Patents by Inventor Kuan-Lun Cheng
Kuan-Lun 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).
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Patent number: 12389670Abstract: A semiconductor device with air spacers and air caps and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a substrate and a fin structure disposed on the substrate. The fin structure includes a first fin portion and a second fin portion. The semiconductor device further includes a source/drain (S/D) region disposed on the first fin portion, a contact structure disposed on the S/D region, a gate structure disposed on the second fin portion, an air spacer disposed between a sidewall of the gate structure and the contact structure, a cap seal disposed on the gate structure, and an air cap disposed between a top surface of the gate structure and the cap seal.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2023Date of Patent: August 12, 2025Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Lin-Yu Huang, Chia-Hao Chang, Cheng-Chi Chuang, Chih-Hao Wang, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng
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Patent number: 12385875Abstract: A biosensor including a first sensor, a second sensor, a patterned dielectric layer and a cover is provided. The first sensor includes a first voltage-reference device and a first bio-sensing device. The second sensor is disposed adjacent to the first sensor, the second sensor includes a second voltage-reference device and a second bio-sensing device, the first sensor is spaced apart from the second sensor by a lateral distance, and the lateral distance is greater than a half of an average lateral dimension of the first voltage-reference device and the second voltage-reference device. The patterned dielectric layer includes sensing wells located above the first voltage-reference device, the first bio-sensing device, the second voltage-reference device and the second bio-sensing device. The cover includes fluid channels communicating with the sensing wells.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2022Date of Patent: August 12, 2025Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Wei Lee, Katherine H Chiang, Pei-Wen Liu, Ke-Wei Su, Kuan-Lun Cheng
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Patent number: 12389643Abstract: Semiconductor structures and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. An exemplary semiconductor structure according to the present disclosure includes a substrate having a p-type well or an n-type well, a first base portion over the p-type well, a second base portion over the n-type well, a first plurality of channel members over the first base portion, a second plurality of channel members over the second base portion, an isolation feature disposed between the first base portion and the second base portion, and a deep isolation structure in the substrate disposed below the isolation feature.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2023Date of Patent: August 12, 2025Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Jung-Chien Cheng, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Shi Ning Ju, Guan-Lin Chen, Chih-Hao Wang, Kuan-Lun Cheng
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Patent number: 12389675Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The structure includes a first gate electrode layer having at least three surfaces surrounded by a first intermixed layer, wherein the first intermixed layer comprises a first material and a second material. The structure also includes a second gate electrode layer disposed below and in contact with the first gate electrode layer, the second gate electrode layer having at least three surfaces surrounded by a second intermixed layer, wherein the second intermixed layer comprises the first material and a fifth material, wherein the first gate electrode layer and the second gate electrode layer are disposed between two adjacent dielectric spacers.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2024Date of Patent: August 12, 2025Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Mao-Lin Huang, Jia-Ni Yu, Lung-Kun Chu, Chung-Wei Hsu, Chih-Hao Wang, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Kuan-Lun Cheng
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Publication number: 20250253242Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first transistor having a first source/drain (S/D) feature and a first gate; a second transistor having a second S/D feature and a second gate; a multi-layer interconnection disposed over the first and the second transistors; a signal interconnection under the first and the second transistors; and a power rail under the signal interconnection and electrically isolated from the signal interconnection, wherein the signal interconnection electrically connects one of the first S/D feature and the first gate to one of the second S/D feature and the second gate.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2025Publication date: August 7, 2025Inventors: Yu-Xuan Huang, Wei-Cheng Lin, Yi-Hsun Chiu, Chun-Yuan Chen, Wei-An Lai, Yi-Bo Liao, Hou-Yu Chen, Ching-Wei Tsai, Ming Chian Tsai, Huan-Chieh Su, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Kuan-Lun Cheng
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Patent number: 12382717Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a semiconductor device and a method for forming the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a first channel structure, a first gate dielectric layer surrounding the first channel structure, and a first metal gate surrounding first gate dielectric layer. The first metal gate includes a first metal layer in direct contact with the first gate dielectric layer and a first metal cap in direct contact with the first gate dielectric layer, wherein the first metal cap is in direct contact with the first metal layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2023Date of Patent: August 5, 2025Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Shi Ning Ju, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
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Publication number: 20250248107Abstract: A method of forming a fin field effect transistor (finFET) on a substrate includes forming a fin structure on the substrate and forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) region on the substrate. First and second fin portions of the fin structure extend above a top surface of the STI region. The method further includes oxidizing the first fin portion to convert a first material of the first fin portion to a second material. The second material is different from the first material of the first fin portion and a material of the second fin portion. The method further includes forming an oxide layer on the oxidized first fin portion and the second fin portion and forming first and second polysilicon structures on the oxide layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2025Publication date: July 31, 2025Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Chih-Hao Wang, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Yen-Ming Chen
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Patent number: 12376343Abstract: A semiconductor device includes channel members vertically stacked, a gate structure wrapping around the channel members, a gate spacer disposed on sidewalls of the gate structure, an epitaxial feature abutting the channel members, and an inner spacer layer interposing the gate structure and the epitaxial feature. In a top view of the semiconductor device, the inner spacer layer has side portions in physical contact with the gate spacer and a middle portion stacked between the side portions. In a lengthwise direction of the channel members, the middle portion of the inner spacer layer is thicker than the side portions of the inner spacer layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2024Date of Patent: July 29, 2025Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Shi Ning Ju, Guan-Lin Chen, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
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Patent number: 12376365Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first stack of active channel layers and a second stack of active channel layers disposed over a semiconductor substrate, where the second stacking include a dummy channel layer and the first stack is free of any dummy channel layer, a gate structure engaged with the first stack and the second stack, and first S/D features disposed adjacent to the first stack and second S/D features disposed adjacent to the second stack, where the second S/D features overlap with the dummy channel layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2024Date of Patent: July 29, 2025Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Shi Ning Ju, Guan-Lin Chen, Jung-Chien Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang, Kuan-Lun Cheng
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Publication number: 20250226310Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a first stacked nanostructure, and forming a first via adjacent to the first stacked nanostructure. The method includes forming a dummy gate structure over the first stacked nanostructure and the first via, and removing a portion of the first stacked nanostructure to form a trench. The method includes forming a first S/D structure in the trench, and a top surface of the first S/D structure is higher than a top surface of the first via. The method includes replacing the dummy gate structure with a gate structure, and the gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode layer over the gate dielectric layer, and the gate electrode layer includes at least one metal layer. The method includes forming a first contact structure over the first S/D structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2025Publication date: July 10, 2025Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Cheng-Ting CHUNG, Yi-Bo LIAO, Kuan-Lun CHENG
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Patent number: 12349456Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The structure includes a semiconductor fin including a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a third surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, and a fourth surface opposite the third surface. The semiconductor device structure further includes a gate electrode layer disposed adjacent the first, third, and fourth surfaces of the semiconductor fin, a first source/drain epitaxial feature in contact with the semiconductor fin, and a first inner spacer disposed between the first source/drain epitaxial feature and the gate electrode layer. The first inner spacer is in contact with the first source/drain epitaxial feature, and the first inner spacer comprises a first material. The semiconductor device structure further includes a first spacer in contact with the first inner spacer, and the first spacer comprises a second material different from the first material.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2023Date of Patent: July 1, 2025Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Kuan-Ting Pan, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Shi-Ning Ju, Yi-Ruei Jhan, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
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Patent number: 12349378Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for using a hard mask layer on a top surface of fin structures to form a fin-top mask layer. The fin-top mask layer can function as an etch stop for subsequent processes. Using the fin-top hard mask layer allows a thinner conformal dielectric layer to be used to protect semiconductor fins during the subsequent process, such as during etching of sacrificial gate electrode layer. Using a thinner conformal dielectric layer can reduce the pitch of fins, particularly for input/output devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2022Date of Patent: July 1, 2025Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Yi-Ruei Jhan, Kuan-Ting Pan, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
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Patent number: 12349393Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a semiconductor device structure including a first channel layer formed of a first material, wherein the first channel layer has a first width, a second channel layer formed of a second material different from the first material, wherein the second channel layer has a second width less than the first width, and the second channel layer is in contact with a first surface of the first channel layer. The structure also includes a third channel layer formed of the second material, wherein the third channel layer has a third width less than the second width, and the third channel layer is in contact with a second surface of the first channel layer. The structure also includes a gate dielectric layer conformally disposed on the first channel layer, the second channel layer, and the third channel layer, and a gate electrode layer disposed on the gate dielectric layer.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2024Date of Patent: July 1, 2025Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Chih-Ching Wang, Wei-Yang Lee, Ming-Chang Wen, Jo-Tzu Hung, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Kuan-Lun Cheng
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Patent number: 12347690Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first fin protruding upwardly from a substrate, a second fin protruding upwardly from the substrate, a first gate structure having a first portion that at least partially wraps around an upper portion of the first fin and a second portion that at least partially wraps around an upper portion of the second fin, a second gate structure having a portion that at least partially wraps around the upper portion of the first fin, and a dielectric feature having a first portion between the first and second portions of the first gate structure. In a lengthwise direction of the first fin, the dielectric feature has a second portion extending to a sidewall of the second gate structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2024Date of Patent: July 1, 2025Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Pei-Yu Wang, Zhi-Chang Lin, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng
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Patent number: 12349380Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure includes a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes first suspended nanostructures vertically stacked over one another and disposed on a substrate, a first gate stack engaging the first suspended nanostructures, a first gate spacer disposed on sidewalls of the first gate stack, second suspended nanostructures vertically stacked over one another and disposed on the substrate, a second gate stack engaging the second suspended nanostructures, and a second gate spacer disposed on sidewalls of the second gate stack. A middle portion of the first suspended nanostructures has a first thickness measured in a direction perpendicular to a top surface of the substrate. A middle portion of the second suspended nanostructures has a second thickness measured in the direction. The second thickness is smaller than the first thickness.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2023Date of Patent: July 1, 2025Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Chih-Ching Wang, Chia-Ying Su, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chung-Wei Wu, Zhiqiang Wu
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Patent number: 12342613Abstract: A semiconductor device according to the present disclosure includes a first plurality of gate-all-around (GAA) devices in a first device area and a second plurality of GAA devices in a second device area. Each of the first plurality of GAA devices includes a first vertical stack of channel members extending along a first direction, and a first gate structure over and around the first vertical stack of channel members. Each of the second plurality of GAA devices includes a second vertical stack of channel members extending along a second direction, and a second gate structure over and around the second vertical stack of channel members. Each of the first plurality of GAA devices includes a first channel length and each of the second plurality of GAA devices includes a second channel length smaller than the first channel length.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2022Date of Patent: June 24, 2025Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Cheng-Ting Chung, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng
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Patent number: 12342604Abstract: A method of forming a fin field effect transistor (finFET) on a substrate includes forming a fin structure on the substrate and forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) region on the substrate. First and second fin portions of the fin structure extend above a top surface of the STI region. The method further includes oxidizing the first fin portion to convert a first material of the first fin portion to a second material. The second material is different from the first material of the first fin portion and a material of the second fin portion. The method further includes forming an oxide layer on the oxidized first fin portion and the second fin portion and forming first and second polysilicon structures on the oxide layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2022Date of Patent: June 24, 2025Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Chih-Hao Wang, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Yen-Ming Chen
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Patent number: 12336258Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an insulator, a semiconductor fin, a gate stack, a gate contact, a source/drain material, and a source/drain contact structure. The semiconductor fin protrudes from the insulator. The gate stack is disposed on the semiconductor fin and the insulator. The gate contact is disposed on and electrically connected to the gate stack. The source/drain material is disposed on the semiconductor fin. The source/drain contact structure is disposed on and electrically connected to the source/drain material. The semiconductor fin extends along a first direction, the gate stack extends along a second direction different from the first direction. An offset S in the second direction between the gate contact and the source/drain contact structure satisfies: 0<S?(W/2+D/2), wherein W is a width of the semiconductor fin, and D is a dimension of the gate contact.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2022Date of Patent: June 17, 2025Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yen-Ching Wu, Chung-Kai Lin, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Wen-Chien Lin, Chih-Ling Hsiao
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Publication number: 20250185341Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2025Publication date: June 5, 2025Inventors: Chien-Ning Yao, Bo-Feng Young, Chih-Hao Wang, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Sai-Hooi Yeong
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Patent number: 12324192Abstract: A semiconductor device according to the present disclosure includes a stack of first channel layers, first and second source/drain (S/D) epitaxial features adjacent to opposite sides of at least a portion of the first channel layers, respectively, a stack of second channel layers stacked over the first channel layers, third and fourth S/D epitaxial features adjacent to opposite sides of at least a portion of the second channel layers, respectively, and a dielectric isolation layer disposed under the first and second S/D epitaxial features. A total active channel layer number of the first channel layers is different from a total active channel layer number of the second channel layers. The dielectric isolation layer is in physical contact with at least a bottommost one of the first channel layers.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2024Date of Patent: June 3, 2025Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Cheng-Ting Chung, Hou-Yu Chen, Kuan-Lun Cheng