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: 11830769
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes first and second source/drain (S/D) features, one or more semiconductor channel layers connecting the first and second S/D features, a gate structure engaging the one or more semiconductor channel layers, a metal wiring layer at a backside of the semiconductor structure, an S/D contact electrically connecting the first S/D feature to the metal wiring layer, and a seal layer between the metal wiring layer and the gate structure. The seal layer is spaced away from the gate structure by an air gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Hao Chang, Lin-Yu Huang, Li-Zhen Yu, Cheng-Chi Chuang, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11830854
    Abstract: Methods for forming packaged semiconductor devices including backside power rails and packaged semiconductor devices formed by the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a device includes a first integrated circuit device including a first transistor structure in a first device layer; a front-side interconnect structure on a front-side of the first device layer; and a backside interconnect structure on a backside of the first device layer, the backside interconnect structure including a first dielectric layer on the backside of the first device layer; and a first contact extending through the first dielectric layer to a source/drain region of the first transistor structure; and a second integrated circuit device including a second transistor structure in a second device layer; and a first interconnect structure on the second device layer, the first interconnect structure being bonded to the front-side interconnect structure by dielectric-to-dielectric and metal-to-metal bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chi-Yi Chuang, Hou-Yu Chen, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Publication number: 20230378302
    Abstract: A structure has stacks of semiconductor layers over a substrate and adjacent a dielectric feature. A gate dielectric is formed wrapping around each layer and the dielectric feature. A first layer of first gate electrode material is deposited over the gate dielectric and the dielectric feature. The first layer on the dielectric feature is recessed to a first height below a top surface of the dielectric feature. A second layer of the first gate electrode material is deposited over the first layer. The first gate electrode material in a first region of the substrate is removed to expose a portion of the gate dielectric in the first region, while the first gate electrode material in a second region of the substrate is preserved. A second gate electrode material is deposited over the exposed portion of the gate dielectric and over a remaining portion of the first gate electrode material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Chung-Wei Hsu, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Mao-Lin Huang, Lung-Kun Chu, Jia-Ni Yu, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20230378352
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The device includes one or more first semiconductor layers, and a dipole layer surrounding each first semiconductor layer of the one or more first semiconductor layers, wherein the dipole layer comprises germanium. The structure also includes a capping layer surrounding and in contact with the dipole layer, wherein the capping layer comprises silicon, one or more second semiconductor layers disposed adjacent the one or more first semiconductor layers. The structure further includes a gate electrode layer surrounding each first semiconductor layer of the one or more first semiconductor layers and each second semiconductor layer of the one or more second semiconductor layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Wei HSU, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Mao-Lin HUANG, Lung-Kun CHU, Jia-Ni YU, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20230378330
    Abstract: FinFET patterning methods are disclosed for achieving fin width uniformity. An exemplary method includes forming a mandrel layer over a substrate. A first cut removes a portion of the mandrel layer, leaving a mandrel feature disposed directly adjacent to a dummy mandrel feature. The substrate is etched using the mandrel feature and the dummy mandrel feature as an etch mask, forming a dummy fin feature and an active fin feature separated by a first spacing along a first direction. A second cut removes a portion of the dummy fin feature and a portion of the active fin feature, forming dummy fins separated by a second spacing and active fins separated by the second spacing. The second spacing is along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. A third cut removes the dummy fins, forming fin openings, which are filled with a dielectric material to form dielectric fins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Shi Ning JU, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11824101
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, an isolation feature over the semiconductor substrate, a fin protruding from the semiconductor substrate and through the isolation feature, a gate stack over and engaging the fin, and a gate spacer on sidewalls of the gate stack. A bottom portion of the sidewalls of the gate stack tilts inwardly towards the gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sai-Hooi Yeong, Chi-On Chui, Kai-Hsuan Lee, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11824058
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a semiconductor device and a method for forming the semiconductor device. The method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first stack of channel structures that extends between a source terminal and a drain terminal of a first transistor in a first region of the semiconductor device. The first stack of channel structures includes a first channel structure and a second channel structure. The method further includes forming a first gate structure that wraps around the first stack of channel structures with a first metal cap between the first channel structure and the second channel structure. The first metal cap has a different work function from another portion of the first gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Shi Ning Ju, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20230366851
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei Lee, Katherine H CHIANG, Pei-Wen Liu, Ke-Wei Su, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Publication number: 20230369326
    Abstract: A first gate-all-around (GAA) transistor and a second GAA transistor may be formed on a substrate. The first GAA transistor includes at least one silicon plate, a first gate structure, a first source region, and a first drain region. The second GAA transistor includes at least one silicon-germanium plate, a second gate structure, a second source region, and a second drain region. The first GAA transistor may be an n-type field effect transistor, and the second GAA transistor may be a p-type field effect transistor. The gate electrodes of the first gate structure and the second gate structure may include a same conductive material. Each silicon plate and each silicon-germanium plate may be single crystalline and may have a same crystallographic orientation for each Miller index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Shi Ning JU, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Chih-Hao WANG, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Guan-Lin CHEN
  • Publication number: 20230369401
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a source/drain (S/D) feature; one or more channel semiconductor layers connected to the S/D feature; a gate structure engaging the one or more channel semiconductor layers; a first silicide feature at a frontside of the S/D feature; a second silicide feature at a backside of the S/D feature; and a dielectric liner layer at the backside of the S/D feature, below the second silicide feature, and spaced away from the second silicide feature by a first gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Lin-Yu Huang, Li-Zhen Yu, Chia-Hao Chang, Cheng-Chi Chuang, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20230369463
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: YI-RUEI JHAN, KUAN-TING PAN, KUO-CHENG CHIANG, KUAN-LUN CHENG, CHIH-HAO WANG
  • Publication number: 20230369499
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to the present disclosure includes a first transistor and a second transistor disposed over the first transistor. The first transistor includes a plurality of channel members vertically stacked over one another, and a first source/drain feature adjoining the plurality of channel members. The second transistor includes a fin structure, and a second source/drain feature adjoining the fin structure. The semiconductor device further includes a conductive feature electrically connecting the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Chi-Yi Chuang, Hou-Yu Chen, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Publication number: 20230369125
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The structure includes a first and second gate electrode layers, and a dielectric feature disposed between the first and second gate electrode layers. The dielectric feature has a first surface. The structure further includes a first conductive layer disposed on the first gate electrode layer. The first conductive layer has a second surface. The structure further includes a second conductive layer disposed on the second gate electrode layer. The second conductive layer has a third surface, and the first, second, and third surfaces are coplanar. The structure further includes a third conductive layer disposed over the first conductive layer, a fourth conductive layer disposed over the second conductive layer, and a dielectric layer disposed on the first surface of the dielectric feature. The dielectric layer is disposed between the third conductive layer and the fourth conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Kuan-Ting PAN, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Shang-Wen CHANG, Ching-Wei TSAI, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20230369393
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The structure includes first and second dielectric features and a first semiconductor layer disposed between the first and second dielectric features. The structure further includes an isolation layer disposed between the first and second dielectric features, and the isolation layer is in contact with the first and second dielectric features. The first semiconductor layer is disposed over the isolation layer. The structure further includes a gate dielectric layer disposed over the isolation layer and a gate electrode layer disposed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate electrode layer has an end extending to a level between a first plane defined by a first surface of the first semiconductor layer and a second plane defined by a second surface opposite the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Lung-Kun CHU, Mao-Lin HUANG, Chung-Wei HSU, Jia-Ni YU, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20230369321
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and method of forming the same are provided. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor includes two first source/drain features and a first number of nanostructures that are stacked vertically one over another and extend lengthwise between the two first source/drain features. The second transistor includes two second source/drain features and a second number of nanostructures that are stacked vertically one over another and extend lengthwise between the two second source/drain features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Jung-Chien Cheng, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Shi Ning Ju, Guan-Lin Chen, Chih-Hao Wang, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Publication number: 20230369466
    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: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Wang-Chun Huang, Hou-Yu Chen, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20230369443
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed herein. An exemplary semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor fin formed on a substrate; and a gate structure disposed over a channel region of the semiconductor fin, the gate structure including a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode, wherein the gate dielectric layer includes a bottom portion and a side portion, and the gate electrode is separated from the side portion of the gate dielectric layer by a first air gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Chien Ning Yao, Kai-Hsuan Lee, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Wei-Yang Lee, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20230369458
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of nanostructures. The nanostructures each contain a semiconductive material. A plurality of first spacers circumferentially wrap around the nanostructures. A plurality of second spacers circumferentially wrap around the first spacers. A plurality of third spacers is disposed between the second spacers vertically. A gate structure surrounds the second spacers and the third spacers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Chih-Hao Wang, Shi Ning Ju, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Publication number: 20230369216
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are provided. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes an active region including a channel region and a source/drain region and extending along a first direction, and a source/drain contact structure over the source/drain region. The source/drain contact structure includes a base portion extending lengthwise along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a via portion over the base portion. The via portion tapers away from the base portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Lin-Yu Huang, Li-Zhen Yu, Chia-Hao Chang, Cheng-Chi Chuang, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11817504
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a stack of semiconductor layers disposed over a substrate, a metal gate structure disposed over and interleaved with the stack of semiconductor layers, the metal gate structure including a gate electrode disposed over a gate dielectric layer, a first isolation structure disposed adjacent to a first sidewall of the stack of semiconductor layers, where the gate dielectric layer fills space between the first isolation structure and the first sidewall of the stack of semiconductor layers, and a second isolation structure disposed adjacent to a second sidewall of the stack of semiconductor layers, where the gate electrode fills the space between the second isolation structure and the second sidewall of the stack of semiconductor layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD
    Inventors: Shi Ning Ju, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Guan-Lin Chen, Chih-Hao Wang, Kuan-Lun Cheng