Patents by Inventor Kuo-Chang Chiang

Kuo-Chang Chiang 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: 12382639
    Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes: forming, over a substrate, a layer stack having alternating layers of a first conductive material and a first dielectric material; forming trenches extending vertically through the layer stack from an upper surface of the layer stack distal from the substrate to a lower surface of the layer stack facing the substrate; lining sidewalls and bottoms of the trenches with a memory film; forming a channel material over the memory film, the channel material including an amorphous material; filling the trenches with a second dielectric material after forming the channel material; forming memory cell isolation regions in the second dielectric material; forming source lines (SLs) and bit lines (BLs) that extend vertically in the second dielectric material on opposing sides of the memory cell isolation regions; and crystallizing first portions of the channel material after forming the SLs and BLs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: TsuChing Yang, Hung-Chang Sun, Kuo Chang Chiang, Sheng-Chih Lai, Yu-Wei Jiang
  • Patent number: 12376347
    Abstract: Provided are a ferroelectric memory device and a method of forming the same. The ferroelectric memory device includes: a gate electrode; a ferroelectric layer, disposed on the gate electrode; a channel layer, disposed on the ferroelectric layer; a pair of source/drain (S/D) electrodes, disposed on the channel layer; a first insertion layer, disposed between the gate electrode and the ferroelectric layer; and a second insertion layer, disposed between the ferroelectric layer and the channel layer, wherein the second insertion layer has a thickness less than a thickness of the first insertion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chang Chiang, Yu-Chuan Shih, Chun-Chieh Lu, Po-Ting Lin, Hai-Ching Chen, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Yu-Ming Lin, Chung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 12363907
    Abstract: A memory device includes a multi-layer stack, a channel layer, a memory material layer and a memory material layer. The multi-layer stack includes a plurality of conductive layers and a plurality of dielectric layers stacked alternately along a first direction. The memory material layer is disposed between the channel layer and each of the conductive layers and the dielectric layers. The conductive pillars extend in the first direction, wherein the at least three conductive pillars are aligned along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Wei Jiang, Sheng-Chih Lai, Tsuching Yang, Hung-Chang Sun, Kuo-Chang Chiang
  • Patent number: 12363906
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a 3D memory device, including a plurality of gate lines interleaved between a plurality of dielectric layers in a vertical direction, the plurality of gate lines forming recesses between the plurality of dielectric layers; a source/drain line disposed next to the plurality of dielectric layers, spaced from the plurality of gate lines by the recesses in a lateral direction; a ferroelectric film arranged laterally between sidewalls of the plurality of gate lines and the source/drain line and confined within the recesses; and a semiconductor film disposed within the recesses and spacing the ferroelectric film from the source/drain line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Song-Fu Liao, Kuo-Chang Chiang, Hai-Ching Chen, Chung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 12356628
    Abstract: A memory device includes transistor structures and memory arc wall structures. The memory arc wall structures are embedded in the transistor structures. The transistor structure includes a dielectric column, a source electrode and a drain electrode, a gate electrode layer and a channel wall structure. The source electrode and the drain electrode are located on opposite sides of the dielectric column. The gate electrode layer is around the dielectric column, the source electrode, and the drain electrode. The channel wall structure is extended from the source electrode to the drain electrode and surrounds the dielectric column. The channel wall structure is disposed between the gate electrode layer and the source electrode, between the gate electrode layer, and the drain electrode, and between the gate electrode layer and the dielectric column. The memory arc wall structure is extended on and throughout the channel wall structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Wei Jiang, Hung-Chang Sun, Sheng-Chih Lai, Kuo-Chang Chiang, Tsuching Yang
  • Patent number: 12349362
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method for forming a memory device, including forming a plurality of word line stacks respectively including a plurality of word lines alternatingly stacked with a plurality of insulating layers over a semiconductor substrate, forming a data storage layer along opposing sidewalls of the word line stacks, forming a channel layer along opposing sidewalls of the data storage layer, forming an inner insulating layer between inner sidewalls of the channel layer and including a first dielectric material, performing an isolation cut process including a first etching process through the inner insulating layer and the channel layer to form an isolation opening, forming an isolation structure filling the isolation opening and including a second dielectric material, performing a second etching process through the inner insulating layer on opposing sides of the isolation structure to form source/drain openings, and forming source/drain contacts in the source/drain
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsu Ching Yang, Feng-Cheng Yang, Sheng-Chih Lai, Yu-Wei Jiang, Kuo-Chang Chiang, Hung-Chang Sun, Chen-Jun Wu, Chung-Te Lin
  • Publication number: 20250212417
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a gate layer, a ferroelectric layer, a source structure, a drain structure, an oxide semiconductor and a high-k material layer. The gate layer is disposed in an interconnect structure. The ferroelectric layer is disposed over the gate layer. The source structure and the drain structure are disposed over the ferroelectric layer. The oxide semiconductor is disposed over the ferroelectric layer and between the source structure and the drain structure. The high-k material layer is disposed on and contacts a surface of the ferroelectric layer. A method of manufacturing the semiconductor structure is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2023
    Publication date: June 26, 2025
    Inventors: YU-CHUAN SHIH, CHUN-CHIEH LU, KUO-CHANG CHIANG, CHIH-YU CHANG, HUAI-YING HUANG, YU-MING LIN
  • Patent number: 12342539
    Abstract: A memory device includes a stack of gate electrode layers and interconnect layers arranged over a substrate. A first memory cell that is arranged over the substrate includes a first source/drain conductive lines and a second source/drain conductive line extending vertically through the stack of gate electrode layers. A channel layer and a memory layer are arranged on outer sidewalls of the first and second source/drain conductive lines. A first barrier structure is arranged between the first and second source/drain conductive lines. A first protective liner layer separates the first barrier structure from each of the first and second source/drain conductive lines. A second barrier structure is arranged on an opposite side of the first source/drain conductive line and is spaced apart from the first source/drain conductive line by a second protective liner layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsu Ching Yang, Sheng-Chih Lai, Yu-Wei Jiang, Kuo-Chang Chiang, Hung-Chang Sun, Chen-Jun Wu, Feng-Cheng Yang, Chung-Te Lin
  • Publication number: 20250203928
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a thin-film transistor (TFT) with a hydrogen absorption layer and a method for forming the same. The TFT comprises a semiconductor channel, a gate electrode, and a gate dielectric layer that are stacked with the gate dielectric layer separating the gate electrode from the semiconductor channel. A first source/drain electrode and a second source/drain electrode are respectively on different portions of the semiconductor channel. Further, the hydrogen absorption layer is adjacent to the gate electrode, the first source/drain electrode, the second source/drain electrode, or a combination thereof. The hydrogen absorption layer traps hydrogen and other errant particles from interacting with semiconductor material of the TFT to prevent performance and reliability degradation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2024
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Inventors: Yen-Chung Ho, Katherine H. Chiang, Hui-Hsien Wei, Tsu Ching Yang, Hsin-Yu Lai, Kuo-Chang Chiang, Yong-Jie Wu
  • Patent number: 12336183
    Abstract: A method of forming a ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM) device includes: forming a layer stack over a substrate, where the layer stack includes alternating layers of a first dielectric material and a word line (WL) material; forming first trenches extending vertically through the layer stack; filling the first trenches, where filling the first trenches includes forming, in the first trenches, a ferroelectric material, a channel material over the ferroelectric material, and a second dielectric material over the channel material; after filling the first trenches, forming second trenches extending vertically through the layer stack, the second trenches being interleaved with the first trenches; and filling the second trenches, where filling the second trenches includes forming, in the second trenches, the ferroelectric material, the channel material over the ferroelectric material, and the second dielectric material over the channel material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuching Yang, Hung-Chang Sun, Kuo Chang Chiang, Sheng-Chih Lai, Yu-Wei Jiang
  • Patent number: 12302562
    Abstract: A method includes forming a plurality of memory cells, which includes a plurality of first conductive lines over a substrate, charge-trapping layers coupled to the conductive lines, channel layers arranged adjacent to the charge-trapping layers, and a plurality of first filling regions arranged between the channel layers; etching the first filling regions to form first trenches; depositing a liner over upper surfaces of the charge-trapping layers and the channel layers and sidewalls of the first trenches; forming second filling regions in the first trenches; patterning the second filling regions to form second trenches; depositing a partition region in each of the second trenches; and removing the liner to expose the charge-trapping layers and the channel layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Wei Jiang, Sheng-Chih Lai, Kuo-Chang Chiang, Hung-Chang Sun, Tsuching Yang, Feng-Cheng Yang, Chung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 12288820
    Abstract: A transistor includes an insulating layer, a source region, a drain region, a channel layer, a ferroelectric layer, and a gate electrode. The source region and the drain region are respectively disposed on and in physical contact with two opposite sidewalls of the insulating layer. A thickness of the source region, a thickness of the drain region, and a thickness of the insulating layer are substantially the same. The channel layer is disposed on the insulating layer, the source region, and the drain region. The ferroelectric layer is disposed over the channel layer. The gate electrode is disposed on the ferroelectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hung-Chang Sun, Sheng-Chih Lai, Yu-Wei Jiang, Kuo-Chang Chiang, TsuChing Yang, Feng-Cheng Yang, Chung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 12289890
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a transistor structure is provided. The method comprises forming a gate electrode in a dielectric layer of an interconnect structure; forming a monolayer on a portion of the dielectric layer laterally spaced from the gate electrode; sequentially forming a ferroelectric layer, a barrier layer and a channel layer on the gate electrode; and forming a source/drain electrode on the channel layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Song-Fu Liao, Kuo-Chang Chiang, Hai-Ching Chen, Chung-Te Lin
  • Publication number: 20250133774
    Abstract: A transistor including a channel layer including an oxide semiconductor material and methods of making the same. The transistor includes a channel layer having a first oxide semiconductor layer having a first oxygen concentration, a second oxide semiconductor layer having a second oxygen concentration and a third oxide semiconductor layer having a third oxygen concentration. The second oxide semiconductor layer is located between the first semiconductor oxide layer and the third oxide semiconductor layer. The second oxygen concentration is lower than the first oxygen concentration and the third oxygen concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2024
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Inventors: Kuo-Chang Chiang, Hung-Chang Sun, Sheng-Chih Lai, TsuChing Yang, Yu-Wei Jiang, Feng-Cheng Yang, Neil Quinn Murray
  • Publication number: 20250120091
    Abstract: A memory cell includes a thin film transistor over a semiconductor substrate, the thin film transistor including: a memory film contacting a word line; and an oxide semiconductor (OS) layer contacting a source line and a bit line, wherein the memory film is disposed between the OS layer and the word line, wherein the source line and the bit line each comprise a first conductive material touching the OS layer, and wherein the first conductive material has a work function less than 4.6. The memory cell further includes a dielectric material separating the source line and the bit line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Inventors: Kuo-Chang Chiang, Hung-Chang Sun, Sheng-Chih Lai, TsuChing Yang, Yu-Wei Jiang
  • Patent number: 12272750
    Abstract: A memory cell includes a ferroelectric (FE) material contacting a word line; and an oxide semiconductor (OS) layer contacting a source line and a bit line, wherein the FE material is disposed between the OS layer and the word line. The OS layer comprises: a first region adjacent the FE material, the first region having a first concentration of a semiconductor element; a second region adjacent the source line, the second region having a second concentration of the semiconductor element; and a third region between the first region and the second region, the third region having a third concentration of the semiconductor element, the third concentration is greater than the second concentration and less than the first concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chang Chiang, Hung-Chang Sun, Sheng-Chih Lai, TsuChing Yang, Yu-Wei Jiang
  • Patent number: 12274068
    Abstract: Provided is a method of forming a ferroelectric memory device including: forming a ferroelectric layer between a gate electrode and a channel layer by a first atomic layer deposition (ALD) process. The first ALD process includes: providing a first precursor during a first section; and providing a first mixed precursor during a second section, wherein the first mixed precursor includes a hafnium-containing precursor and a zirconium-containing precursor. In this case, the ferroelectric layer is directly formed as Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 with an orthorhombic phase (O-phase) to enhance the ferroelectric polarization and property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rainer Yen-Chieh Huang, Han-Ting Tsai, Tsann Lin, Kuo-Chang Chiang, Min-Kun Dai, Chung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 12218250
    Abstract: A transistor including a channel layer including an oxide semiconductor material and methods of making the same. The transistor includes a channel layer having a first oxide semiconductor layer having a first oxygen concentration, a second oxide semiconductor layer having a second oxygen concentration and a third oxide semiconductor layer having a third oxygen concentration. The second oxide semiconductor layer is located between the first semiconductor oxide layer and the third oxide semiconductor layer. The second oxygen concentration is lower than the first oxygen concentration and the third oxygen concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Kuo-Chang Chiang, Hung-Chang Sun, Sheng-Chih Lai, TsuChing Yang, Yu-Wei Jiang, Feng-Cheng Yang, Neil Quinn Murray
  • Patent number: 12219777
    Abstract: A memory cell includes a thin film transistor over a semiconductor substrate, the thin film transistor including: a memory film contacting a word line; and an oxide semiconductor (OS) layer contacting a source line and a bit line, wherein the memory film is disposed between the OS layer and the word line, wherein the source line and the bit line each comprise a first conductive material touching the OS layer, and wherein the first conductive material has a work function less than 4.6. The memory cell further includes a dielectric material separating the source line and the bit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD
    Inventors: Kuo-Chang Chiang, Hung-Chang Sun, Sheng-Chih Lai, TsuChing Yang, Yu-Wei Jiang
  • Publication number: 20250038124
    Abstract: A transistor comprises a colored light shielding layer over the semiconductor layer thereof. The colored light shielding layer reduces exposure of the semiconductor layer to radiation having a wavelength of about 10 nanometers (nm) to about 400 nm. The colored light shielding layer may have a white, black, red, yellow, or gray color. The colored light shielding layer can be formed from a metal oxide film, a p-type oxide semiconductor, or a perovskite. The colored light shielding layer reduces defects that may be generated in the semiconductor layer due to UV light exposure during the manufacturing process, improving device performance and reliability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Kuo-Chang Chiang, Katherine Chiang, Chung-Te Lin