Patents by Inventor Huiling Shang

Huiling Shang 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: 20260114009
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes alternately forming a plurality of channel layers and a plurality of sacrificial layers over a substrate. The method also includes forming a source/drain trench through the channel layers and the sacrificial layers. The method also includes replacing the sacrificial layers with a plurality of dummy oxide layers. Sidewalls of the dummy oxide layers are substantially aligned with sidewalls of the channel layers. The method also includes selectively forming a plurality of inner spacers on the sidewalls of the dummy oxide layers through the source/drain trench. The method also includes replacing the dummy oxide layers with a gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2024
    Publication date: April 23, 2026
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ka-Hing FUNG, Huiling SHANG, Chi On CHUI
  • Publication number: 20260090044
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure is provided. The method includes forming a first active region in which sacrificial layers and channel layers are alternately stacked. A topmost one of the channel layers is a first channel layer. The method further includes forming a first source/drain feature on the first active region, removing the sacrificial layers of the first active region to form first gaps, at least partially removing the first channel layer of the first active region, and forming a first gate stack to fill the first gaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2024
    Publication date: March 26, 2026
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chiao-Ti HUANG, Huiling SHANG, Chien-Tai CHAN
  • Publication number: 20250366155
    Abstract: A method includes forming a shallow trench isolation region aside of a protruding fin. The protruding fin includes a first semiconductor nanostructure and a second semiconductor nanostructure. The method further includes forming a hard mask on the shallow trench isolation region, forming a dummy gate stack over the protruding fin, removing a sacrificial layer in the protruding fin to leave a space between the first semiconductor nanostructure and the second semiconductor nanostructure, forming a disposable interposer in the space, removing the dummy gate stack, removing the disposable interposer using an etching chemical, wherein when the disposable interposer is removed, the hard mask is exposed to the etching chemical, and forming a gate stack, wherein a portion of the gate stack is filled in the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2025
    Publication date: November 27, 2025
    Inventors: Chang-Miao Liu, Huiling Shang, Ko-Cheng Liu
  • Publication number: 20250366154
    Abstract: A method includes forming a shallow trench isolation region aside of a protruding fin. The protruding fin includes a first semiconductor nanostructure and a second semiconductor nanostructure. The method further includes forming a hard mask on the shallow trench isolation region, forming a dummy gate stack over the protruding fin, removing a sacrificial layer in the protruding fin to leave a space between the first semiconductor nanostructure and the second semiconductor nanostructure, forming a disposable interposer in the space, removing the dummy gate stack, removing the disposable interposer using an etching chemical, wherein when the disposable interposer is removed, the hard mask is exposed to the etching chemical, and forming a gate stack, wherein a portion of the gate stack is filled in the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2024
    Publication date: November 27, 2025
    Inventors: Chang-Miao Liu, Huiling Shang, Ko-Cheng Liu
  • Publication number: 20250351419
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device and a method of forming the same. The semiconductor device includes a fin-shape base protruding from a semiconductor substrate. A top surface of the semiconductor substrate is in a (100) crystal plane, and a top surface of the fin-shape base is in a (110) crystal plane. The semiconductor device also includes channel members disposed over the top surface of the fin-shape base, a gate structure wrapping around at least one of channel members, a gate spacer extending along a sidewall of the gate structure, a source/drain feature abutting the channel members, and a dopant-free epitaxial feature under the source/drain feature. A top surface of the source/drain feature is in a (110) crystal plane. A top surface of the dopant-free epitaxial feature is in a (110) crystal plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2025
    Publication date: November 13, 2025
    Inventors: Wei-Lun Min, Chang-Miao Liu, Huiling Shang
  • Publication number: 20250338558
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes an interlevel dielectric layer having a first portion directly above a source/drain region of a transistor and a second portion directly above the source/drain region and laterally abutting the first portion. The first and second portions have different material compositions such that that the interlevel dielectric region imparts a beneficial strain to the transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2024
    Publication date: October 30, 2025
    Inventors: Shi-Sheng HU, Tsung-Hung LEE, Chien-Tai CHAN, Huiling SHANG
  • Publication number: 20250318194
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an isolation structure over a substrate, a fin-shaped base protruding from the substrate and through the isolation structure, channel members vertically stacked above the fin-shaped base, first and second dielectric fins over the isolation structure and sandwiching the channel members, an epitaxial feature atop the fin-shaped base and abutting the channel members, a gate structure wrapping around at least one of the channel members, and a gate spacer extending along a sidewall of the gate structure. Bottom surfaces of the first and second dielectric fins are above a top surface of the isolation structure. An interface between the epitaxial feature and the fin-shaped base is above the top surface of the isolation structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2025
    Publication date: October 9, 2025
    Inventors: Ko-Cheng Liu, Chang-Miao Liu, Huiling Shang
  • Patent number: 12414330
    Abstract: A method includes forming a semiconductor fin protruding from a substrate, forming a cladding layer on sidewalls of the semiconductor fin, forming first and second dielectric fins sandwiching the semiconductor fin, and removing the cladding layer. The removal of the cladding layer forms trenches between the semiconductor fin and the first and second dielectric fins. After the removing of the cladding layer, a dummy gate structure is formed over the semiconductor fin and in the trenches. The method also includes recessing the semiconductor fin in a region proximal to the dummy gate structure, forming an epitaxial feature on the recessed semiconductor fin, and forming a metal gate stack replacing the dummy gate structure. A top surface of the recessed semiconductor fin in the region has a concave shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ko-Cheng Liu, Chang-Miao Liu, Huiling Shang
  • Patent number: 12349384
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, an oxide layer disposed over the substrate, a stack of semiconductor layers disposed over the oxide layer, and an epitaxial source/drain (S/D) feature disposed adjacent to the stack of semiconductor layers. A portion of the epitaxial S/D feature is horizontally surrounded by the oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTUIRNG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xusheng Wu, Chang-Miao Liu, Huiling Shang
  • Publication number: 20250185270
    Abstract: Methods and structures for inserting disposable interposers include forming a first gate over a first fin and a first spacer layer on sidewalls of the first gate, and a second gate over a second fin and a second spacer layer on sidewalls of the second gate. The method further includes replacing, within the first fin, epitaxial layers of a second composition with disposable interposers disposed beneath the first gate and first inner spacers on opposing ends of the disposable interposers. The method further includes etching back, within the second fin, opposing lateral ends of the epitaxial layers of the second composition to form recesses disposed beneath the second spacer layer and between adjacent epitaxial layers of the first composition. The method further includes forming second inner spacers, within the second fin, within each of the recesses on the opposing lateral ends of the epitaxial layers of the second composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2023
    Publication date: June 5, 2025
    Inventors: Ka-Hing FUNG, Huiling SHANG, Hsueh-Jen YANG, Wei-Yang LEE
  • Publication number: 20250072037
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device and a method of forming the same. A method according one embodiment of the present disclosure include bonding a first semiconductor substrate having (110) orientation on a second semiconductor substate having (100) orientation, forming a stack over the first semiconductor substrate, the stack comprising a plurality of channel layers interleaved by a plurality of sacrificial layers, patterning the stack to form a fin-shape structure, the fin-shape structure comprising a channel region and a source/drain region, recessing the source/drain region to form a source/drain trench, forming a dielectric film in the source/drain trench, and epitaxially growing an epitaxial feature over the dielectric film, the epitaxial feature being in contact with the plurality of channel layers. The epitaxial feature has (110) orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2024
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventors: Wei-Lun Min, Chang-Miao Liu, Huiling Shang
  • Publication number: 20240387691
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate and a gate stack over the substrate. The semiconductor device structure also includes a spacer element over a sidewall of the gate stack. The spacer element is doped with a dopant, and the dopant contains halide. The spacer element has a first atomic concentration of the dopant near an inner surface of the spacer element adjacent to the gate stack. The spacer element has a second atomic concentration of the dopant near an outer surface of the spacer element. The first atomic concentration of the dopant is different than the second atomic concentration of the dopant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Xusheng WU, Chang-Miao LIU, Huiling SHANG
  • Patent number: 12148669
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. An exemplary semiconductor device comprises first semiconductor stack over a substrate, wherein the first semiconductor stack includes first semiconductor layers separated from each other and stacked up along a direction substantially perpendicular to a top surface of the substrate; second semiconductor stack over the substrate, wherein the second semiconductor stack includes second semiconductor layers separated from each other and stacked up along the direction substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the substrate; inner spacers between edge portions of the first semiconductor layers and between edge portions of the second semiconductor layers; and a bulk source/drain (S/D) feature between the first semiconductor stack and the second semiconductor stack, wherein the bulk S/D feature is separated from the substrate by a first air gap, and the bulk S/D feature is separated from the inner spacers by second air gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xusheng Wu, Ying-Keung Leung, Huiling Shang
  • Publication number: 20240379442
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. An exemplary semiconductor device comprises first semiconductor stack over a substrate, wherein the first semiconductor stack includes first semiconductor layers separated from each other and stacked up along a direction substantially perpendicular to a top surface of the substrate; second semiconductor stack over the substrate, wherein the second semiconductor stack includes second semiconductor layers separated from each other and stacked up along the direction substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the substrate; inner spacers between edge portions of the first semiconductor layers and between edge portions of the second semiconductor layers; and a bulk source/drain (S/D) feature between the first semiconductor stack and the second semiconductor stack, wherein the bulk S/D feature is separated from the substrate by a first air gap, and the bulk S/D feature is separated from the inner spacers by second air gaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Xusheng Wu, Ying-Keung Leung, Huiling Shang
  • Patent number: 12132096
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate and a gate stack over the substrate. The semiconductor device structure also includes a spacer element over a sidewall of the gate stack. The spacer element is doped with a dopant, and the dopant reduces a dielectric constant of the spacer element. The spacer element has a first atomic concentration of the dopant near an inner surface of the spacer element adjacent to the gate stack. The spacer element has a second atomic concentration of the dopant near an outer surface of the spacer element. The first atomic concentration of the dopant is different than the second atomic concentration of the dopant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Xusheng Wu, Chang-Miao Liu, Huiling Shang
  • Publication number: 20240339362
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods are provided. In an embodiment, a semiconductor structure includes a substrate including a first mesa structure and a second mesa structure, an isolation feature extending between the first mesa structure and the second mesa structure, a first vertical stack of nanostructures directly over the first mesa structure, first source/drain features coupled to the first vertical stack of nanostructures, a dielectric layer comprising a first portion disposed on the isolation feature and a second portion disposed between the first-type source/drain features and the substrate, and a first gate structure wrapping around each nanostructure of the first vertical stack of nanostructures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Inventors: Ko-Cheng Liu, Chang-Miao Liu, Huiling Shang
  • Publication number: 20240250152
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, an oxide layer disposed over the substrate, a stack of semiconductor layers disposed over the oxide layer, and an epitaxial source/drain (S/D) feature disposed adjacent to the stack of semiconductor layers. A portion of the epitaxial S/D feature is horizontally surrounded by the oxide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2024
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Inventors: Xusheng Wu, Chang-Miao Liu, Huiling SHANG
  • Publication number: 20240145566
    Abstract: A method includes forming a structure having a dummy gate stack over a multi-layer stack (ML) disposed on a semiconductor substrate, the ML including alternating channel layers and non-channel layers; recessing the ML in source/drain (S/D) regions; removing the non-channel layers to form first openings between the channel layers; depositing a dielectric material in the first openings; recessing the dielectric material to form undercuts; forming inner spacers in the undercuts; forming epitaxial S/D features in the S/D regions; removing the dummy gate stack to form a gate trench; removing the dielectric material from the gate trench to form second openings between the channel layers; and forming a metal gate stack in the gate trench and the second openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Ka-Hing Fung, Wei-Yang Lee, Huiling Shang
  • Patent number: 11948998
    Abstract: A method includes forming a semiconductor substrate having an oxide layer embedded therein, forming a multi-layer (ML) stack including alternating channel layers and non-channel layers over the semiconductor substrate, forming a dummy gate stack over the ML, forming an S/D recess in the ML to expose the oxide layer, forming an epitaxial S/D feature in the S/D recess, removing the non-channel layers from the ML to form openings between the channel layers, where the openings are formed adjacent to the epitaxial S/D feature, and forming a high-k metal gate stack (HKMG) in the openings between the channel layers and in place of the dummy gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xusheng Wu, Chang-Miao Liu, Huiling Shang
  • Publication number: 20240105517
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. An exemplary semiconductor device comprises first semiconductor stack over a substrate, wherein the first semiconductor stack includes first semiconductor layers separated from each other and stacked up along a direction substantially perpendicular to a top surface of the substrate; second semiconductor stack over the substrate, wherein the second semiconductor stack includes second semiconductor layers separated from each other and stacked up along the direction substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the substrate; inner spacers between edge portions of the first semiconductor layers and between edge portions of the second semiconductor layers; and a bulk source/drain (S/D) feature between the first semiconductor stack and the second semiconductor stack, wherein the bulk S/D feature is separated from the substrate by a first air gap, and the bulk S/D feature is separated from the inner spacers by second air gaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Xusheng Wu, Ying-Keung Leung, Huiling Shang