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: 11276695
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a fin in a first region of a substrate. The fin includes a plurality of a first type of epitaxial layers and a plurality of a second type of epitaxial layers. A portion of a layer of the second type of epitaxial layers in a channel region of the first fin is removed to form a first gap between a first layer of the first type of epitaxial layers and a second layer of the first type of epitaxial layers. A first portion of a first gate structure is formed within the first gap and extending from a first surface of the first layer of the first type of epitaxial layers to a second surface of the second layer of the first type of epitaxial layers. A first source/drain feature is formed abutting the first portion of the first gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20220059410
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method to reduce power consumption in a fin structure. For example, the method includes forming a first and a second semiconductor fins on a substrate with different heights. The method also includes forming insulating fins between and adjacent to the first and the second semiconductor fins. Further, the method includes forming a first and second epitaxial stacks with different heights on each of the first and second semiconductor fins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Chih-Hao Wang, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Patent number: 11227932
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a fin field effect transistor (FinFET) incorporating a fin top hardmask on top of a channel region of a fin. Because of the presence of the fin top hardmask, a gate height of the FinFET can be reduced without affecting proper operations of vertical gate channels on sidewalls of the fin. Consequently, parasitic capacitance between a gate stack and source/drain contacts of the FinFET can be reduced by lowering the gate height of the FinFET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Kai-Chieh Yang, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11205714
    Abstract: In one example, a semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first elongated fin structure disposed on the substrate, and a second elongated fin structure disposed on the substrate. The longitudinal axis of the first elongated fin structure is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the second elongated fin structure. The device further includes a dummy structure extending between the first elongated fin structure and the second elongated fin structure. The dummy structure includes a dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Shi Ning Ju, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11195936
    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: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Shi-Ning Ju, Chih-Hao Wang, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Publication number: 20210351279
    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, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Chih-Hao Wang, Shi Ning Ju, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Patent number: 11171053
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes providing a device having a gate stack including a metal gate layer. The device further includes a spacer layer disposed on a sidewall of the gate stack and a source/drain feature adjacent to the gate stack. The method further includes performing a first etch-back process to the metal gate layer to form an etched-back metal gate layer. In some embodiments, the method includes depositing a metal layer over the etched-back metal gate layer. In some cases, a semiconductor layer is formed over both the metal layer and the spacer layer to provide a T-shaped helmet layer over the gate stack and the spacer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Lin-Yu Huang, Huan-Chieh Su, Sheng-Tsung Wang, Zhi-Chang Lin, Jia-Chuan You, Chia-Hao Chang, Tien-Lu Lin, Yu-Ming Lin, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11171238
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ka-Hing Fung, Chih-Sheng Chang, Zhiqiang Wu
  • Patent number: 11164961
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a substrate; forming on the substrate a semiconductor fin; an isolation structure surrounding the semiconductor fin; and first and second dielectric fins above the isolation structure and sandwiching the semiconductor fin; depositing a spacer feature filling spaces between the semiconductor fin and the first and second dielectric fins; performing an etching process to recess the semiconductor fin, resulting in a trench between portions of the spacer feature; and epitaxially growing a semiconductor material in the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11164786
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method to reduce power consumption in a fin structure. For example, the method includes forming a first and a second semiconductor fins on a substrate with different heights. The method also includes forming insulating fins between and adjacent to the first and the second semiconductor fins. Further, the method includes forming a first and second epitaxial stacks with different heights on each of the first and second semiconductor fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Chih-Hao Wang, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Patent number: 11158637
    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: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ka-Hing Fung, Chih-Sheng Chang, Zhiqiang Wu
  • Patent number: 11145748
    Abstract: One or more semiconductor arrangements and techniques for forming such semiconductor arrangements are provided. A semiconductor arrangement comprises a channel, such as an un-doped channel, over a substrate. The semiconductor arrangement comprises a gate, such as a gate-all-around structure gate, around the channel. The semiconductor arrangement comprises an isolation structure, such as a silicon germanium oxide structure, between the gate and the substrate. The isolation structure blocks current leakage into the substrate. Because the semiconductor arrangement comprises the isolation structure, the channel can be left un-doped, which improves electron mobility and decreases gate capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ching-Wei Tsai, Chih-Hao Wang, Carlos H. Diaz
  • Patent number: 11145553
    Abstract: Various methods are disclosed herein for fabricating non-planar circuit devices having strain-producing features. An exemplary method includes forming a fin structure that includes a first portion that includes a first semiconductor material and a second portion that includes a second semiconductor material that is different than the first semiconductor material. The method further includes forming a masking layer over a source region and a drain region of the fin structure, forming a strain-producing feature over the first portion of the fin structure in a channel region, removing the masking layer and forming an isolation feature over the strain-producing feature, forming an epitaxial feature over the second portion of the fin structure in the source region and the drain region, and performing a gate replacement process to form a gate structure over the second portion of the fin structure in the channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ka-Hing Fung, Zhiqiang Wu
  • Patent number: 11139381
    Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, in a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a fin structure in which first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers are alternately stacked is formed. A sacrificial gate structure is formed over the fin structure. A first cover layer is formed over the sacrificial gate structure, and a second cover layer is formed over the first cover layer. A source/drain epitaxial layer is formed. After the source/drain epitaxial layer is formed, the second cover layer is removed, thereby forming a gap between the source/drain epitaxial layer and the first cover layer, from which a part of the fin structure is exposed. Part of the first semiconductor layers is removed in the gap, thereby forming spaces between the second semiconductor layers. The spaces are filled with a first insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11133404
    Abstract: A finFET device having a substrate and a fin disposed on the substrate. The fin includes a passive region, a stem region overlying the passive region, and an active region overlying the stem region. The stem region has a first width and the active region has a second width. The first width is less than the second width. The stem region and the active region also have different compositions. A gate structure is disposed on the active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Colinge, Kuo-Cheng Ching, Zhiqiang Wu
  • Publication number: 20210296313
    Abstract: Examples of an integrated circuit with gate cut features and a method for forming the integrated circuit are provided herein. In some examples, a workpiece is received that includes a substrate and a plurality of fins extending from the substrate. A first layer is formed on a side surface of each of the plurality of fins such that a trench bounded by the first layer extends between the plurality of fins. A cut feature is formed in the trench. A first gate structure is formed on a first fin of the plurality of fins, and a second gate structure is formed on a second fin of the plurality of fins such that the cut feature is disposed between the first gate structure and the second gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Zhi-Chang Lin, Wei-Hao Wu, Jia-Ni Yu, Chih-Hao Wang, Kuo-Cheng Ching
  • Publication number: 20210296177
    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: May 27, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHING, Ching-Wei TSAI, Ying-Keung LEUNG
  • Publication number: 20210287945
    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 31, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHING, Lung-Kun CHU, Mao-Lin HUANG, Chung-Wei HSU
  • Patent number: 11121036
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first transistor having a first gate structure and a first source/drain feature adjacent to the first gate structure. The semiconductor device further includes a second transistor having a second gate structure and a second source/drain feature adjacent to the second gate structure. In some examples, the semiconductor device further includes a hybrid poly layer disposed between the first transistor and the second transistor. The hybrid poly layer is adjacent to and in contact with each of the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature, and the hybrid poly layer provides isolation between the first transistor and the second transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Huan-Chieh Su, Shi Ning Ju, Guan-Lin Chen, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20210273100
    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: May 18, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHING, Ching-Wei TSAI, Carlos H. DIAZ, Chih-Hao WANG, Wai-Yi LIEN, Ying-Keung LEUNG