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: 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: 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
  • 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: 20230369454
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: providing a substrate comprising a surface; forming fins on the substrate; depositing a dummy gate electrode over the fins; forming a gate spacer surrounding the dummy gate electrode; forming lightly-doped source/drain (LDD) regions in the substrate on two sides of the gate spacer; performing a first treatment at a first temperature to repair defects in at least one of the dummy gate electrode, the gate spacer and the LDD region; forming source/drain regions in the respective LDD regions; removing the dummy gate electrode to form a replacement gate; depositing an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer over the replacement gate and the source/drain regions; and subsequent to the forming of the replacement gate, performing a second treatment at a second temperature, lower than the first temperature, to repair defects of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: CHUN HSIUNG TSAI, KUO-FENG YU, YU-MING LIN, CLEMENT HSINGJEN WANN
  • Publication number: 20230369451
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a semiconductor fin extending from the substrate, and a silicon germanium (SiGe) epitaxial feature disposed over the semiconductor fin. A gallium-implanted layer is disposed over a top surface of the SiGe epitaxial feature, and a silicide feature is disposed over and in contact with the gallium-implanted layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Shahaji B. More, Chun Hsiung Tsai, Shih-Chieh Chang, Kuo-Feng Yu, Cheng-Yi Peng
  • Publication number: 20230361199
    Abstract: Provided is a device with a replacement spacer structure and a method for forming such a structure. The method includes forming an initial spacer structure, wherein the initial spacer structure has an initial etch rate for a selected etchant. The method further includes removing a portion of the initial spacer structure, wherein a remaining portion of the initial spacer structure is not removed. Also, the method includes forming a replacement spacer structure adjacent to the remaining portion of the initial spacer structure to form a combined spacer structure, wherein the combined spacer structure has an intermediate etch rate for the selected etchant that is less than the initial etch rate for a selected etchant. Further, the method includes etching the combined spacer structure with the selected etchant to form a final spacer structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Ta Chen, Ming-Chang Wen, Kuo-Feng Yu, Chen-Yu Tai, Yun Lee, Poya Chuang, Chun-Ming Yang, Yoh-Rong Liu, Ya-Ting Yang
  • Publication number: 20230343857
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a lower conductive layer is formed in an opening formed in a dielectric layer, and the lower conductive layer is recessed to form a space. A blanket conductive layer is formed over the recessed lower conductive layer in the space, a sidewall of the space and an upper surface of the dielectric layer. Part of the blanket conductive layer formed on the sidewall of the opening and the upper surface of the dielectric layer is removed, thereby forming a upper conductive layer on the lower conductive layer, and a cap insulating layer is formed over the upper conductive layer in the space. The blanket conductive layer is formed by physical vapor deposition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: An-Hung TAI, Chia-Wei CHEN, Shih-Hang CHIU, Yu-Hong LU, Hui-Chi CHEN, Kuo-Feng YU, Jian-Hao CHEN
  • Patent number: 11769817
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a semiconductor fin connected to the substrate, an epitaxial layer disposed over the semiconductor fin, and a silicide feature over and in contact with the epitaxial layer. The epitaxial layer including silicon germanium and further includes gallium in an upper portion of the epitaxial layer that is in contact with the silicide feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shahaji B. More, Chun Hsiung Tsai, Shih-Chieh Chang, Kuo-Feng Yu, Cheng-Yi Peng
  • Patent number: 11764284
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: providing a substrate comprising a surface; depositing a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer over the substrate; performing a first treatment by introducing a trap-repairing element on the first and second dielectric layers; forming a dummy gate electrode over the second dielectric layer; forming a gate spacer surrounding the dummy gate electrode; forming lightly-doped source/drain (LDD) regions in the substrate on two sides of the gate spacer; forming source/drain regions in the respective LDD regions; removing the dummy gate electrode to form a replacement gate; and forming an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer over the replacement gate and the source/drain regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Chun Hsiung Tsai, Kuo-Feng Yu, Yu-Ming Lin, Clement Hsingjen Wann
  • Publication number: 20230290638
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a gate dielectric layer over a substrate. The method includes forming a work function metal layer over the gate dielectric layer. The method includes forming a glue layer over the work function metal layer. The glue layer is thinner than the gate dielectric layer. The method includes forming a gate electrode over the glue layer. The gate electrode includes fluorine. The method includes annealing the gate electrode. The fluorine diffuses from the gate electrode into the gate dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Wei CHEN, Chih-Yu HSU, Cheng-Hong YANG, Jian-Hao CHEN, Kuo-Feng YU
  • Publication number: 20230268408
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a gate stack over the substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a cap layer over the gate stack. The semiconductor device structure includes a protective layer over the cap layer, wherein a lower portion of the protective layer extends into the cap layer. The semiconductor device structure includes a contact structure passing through the protective layer and the cap layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: An-Hung TAI, Jian-Hao CHEN, Hui-Chi CHEN, Kuo-Feng YU
  • Patent number: 11735484
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    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: 20230253256
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first gate dielectric, a second gate dielectric, and a third gate dielectric over a first semiconductor region, a second semiconductor region, and a third semiconductor region, respectively. The method further includes depositing a first lanthanum-containing layer overlapping the first gate dielectric, and depositing a second lanthanum-containing layer overlapping the second gate dielectric. The second lanthanum-containing layer is thinner than the first lanthanum-containing layer. An anneal process is then performed to drive lanthanum in the first lanthanum-containing layer and the second lanthanum-containing layer into the first gate dielectric and the second gate dielectric, respectively. During the anneal process, the third gate dielectric is free from lanthanum-containing layers thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Wen-Hung Huang, Kuo-Feng Yu, Jian-Hao Chen, Shan-Mei Liao, Jer-Fu Wang, Yung-Hsiang Chan
  • Publication number: 20230215929
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device and a method of forming the same. The semiconductor device includes a first channel members being vertically stacked, a second channel members being vertically stacked, an n-type work function layer wrapping around each of the first channel members, a first p-type work function layer over the n-type work function layer and wrapping around each of the first channel members, a second p-type work function layer wrapping around each of the second channel members, a third p-type work function layer over the second p-type work function layer and wrapping around each of the second channel members, and a gate cap layer over a top surface of the first p-type work function layer and a top surface of the third p-type work function layer such that the gate cap layer electrically couples the first p-type work function layer and the third p-type work function layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Chia-Wei Chen, Wei Cheng Hsu, Hui-Chi Chen, Jian-Hao Chen, Kuo-Feng Yu, Shih-Hang Chiu, Wei-Cheng Wang, Yen-Ju Chen
  • Publication number: 20230215766
    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: March 13, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Yung-Hsiang Chan, Wen-Hung Huang, Shan-Mei Liao, Jian-Hao Chen, Kuo-Feng Yu, Kuei-Lun Lin
  • Publication number: 20230187535
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. The method for manufacturing the semiconductor structure includes forming a fin structure protruding from a substrate, and the fin structure includes first semiconductor material layers and second semiconductor material layers alternately stacked. The method also includes forming a dummy gate structure across the fin structure and forming a gate spacer on a sidewall of the dummy gate structure. The method also includes partially oxidizing the gate spacer to form an oxide layer and removing the oxide layer to form a modified gate spacer. The method also includes removing the first semiconductor material layers to form gaps and forming a gate structure in the gaps to wrap around the second semiconductor material layers and over the second semiconductor material layers to cover the modified gate spacer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Yu-Jiun Peng, Hsuan-Chih Wu, Cheng-Chung Chang, Shu-Han Chen, Hsiu-Hao Tsao, Min-Chia Lee, Kai-Min Chien, Ming-Chang Wen, Kuo-Feng Yu, Chang-Jhih Syu
  • Patent number: 11664279
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first gate dielectric, a second gate dielectric, and a third gate dielectric over a first semiconductor region, a second semiconductor region, and a third semiconductor region, respectively. The method further includes depositing a first lanthanum-containing layer overlapping the first gate dielectric, and depositing a second lanthanum-containing layer overlapping the second gate dielectric. The second lanthanum-containing layer is thinner than the first lanthanum-containing layer. An anneal process is then performed to drive lanthanum in the first lanthanum-containing layer and the second lanthanum-containing layer into the first gate dielectric and the second gate dielectric, respectively. During the anneal process, the third gate dielectric is free from lanthanum-containing layers thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Hung Huang, Kuo-Feng Yu, Jian-Hao Chen, Shan-Mei Liao, Jer-Fu Wang, Yung-Hsiang Chan
  • Patent number: 11605563
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a stack of semiconductor layers vertically arranged above a semiconductor base structure, a gate dielectric layer having portions each surrounding one of the semiconductor layers, and a gate electrode surrounding the gate dielectric layer. Each portion of the gate dielectric layer has a top section above the respective semiconductor layer and a bottom section below the semiconductor layer. The top section has a top thickness along a vertical direction perpendicular to a top surface of the semiconductor base structure; and the bottom section has a bottom thickness along the vertical direction. The top thickness is greater than the bottom thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yung-Hsiang Chan, Wen-Hung Huang, Shan-Mei Liao, Kuei-Lun Lin, Jian-Hao Chen, Kuo-Feng Yu
  • Patent number: 11605720
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device and a method of forming the same. The semiconductor device includes a first channel members being vertically stacked, a second channel members being vertically stacked, an n-type work function layer wrapping around each of the first channel members, a first p-type work function layer over the n-type work function layer and wrapping around each of the first channel members, a second p-type work function layer wrapping around each of the second channel members, a third p-type work function layer over the second p-type work function layer and wrapping around each of the second channel members, and a gate cap layer over a top surface of the first p-type work function layer and a top surface of the third p-type work function layer such that the gate cap layer electrically couples the first p-type work function layer and the third p-type work function layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Wei Chen, Wei Cheng Hsu, Hui-Chi Chen, Jian-Hao Chen, Kuo-Feng Yu, Shih-Hang Chiu, Wei-Cheng Wang, Yen-Ju Chen
  • Publication number: 20230061018
    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: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Lee, Wen-Hung Huang, Kuo-Feng Yu, Jian-Hao Chen, Hsueh-Ju Chen, Zoe Chen