Patents by Inventor Kan-Ju LIN

Kan-Ju LIN 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: 20240021687
    Abstract: A source/drain component is disposed over an active region and surrounded by a dielectric material. A source/drain contact is disposed over the source/drain component. The source/drain contact includes a conductive capping layer and a conductive material having a different material composition than the conductive capping layer. The conductive material has a recessed bottom surface that is in direct contact with the conductive capping layer. A source/drain via is disposed over the source/drain contact. The source/drain via and the conductive material have different material compositions. The conductive capping layer contains tungsten, the conductive material contains molybdenum, and the source/drain via contains tungsten.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Cheng-Wei Chang, Chien Chang, Kan-Ju Lin, Harry Chien, Shuen-Shin Liang, Chia-Hung Chu, Sung-Li Wang, Shahaji B. More, Yueh-Ching Pai
  • Publication number: 20230411242
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a buried conductive structure in a semiconductor substrate and a method for forming the structure. The structure includes an epitaxial region disposed on a substrate and adjacent to a nanostructured gate layer and a nanostructured channel layer, a first silicide layer disposed within a top portion of the epitaxial region, and a first conductive structure disposed on a top surface of the first silicide layer. The structure further includes a second silicide layer disposed within a bottom portion of the epitaxial region and a second conductive structure disposed on a bottom surface of the second silicide layer and traversing through the substrate, where the second conductive structure includes a first metal layer in contact with the second silicide layer and a second metal layer in contact with the first metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kan-Ju LIN, Lin-Yu HUANG, Min-Hsuan LU, Wei-Yip LOH, Hong-Mao LEE, Harry CHIEN
  • Publication number: 20230411457
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing thereof are provided. The semiconductor device comprises a gate stack, source/drain regions, and a source/drain contact via. The gate stack is disposed on a substrate. The source/drain regions are disposed on the substrate and located at opposite sides of the gate stack. The source/drain contact via penetrates through the substrate and is electrically connected to a first source/drain region among the source/drain regions. The source/drain contact vias comprise a first conductor and a second conductor disposed on the first conductor. The first conductor comprises a silicide layer and a first metallic portion. The second conductor comprises a glue layer and a second metallic portion. The first metallic portion is spaced apart from the second metallic portion by the glue layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2022
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Hsuan Lu, Kan-Ju Lin, Lin-Yu Huang, Sheng-Tsung Wang, Huan-Chieh Su, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20230411496
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and method of forming a semiconductor structure are provided. In some embodiments, the method includes forming a gate structure over a substrate. An epitaxial source/drain region is formed adjacent to the gate structure. A dielectric layer is formed over the epitaxial source/drain region. An opening is formed, the opening extending through the dielectric layer and exposing the epitaxial source/drain region. Sidewalls of the opening are defined by the dielectric layer and a bottom of the opening is defined by the epitaxial source/drain region. A silicide layer is formed on the epitaxial source/drain region. A metal capping layer including tungsten, molybdenum, or a combination thereof is selectively formed on the silicide layer by a first deposition process. The opening is filled with a first conductive material in a bottom-up manner from the metal capping layer by a second deposition process different from the first deposition process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Kan-Ju LIN, Chien CHANG, Chih-Shiun CHOU, Tai Min CHANG, Yi-Ning TAI, Hong-Mao LEE, Yan-Ming TSAI, Wei-Yip LOH, Harry CHIEN, Chih-Wei CHANG, Ming-Hsing TSAI, Lin-Yu HUANG
  • Publication number: 20230395429
    Abstract: Depositing a seed layer after formation of the MD in order to reduce or prevent epitaxial growth of the seed layer toward the MD. For example, the seed layer may be deposited using CVD and conformal dry etching. In some implementations, the seed layer may be formed of ruthenium (Ru), molybdenum (Mo), or tungsten (W). Accordingly, the seed layer helps reduce or prevent seam formation in the VG, which reduces resistance of the VG by allowing for bottom-up metal growth. Additionally, current leakage from the VG to the MD is reduced or even prevented. As a result, device performance and efficiency are increased and breakdown voltage of the gate structure is also increased. Additionally, because electrical shorts are less likely, yield is increased, which conserves power, raw materials, and processing resources that otherwise would have been consumed during manufacture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Kan-Ju LIN, Hao-Heng LIU, Chien CHANG, Hung-Yi HUANG, Harry CHIEN
  • Publication number: 20230253308
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a conductive feature in a first dielectric layer; forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer; forming a trench that penetrates through the second dielectric layer, and terminates at the conductive feature; forming a contact layer in the trench and on the conductive feature; etching back the contact layer to form a first via contact feature in the trench, the first via contact feature being electrically connected to the conductive feature; and forming a second via contact feature on the first via contact feature in the trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Hung CHU, Po-Chin CHANG, Tzu-Pei CHEN, Yuting CHENG, Kan-Ju LIN, Chih-Shiun CHOU, Hung-Yi HUANG, Pinyen LIN, Sung-Li WANG, Sheng-Tsung WANG, Lin-Yu HUANG, Shao-An WANG, Harry CHIEN
  • Publication number: 20230137108
    Abstract: Techniques described herein include performing a first anneal operation on a first portion of the interconnect, filling the remaining portion of the interconnect, and then performing a second anneal operation on the interconnect. The two-step anneal techniques described herein enable the removal of defects in an interconnect structure, particularly for high aspect ratio interconnect structures. Accordingly, the two-step anneal techniques described herein may be used to fabricate defect free or near defect free interconnect structures in a semiconductor device. This reduces contact resistance for the interconnect structures, reduces premature device failure for the semiconductor device, increases manufacturing yield, and increases tolerance of the interconnect structures to subsequent processing operations, among other examples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Kan-Ju LIN, Chien CHANG, Chih-Shiun CHOU, Tai Min CHANG, Hung-Yi HUANG, Chih-Wei CHANG, Ming-Hsing TSAI, Lin-Yu HUANG
  • Publication number: 20230068965
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same. The semiconductor structure can include a substrate, a gate structure over the substrate, a layer of dielectric material over the gate structure, a source/drain (S/D) contact layer formed through and adjacent to the gate structure, and a trench conductor layer over and in contact with the S/D contact layer. The S/D contact layer can include a layer of platinum-group metallic material and a silicide layer formed between the substrate and the layer of platinum-group metallic material. A top width of a top portion of the layer of platinum-group metallic material can be greater than or substantially equal to a bottom width of a bottom portion of the layer of platinum-group metallic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Hung CHU, Shuen-Shin LIANG, Hsu-Kai CHANG, Tzu Pei CHEN, Kan-Ju LIN, Chien CHANG, Hung-Yi HUANG, Sung-Li WANG
  • Publication number: 20230036693
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing are provided. In some embodiments the method includes depositing an etch stop layer over a first hard mask material, the first hard mask material over a gate stack, depositing an interlayer dielectric over the etch stop layer, forming a first opening through the interlayer dielectric, the etch stop layer, and the first hard mask material, the first opening exposing a conductive portion of the gate stack, and treating sidewalls of the first opening with a first dopant to form a first treated region within the interlayer dielectric, a second treated region within the etch stop layer, a third treated region within the first hard mask material, and a fourth treated region within the conductive portion, wherein after the treating the fourth treated region has a higher concentration of the first dopant than the first treated region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Kan-Ju Lin, Chien Chang, Chih-Shiun Chou, Tai Min Chang, Yi-Ning Tai, Hung-Yi Huang, Chih-Wei Chang, Ming-Hsing Tsai, Lin-Yu Huang
  • Publication number: 20230008239
    Abstract: A barrier layer is formed in a portion of a thickness of sidewalls in a recess prior to formation of an interconnect structure in the recess. The barrier layer is formed in the portion of the thickness of the sidewalls by a plasma-based deposition operation, in which a precursor reacts with a silicon-rich surface to form the barrier layer. The barrier layer is formed in the portion of the thickness of the sidewalls in that the precursor consumes a portion of the silicon-rich surface of the sidewalls as a result of the plasma treatment. This enables the barrier layer to be formed in a manner in which the cross-sectional width reduction in the recess from the barrier layer is minimized while enabling the barrier layer to be used to promote adhesion in the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Chien CHANG, Min-Hsiu HUNG, Yu-Hsiang LIAO, Yu-Shiuan WANG, Tai Min CHANG, Kan-Ju LIN, Chih-Shiun CHOU, Hung-Yi HUANG, Chih-Wei CHANG, Ming-Hsing TSAI
  • Publication number: 20220376111
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate structure on a semiconductor fin, a dielectric layer on the gate structure, and a gate contact extending through the dielectric layer to the gate structure. The gate contact includes a first conductive material on the gate structure, a top surface of the first conductive material extending between sidewalls of the dielectric layer, and a second conductive material on the top surface of the first conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Kan-Ju Lin, Chien Chang, Chih-Shiun Chou, TaiMin Chang, Hung-Yi Huang, Chih-Wei Chang, Ming-Hsing Tsai, Lin-Yu Huang
  • Publication number: 20220367194
    Abstract: In a semiconductor structure, a first conductive feature is formed in a trench by PVD and a glue layer is then deposited on the first conductive feature in the trench before CVD deposition of a second conductive feature there-over. The first conductive feature acts as a protection layer to keep silicide from being damaged by later deposition of metal or a precursor by CVD. The glue layer extends along the extent of the sidewall to enhance the adhesion of the second conductive features to the surrounding dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Min-Hsuan LU, Kan-Ju LIN, Lin-Yu HUANG, Sheng-Tsung WANG, Hung-Yi HUANG, Chih-Wei CHANG, Ming-Hsing TSAI, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Patent number: 11222818
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a fin structure over a semiconductor substrate and forming a gate stack over the fin structure. The method also includes forming an epitaxial structure over the fin structure, and the epitaxial structure is adjacent to the gate stack. The method further includes forming a dielectric layer over the epitaxial structure and forming an opening in the dielectric layer to expose the epitaxial structure. In addition, the method includes applying a metal-containing material on the epitaxial structure while the epitaxial structure is heated so that a portion of the epitaxial structure is transformed to form a metal-semiconductor compound region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Hsiang Chao, Min-Hsiu Hung, Chun-Wen Nieh, Ya-Huei Li, Yu-Hsiang Liao, Li-Wei Chu, Kan-Ju Lin, Kuan-Yu Yeh, Chi-Hung Chuang, Chih-Wei Chang, Ching-Hwanq Su, Hung-Yi Huang, Ming-Hsing Tsai
  • Patent number: 11011611
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a conductive region made of silicon, germanium or a combination thereof. The semiconductor device structure also includes an insulating layer over the semiconductor substrate and a fill metal material layer in the insulating layer. In addition, the semiconductor device structure includes a nitrogen-containing metal silicide or germanide layer between the conductive region and the fill metal material layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Min-Hsiu Hung, Yi-Hsiang Chao, Kuan-Yu Yeh, Kan-Ju Lin, Chun-Wen Nieh, Huang-Yi Huang, Chih-Wei Chang, Ching-Hwanq Su
  • Publication number: 20200335597
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a fin structure formed over a semiconductor substrate and a gate structure formed over the fin structure. The semiconductor device structure also includes an isolation feature over a semiconductor substrate and below the gate structure. The semiconductor device structure further includes two spacer elements respectively formed over a first sidewall and a second sidewall of the gate structure. The first sidewall is opposite to the second sidewall and the two spacer elements have hydrophobic surfaces respectively facing the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode layer separating the gate dielectric layer from the hydrophobic surfaces of the two spacer elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Min-Hsiu HUNG, Yi-Hsiang CHAO, Kuan-Yu YEH, Kan-Ju LIN, Chun-Wen NIEH, Huang-Yi HUANG, Chih-Wei CHANG, Ching-Hwanq SU
  • Patent number: 10700177
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate including a conductive region made of silicon, germanium or a combination thereof. The method also includes forming an insulating layer over the semiconductor substrate and forming an opening in the insulating layer to expose the conductive region. The method also includes performing a deposition process to form a metal layer over a sidewall and a bottom of the opening, so that a metal silicide or germanide layer is formed on the exposed conductive region by the deposition process. The method also includes performing a first in-situ etching process to etch at least a portion of the metal layer and forming a fill metal material layer in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min-Hsiu Hung, Yi-Hsiang Chao, Kuan-Yu Yeh, Kan-Ju Lin, Chun-Wen Nieh, Huang-Yi Huang, Chih-Wei Chang, Ching-Hwanq Su
  • Publication number: 20200020583
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a fin structure over a semiconductor substrate and forming a gate stack over the fin structure. The method also includes forming an epitaxial structure over the fin structure, and the epitaxial structure is adjacent to the gate stack. The method further includes forming a dielectric layer over the epitaxial structure and forming an opening in the dielectric layer to expose the epitaxial structure. In addition, the method includes applying a metal-containing material on the epitaxial structure while the epitaxial structure is heated so that a portion of the epitaxial structure is transformed to form a metal-semiconductor compound region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Hsiang CHAO, Min-Hsiu HUNG, Chun-Wen NIEH, Ya-Huei LI, Yu-Hsiang LIAO, Li-Wei CHU, Kan-Ju LIN, Kuan-Yu YEH, Chi-Hung CHUANG, Chih-Wei CHANG, Ching-Hwanq SU, Hung-Yi HUANG, Ming-Hsing TSAI
  • Publication number: 20190097012
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate including a conductive region made of silicon, germanium or a combination thereof. The method also includes forming an insulating layer over the semiconductor substrate and forming an opening in the insulating layer to expose the conductive region. The method also includes performing a deposition process to form a metal layer over a sidewall and a bottom of the opening, so that a metal silicide or germanide layer is formed on the exposed conductive region by the deposition process. The method also includes performing a first in-situ etching process to etch at least a portion of the metal layer and forming a fill metal material layer in the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Min-Hsiu HUNG, Yi-Hsiang CHAO, Kuan-Yu YEH, Kan-Ju LIN, Chun-Wen NIEH, Huang-Yi HUANG, Chih-Wei CHANG, Ching-Hwanq SU