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).

  • Publication number: 20250142884
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2024
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chih-Han Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee
  • Patent number: 12266715
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chen-Ping Chen, Kuei-Yu Kao, Hsiao Wen Lee, Chih-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 12261170
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Yu-Shan Cheng, Ming-Ching Chang
  • Publication number: 20250081532
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Ming-Ching Chang
  • Publication number: 20250081587
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Yu-Shan Cheng, Ming-Ching Chang
  • Patent number: 12211919
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chih-Han Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee
  • Patent number: 12176409
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Ming-Ching Chang
  • Patent number: 12176412
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Yu-Shan Cheng, Ming-Ching Chang
  • Publication number: 20240395600
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Cheng-Tien Chu, Chi-Wei Yang, Hsiao Wen Lee, Chih-Han Lin, Jr-Jung Lin
  • Publication number: 20240387275
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20240387539
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chen-Ping Chen, Chieh-Ning Feng, Hsiao Wen Lee, Chih-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 12148671
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20240379827
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chen-Ping Chen, Kuei-Yu Kao, Hsiao Wen Lee, Chih-Han Lin
  • Publication number: 20240371702
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chieh-Ning Feng, Hsiao Wen Lee, Ming-Ching Chang
  • Publication number: 20240371978
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chih-Han Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee
  • Publication number: 20240347387
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2024
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Chih-Han Lin
  • Publication number: 20240347615
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device includes forming a fin structure that extends along a first direction and comprises a plurality of sacrificial layers and a plurality of channel layers alternately stacked on top of one another, forming a dummy gate structure over the fin structure and extending along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and forming a gate spacer. The gate spacer extends in the second direction along respective upper sidewall portions of the dummy gate structure and is separated by a portion of the dummy gate structure from a topmost one of the plurality of channel layers, such that a first distance between a bottom surface of the gate spacer and a top surface of the topmost one of the plurality of channel layers is defined by the portion of the dummy gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2024
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Chih-Han Lin
  • Publication number: 20240332360
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of channel layers vertically spaced from one another, a gate structure wrapping around each of the plurality of channel layers; and an inner spacer that is disposed along sidewalls of a lower portion of the gate structure. The inner spacer curves toward the lower portion of the gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Chao-Cheng Chen
  • Publication number: 20240332422
    Abstract: A semiconductor device in a first area includes first non-planar semiconductor structures separated with a first distance, and a first isolation region including a first layer and a second layer that collectively embed a lower portion of each of the first non-planar semiconductor structures. At least one of the first layer or second layer of the first isolation region is in a cured state. The semiconductor device in a second area includes second non-planar semiconductor structures separated with a second distance, and a second isolation region including a first layer and a second layer that collectively embed a lower portion of each of the second non-planar semiconductor structures. At least one of the first or second layer of the second isolation region is in a cured state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Li-Jung Kuo, Chen-Ping Chen, Ming-Ching Chang
  • Publication number: 20240321880
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a dielectric fin between a first semiconductor channel and a second semiconductor channel. The semiconductor device includes a first gate structure. The first gate structure includes a first portion and a second portion separated from each other by the dielectric fin. The semiconductor device includes a first gate spacer that extends along sidewalls of the first portion of the first gate structure. The semiconductor device includes a second gate spacer that extends along sidewalls of the second portion of the first gate structure, respectively. At least one of the first gate spacer or second gate spacer has a first portion with a first thickness and a second portion with a second thickness less than the first thickness, and wherein the first portion is closer to the dielectric fin than the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chieh-Ning Feng, Hsiao Wen Lee, Chao-Cheng Chen