Patents by Inventor Hung-Chang Sun

Hung-Chang Sun 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: 20220336262
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor structure in accordance with some embodiments. The method includes receiving a substrate having an active region and an isolation region; forming gate stacks on the substrate that extends from the active region to the isolation region; forming an inner gate spacer and an outer gate spacer on sidewalls of the gate stacks; forming an interlevel dielectric (ILD) layer on the substrate; forming a mask layer over the substrate that exposes a portion of the ILD layer and a portion of the outer gate spacer; selectively etching the exposed portion of the outer gate spacer, resulting in an air gap between the inner gate spacer and the ILD layer; and performing an ion implantation process on the exposed portion of the ILD layer to seal the air gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Hung-Chang Sun, Akira Mineji, Ziwei Fang
  • Publication number: 20220319917
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a gate structure on a substrate; depositing a first dielectric layer over the gate structure; depositing a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer and having a different density than the first dielectric layer; performing a first etching process on the first and second dielectric layers to form a trench; performing a second etching process on the first and second dielectric layers to modify the trench; filling a conductive material in the modified trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hung-Chang SUN, Po-Chin CHANG, Akira MINEJI, Zi-Wei FANG, Pinyen LIN
  • Publication number: 20220285384
    Abstract: A memory device includes a stack of gate electrode layers and interconnect layers arranged over a substrate. A first memory cell that is arranged over the substrate includes a first source/drain conductive lines and a second source/drain conductive line extending vertically through the stack of gate electrode layers. A channel layer and a memory layer are arranged on outer sidewalls of the first and second source/drain conductive lines. A first barrier structure is arranged between the first and second source/drain conductive lines. A first protective liner layer separates the first barrier structure from each of the first and second source/drain conductive lines. A second barrier structure is arranged on an opposite side of the first source/drain conductive line and is spaced apart from the first source/drain conductive line by a second protective liner layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Tsu Ching Yang, Sheng-Chih Lai, Yu-Wei Jiang, Kuo-Chang Chiang, Hung-Chang Sun, Chen-Jun Wu, Feng-Cheng Yang, Chung-Te Lin
  • Publication number: 20220285395
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method for forming a memory device, including forming a plurality of word line stacks respectively including a plurality of word lines alternatingly stacked with a plurality of insulating layers over a semiconductor substrate, forming a data storage layer along opposing sidewalls of the word line stacks, forming a channel layer along opposing sidewalls of the data storage layer, forming an inner insulating layer between inner sidewalls of the channel layer and including a first dielectric material, performing an isolation cut process including a first etching process through the inner insulating layer and the channel layer to form an isolation opening, forming an isolation structure filling the isolation opening and including a second dielectric material, performing a second etching process through the inner insulating layer on opposing sides of the isolation structure to form source/drain openings, and forming source/drain contacts in the source/drain
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Tsu Ching Yang, Feng-Cheng Yang, Sheng-Chih Lai, Yu-Wei Jiang, Kuo-Chang Chiang, Hung-Chang Sun, Chen-Jun Wu, Chung-Te Lin
  • Publication number: 20220278127
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory structure includes a ferroelectric layer and a channel layer formed over the ferroelectric layer. The structure also includes a source structure and a drain structure formed over the channel layer. The structure further includes a first isolation structure formed between the source structure and the drain structure. The source structure extends over the cap layer and towards the drain structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Hung-Chang Sun, Sheng-Chih Lai, Cheng-Jun Wu, Yu-Wei Jiang, Feng-Cheng Yang, Chung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 11398404
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor structure in accordance with some embodiments. The method includes receiving a substrate having an active region and an isolation region; forming gate stacks on the substrate and extending from the active region to the isolation region; forming an inner gate spacer and an outer gate spacer on sidewalls of the gate stacks; forming an interlevel dielectric (ILD) layer on the substrate; removing the outer gate spacer in the isolation region, resulting in an air gap between the inner gate spacer and the ILD layer; and performing an ion implantation process to the ILD layer, thereby expanding the ILD layer to cap the air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hung-Chang Sun, Akira Mineji, Ziwei Fang
  • Patent number: 11373902
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate structure, an etch stop layer, a dielectric structure, and a conductive material. The gate structure is on the semiconductor substrate. The etch stop layer is over the gate structure. The dielectric structure is over the etch stop layer, in which the dielectric structure has a ratio of silicon to nitrogen varying from a middle layer of the dielectric structure to a bottom layer of the dielectric structure. The conductive material extends through the dielectric structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hung-Chang Sun, Po-Chin Chang, Akira Mineji, Zi-Wei Fang, Pinyen Lin
  • Publication number: 20220037253
    Abstract: A tridimensional memory cell array includes vertically stacked first conductive lines, vertically stacked second conductive lines, and first and second flights of steps. First and second conductive lines extend along a first direction. The second conductive lines are disposed at a distance along a second direction from the first conductive lines. First and second directions are orthogonal. Along the first direction, the first flights are disposed at opposite ends of the first conductive lines and the second flights are disposed at opposite ends of the second conductive lines. The first and second flights include landing pads and connective lines alternately disposed along the first direction. The landing pads are wider than the connective lines along the second direction. Along the second direction, landing pads of the first flights face connective lines of the second flights and landing pads of the second flights face connective lines of the first flights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: TsuChing Yang, Hung-Chang Sun, Sheng-Chih Lai, Yu-Wei Jiang, Kuo-Chang Chiang
  • Publication number: 20220037364
    Abstract: A memory device includes a substrate, word line layers, insulating layers, and memory cells. The word line layers are stacked above the substrate. The insulating layers are stacked above the substrate respectively alternating with the word line layers. The memory cells are distributed along a stacking direction of the word line layers and the insulating layers perpendicularly to a major surface of the substrate. Each memory cell includes a source line electrode and a bit line electrode, a first oxide semiconductor layer, and a second oxide semiconductor layer. The first oxide semiconductor layer is peripherally surrounded by one of the word line layers, the source line electrode, and the bit line electrode. The second oxide semiconductor layer is disposed between the one of the word line layers and the first oxide semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Wei Jiang, Hung-Chang Sun, Kuo-Chang Chiang, Sheng-Chih Lai, TsuChing Yang
  • Publication number: 20220037363
    Abstract: A memory device includes transistor structures and memory arc wall structures. The memory arc wall structures are embedded in the transistor structures. The transistor structure includes a dielectric column, a source electrode and a drain electrode, a gate electrode layer and a channel wall structure. The source electrode and the drain electrode are located on opposite sides of the dielectric column. The gate electrode layer is around the dielectric column, the source electrode, and the drain electrode. The channel wall structure is extended from the source electrode to the drain electrode and surrounds the dielectric column. The channel wall structure is disposed between the gate electrode layer and the source electrode, between the gate electrode layer, and the drain electrode, and between the gate electrode layer and the dielectric column. The memory arc wall structure is extended on and throughout the channel wall structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Wei Jiang, Hung-Chang Sun, Sheng-Chih Lai, Kuo-Chang Chiang, TsuChing Yang
  • Publication number: 20220028894
    Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes: forming, over a substrate, a layer stack having alternating layers of a first conductive material and a first dielectric material; forming trenches extending vertically through the layer stack from an upper surface of the layer stack distal from the substrate to a lower surface of the layer stack facing the substrate; lining sidewalls and bottoms of the trenches with a memory film; forming a channel material over the memory film, the channel material including an amorphous material; filling the trenches with a second dielectric material after forming the channel material; forming memory cell isolation regions in the second dielectric material; forming source lines (SLs) and bit lines (BLs) that extend vertically in the second dielectric material on opposing sides of the memory cell isolation regions; and crystallizing first portions of the channel material after forming the SLs and BLs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: TsuChing Yang, Hung-Chang Sun, Kuo Chang Chiang, Sheng-Chih Lai, Yu-Wei Jiang
  • Publication number: 20220020775
    Abstract: A method of forming a ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM) device includes: forming a layer stack over a substrate, where the layer stack includes alternating layers of a first dielectric material and a word line (WL) material; forming first trenches extending vertically through the layer stack; filling the first trenches, where filling the first trenches includes forming, in the first trenches, a ferroelectric material, a channel material over the ferroelectric material, and a second dielectric material over the channel material; after filling the first trenches, forming second trenches extending vertically through the layer stack, the second trenches being interleaved with the first trenches; and filling the second trenches, where filling the second trenches includes forming, in the second trenches, the ferroelectric material, the channel material over the ferroelectric material, and the second dielectric material over the channel material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: TsuChing Yang, Hung-Chang Sun, Kuo Chang Chiang, Sheng-Chih Lai, Yu-Wei Jiang
  • Publication number: 20210408045
    Abstract: A memory cell includes a thin film transistor over a semiconductor substrate, the thin film transistor including: a memory film contacting a word line; and an oxide semiconductor (OS) layer contacting a source line and a bit line, wherein the memory film is disposed between the OS layer and the word line, wherein the source line and the bit line each comprise a first conductive material touching the OS layer, and wherein the first conductive material has a work function less than 4.6. The memory cell further includes a dielectric material separating the source line and the bit line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Kuo-Chang Chiang, Hung-Chang Sun, Sheng-Chih Lai, TsuChing Yang, Yu-Wei Jiang
  • Publication number: 20210408293
    Abstract: A transistor including a channel layer including an oxide semiconductor material and methods of making the same. The transistor includes a channel layer having a first oxide semiconductor layer having a first oxygen concentration, a second oxide semiconductor layer having a second oxygen concentration and a third oxide semiconductor layer having a third oxygen concentration. The second oxide semiconductor layer is located between the first semiconductor oxide layer and the third oxide semiconductor layer. The second oxygen concentration is lower than the first oxygen concentration and the third oxygen concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Kuo CHIANG, Hung-Chang SUN, TsuChing YANG, Sheng-Chih LAI, Yu-Wei JIANG
  • Publication number: 20210408044
    Abstract: A memory cell includes a thin film transistor over a semiconductor substrate. The thin film transistor includes a memory film contacting a word line; and an oxide semiconductor (OS) layer contacting a source line and a bit line, wherein the memory film is disposed between the OS layer and the word line; and a dielectric material separating the source line and the bit line. The dielectric material forms an interface with the OS layer. The dielectric material comprises hydrogen, and a hydrogen concentration at the interface between the dielectric material and the OS layer is no more than 3 atomic percent (at %).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Kuo-Chang Chiang, Hung-Chang Sun, Sheng-Chih Lai, TsuChing Yang, Yu-Wei Jiang
  • Publication number: 20210399017
    Abstract: A device includes a dielectric layer, a conductive layer, electrode layers and an oxide semiconductor layer. The dielectric layer has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The conductive layer is disposed on the first surface of the dielectric layer. The electrode layers are disposed on the second surface of the dielectric layer. The oxide semiconductor layer is disposed in between the second surface of the dielectric layer and the electrode layers, wherein the oxide semiconductor layer comprises a material represented by formula 1 (InxSnyTizMmOn). In formula 1, 0<x<1, 0?y<1, 0<z<1, 0<m<1, 0<n<1, and M represents at least one metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hung-Chang Sun, Sheng-Chih Lai, TsuChing Yang, Yu-Wei Jiang, Kuo-Chang Chiang
  • Publication number: 20210399016
    Abstract: A memory device includes a multi-layer stack, a channel layer, a memory material layer and at least three conductive pillars. The multi-layer stack is disposed on a substrate and includes a plurality of conductive layers and a plurality of dielectric layers stacked alternately. The channel layer penetrates through the plurality of conductive layers and the plurality of dielectric layers. The memory material layer is disposed between the channel layer and each of the plurality of conductive layers and the plurality of dielectric layers. The conductive pillars are surrounded by the channel layer and the memory material layer, wherein the at least three conductive pillars are electrically connected to conductive lines respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Wei Jiang, Sheng-Chih Lai, TsuChing Yang, Hung-Chang Sun, Kuo-Chang Chiang
  • Publication number: 20210391354
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first multi-layer stack, a channel layer, a charge storage layer, a first conductive pillar, and a second conductive pillar. The first multi-layer stack is disposed on a substrate and includes first conductive layers and first dielectric layers stacked alternately. The channel layer penetrates through the first conductive layers and the first dielectric layers, wherein the channel layer includes a first channel portion and a second channel portion separated from each other. The charge storage layer is disposed between the first conductive layers and the channel layer. The first conductive pillar is disposed between one end of the first channel portion and one end of the second channel portion. The second conductive pillar is disposed between the other end of the first channel portion and the other end of the second channel portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hung-Chang Sun, Yu-Wei Jiang, TsuChing Yang, Kuo-Chang Chiang, Sheng-Chih Lai
  • Publication number: 20210375936
    Abstract: A memory cell includes a ferroelectric (FE) material contacting a word line; and an oxide semiconductor (OS) layer contacting a source line and a bit line, wherein the FE material is disposed between the OS layer and the word line. The OS layer comprises: a first region adjacent the FE material, the first region having a first concentration of a semiconductor element; a second region adjacent the source line, the second region having a second concentration of the semiconductor element; and a third region between the first region and the second region, the third region having a third concentration of the semiconductor element, the third concentration is greater than the second concentration and less than the first concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Kuo-Chang Chiang, Hung-Chang Sun, Sheng-Chih Lai, TsuChing Yang, Yu-Wei Jiang
  • Publication number: 20210288166
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor fin extending from the semiconductor substrate, a gate structure extending across the semiconductor fin, and source/drain semiconductor layers on opposite sides of the gate structure. The source/drain semiconductor layers each have a first thickness over a top side of the semiconductor fin and a second thickness over a lateral side of the semiconductor fin. The first thickness and the second thickness have a difference smaller than about 20 percent of the first thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yao-Sheng HUANG, Hung-Chang SUN, I-Ming CHANG, Zi-Wei FANG