Patents by Inventor Kuo-Cheng Ching

Kuo-Cheng Ching 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: 10700075
    Abstract: A method includes providing a substrate having an n-type fin-like field-effect transistor (NFET) region and forming a fin structure in the NFET region. The fin structure includes a first layer having a first semiconductor material, and a second layer under the first layer and having a second semiconductor material different from the first semiconductor material. The method further includes forming a patterned hard mask to fully expose the fin structure in gate regions of the NFET region and partially expose the fin structure in at least one source/drain (S/D) region of the NFET region. The method further includes oxidizing the fin structure not covered by the patterned hard mask, wherein the second layer is oxidized at a faster rate than the first layer. The method further includes forming an S/D feature over the at least one S/D region of the NFET region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ka-Hing Fung, Chih-Sheng Chang, Zhiqiang Wu
  • Patent number: 10692865
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for fabricating an integrated circuit device. The method includes providing a precursor including a substrate having first and second metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) regions. The first and second MOS regions include first and second gate regions, semiconductor layer stacks, and source/drain regions respectively. The method further includes laterally exposing and oxidizing the semiconductor layer stack in the first gate region to form first outer oxide layer and inner nanowire set, and exposing the first inner nanowire set. A first high-k/metal gate (HK/MG) stack wraps around the first inner nanowire set. The method further includes laterally exposing and oxidizing the semiconductor layer stack in the second gate region to form second outer oxide layer and inner nanowire set, and exposing the second inner nanowire set. A second HK/MG stack wraps around the second inner nanowire set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ting-Hung Hsu
  • Patent number: 10692867
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a fin-like field-effect transistor (FinFET). The device includes one or more fin structures over a substrate, each with source/drain (S/D) features and a high-k/metal gate (HK/MG). A first HK/MG in a first gate region wraps over an upper portion of a first fin structure, the first fin structure including an epitaxial silicon (Si) layer as its upper portion and an epitaxial growth silicon germanium (SiGe), with a silicon germanium oxide (SiGeO) feature at its outer layer, as its middle portion, and the substrate as its bottom portion. A second HK/MG in a second gate region, wraps over an upper portion of a second fin structure, the second fin structure including an epitaxial SiGe layer as its upper portion, an epitaxial Si layer as it upper middle portion, an epitaxial SiGe layer as its lower middle portion, and the substrate as its bottom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ka-Hing Fung, Chih-Sheng Chang, Zhiqiang Wu
  • Patent number: 10680109
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first fin arranged over the semiconductor substrate, and an isolation structure. The first fin includes an upper portion, a bottom portion, and an insulator layer between the upper portion and the bottom portion. A top surface of the insulator layer is wider than a bottom surface of the upper portion of the first fin. The isolation structure surrounds the bottom portion of the first fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shu-Hao Kuo, Jung-Hao Chang, Chao-Hsien Huang, Li-Te Lin, Kuo-Cheng Ching
  • Publication number: 20200176449
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a semiconductor device and a method for forming the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of nanostructures stacked over a substrate in a vertical direction, a source/drain terminal adjoining the plurality of nanostructures, and a gate structure around the plurality of nanostructures. The gate structure includes a metal cap connecting adjacent two of the plurality of nanostructures and a metal layer partially surrounding the plurality of nanostructures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHING, Shi Ning JU, Ching-Wei TSAI, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Patent number: 10672892
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures including active fin structures, dummy fin structures, epitaxy layers, a Ge containing oxide layer and methods of manufacture thereof are described. By implementing the Ge containing oxide layer on the surface of the epitaxy layers formed on the source/drain regions of some of the FinFET devices, a self-aligned epitaxy process is enabled. By implementing dummy fin structures and a self-aligned etch, both the epitaxy layers and metal gate structures from adjacent FinFET devices are isolated in a self-aligned manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Chih-Hao Wang, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Publication number: 20200168721
    Abstract: A complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) semiconductor device includes a substrate. The CMOS semiconductor device further includes an isolation region in the substrate. The CMOS semiconductor device further includes a P-metal gate electrode extending over the isolation region, wherein the P-metal gate electrode includes a first function metal and a TiN layer doped with a first material. The CMOS semiconductor device further includes an N-metal gate electrode extending over the isolation region, wherein the N-metal gate electrode includes a second function metal and a TiN layer doped with a second material different from the first material, a portion of the P-metal gate electrode is between a portion of the N-metal gate electrode and the substrate, and a portion of the TiN layer doped with the second material is between the portion of the P-metal gate electrode and the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Ming ZHU, Hui-Wen LIN, Harry Hak-Lay CHUANG, Bao-Ru YOUNG, Yuan-Sheng HUANG, Ryan Chia-Jen CHEN, Chao-Cheng CHEN, Kuo-Cheng CHING, Ting-Hua HSIEH, Carlos H. DIAZ
  • Patent number: 10665691
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a fin, a bottom capping structure and a top capping structure. The fin disposed on the substrate, the fin has a lower portion and an upper portion extending upwards from the lower portion. The bottom capping structure covers a sidewall of the lower portion of the fin. The top capping structure covers a sidewall of the upper portion of the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Shi-Ning Ju, Chih-Hao Wang, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Patent number: 10658245
    Abstract: A method of forming first and second fin field effect transistors (finFETs) on a substrate includes forming first and second fin structures of the first and second finFETs, respectively, on the substrate and forming first and second oxide regions having first and second thicknesses on top surfaces of the first and second fin structures, respectively. The method further includes forming third and fourth oxide regions having third and fourth thicknesses on sidewalls on the first and second fin structures, respectively. The first and second thicknesses are greater than the third and fourth thicknesses, respectively. The method further includes forming a first polysilicon structure on the first and third oxide regions and forming a second polysilicon structure on the second and fourth oxide regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Chih-Hao Wang, Kuan-Ting Pan
  • Patent number: 10658362
    Abstract: A FinFET device includes a fin, an epitaxial layer disposed at a side surface of the fin, a contact disposed on the epitaxial layer and on the fin. The contact includes an epitaxial contact portion and a metal contact portion disposed on the epitaxial contact portion. The doping concentration of the epitaxial contact portion is higher than a doping concentration of the epitaxial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 10658490
    Abstract: Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a fin structure over a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure also includes active gate stacks over the fin structure. The semiconductor device structure further includes a dummy gate stack over the fin structure. The dummy gate stack is between the active gate stacks. In addition, the semiconductor device structure includes spacer elements over sidewalls of the dummy gate stack and the active gate stacks. The semiconductor device structure also includes an isolation feature below the dummy gate stack, the active gate stacks and the spacer elements. The isolation feature extends into the fin structure from the bottom of the dummy gate stack such that the isolation feature is surrounded by the fin structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Shi-Ning Ju, Kuan-Ting Pan, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20200152794
    Abstract: A multi-gate semiconductor device is formed that provides a first fin element extending from a substrate. A gate structure extends over a channel region of the first fin element. The channel region of the first fin element includes a plurality of channel semiconductor layers each surrounded by a portion of the gate structure. A source/drain region of the first fin element is adjacent the gate structure. The source/drain region includes a first semiconductor layer, a dielectric layer over the first semiconductor layer, and a second semiconductor layer over the dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHING, Ching-Wei TSAI, Carlos H. DIAZ, Chih-Hao WANG, Wai-Yi LIEN, Ying-Keung LEUNG
  • Publication number: 20200152773
    Abstract: A method of forming first and second fin field effect transistors (finFETs) on a substrate includes forming first and second fin structures of the first and second finFETs, respectively, on the substrate. The first and second fin structures have respective first and second vertical dimensions that are about equal to each other. The method further includes modifying the first fin structure such that the first vertical dimension of the first fin structure is smaller than the second vertical dimension of the second fin structure and depositing a dielectric layer on the modified first fin structure and the second fin structure. The method further includes forming a polysilicon structure on the dielectric layer and selectively forming a spacer on a sidewall of the polysilicon structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHING, Chih-Hao Wang, Shi Ning Ju
  • Patent number: 10651171
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a fin structure on a substrate; a first gate stack and a second gate stack formed on the fin structure; a dielectric material layer disposed on the first and second gate stacks, wherein the dielectric layer includes a first portion disposed on a sidewall of the first gate stack with a first thickness and a second portion disposed on a sidewall of the second gate stack with a second thickness greater than the first thickness; a first gate spacer disposed on the first portion of the dielectric material layer; and a second gate spacer disposed on the second portion of the dielectric material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ying-Keung Leung, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20200144125
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device having a substantially undoped channel region includes forming a plurality of fins extending from a substrate. In various embodiments, each of the plurality of fins includes a portion of a substrate, a portion of a first epitaxial layer on the portion of the substrate, and a portion of a second epitaxial layer on the portion of the first epitaxial layer. The portion of the first epitaxial layer of each of the plurality of fins is oxidized, and a liner layer is formed over each of the plurality of fins. Recessed isolation regions are then formed adjacent to the liner layer. The liner layer may then be etched to expose a residual material portion (e.g., Ge residue) adjacent to a bottom surface of the portion of the second epitaxial layer of each of the plurality of fins, and the residual material portion is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHING, Ching-Wei TSAI, Ying-Keung LEUNG
  • Patent number: 10644154
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a fin structure including a well layer, an oxide layer disposed over the well layer and a channel layer disposed over the oxide layer. An isolation insulating layer is formed so that the channel layer of the fin structure protrudes from the isolation insulating layer and a part of or an entirety of the oxide layer is embedded in the isolation insulating layer. A gate structure is formed over the fin structure. A recessed portion is formed by etching a part of the fin structure not covered by the gate structure such that the oxide layer is exposed. A recess is formed in the exposed oxide layer. An epitaxial seed layer in the recess in the oxide layer. An epitaxial layer is formed in and above the recessed portion. The epitaxial layer is in contact with the epitaxial seed layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ching-Wei Tsai, Chih-Hao Wang, Wai-Yi Lien
  • Publication number: 20200135578
    Abstract: Examples of an integrated circuit with an interconnect structure that includes a buried interconnect conductor and a method for forming the integrated circuit are provided herein. In some examples, the method includes receiving a substrate that includes a plurality of fins extending from a remainder of the substrate. A spacer layer is formed between the plurality of fins, and a buried interconnect conductor is formed on the spacer layer between the plurality of fins. A set of capping layers is formed on the buried interconnect conductor between the plurality of fins. A contact recess is etched through the set of capping layers that exposes the buried interconnect conductor, and a contact is formed in the contact recess that is electrically coupled to the buried interconnect conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Shi Ning Ju, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20200135584
    Abstract: Provided are FinFET devices and methods of forming the same. A FinFET device includes a substrate, a first gate strip and a second gate strip. The substrate has at least one first fin in a first region, at least one second fin in a second region and an isolation layer covering lower portions of the first and second fins. The first fin includes a first material layer and a second material layer over the first material layer, and the interface between the first material layer and the second material layer is uneven. The first gate strip is disposed across the first fin. The second gate strip is disposed across the second fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Hao Wang, Jui-Chien Huang, Kuo-Cheng Ching, Chun-Hsiung Lin, Pei-Hsun Wang
  • Publication number: 20200135576
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor arrangement comprises forming a first fin in a semiconductor layer. A first gate dielectric layer includes a first high-k material is formed over the first fin. A first sacrificial gate electrode is formed over the first fin. A dielectric layer is formed adjacent the first sacrificial gate electrode and over the first fin. The first sacrificial gate electrode is removed to define a first gate cavity in the dielectric layer. A second gate dielectric layer including a second dielectric material different than the first high-k material is formed over the first gate dielectric layer in the first gate cavity. A first gate electrode is formed in the first gate cavity over the second gate dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHING, Lung-Kun CHU, Mao-Lin HUANG, Chung-Wei HSU
  • Patent number: 10636910
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided, which includes a substrate, a fin structure, a capping layer and an oxide layer. The substrate has a well. The fin structure extends from the well. The capping layer surrounds a top surface and side surfaces of the fin structure. The oxide layer is over the substrate and covers the capping layer. A thickness of a top portion of the oxide layer above the capping layer is greater than a thickness of a sidewall portion of the oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Kuan-Ting Pan, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang