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).

  • 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: 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: 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: 20230352569
    Abstract: A fin field effect transistor device structure includes a substrate, an isolation structure, a first fin structure, a fin top layer, a first oxide layer, and a first gate structure. The first fin structure is disposed in the substrate and includes a base portion, a top portion, and a joint portion. The base portion is surrounded by the isolation structure. The top portion is exposed from the isolation structure. The joint portion connects the top portion and the base portion. The fin top layer is disposed over the top portion of the first fin structure. The fin top layer and the top portion of the first fin structure are made of different materials. The first oxide layer covers the fin top layer, the first fin structure, and the isolation structure. The first gate structure is disposed over the first oxide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHING, Kuan-Ting PAN, Shi-Ning JU, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Patent number: 11804489
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Chih-Hao Wang, Chih-Liang Chen, Shi Ning Ju
  • Publication number: 20230335623
    Abstract: A first semiconductor fin is over the first region of the substrate and extends along a first direction. A second semiconductor fin is over the second region of the substrate and extends along the first direction. A dielectric structure is over the first region of the substrate and is in contact with a longitudinal end of the first semiconductor fin, wherein the dielectric structure is wider than the first semiconductor fin along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A first dielectric fin is over the second region of the substrate and is in contact with a longitudinal end of the second semiconductor fin, wherein the first dielectric fin and the second semiconductor fin have substantially a same width along the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHING, Shi-Ning JU, Kuan-Ting PAN, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Patent number: 11764286
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Chih-Hao Wang, Shi Ning Ju, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Publication number: 20230282749
    Abstract: A method includes forming a SiGe layer over a substrate. A silicon layer is formed over the SiGe layer. The silicon layer and the SiGe layer are patterned to form a fin structure over the substrate. The fin structure includes a remaining portion of the SiGe layer and a remaining portion of the silicon layer over the remaining portion of the SiGe layer. A semiconductive capping layer is formed to cover the fin structure. A top portion of the semiconductive capping layer and the remaining portion of the silicon layer are oxidized to form an oxide layer covering the fin structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHING, Kuan-Ting PAN, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Patent number: 11742415
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Shi Ning Ju, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20230268232
    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: May 2, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHING, Lung-Kun CHU, Mao-Lin HUANG, Chung-Wei HSU
  • Patent number: 11735649
    Abstract: A method for forming a fin field effect transistor device structure includes forming a first fin structure in an input/output region of the substrate with a fin top layer and a hard mask layer over the first fin structure. The method also includes forming a dummy oxide layer across the first fin structure. The method also includes forming a dummy gate structure over the dummy oxide layer across the first fin structure. The method also includes forming spacers on opposite sides of the dummy gate structure. The method also includes removing the dummy gate structure over the first fin structure. The method also includes removing the dummy oxide layer and trimming the first fin structure. The method also includes forming a first oxide layer across the first fin structure. The method also includes forming a first gate structure over the first oxide layer across the first fin structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Kuan-Ting Pan, Shi-Ning Ju, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11735650
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate and a fin feature over the substrate. The fin feature includes a first portion of a first semiconductor material and a second portion of a second semiconductor material disposed over the first portion. The second semiconductor material is different from the first semiconductor material. The semiconductor device further includes a semiconductor oxide feature disposed on sidewalls of the first portion and a gate stack disposed on the fin feature. The gate stack includes an interfacial layer over a top surface and sidewalls of the second portion and a gate dielectric layer over the interfacial layer and sidewalls of the semiconductor oxide feature. A portion of the gate dielectric layer is below the interfacial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Carlos H. Diaz, Chih-Hao Wang, Zhiqiang Wu
  • Publication number: 20230246069
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) structure includes a first channel region, a first gate metal engaging the first channel region, a first dielectric material layer disposed under the first gate metal and on an end of the first gate metal, a second channel region, a second gate metal engaging the second channel region, a second dielectric material layer disposed under the second gate metal and on an end of the second gate metal, and a dielectric block disposed between the end of the first gate metal and the end of the second gate metal. A horizontal portion of the first dielectric material layer abuts a horizontal portion of the second dielectric material layer, and the horizontal portion of the first dielectric material layer and the horizontal portion of the second dielectric material layer are in physical contact with the dielectric block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHING, Chih-Hao WANG, Kuan-Lun CHENG
  • Patent number: 11688809
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure includes a fin structure, a semiconductive capping layer, an oxide layer, and a gate structure. The fin structure protrudes above a substrate. The semiconductive capping layer wraps around three sides of a channel region of the fin structure. The oxide layer wraps around three sides of the semiconductive capping layer. A thickness of a top portion of the semiconductive capping layer is less than a thickness of a top portion of the oxide layer. The gate structure wraps around three sides of the oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Kuan-Ting Pan, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11676866
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Lung-Kun Chu, Mao-Lin Huang, Chung-Wei Hsu
  • Publication number: 20230155003
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure includes a fin structure over a semiconductor substrate and a dummy gate stack formed over the fin structure and having a first sidewall and an opposite second sidewall. The semiconductor device structure also includes a first and second source or drain (S/D) structures in the fin structure and respectively adjacent to the first and second sidewalls of the dummy gate stack. The semiconductor device structure further includes an isolation feature formed in the fin structure below the dummy gate stack and having a third sidewall and an opposite fourth sidewall. A first end of the third sidewall overlaps the first end of the fourth sidewall. A second end of the third sidewall is in direct contact with a bottom of the dummy gate stack. A second end of the fourth sidewall is separated from the bottom of the dummy gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHING, Shi-Ning JU, Kuan-Ting PAN, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Patent number: 11652160
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Shi Ning Ju, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11652001
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ching-Wei Tsai, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Publication number: 20230111453
    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: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHING, Shi Ning JU, Ching-Wei TSAI, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Patent number: 11626509
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first dielectric fin, a semiconductor fin, a metal gate structure, an epitaxy structure, and a contact etch stop layer. The first dielectric fin is disposed over the substrate. The semiconductor fin is disposed over the substrate, in which along a lengthwise direction of the first dielectric fin and the semiconductor fin, the first dielectric fin is in contact with a first sidewall of the semiconductor fin. The metal gate structure crosses the first dielectric fin and the semiconductor fin. The epitaxy structure is over and in contact with the semiconductor fin. The contact etch stop layer is over and in contact with first dielectric fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Shi-Ning Ju, Kuan-Ting Pan, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang