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).

  • Patent number: 11978782
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hybrid integrated circuit. In one implementation, an integrated circuit may have a first region with a first gate structure having a ferroelectric gate dielectric, at least one source associated with the first gate of the first region, and at least one drain associated with the first gate structure of the first region. Moreover, the integrated circuit may have a second region with a second gate structure having a high-? gate dielectric, at least one source associated with the second gate structure of the second region, and at least one drain associated with the second gate structure of the second region. The integrated circuit may further have at least one trench isolation between the first region and the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Yi Chuang, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11973077
    Abstract: A device includes a transistor, a backside via, and a pair of sidewall spacers. The transistor includes a gate structure, a channel layer surrounded by the gate structure, and a first source/drain structure and a second source/drain structure connected to the channel layer. The backside via is under and connected to the first source/drain structure and includes a first portion, a second portion between the first portion and the first source/drain structure, and a third portion tapering from the first portion to the second portion in a cross-sectional view. The pair of sidewall spacers are on opposite sidewalls of the second portion of the backside via but not on opposite sidewalls of the first portion of the backside via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wang-Chun Huang, Hou-Yu Chen, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11961897
    Abstract: A first fin structure is disposed over a substrate. The first fin structure contains a semiconductor material. A gate dielectric layer is disposed over upper and side surfaces of the first fin structure. A gate electrode layer is formed over the gate dielectric layer. A second fin structure is disposed over the substrate. The second fin structure is physically separated from the first fin structure and contains a ferroelectric material. The second fin structure is electrically coupled to the gate electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chi-Hsing Hsu, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang, Min Cao
  • Patent number: 11956938
    Abstract: A device incudes a substrate. A first fin and a second fin are over the substrate. An isolation structure is laterally between the first fin and the second fin. A gate structure crosses the first fin and the second fin. A first source/drain epitaxy structure is over the first fin. A second source/drain epitaxy structure is over the second fin. A spacer layer extends from a first sidewall of the first fin to a first sidewall of the second fin along a top surface of the isolation structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsu Ohtou, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Yasutoshi Okuno, Jiun-Jia Huang
  • Publication number: 20240113119
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for the formation of gate-all-around nano-sheet FETs with tunable performance. The method includes disposing a first and a second vertical structure with different widths over a substrate, where the first and the second vertical structures have a top portion comprising a multilayer nano-sheet stack with alternating first and second nano-sheet layers. The method also includes disposing a sacrificial gate structure over the top portion of the first and second vertical structures; depositing an isolation layer over the first and second vertical structures so that the isolation layer surrounds a sidewall of the sacrificial gate structure; etching the sacrificial gate structure to expose each multilayer nano-sheet stack from the first and second vertical structures; removing the second nano-sheet layers from each exposed multilayer nano-sheet stack to form suspended first nano-sheet layers; forming a metal gate structure to surround the suspended first nano-sheet layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Tetsu Ohtou, Ching-Wei Tsai, Jiun-Jia Huang, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chi-Hsing Hsu
  • Patent number: 11949001
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes channel members disposed over a substrate, a gate structure engaging the channel members, and an epitaxial feature adjacent the channel members. At least one of the channel members has an end portion in physical contact with an outer portion of the epitaxial feature. The end portion of the at least one of the channel members includes a first dopant of a first concentration. The outer portion of the epitaxial feature includes a second dopant of a second concentration. The first concentration is higher than the second concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Ching Wang, Chung-I Yang, Jon-Hsu Ho, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chung-Wei Wu, Zhiqiang Wu
  • Patent number: 11948972
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for the formation of high-voltage nano-sheet transistors and low-voltage gate-all-around transistors on a common substrate. The method includes forming a fin structure with first and second nano-sheet layers on the substrate. The method also includes forming a gate structure having a first dielectric and a first gate electrode on the fin structure and removing portions of the fin structure not covered by the gate structure. The method further includes partially etching exposed surfaces of the first nano-sheet layers to form recessed portions of the first nano-sheet layers in the fin structure and forming a spacer structure on the recessed portions. In addition, the method includes replacing the first gate electrode with a second dielectric and a second gate electrode, and forming an epitaxial structure abutting the fin structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Xuan Huang, Chia-En Huang, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Yih Wang
  • Publication number: 20240105850
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed herein. An exemplary semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor fin disposed over a substrate, wherein the semiconductor fin includes a channel region and a source/drain region; a gate structure disposed over the channel region of the semiconductor fin, wherein the gate structure includes a gate spacer and a gate stack; a source/drain structure disposed over the source/drain region of the semiconductor fin; and a fin top hard mask vertically interposed between the gate spacer and the semiconductor fin, wherein the fin top hard mask includes a dielectric layer, and wherein a sidewall of the fin top hard mask directly contacts the gate stack, and another sidewall of the fin top hard mask directly contacts the source/drain structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Che-Yu Yang, Kai-Chieh Yang, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Publication number: 20240096942
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Jung-Chien Cheng, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Shi Ning Ju, Guan-Lin Chen, Chih-Hao Wang, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Patent number: 11923457
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed herein. An exemplary semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor fin disposed over a substrate, wherein the semiconductor fin includes a channel region and a source/drain region; a gate structure disposed over the channel region of the semiconductor fin, wherein the gate structure includes a gate spacer and a gate stack; a source/drain structure disposed over the source/drain region of the semiconductor fin; and a fin top hard mask vertically interposed between the gate spacer and the semiconductor fin, wherein the fin top hard mask includes a dielectric layer, and wherein a sidewall of the fin top hard mask directly contacts the gate stack, and another sidewall of the fin top hard mask directly contacts the source/drain structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Che-Yu Yang, Kai-Chieh Yang, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Patent number: 11916110
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for forming semiconductor device structures. The method includes forming a fin structure having a stack of semiconductor layers comprising first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers alternatingly arranged, forming a sacrificial gate structure over a portion of the fin structure, removing the first and second semiconductor layers in a source/drain region of the fin structure that is not covered by the sacrificial gate structure, forming an epitaxial source/drain feature in the source/drain region, removing portions of the sacrificial gate structure to expose the first and second semiconductor layers, removing portions of the second semiconductor layers so that at least one second semiconductor layer has a width less than a width of each of the first semiconductor layers, forming a conformal gate dielectric layer on exposed first and second semiconductor layers, and forming a gate electrode layer on the conformal gate dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Ching Wang, Wei-Yang Lee, Ming-Chang Wen, Jo-Tzu Hung, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Patent number: 11916128
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of forming a semiconductor device including an nFET structure and a pFET structure where each of the nFET and pFET structures include a semiconductor substrate and a gate trench. The method includes depositing an interfacial layer in each gate trench, depositing a first ferroelectric layer over the interfacial layer, removing the first ferroelectric layer from the nFET structure, depositing a metal oxide layer in each gate trench, depositing a second ferroelectric layer over the metal oxide layer, removing the second ferroelectric layer from the pFET structure, and depositing a gate electrode in each gate trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Min Cao, Pei-Yu Wang, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11908919
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a fin structure in which first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers are alternatively stacked; forming a sacrificial gate structure over the fin structure; etching a source/drain (S/D) region of the fin structure, which is not covered by the sacrificial gate structure, thereby forming an S/D space; laterally etching the first semiconductor layers through the S/D space, thereby forming recesses; forming a first insulating layer, in the recesses, on the etched first semiconductor layers; after the first insulating layer is formed, forming a second insulating layer, in the recesses, on the first insulating layer, wherein a dielectric constant of the second insulating layer is less than that of the first insulating layer; and forming an S/D epitaxial layer in the S/D space, wherein the second insulating layer is in contact with the S/D epitaxial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Chih-Ching Wang, Jon-Hsu Ho, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chung-Wei Wu, Zhiqiang Wu
  • Patent number: 11908942
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to the present disclosure includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor includes a plurality of first channel members and a first gate structure wrapping around each of the plurality of first channel members. The second transistor includes a plurality of second channel members and a second gate structure disposed over the plurality of second channel members. Each of the plurality of first channel members has a first width and a first height smaller than the first width. Each of the plurality of second channel members has a second width and a second height greater than the second width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Ting Chung, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Patent number: 11901365
    Abstract: A finFET device that includes a substrate and at least one semiconductor fin extending from the substrate. The fin may include a plurality of wide portions comprising a first semiconductor material and one or more narrow portions. The one or more narrow portions have a second width less than the first width of the wide portions. Each of the one or more narrow portions separates two of the plurality of wide portions from one another such that the plurality of wide portions and the one or more narrow portions are arranged alternatingly in a substantially vertical direction that is substantially perpendicular with a surface of the substrate. The fin may also include a channel layer covering sidewalls of the plurality of wide portions and a sidewall of the one or more narrow portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wang-Chun Huang, Kai-Chieh Yang, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11901456
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a power rail on a back side of the semiconductor structure, a first interconnect structure on a front side of the semiconductor structure, and a source feature, a drain feature, a first semiconductor fin, and a gate structure that are between the power rail and the first interconnect structure. The first semiconductor fin connects the source feature and the drain feature. The gate structure is disposed on a front surface and two side surfaces of the first semiconductor fin. The semiconductor structure further includes an isolation structure disposed between the power rail and the drain feature and between the power rail and the first semiconductor fin and a via penetrating through the isolation structure and connecting the source feature to the power rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shi Ning Ju, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Chih-Hao Wang, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Patent number: 11901428
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes nanostructures vertically arranged and spaced apart from one another along a first direction. The semiconductor device also includes a dielectric fin structure of a dielectric material of uniform composition and an isolation structure on opposite sides of the nanostructures. Moreover, the semiconductor device also includes a gate structure wrapping around the nanostructures. The gate structure extends between the nanostructure and the dielectric fin structure, and extends between the nanostructures and the isolation structure. Furthermore, the nanostructures are spaced apart from the dielectric fin structure along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction by a first distance, and from the isolation structure along the second direction by a second distance, where the first distance is greater than the second distance. Additionally, the gate structure interfaces with the dielectric fin structure on a surface extending perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Huan-Chieh Su, Chun-Yuan Chen, Li-Zhen Yu, Lo-Heng Chang, Cheng-Chi Chuang, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20240047462
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHING, Shi Ning JU, Ching-Wei TSAI, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Patent number: 11894260
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a gate structure surrounding a plurality of channels and a cut feature that electrically isolates two separate portions of the gate structure. The cut feature comprises an outer layer having a work-function metal, and an inner layer comprising a dielectric material. The cut feature extends above a top surface of the gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD
    Inventors: Wang-Chun Huang, Yu-Xuan Huang, Hou-Yu Chen, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11894367
    Abstract: A method for processing an integrated circuit includes forming first and second gate all around transistors. The method forms a dipole oxide in the first gate all around transistor without forming the dipole oxide in the second gate all around transistor. This is accomplished by entirely removing an interfacial dielectric layer and a dipole-inducing layer from semiconductor nanosheets of the second gate all around transistor before redepositing the interfacial dielectric layer on the semiconductor nanosheets of the second gate all around transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lung-Kun Chu, Mao-Lin Huang, Chung-Wei Hsu, Jia-Ni Yu, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang