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).

  • Patent number: 11942529
    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: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chih-Han Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee
  • Publication number: 20240097007
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Ya-Yi Tsai, Shu-Uei Jang, Chih-Han Lin, Shu-Yuan Ku
  • Patent number: 11923440
    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: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chen-Ping Chen, Kuei-Yu Kao, Hsiao Wen Lee, Chih-Han Lin
  • Publication number: 20240014073
    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: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 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
  • Patent number: 11854899
    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: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    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
  • Patent number: 11856744
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor fin extending along a first direction. The semiconductor device includes a second semiconductor fin also extending along the first direction. The semiconductor device includes a dielectric fin disposed between the first and second semiconductor fins, wherein the dielectric fin also extends along the first direction. The semiconductor device includes a gate structure extending along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the gate structure comprising a first portion and a second portion. A top surface of the dielectric fin is vertically above respective top surfaces of the first and second semiconductor fins. The first portion and the second portion are electrically isolated by the dielectric fin. The first portion of the gate structure overlays an edge portion of the first semiconductor fin, and the second portion of the gate structure overlays a non-edge portion of the second semiconductor fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Chih-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 11855179
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Ya-Yi Tsai, Shu-Uei Jang, Chih-Han Lin, Shu-Yuan Ku
  • Publication number: 20230389254
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor fin extending along a first direction. The semiconductor device includes a second semiconductor fin also extending along the first direction. The semiconductor device includes a dielectric fin disposed between the first and second semiconductor fins, wherein the dielectric fin also extends along the first direction. The semiconductor device includes a gate structure extending along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the gate structure comprising a first portion and a second portion. A top surface of the dielectric fin is vertically above respective top surfaces of the first and second semiconductor fins. The first portion and the second portion are electrically isolated by the dielectric fin. The first portion of the gate structure overlays an edge portion of the first semiconductor fin, and the second portion of the gate structure overlays a non-edge portion of the second semiconductor fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Chih-Han Lin
  • Publication number: 20230387272
    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: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao LIN, Chen-Ping Chen, Kuei-Yu Kao, Hsiao Wen Lee, Chih-Han Lin
  • Publication number: 20230369287
    Abstract: Multi-chip wafer level packages and methods of forming the same are provided. A multi-chip wafer level package includes a first tier and a second tier. The first tier includes a first redistribution layer structure and at least one chip over the first redistribution layer structure. The second tier includes a second redistribution layer structure and at least two other chips over the second redistribution layer structure. The first tier is bonded to the second tier with the at least one chip being in physical contact with the second redistribution layer structure. The total number of connectors of the at least two other chips is greater than the total number of connectors of the at least one chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuo-Mao Chen, Feng-Cheng Hsu, Han-Hsiang Huang, Hsien-Wen Liu, Shin-Puu Jeng, Hsiao-Wen Lee
  • Publication number: 20230352479
    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: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Yu-Shan Cheng, Ming-Ching Chang
  • Patent number: 11798898
    Abstract: Package structures are provided. A package structure includes an adhesive layer and a semiconductor substrate over the adhesive layer. The package structure also includes a connector over the semiconductor substrate. The package structure further includes a first buffer layer surrounding the connector and the semiconductor substrate and covering the adhesive layer. An interface between the adhesive layer and the first buffer layer is substantially level with a bottom surface of the semiconductor substrate. In addition, the package structure includes an encapsulation layer surrounding the first buffer layer. The package structure also includes a redistribution layer over the first buffer layer and the encapsulation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hsiao-Wen Lee, Hsien-Wen Liu, Shin-Puu Jeng
  • Publication number: 20230298942
    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: May 23, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Chih-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 11756928
    Abstract: Multi-chip wafer level packages and methods of forming the same are provided. A multi-chip wafer level package includes a first tier and a second tier. The first tier includes a first redistribution layer structure and at least one chip over the first redistribution layer structure. The second tier includes a second redistribution layer structure and at least two other chips over the second redistribution layer structure. The first tier is bonded to the second tier with the at least one chip being in physical contact with the second redistribution layer structure. The total number of connectors of the at least two other chips is greater than the total number of connectors of the at least one chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuo-Mao Chen, Feng-Cheng Hsu, Han-Hsiang Huang, Hsien-Wen Liu, Shin-Puu Jeng, Hsiao-Wen Lee
  • Patent number: 11721693
    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: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Yu-Shan Cheng, Ming-Ching Chang
  • Publication number: 20230246092
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes providing a fin layer. Dummy gates are formed over the fin layer, where the dummy gates are formed to taper from a smaller width at a top region of the dummy gates to a larger width at a bottom region of the dummy gates. Sidewall spacers are formed on sidewalls of the dummy gates. An interlayer dielectric is formed in regions between the dummy gates and contacts the sidewall spacers. The dummy gates are removed to form openings in the interlayer dielectric and to expose the sidewall spacers on sides of the openings in the interlayer dielectric. The sidewall spacers are etched at a greater rate at a top region of the sidewall spacers than at a bottom region of the sidewall spacers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chih-Han Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee
  • Patent number: 11688643
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Chih-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 11652159
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes providing a fin layer. Dummy gates are formed over the fin layer, where the dummy gates are formed to taper from a smaller width at a top region of the dummy gates to a larger width at a bottom region of the dummy gates. Sidewall spacers are formed on sidewalls of the dummy gates. An interlayer dielectric is formed in regions between the dummy gates and contacts the sidewall spacers. The dummy gates are removed to form openings in the interlayer dielectric and to expose the sidewall spacers on sides of the openings in the interlayer dielectric. The sidewall spacers are etched at a greater rate at a top region of the sidewall spacers than at a bottom region of the sidewall spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chih-Han Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee
  • Publication number: 20230119370
    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: December 15, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Li-Jung Kuo, Chen-Ping Chen, Ming-Ching Chang
  • Publication number: 20230061497
    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: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao LIN, Chieh-Ning Feng, Hsiao Wen Lee, Ming-Ching Chang