Patents by Inventor Kuo-Chih Lai

Kuo-Chih Lai 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: 20240155845
    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: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2024
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: TsuChing Yang, Hung-Chang Sun, Kuo Chang Chiang, Sheng-Chih Lai, Yu-Wei Jiang
  • Publication number: 20240128324
    Abstract: A field effect transistor includes a substrate having a transistor forming region thereon; an insulating layer on the substrate; a first graphene layer on the insulating layer within the transistor forming region; an etch stop layer on the first graphene layer within the transistor forming region; a first inter-layer dielectric layer on the etch stop layer; a gate trench recessed into the first inter-layer dielectric layer and the etch stop layer within the transistor forming region; a second graphene layer on interior surface of the gate trench; a gate dielectric layer on the second graphene layer and on the first inter-layer dielectric layer; and a gate electrode on the gate dielectric layer within the gate trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chih Lai, Shih-Min Chou, Nien-Ting Ho, Wei-Ming Hsiao, Li-Han Chen, Szu-Yao Yu, Chung-Yi Chiu
  • Publication number: 20240114690
    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: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: TsuChing Yang, Hung-Chang Sun, Kuo Chang Chiang, Sheng-Chih Lai, Yu-Wei Jiang
  • Publication number: 20240088291
    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: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: 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: 11856870
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) structure includes a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), and a top electrode which contacts an end of the MTJ. The top electrode includes a top electrode upper portion and a top electrode lower portion. The width of the top electrode upper portion is larger than the width of the top electrode lower portion. A bottom electrode contacts another end of the MTJ. The top electrode, the MTJ and the bottom electrode form an MRAM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chih Lai, Yi-Syun Chou, Ko-Wei Lin, Pei-Hsun Kao, Wei Chen, Chia-Fu Cheng, Chun-Yao Yang, Chia-Chang Hsu
  • Publication number: 20220320420
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) structure includes a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), and a top electrode which contacts an end of the MTJ. The top electrode includes a top electrode upper portion and a top electrode lower portion. The width of the top electrode upper portion is larger than the width of the top electrode lower portion. A bottom electrode contacts another end of the MTJ. The top electrode, the MTJ and the bottom electrode form an MRAM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chih Lai, Yi-Syun Chou, Ko-Wei Lin, Pei-Hsun Kao, Wei Chen, Chia-Fu Cheng, Chun-Yao Yang, Chia-Chang Hsu
  • Patent number: 11424408
    Abstract: An ReRAM structure includes a dielectric layer. A first ReRAM and a second ReRAM are disposed on the dielectric layer. The second ReRAM is at one side of the first ReRAM. A trench is disposed in the dielectric layer between the first ReRAM and the second ReRAM. The first ReRAM includes a bottom electrode, a variable resistive layer and a top electrode. The variable resistive layer is between the bottom electrode and the top electrode. A width of the bottom electrode is smaller than a width of the top electrode. The width of the bottom electrode is smaller than a width of the variable resistive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Shih-Min Chou, Kuo-Chih Lai, Wei-Ming Hsiao, Hui-Ting Lin, Szu-Yao Yu, Nien-Ting Ho, Hsin-Fu Huang, Chin-Fu Lin
  • Patent number: 11404631
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) structure includes a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), and a top electrode which contacts an end of the MTJ. The top electrode includes a top electrode upper portion and a top electrode lower portion. The width of the top electrode upper portion is larger than the width of the top electrode lower portion. A bottom electrode contacts another end of the MTJ. The top electrode, the MTJ and the bottom electrode form an MRAM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chih Lai, Yi-Syun Chou, Ko-Wei Lin, Pei-Hsun Kao, Wei Chen, Chia-Fu Cheng, Chun-Yao Yang, Chia-Chang Hsu
  • Publication number: 20220238632
    Abstract: A method for forming a thin film resistor with improved thermal stability is disclosed. A substrate having thereon a first dielectric layer is provided. A resistive material layer is deposited on the first dielectric layer. A capping layer is deposited on the resistive material layer. The resistive material layer is then subjected to a thermal treatment at a pre-selected temperature higher than 350 degrees Celsius in a hydrogen or deuterium atmosphere. The capping layer and the resistive material layer are patterned to form a thin film resistor on the first dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Kuo-Chih Lai, Chi-Mao Hsu, Shih-Min Chou, Nien-Ting Ho, Wei-Ming Hsiao, Li-Han Chen, Szu-Yao Yu, Hsin-Fu Huang
  • Publication number: 20210351347
    Abstract: An ReRAM structure includes a dielectric layer. A first ReRAM and a second ReRAM are disposed on the dielectric layer. The second ReRAM is at one side of the first ReRAM. A trench is disposed in the dielectric layer between the first ReRAM and the second ReRAM. The first ReRAM includes a bottom electrode, a variable resistive layer and a top electrode. The variable resistive layer is between the bottom electrode and the top electrode. A width of the bottom electrode is smaller than a width of the top electrode. The width of the bottom electrode is smaller than a width of the variable resistive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Shih-Min Chou, Kuo-Chih Lai, Wei-Ming Hsiao, Hui-Ting Lin, Szu-Yao Yu, Nien-Ting Ho, Hsin-Fu Huang, Chin-Fu Lin
  • Patent number: 11165019
    Abstract: An ReRAM structure includes a dielectric layer. A first ReRAM and a second ReRAM are disposed on the dielectric layer. The second ReRAM is at one side of the first ReRAM. A trench is disposed in the dielectric layer between the first ReRAM and the second ReRAM. The first ReRAM includes a bottom electrode, a variable resistive layer and a top electrode. The variable resistive layer is between the bottom electrode and the top electrode. A width of the bottom electrode is smaller than a width of the top electrode. The width of the bottom electrode is smaller than a width of the variable resistive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Shih-Min Chou, Kuo-Chih Lai, Wei-Ming Hsiao, Hui-Ting Lin, Szu-Yao Yu, Nien-Ting Ho, Hsin-Fu Huang, Chin-Fu Lin
  • Patent number: 11139384
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a first region, a second region, a third region, and a fourth region; forming a tuning layer on the second region; forming a first work function metal layer on the first region and the tuning layer of the second region; forming a second work function metal layer on the first region, the second region, and the fourth region; and forming a top barrier metal (TBM) layer on the first region, the second region, the third region, and the fourth region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chih Lai, Yun-Tzu Chang, Wei-Ming Hsiao, Nien-Ting Ho, Shih-Min Chou, Yang-Ju Lu, Ching-Yun Chang, Yen-Chen Chen, Kuan-Chun Lin, Chi-Mao Hsu
  • Publication number: 20210057643
    Abstract: An ReRAM structure includes a dielectric layer. A first ReRAM and a second ReRAM are disposed on the dielectric layer. The second ReRAM is at one side of the first ReRAM. A trench is disposed in the dielectric layer between the first ReRAM and the second ReRAM. The first ReRAM includes a bottom electrode, a variable resistive layer and a top electrode. The variable resistive layer is between the bottom electrode and the top electrode. A width of the bottom electrode is smaller than a width of the top electrode. The width of the bottom electrode is smaller than a width of the variable resistive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Shih-Min Chou, Kuo-Chih Lai, Wei-Ming Hsiao, Hui-Ting Lin, Szu-Yao Yu, Nien-Ting Ho, Hsin-Fu Huang, Chin-Fu Lin
  • Publication number: 20200403144
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) structure includes a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), and a top electrode which contacts an end of the MTJ. The top electrode includes a top electrode upper portion and a top electrode lower portion. The width of the top electrode upper portion is larger than the width of the top electrode lower portion. A bottom electrode contacts another end of the MTJ. The top electrode, the MTJ and the bottom electrode form an MRAM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Kuo-Chih Lai, Yi-Syun Chou, Ko-Wei Lin, Pei-Hsun Kao, Wei Chen, Chia-Fu Cheng, Chun-Yao Yang, Chia-Chang Hsu
  • Patent number: 10756128
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. The complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor includes a P-N junction photodiode, a transistor gate, a polysilicon plug and a stacked metal layer. The P-N junction photodiode is disposed in a substrate. The transistor gate and the polysilicon plug are disposed on the substrate, wherein the polysilicon plug is directly connected to the P-N junction photodiode. The stacked metal layer connects the polysilicon plug to the transistor gate, wherein the stacked metal layer includes a lower metal layer and an upper metal layer, and the lower metal layer includes a first metal silicide part contacting to the polysilicon plug. The present invention also provides a method of fabricating said integrated circuit device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chih Lai, Shih-Min Chou, Ko-Wei Lin, Chin-Fu Lin, Wei-Chuan Tsai, Chun-Yao Yang, Chia-Fu Cheng, Yi-Syun Chou, Wei Chen
  • Publication number: 20200212090
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. The complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor includes a P-N junction photodiode, a transistor gate, a polysilicon plug and a stacked metal layer. The P-N junction photodiode is disposed in a substrate. The transistor gate and the polysilicon plug are disposed on the substrate, wherein the polysilicon plug is directly connected to the P-N junction photodiode. The stacked metal layer connects the polysilicon plug to the transistor gate, wherein the stacked metal layer includes a lower metal layer and an upper metal layer, and the lower metal layer includes a first metal silicide part contacting to the polysilicon plug. The present invention also provides a method of fabricating said integrated circuit device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Kuo-Chih Lai, Shih-Min Chou, Ko-Wei Lin, Chin-Fu Lin, Wei-Chuan Tsai, Chun-Yao Yang, Chia-Fu Cheng, Yi-Syun Chou, Wei Chen
  • Publication number: 20200006514
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a first region, a second region, a third region, and a fourth region; forming a tuning layer on the second region; forming a first work function metal layer on the first region and the tuning layer of the second region; forming a second work function metal layer on the first region, the second region, and the fourth region; and forming a top barrier metal (TBM) layer on the first region, the second region, the third region, and the fourth region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Kuo-Chih Lai, Yun-Tzu Chang, Wei-Ming Hsiao, Nien-Ting Ho, Shih-Min Chou, Yang-Ju Lu, Ching-Yun Chang, Yen-Chen Chen, Kuan-Chun Lin, Chi-Mao Hsu
  • Patent number: 10490643
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a first region, a second region, a third region, and a fourth region; forming a tuning layer on the second region; forming a first work function metal layer on the first region and the tuning layer of the second region; forming a second work function metal layer on the first region, the second region, and the fourth region; and forming a top barrier metal (TBM) layer on the first region, the second region, the third region, and the fourth region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chih Lai, Yun-Tzu Chang, Wei-Ming Hsiao, Nien-Ting Ho, Shih-Min Chou, Yang-Ju Lu, Ching-Yun Chang, Yen-Chen Chen, Kuan-Chun Lin, Chi-Mao Hsu
  • Patent number: 10340350
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The semiconductor structure includes an isolation layer, a gate dielectric layer, a tantalum nitride layer, a tantalum oxynitride layer, an n type work function metal layer and a filling metal. The isolation layer is formed on a substrate, and the isolation layer has a first gate trench. The gate dielectric layer is formed in the first gate trench, the tantalum nitride layer is formed on the gate dielectric layer, and the tantalum oxynitride layer is formed on the tantalum nitride layer. The n type work function metal layer is formed on the tantalum oxynitride layer in the first gate trench, and the filling metal is formed on the n type work function metal layer in the first gate trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Shih-Min Chou, Yun-Tzu Chang, Wei-Ning Chen, Wei-Ming Hsiao, Chia-Chang Hsu, Kuo-Chih Lai, Yang-Ju Lu, Yen-Chen Chen, Chun-Yao Yang
  • Patent number: 10290710
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming the same, the semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first gradient layer, two source/drain structures, a second gradient layer, and a gate. The first gradient layer is disposed on the substrate. The two source/drain structures are separately disposed on the first gradient layer. The second gradient layer is disposed on the two source/drain structures and the first gradient layer, and a second portion of the second gradient layer directly contacts a first portion of the first gradient layer. The gate is disposed on the second gradient layer, between the two source/drain structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chih Lai, Ming-Chang Lu, Wei Chen, Hui-Lin Wang, Yi-Ting Liao, Chin-Fu Lin