Patents by Inventor Kuan-Hao CHENG

Kuan-Hao CHENG 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).

  • Patent number: 12243780
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a gate stack over a substrate. The substrate has a base and a multilayer structure over the base, and the gate stack wraps around the multilayer structure. The method includes partially removing the multilayer structure, which is not covered by the gate stack. The multilayer structure remaining under the gate stack forms a multilayer stack, and the multilayer stack includes a sacrificial layer and a channel layer over the sacrificial layer. The method includes partially removing the sacrificial layer to form a recess in the multilayer stack. The method includes forming an inner spacer layer in the recess and a bottom spacer over a sidewall of the channel layer. The method includes forming a source/drain structure over the bottom spacer. The bottom spacer separates the source/drain structure from the channel layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ching-Wei Tsai, Yu-Xuan Huang, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang, Min Cao, Jung-Hung Chang, Lo-Heng Chang, Pei-Hsun Wang, Kuo-Cheng Chiang
  • Publication number: 20250063809
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a structure including a fin field effect transistor (finFET) and a nano-sheet transistor on a substrate and a method of forming the structure. The method can include forming first and second vertical structures over a substrate, where each of the first and the second vertical structures can include a buffer region and a first channel layer formed over the buffer region. The method can further include disposing a masking layer over the first channel layer of the first and second vertical structures, removing a portion of the first vertical structure to form a first recess, forming a second channel layer in the first recess, forming a second recess in the second channel layer, and disposing an insulating layer in the second recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2024
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wang-Chun Huang, Chih-Hao Wang, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Patent number: 12218224
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods of forming the same are provided. A semiconductor structure according to the present disclosure includes at least one first semiconductor element and at least one second semiconductor element over a substrate, a dielectric fin disposed between the at least one first semiconductor element and the at least one second semiconductor element, a first work function metal layer wrapping around each of the at least one first semiconductor element and extending continuously from the at least one first semiconductor element to a top surface of the dielectric fin, and a second work function metal layer disposed over the at least one second semiconductor element and the first work function metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wang-Chun Huang, Hou-Yu Chen, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20250040183
    Abstract: A method includes: forming a stack of semiconductor nanostructures on a semiconductor fin; forming a source/drain opening adjacent the stack; forming a bottom dielectric layer on the semiconductor fin; forming a source/drain region in the source/drain opening, a void being present between the source/drain region and the bottom dielectric layer; forming a dielectric layer on the source/drain region; forming a hardened portion of the dielectric layer by treating the dielectric layer, the hardened portion having higher etch selectivity than other portions of the dielectric layer; removing the other portions of the dielectric layer, exposing the void; forming a source/drain contact opening that extends to and connects with the void, the source/drain contact opening exposing sidewalls of the source/drain region; forming a liner layer on exposed surfaces of the source/drain region; and forming a conductive core layer on the liner layer, the conductive core layer being in contact with the liner layer on a top surfac
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Chih-Hao CHANG, Wei-Yang LEE, Kuan-Hao CHENG, Cheng-Yi PENG
  • Patent number: 12211922
    Abstract: Gates having air gaps therein, and methods of fabrication thereof, are disclosed herein. An exemplary gate includes a gate electrode and a gate dielectric. A first air gap is between and/or separates a first sidewall of the gate electrode from the gate dielectric, and a second air gap is between and/or separates a second sidewall of the gate electrode from the gate dielectric. A dielectric cap may be disposed over the gate electrode, and the dielectric cap may wrap a top of the gate electrode. The dielectric cap may fill a top portion of the first air gap and a top portion of the second air gap. The gate may be disposed between a first epitaxial source/drain and a second epitaxial source/drain, and a width of the gate is about the same as a distance between the first epitaxial source/drain and the second epitaxial source/drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chien-Ning Yao, Bo-Feng Young, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 12191369
    Abstract: Multi-gate devices and methods for fabricating such are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes forming a semiconductor stack on a substrate, wherein the semiconductor stack includes a first semiconductor layers and a second semiconductor layers alternatively disposed, the first semiconductor layers and the second semiconductor layers being different in composition; patterning the semiconductor stack to form a semiconductor fin; forming a dielectric fin next to the semiconductor fin; forming a first gate stack on the semiconductor fin and the dielectric fin; etching to a portion of the semiconductor fin within a source/drain region, resulting in a source/drain recess; and epitaxially growing a source/drain feature in the source/drain recess, defining an airgap spanning between a sidewall of the source/drain feature and a sidewall of the dielectric fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Po-Yu Lin, Wei-Yang Lee, Chia-Pin Lin, Tzu-Hua Chiu, Kuan-Hao Cheng, Wei-Han Fan, Yee-Chia Yeo, Wei Hao Lu
  • Publication number: 20240363714
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a first nanostructure stacked over and spaced apart from a second nanostructure, a gate stack wrapping around the first nanostructure and the second nanostructure, a source/drain feature adjoining the first nanostructure and the second nanostructure, and a first inner spacer layer interposing the gate stack and the source/drain feature and interposing the first nanostructure and the second nanostructure. A dopant in the source/drain feature has a first concentration at an interface between the first inner spacer layer and the source/drain feature and a second concentration at a first distance away from the interface. The first concentration is higher than the second concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuan-Hao CHENG, Wei-Yang LEE, Tzu-Hua CHIU, Wei-Han FAN, Po-Yu LIN, Chia-Pin LIN
  • Patent number: 12051732
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a first nanostructure stacked over and spaced apart from a second nanostructure, a gate stack wrapping around the first nanostructure and the second nanostructure, a source/drain feature adjoining the first nanostructure and the second nanostructure, and a first inner spacer layer interposing the gate stack and the source/drain feature and interposing the first nanostructure and the second nanostructure. A dopant in the source/drain feature has a first concentration at an interface between the first inner spacer layer and the source/drain feature and a second concentration at a first distance away from the interface. The first concentration is higher than the second concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuan-Hao Cheng, Wei-Yang Lee, Tzu-Hua Chiu, Wei-Han Fan, Po-Yu Lin, Chia-Pin Lin
  • Publication number: 20240186373
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a source/drain feature over a semiconductor substrate, channel layers over the semiconductor substrate and connected to the source/drain feature, a gate portion between vertically adjacent channel layers, and an inner spacer between the source/drain feature and the gate portion and between adjacent channel layers. The semiconductor device further includes an air gap between the inner spacer and the source/drain feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2024
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Po-Yu Lin, Wei-Yang Lee, Chia-Pin Lin, Tzu-Hua Chiu, Kuan-Hao Cheng, Wei-Han Fan, Li-Li Su, Wei-Min Liu
  • Patent number: 11923409
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a source/drain feature over a semiconductor substrate, channel layers over the semiconductor substrate and connected to the source/drain feature, a gate portion between vertically adjacent channel layers, and an inner spacer between the source/drain feature and the gate portion and between adjacent channel layers. The semiconductor device further includes an air gap between the inner spacer and the source/drain feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Po-Yu Lin, Wei-Yang Lee, Chia-Pin Lin, Tzu-Hua Chiu, Kuan-Hao Cheng, Wei-Han Fan, Li-Li Su, Wei-Min Liu
  • Publication number: 20230378304
    Abstract: Multi-gate devices and methods for fabricating such are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes forming a semiconductor stack on a substrate, wherein the semiconductor stack includes a first semiconductor layers and a second semiconductor layers alternatively disposed, the first semiconductor layers and the second semiconductor layers being different in composition; patterning the semiconductor stack to form a semiconductor fin; forming a dielectric fin next to the semiconductor fin; forming a first gate stack on the semiconductor fin and the dielectric fin; etching to a portion of the semiconductor fin within a source/drain region, resulting in a source/drain recess; and epitaxially growing a source/drain feature in the source/drain recess, defining an airgap spanning between a sidewall of the source/drain feature and a sidewall of the dielectric fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Po-Yu Lin, Wei-Yang Lee, Chia-Pin Lin, Tzu-Hua Chiu, Kuan-Hao Cheng, Wei-Han Fan, Yee-Chia Yeo, Wei Hao Lu
  • Publication number: 20230052084
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a first nanostructure stacked over and spaced apart from a second nanostructure, a gate stack wrapping around the first nanostructure and the second nanostructure, a source/drain feature adjoining the first nanostructure and the second nanostructure, and a first inner spacer layer interposing the gate stack and the source/drain feature and interposing the first nanostructure and the second nanostructure. A dopant in the source/drain feature has a first concentration at an interface between the first inner spacer layer and the source/drain feature and a second concentration at a first distance away from the interface. The first concentration is higher than the second concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuan-Hao CHENG, Wei-Yang LEE, Tzu-Hua CHIU, Wei-Han FAN, Po-Yu LIN, Chia-Pin LIN
  • Publication number: 20230017036
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a device includes providing a fin having a stack of epitaxial layers including a plurality of semiconductor channel layers interposed by a plurality of dummy layers. A source/drain etch process is performed to remove portions of the stack of epitaxial layers in source/drain regions to form trenches that expose lateral surfaces of the stack of epitaxial layers. A dummy layer recess process is performed to laterally etch the plurality of dummy layers to form recesses along sidewalls of the trenches. An inner spacer material is deposited along sidewalls of the trenches and within the recesses. An inner spacer etch-back process is performed to remove the inner spacer material from the sidewalls of the trenches and to remove a portion of the inner spacer material from within the recesses to form inner spacers having a dish-like region along lateral surfaces of the inner spacers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Wei-Han FAN, Chia-Pin LIN, Wei-Yang LEE, Tzu-Hua CHIU, Kuan-Hao CHENG, Po Shao LIN
  • Publication number: 20230018266
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming the same are provided. In an embodiment, an exemplary semiconductor device includes a vertical stack of channel members disposed over a substrate, a gate structure wrapping around each channel member of the vertical stack of channel members, and a source/drain feature disposed over the substrate and coupled to the vertical stack of channel members. The source/drain feature is spaced apart from a sidewall of the gate structure by an air gap and a dielectric layer, and the air gap extends into the source/drain feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Wei-Han Fan, Chia-Pin Lin, Wei-Yang Lee, Tzu-Hua Chiu, Kuan-Hao Cheng, Po Shao Lin
  • Publication number: 20230018480
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate having a base and a fin over the base. The semiconductor device structure includes a gate stack over a top portion of the fin. The semiconductor device structure includes a first nanostructure over the fin and passing through the gate stack. The semiconductor device structure includes a second nanostructure over the first nanostructure and passing through the gate stack. The first nanostructure is thicker than the second nanostructure. The semiconductor device structure includes a stressor structure over the fin and connected to the first nanostructure and the second nanostructure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuan-Hao CHENG, Wei-Yang LEE, Tzu-Hua CHIU, Wei-Han FAN, Po-Yu LIN, Chia-Pin LIN
  • Publication number: 20230019386
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods are provided. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes first nanostructures directly over a first portion of a substrate and second nanostructures directly over a second portion of the substrate, n-type source/drain features coupled to the first nanostructures and p-type source/drain features coupled to the second nanostructures, and an isolation structure disposed between the first portion of the substrate and the second portion of the substrate. The isolation structure includes a first smiling region in direct contact with the first portion of the substrate and having a first height. The isolation structure also includes a second smiling region in direct contact with the second portion of the substrate and having a second height, the first height is greater than the second height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Kuan-Hao Cheng, Chia-Pin Lin, Wei-Yang Lee, Tzu-Hua Chiu, Wei-Han Fan, Po-Yu Lin
  • Publication number: 20220320307
    Abstract: Multi-gate devices and methods for fabricating such are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes forming a semiconductor stack on a substrate, wherein the semiconductor stack includes a first semiconductor layers and a second semiconductor layers alternatively disposed, the first semiconductor layers and the second semiconductor layers being different in composition; patterning the semiconductor stack to form a semiconductor fin; forming a dielectric fin next to the semiconductor fin; forming a first gate stack on the semiconductor fin and the dielectric fin; etching to a portion of the semiconductor fin within a source/drain region, resulting in a source/drain recess; and epitaxially growing a source/drain feature in the source/drain recess, defining an airgap spanning between a sidewall of the source/drain feature and a sidewall of the dielectric fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Po-Yu Lin, Wei-Yang Lee, Chia-Pin Lin, Tzu-Hua Chiu, Kuan-Hao Cheng, Wei-Han Fan, Yee-Chia Yeo, Wei Hao Lu
  • Publication number: 20220320276
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a source/drain feature over a semiconductor substrate, channel layers over the semiconductor substrate and connected to the source/drain feature, a gate portion between vertically adjacent channel layers, and an inner spacer between the source/drain feature and the gate portion and between adjacent channel layers. The semiconductor device further includes an air gap between the inner spacer and the source/drain feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Po-Yu Lin, Wei-Yang Lee, Chia-Pin Lin, Tzu-Hua Chiu, Kuan-Hao Cheng, Wei-Han Fan, Li-Li Su, Wei-Min Liu
  • Publication number: 20220162443
    Abstract: A thermoplastic polyurethane composition includes a first elastomer, a second elastomer, and a third elastomer. The first elastomer includes a first material and a plurality of fiber elements. The second elastomer includes a second material. The third elastomer includes a third material and an additive. Each of the first, second, and third materials is one of polyester-based thermoplastic polyurethane, polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane, polycarbonate-based thermoplastic polyurethane, or combinations thereof. A golf ball and a method for making the golf ball are also provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Ping-Hsiu SHIH, Tsai-Shi LIU, Kuan-Hao CHENG, Liang-Ho TSAI