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: 10181426
    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: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Chih-Hao Wang, Kuan-Ting Pan
  • Publication number: 20190006486
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a substrate, a first dielectric fin, and an isolation structure. The substrate has a first semiconductor fin. The first dielectric fin is disposed over the substrate and in contact with a first sidewall of the first semiconductor fin, in which a width of the first semiconductor fin is substantially equal to a width of the first dielectric fin. The isolation structure is in contact with the first semiconductor fin and the first dielectric fin, in which a top surface of the isolation structure is in a position lower than a top surface of the first semiconductor fin and a top surface of the first dielectric fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHING, Shi-Ning JU, Kuan-Ting PAN, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Patent number: 10170592
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a nonplanar circuit device. The method includes receiving a substrate having a first semiconductor layer of a first semiconductor material and a second semiconductor layer of a second semiconductor material on the first semiconductor layer, wherein the second semiconductor material is different from the first semiconductor material in composition. The method further includes patterning the first and second semiconductor layers to form a fin structure in the first and second semiconductor layers. The method further includes performing a selective oxidization process to the first semiconductor layer such that a bottom portion of the first semiconductor layer is oxidized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Guan-Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 10170365
    Abstract: A method includes forming a gate stack on a middle portion of s semiconductor fin, and forming a first gate spacer on a sidewall of the gate stack. After the first gate spacer is formed, a template dielectric region is formed to cover the semiconductor fin. The method further includes recessing the template dielectric region. After the recessing, a second gate spacer is formed on the sidewall of the gate stack. The end portion of the semiconductor fin is etched to form a recess in the template dielectric region. A source/drain region is epitaxially grown in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Chi-Wen Liu, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Patent number: 10164069
    Abstract: Devices and structures that include a gate spacer having a gap or void are described along with methods of forming such devices and structures. In accordance with some embodiments, a structure includes a substrate, a gate stack over the substrate, a contact over the substrate, and a spacer disposed laterally between the gate stack and the contact. The spacer includes a first dielectric sidewall portion and a second dielectric sidewall portion. A void is disposed between the first dielectric sidewall portion and the second dielectric sidewall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ching-Wei Tsai, Chi-Wen Liu, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Patent number: 10163726
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a device includes first and second p-type transistors. The first transistor includes a first channel region including a first material of a first fin. The first transistor includes first and second epitaxial source/drain regions each in a respective first recess in the first material and on opposite sides of the first channel region. The first transistor includes a first gate stack on the first channel region. The second transistor includes a second channel region including a second material of a second fin. The second material is a different material from the first material. The second transistor includes third and fourth epitaxial source/drain regions each in a respective second recess in the second material and on opposite sides of the second channel region. The second transistor includes a second gate stack on the second channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 10163905
    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: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ka-Hing Fung, Chih-Sheng Chang, Zhiqiang Wu
  • Patent number: 10163903
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first semiconductor strip on a substrate, the first semiconductor strip including a first crystalline semiconductor material on a substrate and a second crystalline semiconductor material above the first crystalline semiconductor material. A first portion of the first crystalline semiconductor material in first semiconductor strip is converted to a dielectric material, where a second portion of the first crystalline semiconductor material remains unconverted. Gate structures are formed over the first semiconductor strip and source/drain regions are formed on opposing sides of the gate structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Chi-Wen Liu, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 10164012
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first channel layers disposed over a substrate, a first source/drain region disposed over the substrate, a gate dielectric layer disposed on and wrapping each of the first channel layers, a gate electrode layer disposed on the gate dielectric layer and wrapping each of the first channel layers, and a liner semiconductor layer disposed between the first channel layers and the first source/drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ka-Hing Fung, Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Patent number: 10164068
    Abstract: A method comprises removing a portion of a fin to form a trench over a lower portion of the fin, wherein the lower portion is formed of a first semiconductor material, growing a second semiconductor material in the trench to form a middle portion of the fin, forming a first carbon doped layer over the middle portion of the fin, growing the first semiconductor material over the first carbon doped layer to form an upper portion of the fin, replacing outer portions of the upper portion of the fin with a second carbon doped layer and drain/source regions, wherein the first carbon doped layer and the second carbon doped layer are separated by the upper portion of the fin and applying a thermal oxidation process to the middle portion of the fin to form an oxide outer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Guan-Lin Chen, Chao-Hsiung Wang, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 10163729
    Abstract: Among other things, one or semiconductor arrangements, and techniques for forming such semiconductor arrangements are provided. For example, one or more silicon and silicon germanium stacks are utilized to form PMOS transistors comprising germanium nanowire channels and NMOS transistors comprising silicon nanowire channels. In an example, a first silicon and silicon germanium stack is oxidized to transform silicon to silicon oxide regions, which are removed to form germanium nanowire channels for PMOS transistors. In another example, silicon and germanium layers within a second silicon and silicon germanium stack are removed to form silicon nanowire channels for NMOS transistors. PMOS transistors having germanium nanowire channels and NMOS transistors having silicon nanowire channels are formed as part of a single fabrication process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Carlos H. Diaz, Jean-Pierre Colinge
  • Patent number: 10163731
    Abstract: A FinFET semiconductor structure includes first fins and second fins extended from a semiconductor substrate, and a gate structure disposed over the first fins and the second fins. Each first fin includes a first semiconductor portion connected to the semiconductor substrate and a second semiconductor portion over the semiconductor substrate. Each second fin includes the first semiconductor portion connected to the semiconductor substrate, the second semiconductor portion, and at least one spacer at least partially disposed between the first semiconductor portion and the second semiconductor portion. The semiconductor substrate and the first semiconductor portion respectively have a surface oriented on a first crystal plane, the second semiconductor portion has a surface oriented on a second crystal plane, wherein the first crystal plane is oriented differently than the second crystal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20180366465
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes PMOS and NMOS FinFET devices disposed on a hybrid substrate including a first substrate and a second substrate, in which a fin of the PMOS FinFET device is formed on the first substrate having a top surface with a (100) crystal orientation, and another fin of the NMOS FinFET device is formed on the second substrate having a top surface with a (110) crystal orientation. The semiconductor device further includes a capping layer enclosing a buried bottom portion of the fin of the PMOS FinFET device, and another capping layer enclosing an effective channel portion of the fin of the PMOS FinFET device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHING, Ching-Wei TSAI, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Patent number: 10157799
    Abstract: A method of semiconductor device fabrication is described that includes forming a first fin extending from a substrate. The first fin has a source/drain region and a channel region and the first fin is formed of a first stack of epitaxial layers that includes first epitaxial layers having a first composition interposed by second epitaxial layers having a second composition. The method also includes removing the second epitaxial layers from the source/drain region of the first fin to form first gaps, covering a portion of the first epitaxial layers with a dielectric layer and filling the first gaps with the dielectric material and growing another epitaxial material on at least two surfaces of each of the first epitaxial layers to form a first source/drain feature while the dielectric material fills the first gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ching-Wei Tsai, Carlos H Diaz, Chih-Hao Wang, Wai-Yi Lien, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Patent number: 10157751
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, including forming a first hard mask strip, a second hard mask strip, and a dummy structure over a substrate, in which the dummy structure is formed between and in contact with the first hard mask strip and the second hard mask strip; forming a hard mask layer over the first hard mask strip, the dummy structure, and the second hard mask strip; patterning the hard mask layer to form an opening exposing the first hard mask strip and the dummy structure, and partially exposing the second hard mask strip; and performing an etching process to remove the first hard mask strip and form a recess in the second hard mask strip, in which the performing the etching process includes forming a polymer in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung-Hao Chang, Chao-Hsien Huang, Wen-Ting Lan, Shi-Ning Ju, Li-Te Lin, Kuo-Cheng Ching
  • Patent number: 10157999
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first hard mask over a semiconductor substrate, etching the semiconductor substrate to form recesses, with a semiconductor strip located between two neighboring ones of the recesses, forming a second hard mask on sidewalls of the semiconductor strip, performing a first anisotropic etch on the second hard mask to remove horizontal portions of the second hard mask, and performing a second anisotropic etch on the semiconductor substrate using the first hard mask and vertical portions of the second hard mask as an etching mask to extend the recesses down. The method further includes removing the vertical portions of the second hard mask, and forming isolation regions in the recesses. The isolation regions are recessed, and a portion of the semiconductor strip between the isolation regions protrudes higher than the isolation regions to form a semiconductor fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Shi Ning Ju, Ching-Wei Tsai, Chih-Hao Wang, Ying-Keung Leung, Carlos H Diaz
  • Publication number: 20180350992
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for forming fin-like field effect transistors (FinFETs) that maximize strain in channel regions of the FinFETs. An exemplary method includes forming a fin having a first width over a substrate. The fin includes a first semiconductor material, a second semiconductor material disposed over the first semiconductor material, and a third semiconductor material disposed over the second semiconductor material. A portion of the second semiconductor material is oxidized, thereby forming a second semiconductor oxide material. The third semiconductor material is trimmed to reduce a width of the third semiconductor material from the first width to a second width. The method further includes forming an isolation feature adjacent to the fin. The method further includes forming a gate structure over a portion of the fin, such that the gate structure is disposed between source/drain regions of the fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ka-Hing Fung, Chih-Sheng Chang, Zhiqiang Wu
  • Publication number: 20180350969
    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: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHING, Kuan-Ting PAN, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20180350803
    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: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ying-Keung Leung, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20180342509
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a separation wall made of a dielectric material is formed between two fin structures. A dummy gate structure is formed over the separation wall and the two fin structures. An interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer is formed over the dummy gate structure. An upper portion of the ILD layer is removed, thereby exposing the dummy gate structure. The dummy gate structure is replaced with a metal gate structure. A planarization operation is performed to expose the separation wall, thereby dividing the metal gate structure into a first gate structure and a second gate structure. The first gate structure and the second gate structure are separated by the separation wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHING, Chih-Hao WANG, Chih-Liang CHEN, Shi Ning JU