Patents by Inventor Ken-Yu Chang
Ken-Yu Chang 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).
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Patent number: 11955329Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first conductive feature on a bottom surface of an opening through a dielectric layer. The forming the first conductive feature leaves seeds on sidewalls of the opening. A treatment process is performed on the seeds to form treated seeds. The treated seeds are removed with a cleaning process. The cleaning process may include a rinse with deionized water. A second conductive feature is formed to fill the opening.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2023Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Cheng-Wei Chang, Min-Hsiu Hung, Chun-I Tsai, Ken-Yu Chang, Yi-Ying Liu
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Publication number: 20230402366Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a source/drain region disposed in the substrate, a silicide structure disposed on the source/drain region, a first dielectric layer disposed over the substrate, a conductive contact disposed in the first dielectric layer and over the silicide structure, a second dielectric layer disposed over the first dielectric layer, a via contact disposed in the second dielectric layer and connected to the conductive contact, and a first metal surrounding the via contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2022Publication date: December 14, 2023Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Shuen-Shin LIANG, Chia-Hung CHU, Po-Chin CHANG, Hsu-Kai CHANG, Kuan-Kan HU, Ken-Yu CHANG, Hung-Yi HUANG, Harry CHIEN, Wei-Yip LOH, Chun-I TSAI, Hong-Mao LEE, Sung-Li WANG, Pinyen LIN, Chuan-Hui SHEN
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Publication number: 20230386913Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, two semiconductor fins protruding from the substrate, an epitaxial feature over the two semiconductor fins and connected to the two semiconductor fins, a silicide layer over the epitaxial feature, a barrier layer over the silicide layer, and a metal layer over the barrier layer. The barrier layer includes a metal nitride. Along a boundary between the barrier layer and the metal layer, an atomic ratio of oxygen to metal nitride is about 0.15 to about 1.0.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventors: Cheng-Wei Chang, Yu-Ming Huang, Ethan Tseng, Ken-Yu Chang, Yi-Ying Liu
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Publication number: 20230369109Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to conductive features, such as metal contacts, vias, lines, etc., and methods for forming those conductive features. In an embodiment, a barrier layer is formed along a sidewall. A portion of the barrier layer along the sidewall is etched back. After etching back the portion of the barrier layer, an upper portion of the barrier layer along the sidewall is smoothed. A conductive material is formed along the barrier layer and over the smoothed upper portion of the barrier layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventors: Yu Shih Wang, Chun-I Tsai, Shian Wei Mao, Ken-Yu Chang, Ming-Hsing Tsai, Wei-Jung Lin
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Patent number: 11817384Abstract: The present disclosure provides an interconnect structure and a method for forming an interconnect structure. The method for forming an interconnect structure includes forming a bottom metal line in a first interlayer dielectric layer, forming a second interlayer dielectric layer over the bottom metal line, exposing a top surface of the bottom metal line, increasing a total surface area of the exposed top surface of the bottom metal line, forming a conductive via over the bottom metal line, and forming a top metal line over the conductive via.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2022Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.Inventors: Shuen-Shin Liang, Ken-Yu Chang, Hung-Yi Huang, Chien Chang, Chi-Hung Chuang, Kai-Yi Chu, Chun-I Tsai, Chun-Hsien Huang, Chih-Wei Chang, Hsu-Kai Chang, Chia-Hung Chu, Keng-Chu Lin, Sung-Li Wang
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Patent number: 11798843Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to conductive features, such as metal contacts, vias, lines, etc., and methods for forming those conductive features. In an embodiment, a barrier layer is formed along a sidewall. A portion of the barrier layer along the sidewall is etched back. After etching back the portion of the barrier layer, an upper portion of the barrier layer along the sidewall is smoothed. A conductive material is formed along the barrier layer and over the smoothed upper portion of the barrier layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yu Shih Wang, Chun-I Tsai, Shian Wei Mao, Ken-Yu Chang, Ming-Hsing Tsai, Wei-Jung Lin
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Publication number: 20230299168Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, an epitaxial structure, a silicide structure, a conductive structure, and a protection segment. The epitaxial structure is disposed in the semiconductor substrate. The silicide structure is disposed in the epitaxial structure. The conductive structure is disposed over the silicide structure and is electrically connected to the silicide structure. The protection segment is made of metal nitride, is disposed over the silicide structure, and is disposed between the silicide structure and the conductive structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2022Publication date: September 21, 2023Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Kuan-Kan HU, Shuen-Shin LIANG, Chia-Hung CHU, Po-Chin CHANG, Hsu-Kai CHANG, Ken-Yu CHANG, Wei-Yip LOH, Hung-Yi HUANG, Harry CHIEN, Sung-Li WANG, Pinyen LIN, Chuan-Hui SHEN, Tzu-Pei CHEN, Yuting CHENG
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Patent number: 11742240Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, two semiconductor fins protruding from the substrate, an epitaxial feature over the two semiconductor fins and connected to the two semiconductor fins, a silicide layer over the epitaxial feature, a barrier layer over the silicide layer, and a metal layer over the barrier layer. The barrier layer includes a metal nitride. Along a boundary between the barrier layer and the metal layer, an atomic ratio of oxygen to metal nitride is about 0.15 to about 1.0.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2022Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Cheng-Wei Chang, Yu-Ming Huang, Ethan Tseng, Ken-Yu Chang, Yi-Ying Liu
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Publication number: 20230268173Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first conductive feature on a bottom surface of an opening through a dielectric layer. The forming the first conductive feature leaves seeds on sidewalls of the opening. A treatment process is performed on the seeds to form treated seeds. The treated seeds are removed with a cleaning process. The cleaning process may include a rinse with deionized water. A second conductive feature is formed to fill the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2023Publication date: August 24, 2023Inventors: Cheng-Wei Chang, Min-Hsiu Hung, Chun-I Tsai, Ken-Yu Chang, Yi-Ying Liu
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Publication number: 20230268228Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to conductive features, such as metal contacts, vias, lines, etc., and methods for forming those conductive features. In an embodiment, a barrier layer is formed along a sidewall. A portion of the barrier layer along the sidewall is etched back by a wet etching process. After etching back the portion of the barrier layer, an underlying dielectric welding layer is exposed. A conductive material is formed along the barrier layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2023Publication date: August 24, 2023Inventors: Ken-Yu Chang, Chun-I Tsai, Ming-Hsing Tsai, Wei-Jung Lin
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Publication number: 20230230916Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming a lower metal contact in a trench of a first dielectric structure, the lower metal contact having a height less than a depth of the trench and being made of a first metal material; forming an upper metal contact to fill the trench and to be in contact with the lower metal contact, the upper metal contact being formed of a second metal material different from the first metal material and having a bottom surface with a dimension the same as a dimension of a top surface of the lower metal contact; forming a second dielectric structure on the first dielectric structure; and forming a via contact penetrating through the second dielectric structure to be electrically connected to the upper metal contact, the via contact being formed of a metal material the same as the second metal material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2022Publication date: July 20, 2023Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Shuen-Shin LIANG, Chia-Hung CHU, Po-Chin CHANG, Tzu-Pei CHEN, Ken-Yu CHANG, Hung-Yi HUANG, Harry CHIEN, Wei-Yip LOH, Chun-I TSAI, Hong-Mao LEE, Sung-Li WANG, Pinyen LIN
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Patent number: 11676859Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to conductive features, such as metal contacts, vias, lines, etc., and methods for forming those conductive features. In an embodiment, a barrier layer is formed along a sidewall. A portion of the barrier layer along the sidewall is etched back by a wet etching process. After etching back the portion of the barrier layer, an underlying dielectric welding layer is exposed. A conductive material is formed along the barrier layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Ken-Yu Chang, Chun-I Tsai, Ming-Hsing Tsai, Wei-Jung Lin
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Patent number: 11670499Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first conductive feature on a bottom surface of an opening through a dielectric layer. The forming the first conductive feature leaves seeds on sidewalls of the opening. A treatment process is performed on the seeds to form treated seeds. The treated seeds are removed with a cleaning process. The cleaning process may include a rinse with deionized water. A second conductive feature is formed to fill the opening.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Cheng-Wei Chang, Min-Hsiu Hung, Chun-I Tsai, Ken-Yu Chang, Yi-Ying Liu
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Publication number: 20230095976Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for forming capping layers configured to prevent the migration of out-diffused cobalt atoms into upper metallization layers In some embodiments, the method includes depositing a cobalt diffusion barrier layer on a liner-free conductive structure that includes ruthenium, where depositing the cobalt diffusion barrier layer includes forming the cobalt diffusion barrier layer self-aligned to the liner-free conductive structure. The method also includes depositing, on the cobalt diffusion barrier layer, a stack with an etch stop layer and dielectric layer, and forming an opening in the stack to expose the cobalt diffusion barrier layer. Finally, the method includes forming a conductive structure on the cobalt diffusion barrier layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventors: Shuen-Shin LIANG, Chun-I TSAI, Chih-Wei CHANG, Chun-Hsien HUANG, Hung-Yi HUANG, Keng-Chu LIN, Ken-Yu CHANG, Sung-Li WANG, Chia-Hung CHU, Hsu-Kai CHANG
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Patent number: 11594609Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for forming liner-free or barrier-free conductive structures. The method includes forming a liner-free conductive structure on a cobalt conductive structure disposed on a substrate, depositing a cobalt layer on the liner-free conductive structure and exposing the liner-free conductive structure to a heat treatment. The method further includes removing the cobalt layer from the liner-free conductive structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shuen-Shin Liang, Chun-I Tsai, Chih-Wei Chang, Chun-Hsien Huang, Hung-Yi Huang, Keng-Chu Lin, Ken-Yu Chang, Sung-Li Wang, Chia-Hung Chu, Hsu-Kai Chang
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Publication number: 20230038744Abstract: Low-flow tungsten chemical vapor deposition (CVD) techniques described herein provide substantially uniform deposition of tungsten on a semiconductor substrate. In some implementations, a flow of a processing vapor is provided to a CVD processing chamber such that a flow rate of tungsten hexafluoride in the processing vapor results in the tungsten layer being grown at a slower rate than a higher flow rate of the tungsten hexafluoride to promote substantially uniform growth of the tungsten layer. In this way, the low-flow tungsten CVD techniques may be used to achieve similar surface uniformity performance to an atomic layer deposition (ALD) while being a faster deposition process relative to ALD (e.g., due to the lower deposition rate and large quantity of alternating processing cycles of ALD). This reduces the likelihood of defect formation in the tungsten layer while increasing the throughput of semiconductor device processing for the semiconductor substrate (and other semiconductor substrates).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2021Publication date: February 9, 2023Inventors: Pin-Wen CHEN, Yuan-Chen HSU, Ken-Yu CHANG
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Publication number: 20230029508Abstract: Some implementations described herein provide a gas curtain system. The gas curtain system includes various components to prevent a gas flowing within a chamber of an interface tool from flowing through an opening into a transport carrier adjacent to the interface tool. The gas curtain system may include a gas distribution component along an edge of the opening that generates a flow of another gas across the opening towards an opposite edge of the opening. In this way, the gas from the chamber is prevented from entering the transport carrier. By preventing the gas from the chamber from entering the transport carrier, a relative humidity within an environment of the transport carrier is maintained such that condensation of moisture on one or more semiconductor wafers within the transport carrier is mitigated.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Yu-Syuan TSAI, Chen-Yuan KAO, Chia-Han LAI, Hong-Ming WU, Yu-Chan TSAI, Chun-Hsien HUANG, Ken-Yu CHANG
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Patent number: 11521929Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for forming capping layers configured to prevent the migration of out-diffused cobalt atoms into upper metallization layers In some embodiments, the method includes depositing a cobalt diffusion barrier layer on a liner-free conductive structure that includes ruthenium, where depositing the cobalt diffusion barrier layer includes forming the cobalt diffusion barrier layer self-aligned to the liner-free conductive structure. The method also includes depositing, on the cobalt diffusion barrier layer, a stack with an etch stop layer and dielectric layer, and forming an opening in the stack to expose the cobalt diffusion barrier layer. Finally, the method includes forming a conductive structure on the cobalt diffusion barrier layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2021Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shuen-Shin Liang, Chun-I Tsai, Chih-Wei Chang, Chun-Hsien Huang, Hung-Yi Huang, Keng-Chu Lin, Ken-Yu Chang, Sung-Li Wang, Chia-Hung Chu, Hsu-Kai Chang
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Publication number: 20220367662Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for forming liner-free or barrier-free conductive structures. The method includes forming a liner-free conductive structure on a cobalt conductive structure disposed on a substrate, depositing a cobalt layer on the liner-free conductive structure and exposing the liner-free conductive structure to a heat treatment. The method further includes removing the cobalt layer from the liner-free conductive structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shuen-Shin Liang, Chun-I Tsai, Chih-Wei Chang, Chun-Hsien Huang, Hung-Yi Huang, Keng-Chu Lin, Ken-Yu Chang, Sung-Li Wang, Chia-Hung Chu, Hsu-Kai Chang
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Publication number: 20220301858Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first conductive feature on a bottom surface of an opening through a dielectric layer. The forming the first conductive feature leaves seeds on sidewalls of the opening. A treatment process is performed on the seeds to form treated seeds. The treated seeds are removed with a cleaning process. The cleaning process may include a rinse with deionized water. A second conductive feature is formed to fill the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2021Publication date: September 22, 2022Inventors: Cheng-Wei Chang, Min-Hsiu Hung, Chun-I Tsai, Ken-Yu Chang, Yi-Ying Liu