Patents by Inventor Kai Tak Lam

Kai Tak Lam 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: 20240097011
    Abstract: A method includes forming a fin structure over a substrate, wherein the fin structure comprises first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers alternately stacked over a substrate; forming a dummy gate structure over the fin structure; removing a portion of the fin structure uncovered by the dummy gate structure; performing a selective etching process to laterally recess the first semiconductor layers, including injecting a hydrogen-containing gas from a first gas source of a processing tool to the first semiconductor layers and the second semiconductor layers; and injecting an F2 gas from a second gas source of the processing tool to the first semiconductor layers and the second semiconductor layers; forming inner spacers on opposite end surfaces of the laterally recessed first semiconductor layers of the fin structure; and replacing the dummy gate structure and the first semiconductor layers with a metal gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Han-Yu LIN, Fang-Wei LEE, Kai-Tak LAM, Raghunath PUTIKAM, Tzer-Min SHEN, Li-Te LIN, Pinyen LIN, Cheng-Tzu YANG, Tzu-Li LEE, Tze-Chung LIN
  • Patent number: 11855192
    Abstract: A method includes forming a fin structure including a plurality of first semiconductor layers and a plurality of second semiconductor layers alternately stacked over a substrate. A dummy gate structure is formed across the fin structure. The exposed second portions of the fin structure are removed. A selective etching process is performed, using a gas mixture including a hydrogen-containing gas and a fluorine-containing gas, to laterally recess the first semiconductor layers. Inner spacers are formed on opposite end surfaces of the laterally recessed first semiconductor layers. Source/drain epitaxial structures are formed on opposite end surfaces of the second semiconductor layers. The dummy gate structure is removed to expose the first portion of the fin structure. The laterally recessed first semiconductor layers are removed. A gate structure is formed to surround each of the second semiconductor layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Han-Yu Lin, Fang-Wei Lee, Kai-Tak Lam, Raghunath Putikam, Tzer-Min Shen, Li-Te Lin, Pinyen Lin, Cheng-Tzu Yang, Tzu-Li Lee, Tze-Chung Lin
  • Patent number: 11822259
    Abstract: A method of extreme ultraviolet lithography includes: generating within a source vessel extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light by striking a stream of droplets of target material shot across the source vessel with pulses from a laser to create a plasma from which EUV light is emitted; directing the generated EUV light out of the source vessel through an intermediate focus cap along a pathway toward a reticle of a scanner; creating a longitudinal mechanical wave extending across the pathway; and exposing a photoresist layer on a semiconductor substrate to pattern a circuit layout by the generated EUV light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, LTD.
    Inventors: Tai-Yu Chen, Sagar Deepak Khivsara, Shang-Chieh Chien, Kai Tak Lam, Sheng-Kang Yu
  • Publication number: 20230367225
    Abstract: A photolithography system utilizes tin droplets to generate extreme ultraviolet radiation for photolithography. The photolithography system irradiates the droplets with a laser. The droplets become a plasma and emit extreme ultraviolet radiation. The photolithography system senses contamination of a collector mirror by the tin droplets and adjusts the flow of a buffer fluid to reduce the contamination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Tai-Yu CHEN, Sagar Deepak KHIVSARA, Kuo-An LIU, Chieh HSIEH, Shang-Chieh CHIEN, Gwan-Sin CHANG, Kai Tak LAM, Li-Jui CHEN, Heng-Hsin LIU, Chung-Wei WU, Zhiqiang WU
  • Publication number: 20230333491
    Abstract: A method of extreme ultraviolet lithography includes: generating within a source vessel extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light by striking a stream of droplets of target material shot across the source vessel with pulses from a laser to create a plasma from which EUV light is emitted; directing the generated EUV light out of the source vessel through an intermediate focus cap along a pathway toward a reticle of a scanner; creating a longitudinal mechanical wave extending across the pathway; and exposing a photoresist layer on a semiconductor substrate to pattern a circuit layout by the generated EUV light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Tai-Yu Chen, Sagar Deepak Khivsara, Shang-Chieh Chien, Kai Tak Lam, Sheng-Kang Yu
  • Publication number: 20230317829
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes providing a substrate, a fin, and a semiconductor layer. The fin is over the substrate, the semiconductor layer is over the fin, the substrate and the fin are made of different materials, and the fin and the semiconductor layer are made of different materials. The method includes forming a dielectric layer over the semiconductor layer and the fin. The method includes forming a semiconductor structure over a sidewall of the dielectric layer. The method includes removing a first top portion of the dielectric layer over a top surface of the semiconductor layer. The method includes forming a gate over the semiconductor layer, the dielectric layer, and the semiconductor structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhiqiang WU, Kuo-An LIU, Kai Tak LAM, Meng-Yu LIN, Chun-Fu CHENG, Chieh-Chun CHIANG, Chun-Hsiang FAN
  • Patent number: 11768437
    Abstract: A photolithography system utilizes tin droplets to generate extreme ultraviolet radiation for photolithography. The photolithography system irradiates the droplets with a laser. The droplets become a plasma and emit extreme ultraviolet radiation. The photolithography system senses contamination of a collector mirror by the tin droplets and adjusts the flow of a buffer fluid to reduce the contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tai-Yu Chen, Sagar Deepak Khivsara, Kuo-An Liu, Chieh Hsieh, Shang-Chieh Chien, Gwan-Sin Chang, Kai Tak Lam, Li-Jui Chen, Heng-Hsin Liu, Chung-Wei Wu, Zhiqiang Wu
  • Publication number: 20230284366
    Abstract: A light source is provided capable of maintaining the temperature of a collector surface at or below a predetermined temperature. The light source in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure includes a processor, a droplet generator for generating a droplet to create extreme ultraviolet light, a collector for reflecting the extreme ultraviolet light into an intermediate focus point, a light generator for generating pre-pulse light and main pulse light, and a thermal image capture device for capturing a thermal image from a reflective surface of the collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Tai-Yu CHEN, Cho-Ying LIN, Sagar Deepak KHIVSARA, Hsiang CHEN, Chieh HSIEH, Sheng-Kang YU, Shang-Chieh CHIEN, Kai Tak LAM, Li-Jui CHEN, Heng-Hsin LIU, Zhiqiang WU
  • Publication number: 20230145953
    Abstract: Methods and semiconductor structures are provided. A semiconductor structure according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of transistors, an interconnect structure electrically coupled to the plurality of transistors, a metal feature disposed over the interconnect structure and electrically isolated from the plurality of transistors, an insulation layer disposed over the metal feature, and a first redistribution feature and a second redistribution feature disposed over the insulation layer. A space between the first redistribution feature and the second redistribution feature is disposed directly over at least a portion of the metal feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Kuo-An Liu, Wen-Chiung Tu, Yuan-Yang Hsiao, Kai Tak Lam, Chen-Chiu Huang, Zhiqiang Wu, Dian-Hau Chen
  • Patent number: 11647578
    Abstract: A light source is provided capable of maintaining the temperature of a collector surface at or below a predetermined temperature. The light source in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure includes a processor, a droplet generator for generating a droplet to create extreme ultraviolet light, a collector for reflecting the extreme ultraviolet light into an intermediate focus point, a light generator for generating pre-pulse light and main pulse light, and a thermal image capture device for capturing a thermal image from a reflective surface of the collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tai-Yu Chen, Cho-Ying Lin, Sagar Deepak Khivsara, Hsiang Chen, Chieh Hsieh, Sheng-Kang Yu, Shang-Chieh Chien, Kai Tak Lam, Li-Jui Chen, Heng-Hsin Liu, Zhiqiang Wu
  • Publication number: 20230065403
    Abstract: A light source is provided capable of maintaining the temperature of a collector surface at or below a predetermined temperature. The light source in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure includes a processor, a droplet generator for generating a droplet to create extreme ultraviolet light, a collector for reflecting the extreme ultraviolet light into an intermediate focus point, a light generator for generating pre-pulse light and main pulse light, and a thermal image capture device for capturing a thermal image from a reflective surface of the collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Tai-Yu CHEN, Cho-Ying LIN, Sagar Deepak KHIVSARA, Hsiang CHEN, Chieh HSIEH, Sheng-Kang YU, Shang-Chieh CHIEN, Kai Tak LAM, Li-Jui CHEN, Heng-Hsin LIU, Zhiqiang WU
  • Publication number: 20220350257
    Abstract: A photolithography system utilizes tin droplets to generate extreme ultraviolet radiation for photolithography. The photolithography system irradiates the droplets with a laser. The droplets become a plasma and emit extreme ultraviolet radiation. The photolithography system senses contamination of a collector mirror by the tin droplets and adjusts the flow of a buffer fluid to reduce the contamination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Tai-Yu CHEN, Sagar Deepak KHIVSARA, Kuo-An LIU, Chieh HSIEH, Shang-Chieh CHIEN, Gwan-Sin CHANG, Kai Tak LAM, Li-Jui CHEN, Heng-Hsin LIU, Chung-Wei WU, Zhiqiang WU
  • Patent number: 11392040
    Abstract: A photolithography system utilizes tin droplets to generate extreme ultraviolet radiation for photolithography. The photolithography system irradiates the droplets with a laser. The droplets become a plasma and emit extreme ultraviolet radiation. The photolithography system senses contamination of a collector mirror by the tin droplets and adjusts the flow of a buffer fluid to reduce the contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tai-Yu Chen, Sagar Deepak Khivsara, Kuo-An Liu, Chieh Hsieh, Shang-Chieh Chien, Gwan-Sin Chang, Kai Tak Lam, Li-Jui Chen, Heng-Hsin Liu, Chung-Wei Wu, Zhiqiang Wu
  • Publication number: 20220173224
    Abstract: A method includes forming a fin structure including a plurality of first semiconductor layers and a plurality of second semiconductor layers alternately stacked over a substrate. A dummy gate structure is formed across the fin structure. The exposed second portions of the fin structure are removed. A selective etching process is performed, using a gas mixture including a hydrogen-containing gas and a fluorine-containing gas, to laterally recess the first semiconductor layers. Inner spacers are formed on opposite end surfaces of the laterally recessed first semiconductor layers. Source/drain epitaxial structures are formed on opposite end surfaces of the second semiconductor layers. The dummy gate structure is removed to expose the first portion of the fin structure. The laterally recessed first semiconductor layers are removed. A gate structure is formed to surround each of the second semiconductor layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC Nanjing Company Limited
    Inventors: Han-Yu LIN, Fang-Wei LEE, Kai-Tak LAM, Raghunath PUTIKAM, Tzer-Min SHEN, Li-Te LIN, Pinyen LIN, Cheng-Tzu YANG, Tzu-Li LEE, Tze-Chung LIN
  • Patent number: 11282940
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure that includes a semiconductor fin disposed over a substrate, S/D features disposed over the semiconductor fin, and a metal gate stack interposed between the S/D features. The metal gate stack includes a gate dielectric layer disposed over the semiconductor fin, a capping layer disposed over the gate dielectric layer, and a gate electrode disposed over the capping layer, where the gate dielectric layer includes hafnium oxide with hafnium atoms and oxygen atoms arranged in a Pca21 space group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Ming Lin, Kai Tak Lam, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Chi On Chui, Ziwei Fang
  • Publication number: 20210349396
    Abstract: A photolithography system utilizes tin droplets to generate extreme ultraviolet radiation for photolithography. The photolithography system irradiates the droplets with a laser. The droplets become a plasma and emit extreme ultraviolet radiation. The photolithography system senses contamination of a collector mirror by the tin droplets and adjusts the flow of a buffer fluid to reduce the contamination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Tai-Yu CHEN, Sagar Deepak KHIVSARA, Kuo-An LIU, Chieh HSIEH, Shang-Chieh CHIEN, Gwan-Sin CHANG, Kai Tak LAM, Li-Jui CHEN, Heng-Hsin LIU, Chung-Wei WU, Zhiqiang WU
  • Publication number: 20200335599
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure that includes a semiconductor fin disposed over a substrate, S/D features disposed over the semiconductor fin, and a metal gate stack interposed between the S/D features. The metal gate stack includes a gate dielectric layer disposed over the semiconductor fin, a capping layer disposed over the gate dielectric layer, and a gate electrode disposed over the capping layer, where the gate dielectric layer includes hafnium oxide with hafnium atoms and oxygen atoms arranged in a Pca21 space group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Cheng-Ming Lin, Kai Tak Lam, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Chi On Chui, Ziwei Fang
  • Patent number: 10707320
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a hafnium-containing layer over a semiconductor layer, simultaneously performing a thermal annealing process and applying an electrical field to the hafnium-containing layer to form a ferroelectric hafnium-containing layer, and forming a gate electrode over the ferroelectric hafnium-containing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Ming Lin, Kai Tak Lam, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Chi On Chui, Ziwei Fang
  • Publication number: 20200127111
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a hafnium-containing layer over a semiconductor layer, simultaneously performing a thermal annealing process and applying an electrical field to the hafnium-containing layer to form a ferroelectric hafnium-containing layer, and forming a gate electrode over the ferroelectric hafnium-containing layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Cheng-Ming Lin, Kai Tak Lam, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Chi On Chui, Ziwei Fang