Patents by Inventor Kuo-Feng Yu

Kuo-Feng Yu 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: 20240243016
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first transistor located in a first region of a substrate and a second transistor located in a second region of the substrate. The first transistor includes first channel members vertically stacked above the substrate and a first gate structure wrapping around each of the first channel members. The first gate structure includes a first interfacial layer. The second transistor includes second channel members vertically stacked above the substrate and a second gate structure wrapping around each of the second channel members. The second gate structure includes a second interfacial layer. The second interfacial layer has a first sub-layer and a second sub-layer over the first sub-layer. The first and second sub-layers include different material compositions. A total thickness of the first and second sub-layers is larger than a thickness of the first interfacial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2024
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Lee, Wen-Hung Huang, Kuo-Feng Yu, Jian-Hao Chen, Hsueh-Ju Chen, Zoe Chen
  • Patent number: 12040235
    Abstract: A dummy gate electrode and a dummy gate dielectric are removed to form a recess between adjacent gate spacers. A gate dielectric is deposited in the recess, and a barrier layer is deposited over the gate dielectric. A first work function layer is deposited over the barrier layer. A first anti-reaction layer is formed over the first work function layer, the first anti-reaction layer reducing oxidation of the first work function layer. A fill material is deposited over the first anti-reaction layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Ching Lee, Hsin-Han Tsai, Shih-Hang Chiu, Tsung-Ta Tang, Chung-Chiang Wu, Hung-Chin Chung, Hsien-Ming Lee, Da-Yuan Lee, Jian-Hao Chen, Chien-Hao Chen, Kuo-Feng Yu, Chia-Wei Chen, Chih-Yu Hsu
  • Publication number: 20240234530
    Abstract: A device includes: a stack of nanostructure channels over a substrate; a gate structure wrapping around the stack; and a source/drain region on the substrate. The source/drain region includes: a first epitaxial layer in direct contact with the channels; and a second epitaxial layer on the first epitaxial layer, the second epitaxial layer having higher germanium concentration than the first epitaxial layer. The device further includes a bottom isolation structure between the source/drain region and the substrate, the bottom isolation structure being a dielectric layer that is in direct contact with the source/drain region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2023
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Chun-Hsiung TSAI, Yu-Ming LIN, Kuo-Feng YU, Yu-Ting LIN, Ming-Te CHEN, Yi-Hsiu HUANG
  • Patent number: 12022643
    Abstract: A transistor includes a gate structure that has a first gate dielectric layer and a second gate dielectric layer. The first gate dielectric layer is disposed over the substrate. The first gate dielectric layer contains a first type of dielectric material that has a first dielectric constant. The second gate dielectric layer is disposed over the first gate dielectric layer. The second gate dielectric layer contains a second type of dielectric material that has a second dielectric constant. The second dielectric constant is greater than the first dielectric constant. The first dielectric constant and the second dielectric constant are each greater than a dielectric constant of silicon oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Yu Hsu, Jian-Hao Chen, Chia-Wei Chen, Shan-Mei Liao, Hui-Chi Chen, Yu-Chia Liang, Shih-Hao Lin, Kuei-Lun Lin, Kuo-Feng Yu, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 12009400
    Abstract: A method includes forming a dielectric layer on a semiconductor workpiece, forming a first patterned layer of a first dipole material on the dielectric layer, and performing a first thermal drive-in operation at a first temperature to form a diffusion feature in a first portion of the dielectric layer beneath the first patterned layer. The method also includes forming a second patterned layer of a second dipole material, where a first section of the second patterned layer is on the diffusion feature and a second section of the second patterned layer is offset from the diffusion feature. The method further includes performing a second thermal drive-in operation at a second temperature, where the second temperature is less than the first temperature. The method additionally includes forming a gate electrode layer on the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yung-Hsiang Chan, Shan-Mei Liao, Wen-Hung Huang, Jian-Hao Chen, Kuo-Feng Yu, Mei-Yun Wang
  • Publication number: 20240186188
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer below a second semiconductor layer; first and second gate dielectric layers surrounding the first and the second semiconductor layers, respectively; and a gate electrode surrounding both the first and the second gate dielectric layers. The first gate dielectric layer has a first top section above the first semiconductor layer and a first bottom section below the first semiconductor layer. The second gate dielectric layer has a second top section above the second semiconductor layer and a second bottom section below the second semiconductor layer. The first top section has a first thickness. The second top section has a second thickness. The second thickness is greater than the first thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2024
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Yung-Hsiang CHAN, Wen-Hung HUANG, Shan-Mei LIAO, Jian-Hao CHEN, Kuo-Feng YU, Kuei-Lun LIN
  • Patent number: 11972982
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a fin structure is formed by patterning a semiconductor layer, and an annealing operation is performed on the fin structure. In the patterning of the semiconductor layer, a damaged area is formed on a sidewall of the fin structure, and the annealing operation eliminates the damaged area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chun Hsiung Tsai, Yu-Ming Lin, Kuo-Feng Yu, Ming-Hsi Yeh, Shahaji B. More, Chandrashekhar Prakash Savant, Chih-Hsin Ko, Clement Hsingjen Wann
  • Publication number: 20240113221
    Abstract: A fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device structure is provided. The FinFET device structure includes a plurality of fin structures above a substrate, an isolation structure over the substrate and between the fin structures, and a gate structure formed over the fin structure. The FinFET device structure includes a source/drain (S/D) structure over the fin structure, and the S/D structure is adjacent to the gate structure. The FinFET device structure also includes a metal silicide layer over the S/D structure, and the metal silicide layer is in contact with the isolation structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsiung TSAI, Shahaji B. MORE, Cheng-Yi PENG, Yu-Ming LIN, Kuo-Feng YU, Ziwei FANG
  • Patent number: 11908745
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer below a second semiconductor layer; first and second gate dielectric layers surrounding the first and the second semiconductor layers, respectively; and a gate electrode surrounding both the first and the second gate dielectric layers. The first gate dielectric layer has a first top section above the first semiconductor layer and a first bottom section below the first semiconductor layer. The second gate dielectric layer has a second top section above the second semiconductor layer and a second bottom section below the second semiconductor layer. The first top section has a first thickness. The second top section has a second thickness. The second thickness is greater than the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yung-Hsiang Chan, Wen-Hung Huang, Shan-Mei Liao, Jian-Hao Chen, Kuo-Feng Yu, Kuei-Lun Lin
  • Patent number: 11894276
    Abstract: A method includes providing a structure having a first channel member and a second channel member over a substrate. The first channel member is located in a first region of the structure and the second channel member is located in a second region of the structure. The method also includes forming a first oxide layer over the first channel member and a second oxide layer over the second channel member, forming a first dielectric layer over the first oxide layer and a second dielectric layer over the second oxide layer, and forming a capping layer over the second dielectric layer but not over the first dielectric layer. The method further includes performing an annealing process to increase a thickness of the second oxide layer under the capping layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Lee, Wen-Hung Huang, Kuo-Feng Yu, Jian-Hao Chen, Hsueh-Ju Chen, Zoe Chen
  • Publication number: 20240014279
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a fin over a substrate, the fin comprising alternately stacking first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers, removing the first semiconductor layers to form spaces each between the second semiconductor layers, forming a gate dielectric layer wrapping around each of the second semiconductor layers, forming a fluorine-containing layer on the gate dielectric layer, performing an anneal process to drive fluorine atoms from the fluorine-containing layer into the gate dielectric layer, removing the fluorine-containing layer, and forming a metal gate on the gate dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yi LEE, Shan-Mei LIAO, Kuo-Feng YU, Da-Yuan LEE, Weng CHANG, Chi On CHUI
  • Patent number: 11855208
    Abstract: A method for forming a FinFET device structure is provided. The method includes forming a fin structure extended above a substrate and forming a gate structure formed over a portion of the fin structure. The method also includes forming a source/drain (S/D) structure over the fin structure, and the S/D structure is adjacent to the gate structure. The method further includes doping an outer portion of the S/D structure to form a doped region, and the doped region includes gallium (Ga). The method includes forming a metal silicide layer over the doped region; and forming an S/D contact structure over the metal silicide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Tsai, Shahaji B. More, Cheng-Yi Peng, Yu-Ming Lin, Kuo-Feng Yu, Ziwei Fang
  • Patent number: 11855176
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a fin structure protruding from a substrate and a doped region formed in the fin structure. The semiconductor structure further includes a metal gate structure formed across the fin structure and a gate spacer formed on a sidewall of the metal gate structure. The semiconductor structure further includes a source/drain structure formed over the doped region. In addition, the doped region continuously surrounds the source/drain structure and is in direct contact with the gate spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shahaji B. More, Chun-Hsiung Tsai, Cheng-Yi Peng, Shih-Chieh Chang, Kuo-Feng Yu
  • Publication number: 20230411220
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. An exemplary semiconductor device comprises a first semiconductor stack and a second semiconductor stack over a substrate, wherein each of the first and second semiconductor stacks includes semiconductor layers stacked up and separated from each other; a dummy spacer between the first and second semiconductor stacks, wherein the dummy spacer contacts a first sidewall of each semiconductor layer of the first and second semiconductor stacks; and a gate structure wrapping a second sidewall, a top surface, and a bottom surface of each semiconductor layer of the first and second semiconductor stacks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Chih-Yu Hsu, Jian-Hao Chen, Chia-Wei Chen, Shan-Mei Liao, Hui-Chi Chen, Cheng Hong Yang, Shih-Hao Lin, Kuo-Feng Yu, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20230395598
    Abstract: A sacrificial layer is formed over a first channel structure of an N-type transistor (NFET) and over a second channel structure of a P-type transistor (PFET). A PFET patterning process is performed at least in part by etching away the sacrificial layer in the PFET while protecting the NFET from being etched. After the PFET patterning process has been performed, a P-type work function (WF) metal layer is deposited in both the NFET and the PFET. An NFET patterning process is performed at least in part by etching away the P-type WF metal layer and the sacrificial layer in the NFET while protecting the PFET from being etched. After the NFET patterning process has been performed, an N-type WF metal layer is deposited in both the NFET and the PFET.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Jo-Chun Hung, Chih-Wei Lee, Wen-Hung Huang, Hui-Chi Chen, Jian-Hao Chen, Kuo-Feng Yu, Hsin-Han Tsai, Yin-Chuan Chuang, Yu-Ling Cheng, Yu-Xuan Wang, Tefu Yeh
  • Publication number: 20230395432
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods are provided. An exemplary method according to the present disclosure includes providing a workpiece comprising a first channel member directly over a first region of a substrate and a second channel member directly over the first channel member, the first channel member being vertically spaced apart from the second channel member, conformally forming a dielectric layer over the workpiece, conformally depositing a dipole material layer over the dielectric layer, after the depositing of the dipole material layer, performing a thermal treatment process to the workpiece, after the performing of the thermal treatment process, selectively removing the dipole material layer, and forming a gate electrode layer over the dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Chien-Yuan Chen, Kuo-Feng Yu, Jian-Hao Chen, Chih-Yu Hsu, Yao-Teng Chuang, Shan-Mei Liao
  • Publication number: 20230395435
    Abstract: A method includes providing a structure having a first stack of nanostructures spaced vertically one from another and a second stack of nanostructures spaced vertically one from another, forming a dielectric layer wrapping around each of the nanostructures in the first and second stacks, depositing an n-type work function layer on the dielectric layer and a p-type work function layer on the n-type work function layer and over the first and second stacks. The n-type work function layer wraps around each of the nanostructures in the first stack. The p-type work function layer wraps around each of the nanostructures in the second stack. The method also includes forming an electrode layer on the p-type work function layer and over the first and second stacks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Lee, Jo-Chun Hung, Wen-Hung Huang, Jian-Hao Chen, Kuo-Feng Yu
  • Publication number: 20230389256
    Abstract: A transistor includes a gate structure that has a first gate dielectric layer and a second gate dielectric layer. The first gate dielectric layer is disposed over the substrate. The first gate dielectric layer contains a first type of dielectric material that has a first dielectric constant. The second gate dielectric layer is disposed over the first gate dielectric layer. The second gate dielectric layer contains a second type of dielectric material that has a second dielectric constant. The second dielectric constant is greater than the first dielectric constant. The first dielectric constant and the second dielectric constant are each greater than a dielectric constant of silicon oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Chih-Yu Hsu, Jian-Hao Chen, Chia-Wei Chen, Shan-Mei Liao, Hui-Chi Chen, Yu-Chia Liang, Shih-Hao Lin, Kuei-Lun Lin, Kuo-Feng Yu, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20230387233
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a gate space is formed by removing a sacrificial gate electrode formed over a channel region, a first gate dielectric layer is formed over the channel region in the gate space, a second gate dielectric layer is formed over the first gate dielectric layer, one or more conductive layers is formed on the second gate dielectric layer, the second gate dielectric layer and the one or more conductive layers are recessed, an annealing operation is performed to diffuse an element of the second gate dielectric layer into the first gate dielectric layer, and one or more metal layers are formed in the gate space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Yung-Hsiang CHAN, An-Hung TAI, Hui-Chi CHEN, J.F. CHUEH, Yen-Ta LIN, Ming-Chi HUANG, Cheng-Chieh TU, Jian-Hao CHEN, Kuo-Feng YU
  • Publication number: 20230386926
    Abstract: A dummy gate electrode and a dummy gate dielectric are removed to form a recess between adjacent gate spacers. A gate dielectric is deposited in the recess, and a barrier layer is deposited over the gate dielectric. A first work function layer is deposited over the barrier layer. A first anti-reaction layer is formed over the first work function layer, the first anti-reaction layer reducing oxidation of the first work function layer. A fill material is deposited over the first anti-reaction layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Chia-Ching Lee, Hsin-Han Tsai, Shih-Hang Chiu, Tsung-Ta Tang, Chung-Chiang Wu, Hung-Chin Chung, Hsien-Ming Lee, Da-Yuan Lee, Jian-Hao Chen, Chien-Hao Chen, Kuo-Feng Yu, Chia-Wei Chen, Chih-Yu Hsu