region and between the active channel and the inactive channel. An active gate is disposed over the active channel and the inactive channel, and contacts the isolation region. A dielectric material extends through the active gate and contacts a top of the dummy fin. The inactive channel is a closest inactive channel to the dielectric material. A long axis of the active channel extends in a first direction. A long axis of the active gate extends in a second direction. The active channel extends in a third direction from the substrate. The dielectric material is closer to the inactive channel than to the active channel.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2023Date of Patent: July 15, 2025Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Ya-Yi Tsai, Shu-Uei Jang, Chih-Han Lin, Shu-Yuan Ku
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Patent number: 12336271Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first plurality of channel layers. The first plurality of channel layers extend along a first direction. The semiconductor device includes a second plurality of channel layers. The second plurality of channel layers also extend along the first direction. The semiconductor de123329-vice includes a first dielectric fin structure that also extends along the first direction. The semiconductor device includes a first gate structure that extends along a second direction. The first gate structure comprises a first portion that wraps around each of the first plurality of channel layers and a second portion that wraps around each of the second plurality of channel layers. The first dielectric fin structure separates the first and second portions from each other. The first gate structure comprises a third portion that connects the first and second portions to each other and is vertically disposed below the first dielectric fin structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2021Date of Patent: June 17, 2025Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chen-Ping Chen, Chen-Yui Yang, Hsiao Wen Lee, Ming-Ching Chang
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Publication number: 20250194234Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of first stack structures formed in a first area of a substrate, wherein the plurality of first stack structures are configured to form a plurality of first transistors that operate under a first voltage level. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of second stack structures formed in a second area of the substrate, wherein the plurality of second stack structures are configured to form a plurality of second transistors that operate under a second voltage level greater than the first voltage level. The semiconductor device includes a first isolation structure disposed between neighboring ones of the plurality of first stack structures and has a first height. The semiconductor device includes a second isolation structure disposed between neighboring ones of the plurality of second stack structures and has a second height. The first height is greater than the second height.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2025Publication date: June 12, 2025Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company LimitedInventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Yu-Shan Cheng, Ming-Ching Chang
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Publication number: 20250142884Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of semiconductor layers vertically separated from one another. Each of the plurality of semiconductor layers extends along a first lateral direction. The semiconductor device includes a gate structure that extends along a second lateral direction and comprises at least a lower portion that wraps around each of the plurality of semiconductor layers. The lower portion of the gate structure comprises a plurality of first gate sections that are laterally aligned with the plurality of semiconductor layers, respectively, and wherein each of the plurality of first gate sections has ends that each extend along the second lateral direction and present a first curvature-based profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2024Publication date: May 1, 2025Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chih-Han Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee
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Patent number: 12266715Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes forming semiconductor fins on a substrate. A first dummy gate is formed over the semiconductor fins. A recess is formed in the first dummy gate, and the recess is disposed between the semiconductor fins. A dummy fin material is formed in the recess. A portion of the dummy fin material is removed to expose an upper surface of the first dummy gate and to form a dummy fin. A second dummy gate is formed on the exposed upper surface of the first dummy gate.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2023Date of Patent: April 1, 2025Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chen-Ping Chen, Kuei-Yu Kao, Hsiao Wen Lee, Chih-Han Lin
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Patent number: 12261170Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of first stack structures formed in a first area of a substrate, wherein the plurality of first stack structures are configured to form a plurality of first transistors that operate under a first voltage level. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of second stack structures formed in a second area of the substrate, wherein the plurality of second stack structures are configured to form a plurality of second transistors that operate under a second voltage level greater than the first voltage level. The semiconductor device includes a first isolation structure disposed between neighboring ones of the plurality of first stack structures and has a first height. The semiconductor device includes a second isolation structure disposed between neighboring ones of the plurality of second stack structures and has a second height. The first height is greater than the second height.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2023Date of Patent: March 25, 2025Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company LimitedInventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Yu-Shan Cheng, Ming-Ching Chang
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Publication number: 20250081532Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an active gate structure extending along a first lateral direction. The semiconductor device includes an inactive gate structure also extending along the first lateral direction. The semiconductor device includes a first epitaxial structure disposed between the active gate structure and the inactive gate structure along a second lateral direction perpendicular to the first lateral direction. The active gate structure wraps around each of a plurality of channel layers that extend along the second direction, and the inactive gate structure straddles a semiconductor cladding layer that continuously extends along a first sidewall of the first epitaxial structure and across the plurality of channel layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2024Publication date: March 6, 2025Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Ming-Ching Chang
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Publication number: 20250081587Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a channel structure, extending along a first lateral direction, that is disposed over a substrate. The semiconductor device includes a gate structure, extending along a second lateral direction perpendicular to the first lateral direction, that straddles the channel structure. The semiconductor device includes an epitaxial structure, coupled to the channel structure, that is disposed next to the gate structure. The semiconductor device includes a first gate spacer and a second gate spacer each comprising a first portion disposed between the gate structure and the epitaxial structure along the first lateral direction. The semiconductor device includes an air gap interposed between the first portion of the first gate spacer and the first portion of the second gate spacer. The air gap exposes a second portion of the first gate spacer that extends in the first lateral direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2024Publication date: March 6, 2025Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Yu-Shan Cheng, Ming-Ching Chang
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Patent number: 12211919Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of semiconductor layers vertically separated from one another. Each of the plurality of semiconductor layers extends along a first lateral direction. The semiconductor device includes a gate structure that extends along a second lateral direction and comprises at least a lower portion that wraps around each of the plurality of semiconductor layers. The lower portion of the gate structure comprises a plurality of first gate sections that are laterally aligned with the plurality of semiconductor layers, respectively, and wherein each of the plurality of first gate sections has ends that each extend along the second lateral direction and present a first curvature-based profile.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2024Date of Patent: January 28, 2025Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chih-Han Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee
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Patent number: 12176409Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an active gate structure extending along a first lateral direction. The semiconductor device includes an inactive gate structure also extending along the first lateral direction. The semiconductor device includes a first epitaxial structure disposed between the active gate structure and the inactive gate structure along a second lateral direction perpendicular to the first lateral direction. The active gate structure wraps around each of a plurality of channel layers that extend along the second direction, and the inactive gate structure straddles a semiconductor cladding layer that continuously extends along a first sidewall of the first epitaxial structure and across the plurality of channel layers.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2021Date of Patent: December 24, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Ming-Ching Chang
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Patent number: 12176412Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a channel structure, extending along a first lateral direction, that is disposed over a substrate. The semiconductor device includes a gate structure, extending along a second lateral direction perpendicular to the first lateral direction, that straddles the channel structure. The semiconductor device includes an epitaxial structure, coupled to the channel structure, that is disposed next to the gate structure. The semiconductor device includes a first gate spacer and a second gate spacer each comprising a first portion disposed between the gate structure and the epitaxial structure along the first lateral direction. The semiconductor device includes an air gap interposed between the first portion of the first gate spacer and the first portion of the second gate spacer. The air gap exposes a second portion of the first gate spacer that extends in the first lateral direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2021Date of Patent: December 24, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Yu-Shan Cheng, Ming-Ching Chang
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Publication number: 20240395600Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device includes forming a first fin structure, a second fin structure, and a third fin structure over a substrate. The first through third fin structures all extend along a first lateral direction, and the second fin structure is disposed between the first and third fin structures. The method includes forming a mold by filling up trenches between neighboring ones of the first through third fin structures with a first dielectric material. The method includes cutting the second fin structure by removing an upper portion of the second fin structure. The method includes replacing the upper portion of the second fin structure with a second dielectric material to form a dielectric cut structure. The method includes recessing the mold to expose upper portions of the first fin structure and the third fin structure, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2024Publication date: November 28, 2024Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Cheng-Tien Chu, Chi-Wei Yang, Hsiao Wen Lee, Chih-Han Lin, Jr-Jung Lin
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Publication number: 20240387275Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is described. The method includes forming a plurality of fins over a substrate, and forming dummy gates patterned over the fins. Each dummy gate has a spacer on sidewalls of the patterned dummy gates. The method also includes forming recesses in the fins by using the patterned dummy gates as a mask, forming a passivation layer over the fins and in the recesses in the fins, and patterning the passivation layer to leave a remaining passivation layer in some of the recesses in the fins.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2024Publication date: November 21, 2024Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chao-Cheng Chen, Chih-Han Lin, Chen-Ping Chen, Ming-Ching Chang, Chia-Hao Yu, Hsiao Wen Lee
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Publication number: 20240387539Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device includes forming a first fin structure including a first plurality of semiconductor layers vertically spaced from one another and over a substrate; forming a second fin structure including a second plurality of semiconductor layers vertically spaced from one another and over the substrate, the first and the second fin structures extend along a first lateral direction; forming a first dielectric structure extending into the substrate and parallel with the first and second fin structures, the second fin structure being separated from the first fin structure along a second lateral direction perpendicular to the first lateral direction, by a first distance; and forming a first gate structure that extends along the second lateral direction and wraps around each of the first plurality of semiconductor layers and each of the second plurality of semiconductor layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2024Publication date: November 21, 2024Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chen-Ping Chen, Chieh-Ning Feng, Hsiao Wen Lee, Chih-Han Lin
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Patent number: 12148671Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is described. A plurality of fins is formed over a substrate. Dummy gates are formed patterned over the fins, each dummy gate having a spacer on sidewalls of the patterned dummy gates. Recesses are formed in the fins using the patterned dummy gates as a mask. A passivation layer is formed over the fins and in the recesses in the fins. The passivation layer is patterned to leave a remaining passivation layer only in some of the recesses in the fins. Source and drain regions are epitaxially formed only in the recesses in the fins without the remaining passivation layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2023Date of Patent: November 19, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chao-Cheng Chen, Chih-Han Lin, Chen-Ping Chen, Ming-Ching Chang, Chia-Hao Yu, Hsiao Wen Lee
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Publication number: 20240379827Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes forming semiconductor fins on a substrate. A first dummy gate is formed over the semiconductor fins. A recess is formed in the first dummy gate, and the recess is disposed between the semiconductor fins. A dummy fin material is formed in the recess. A portion of the dummy fin material is removed to expose an upper surface of the first dummy gate and to form a dummy fin. A second dummy gate is formed on the exposed upper surface of the first dummy gate.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2024Publication date: November 14, 2024Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chen-Ping Chen, Kuei-Yu Kao, Hsiao Wen Lee, Chih-Han Lin
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Publication number: 20240371978Abstract: A semiconductor device includes fins above a substrate; a metal gate above the fins; a first dielectric laterally adjacent the metal gate; and sidewall spacers disposed on sidewalls of the metal gate between the metal gate and the first dielectric, the sidewall spacers extending from a bottom region of the first dielectric to a top region of the first dielectric. The sidewall spacers include a first sub-layer and a second sub-layer, the first sub-layer having a first surface contacting the metal gate and an opposite second surface, and the second sub-layer having a third surface contacting the second surface and an opposite fourth surface. An angle between a bottom surface of the second sub-layer, and the third surface, at a point where the bottom surface of the second sub-layer and the third surface intersect each other, is greater than 90 degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2024Publication date: November 7, 2024Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company LimitedInventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chih-Han Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee
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Publication number: 20240371702Abstract: A method includes forming a dielectric fin over a substrate between a first semiconductor fin and a second semiconductor fin. The first and second semiconductor fins, and the dielectric fin all extend along a first lateral direction. The method includes forming a dummy gate structure that extends along a second lateral direction and includes a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions overlay the first and second semiconductor fins, respectively, and separate from each other with the dielectric fin. The method includes removing upper sidewall portions of the dielectric fin. The method includes replacing the first and second portions of the dummy gate structure with a first and second active gate structures, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2024Publication date: November 7, 2024Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chieh-Ning Feng, Hsiao Wen Lee, Ming-Ching Chang