Patents by Inventor Hsien-Ming Lee

Hsien-Ming 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: 20190145444
    Abstract: A clamping fixture includes a body, a connector, a first clasp, at least one first elastic member and a lock. The connector is movable relative to the body along a first direction. The first clasp includes a first fastener and is disposed at one end of the connector. The at least one first elastic member is configured to apply force to the body and the connector along the first direction. The lock includes a second fastener. The first clasp and the lock are coupled through the first fastener and the second fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Hao-Chung LIEN, Chia-Wei FU, Hsien-Ming LEE
  • Publication number: 20190148510
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device including a fin-type field effect transistor (FinFET). The first FinFET includes a first gate structure and the first gate structure includes a first work function layer. The first work function layer includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is disposed over the second layer. The second layer includes a base material and a dopant doped in the base material. The dopant comprises Al, Ta, W, or a combination thereof. The first layer and the second layer comprise different materials. A method of manufacturing the semiconductor device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jui-Fen Chien, Hsiao-Kuan Wei, Hsien-Ming Lee, Chin-You Hsu
  • Publication number: 20190096681
    Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to formation of a gate structure of a device, such as in a replacement gate process, and the device formed thereby. In an example method, a gate dielectric layer is formed over an active area on a substrate. A dummy layer that contains a passivating species (such as fluorine) is formed over the gate dielectric layer. A thermal process is performed to drive the passivating species from the dummy layer into the gate dielectric layer. The dummy layer is removed. A metal gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate dielectric layer includes the passivating species before the metal gate electrode is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Hsiao-Kuan Wei, Hsien-Ming Lee, Chin-You Hsu, Hsin-Yun Hsu, Pin-Hsuan Yeh
  • Publication number: 20190096680
    Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to formation of a gate structure of a device, such as in a replacement gate process, and the device formed thereby. In an example method, a gate dielectric layer is formed over an active area on a substrate. A dummy layer that contains a passivating species (such as fluorine) is formed over the gate dielectric layer. A thermal process is performed to drive the passivating species from the dummy layer into the gate dielectric layer. The dummy layer is removed. A metal gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate dielectric layer includes the passivating species before the metal gate electrode is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiao-Kuan WEI, Hsien-Ming LEE, Chin-You HSU, Hsin-Yun HSU, Pin-Hsuan YEH
  • Patent number: 10020230
    Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a semiconductor fin over the substrate, and a gate dielectric layer on a top surface and sidewalls of the semiconductor fin. A gate electrode is spaced apart from the semiconductor fin by the gate dielectric layer. The gate electrode includes a top portion over and aligned to the semiconductor fin, and a sidewall portion on a sidewall portion of the dielectric layer. The top portion of the gate electrode has a first work function, and the sidewall portion of the gate electrode has a second work function different from the first work function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Chin Kuo, Hsien-Ming Lee
  • Publication number: 20180174922
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first transistor, which includes forming a first gate dielectric layer over a first channel region in a substrate and forming a first work-function layer over the first gate dielectric layer, wherein forming the first work-function layer includes depositing a work-function material using first process conditions to form the work-function material having a first proportion of different crystalline orientations and forming a second transistor, which includes forming a second gate dielectric layer over a second channel region in the substrate and forming a second work-function layer over the second gate dielectric layer, wherein forming the second work-function layer includes depositing the work-function material using second process conditions to form the work-function material having a second proportion of different crystalline orientations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Ya-Wen Chiu, Da-Yuan Lee, Hsien-Ming Lee, Kai-Cyuan Yang, Yu-Sheng Wang, Chih-Hsiang Fan, Kun-Wa Kuok
  • Publication number: 20170278941
    Abstract: Methods for forming semiconductor structures are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes forming a gate structure having a dummy gate stack over a substrate, performing a gate replacement process, such that the dummy gate stack is replaced with a metal gate stack, and forming a non-silane based oxide capping layer over the gate structure. The gate replacement process includes removing a portion of the dummy gate stack from the gate structure, thereby forming a gate trench. A work function layer is formed in the gate trench, a blocking layer is formed in the gate trench over the work function layer, and a metal layer (including, for example, aluminum) is formed in the gate trench over the blocking layer. The blocking layer includes titanium and nitrogen with a titanium to nitrogen ratio that is greater than one. In some implementations, the work function layer is formed over a dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Hung-Chin Chung, Shiang-Rung Tsai, Hsien-Ming Lee, Cheng-Lung Hung, Hsiao-Kuan Wei
  • Publication number: 20170250279
    Abstract: A fin field effect transistor (FinFET) is provided. The FinFET includes a substrate, a gate stack, and a filter layer, and strain layers. The substrate has a semiconductor fin. The gate stack is disposed across the semiconductor fin. The gate stack includes a gate dielectric layer, a work function layer and a metal filling layer. The gate dielectric layer is disposed on the semiconductor fin. The work function layer is disposed on the gate dielectric layer. The metal filling layer is over the work function layer. The filter layer is disposed between the work function layer and the metal filling layer to prevent or decrease penetration of diffusion atoms. The strain layers are beside the gate stack. A material of the filter layer is different from a material of the work function layer and a material of the metal filling layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Cheng-Chang Wei, Chia-Lin Hsu, Hsien-Ming Lee, Ji-Cheng Chen
  • Publication number: 20170178973
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device with a profiled work-function metal gate electrode. The semiconductor structure includes a metal gate structure formed in an opening of an insulating layer. The metal gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer, a barrier layer, a work-function metal layer between the gate dielectric layer and the barrier layer and a work-function adjustment layer over the barrier layer, wherein the work-function metal has an ordered grain orientation. The present disclosure also provides a method of making a semiconductor device with a profiled work-function metal gate electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Da-Yuan Lee, Hung-Chin Chung, Hsien-Ming Lee, Kuan-Ting Liu, Syun-Ming Jang, Weng Chang, Wei-Jen Lo
  • Patent number: 9679984
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate and a gate stack disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The gate stack includes a high-k dielectric material layer, a titanium-rich TiN layer over the high-k dielectric layer, and a metal layer disposed over the titanium-rich TiN layer. The metal layer includes aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hung-Chin Chung, Shiang-Rung Tsai, Hsien-Ming Lee, Cheng-Lung Hung, Hsiao-Kuan Wei
  • Patent number: 9590065
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device with a profiled work-function metal gate electrode. The semiconductor structure includes a metal gate structure formed in an opening of an insulating layer. The metal gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer, a barrier layer, a work-function meta layer between the gate dielectric layer and the barrier layer and a work-function adjustment layer over the barrier layer, wherein the work-function metal has an ordered grain orientation. The present disclosure also provides a method of making a semiconductor device with a profiled work-function metal gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Da-Yuan Lee, Kuan-Ting Liu, Hung-Chin Chung, Hsien-Ming Lee, Weng Chang, Syun-Ming Jang, Wei-Jen Lo
  • Patent number: 9581180
    Abstract: A clamper includes a base, a movable element, a sliding element, a connecting bar, a clamping element and a first elastic element. The movable element is movable in a first direction relative to the base. The sliding element is movable in a second direction relative to the base. The connecting bar connects the movable element and the sliding element. The clamping element sets on the sliding element. The first elastic element includes a terminal setting on the sliding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: ABILITY ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hao-Chung Lien, Hsien-Ming Lee, Yu-Fang Lin
  • Publication number: 20170025312
    Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a semiconductor fin over the substrate, and a gate dielectric layer on a top surface and sidewalls of the semiconductor fin. A gate electrode is spaced apart from the semiconductor fin by the gate dielectric layer. The gate electrode includes a top portion over and aligned to the semiconductor fin, and a sidewall portion on a sidewall portion of the dielectric layer. The top portion of the gate electrode has a first work function, and the sidewall portion of the gate electrode has a second work function different from the first work function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Po-Chin Kuo, Hsien-Ming Lee
  • Patent number: 9472638
    Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a semiconductor fin over the substrate, and a gate dielectric layer on a top surface and sidewalls of the semiconductor fin. A gate electrode is spaced apart from the semiconductor fin by the gate dielectric layer. The gate electrode includes a top portion over and aligned to the semiconductor fin, and a sidewall portion on a sidewall portion of the dielectric layer. The top portion of the gate electrode has a first work function, and the sidewall portion of the gate electrode has a second work function different from the first work function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Chin Kuo, Hsien-Ming Lee
  • Patent number: 9293334
    Abstract: An N work function metal for a gate stack of a field effect transistor (FinFET) and method of forming the same are provided. An embodiment FinFET includes a fin supported by a semiconductor substrate, the fin extending between a source and a drain and having a channel region, and a gate stack formed over the channel region of the fin, the gate stack including an N work function metal layer comprising an oxidation layer on opposing sides of a tantalum aluminide carbide (TaAlC) layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Chin Kuo, Chung-Liang Cheng, Hsien-Ming Lee, Weng Chang
  • Publication number: 20150349080
    Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a semiconductor fin over the substrate, and a gate dielectric layer on a top surface and sidewalls of the semiconductor fin. A gate electrode is spaced apart from the semiconductor fin by the gate dielectric layer. The gate electrode includes a top portion over and aligned to the semiconductor fin, and a sidewall portion on a sidewall portion of the dielectric layer. The top portion of the gate electrode has a first work function, and the sidewall portion of the gate electrode has a second work function different from the first work function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Po-Chin Kuo, Hsien-Ming Lee
  • Publication number: 20150330426
    Abstract: A clamper includes a base, a movable element, a sliding element, a connecting bar, a clamping element and a first elastic element. The movable element is movable in a first direction relative to the base. The sliding element is movable in a second direction relative to the base. The connecting bar connects the movable element and the sliding element. The clamping element sets on the sliding element. The first elastic element includes a terminal setting on the sliding element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: ABILITY ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hao-Chung LIEN, Hsien-Ming LEE, Yu-Fang LIN
  • Patent number: 9123746
    Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a semiconductor fin over the substrate, and a gate dielectric layer on a top surface and sidewalls of the semiconductor fin. A gate electrode is spaced apart from the semiconductor fin by the gate dielectric layer. The gate electrode includes a top portion over and aligned to the semiconductor fin, and a sidewall portion on a sidewall portion of the dielectric layer. The top portion of the gate electrode has a first work function, and the sidewall portion of the gate electrode has a second work function different from the first work function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Chin Kuo, Hsien-Ming Lee
  • Publication number: 20150200100
    Abstract: An N work function metal for a gate stack of a field effect transistor (FinFET) and method of forming the same are provided. An embodiment FinFET includes a fin supported by a semiconductor substrate, the fin extending between a source and a drain and having a channel region, and a gate stack formed over the channel region of the fin, the gate stack including an N work function metal layer comprising an oxidation layer on opposing sides of a tantalum aluminide carbide (TaAlC) layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Po-Chin Kuo, Chung-Liang Cheng, Hsien-Ming Lee, Weng Chang
  • Patent number: 9064857
    Abstract: An N work function metal for a gate stack of a field effect transistor (FinFET) and method of forming the same are provided. An embodiment FinFET includes a fin supported by a semiconductor substrate, the fin extending between a source and a drain and having a channel region, and a gate stack formed over the channel region of the fin, the gate stack including an N work function metal layer comprising an oxidation layer on opposing sides of a tantalum aluminide carbide (TaAlC) layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Chin Kuo, Chung-Liang Cheng, Hsien-Ming Lee, Weng Chang