Patents by Inventor Kuo-Hua Pan

Kuo-Hua Pan 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: 11837602
    Abstract: An embodiment method includes forming a semiconductor liner layer on a first fin structure and on a second fin structure and forming a first capping layer on the semiconductor liner layer disposed on the first fin structure. The method further includes forming a second capping layer on the semiconductor liner layer disposed on the first fin structure, where a composition of the first capping layer is different from a composition of the second capping layer. The method additionally includes performing a thermal process on the first capping layer, the second capping layer, and the semiconductor liner layer to form a first channel region in the first fin structure and a second channel region in the second fin structure. A concentration profile of a material of the first channel region is different from a concentration profile of a material of the second channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-San Chien, Hsin-Che Chiang, Chun-Sheng Liang, Kuo-Hua Pan
  • Publication number: 20230386935
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes providing a substrate having a base, a first fin, and a second fin over the base. The method includes forming a gate stack over the first fin and the second fin. The method includes forming a first spacer over gate sidewalls of the gate stack and a second spacer adjacent to the second fin. The method includes partially removing the first fin and the second fin. The method includes forming a first source/drain structure and a second source/drain structure in the first trench and the second trench respectively. A first ratio of a first height of the first merged portion to a second height of a first top surface of the first source/drain structure is greater than or equal to about 0.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ta-Chun LIN, Hou-Ju LI, Chun-Jun LIN, Yi-Fang PAI, Kuo-Hua PAN, Jhon-Jhy LIAW
  • Publication number: 20230386904
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an integrated circuit (IC) structure. The IC structure includes first and second fins formed on a semiconductor substrate and laterally separated from each other by an isolation feature, the isolation feature formed of a dielectric material that physically contacts the semiconductor substrate; and a contact feature between the first and second fins and extending into the isolation feature thereby defining an air gap vertically between the isolation feature and the contact feature, the dielectric material of the isolation feature extending from the semiconductor substrate to the contact feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Wen-Che Tsai, Min-Yann Hsieh, Hua Feng Chen, Kuo-Hua Pan
  • Publication number: 20230387274
    Abstract: A dummy fin described herein includes a low dielectric constant (low-k or LK) material outer shell. A leakage path that would otherwise occur due to a void being formed in the low-k material outer shell is filled with a high dielectric constant (high-k or HK) material inner core. This increases the effectiveness of the dummy fin to provide electrical isolation and increases device performance of a semiconductor device in which the dummy fin is included. Moreover, the dummy fin described herein may not suffer from bending issues experienced in other types of dummy fins, which may otherwise cause high-k induced alternating current (AC) performance degradation. The processes for forming the dummy fins described herein are compatible with other fin field effect transistor (finFET) formation processes and are be easily integrated to minimize and/or prevent polishing issues, etch back issues, and/or other types of semiconductor processing issues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Wei-Chih KAO, Hsin-Che CHIANG, Chun-Sheng LIANG, Kuo-Hua PAN
  • Publication number: 20230387114
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a first region and a second region. Multiple nanostructures are vertically stacked above the first region of the substrate. A first gate dielectric layer wraps each of the nanostructures. A first gate electrode layer is disposed on the first gate dielectric layer. A fin protruding from the second region of the substrate. The fin includes alternating first and second semiconductor layers with different material compositions. A second gate dielectric layer is disposed on top and sidewall surfaces of the fin. A second gate electrode layer is disposed on the second gate dielectric layer. A thickness of the first gate dielectric layer is smaller than a thickness of the second gate dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Lin, Kuo-Hua Pan, Jhon Jhy Liaw, Shien-Yang Wu
  • Publication number: 20230369465
    Abstract: An embodiment method includes: forming a semiconductor liner layer on exposed surfaces of a fin structure that extends above a dielectric isolation structure disposed over a substrate; forming a first capping layer to laterally surround a bottom portion of the semiconductor liner layer; forming a second capping layer over an upper portion of the semiconductor liner layer; and annealing the fin structure having the semiconductor liner layer, the first capping layer, and the second capping layer thereon, the annealing driving a dopant from the semiconductor liner layer into the fin structure, wherein a dopant concentration profile in a bottom portion of the fin structure is different from a dopant concentration profile in an upper portion of the fin structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Wei-Chih Kao, Hsin-Che Chiang, Yu-San Chien, Chun-Sheng Liang, Kuo-Hua Pan
  • Publication number: 20230369336
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device including a substrate, one hybrid fin, a gate, and a dielectric structure. The substrate includes at least two fins. The hybrid fin is disposed between the at least two fins. The gate covers portions of the at least two fins and the hybrid fin. The dielectric structure lands on the hybrid fin to divide the gate into two segment. The two segments are electrically isolated to each other by the dielectric structure and the hybrid fin. The hybrid fin includes a first portion, disposed between the two segments of the gate; and a second portion, disposed aside the first portion, wherein a top surface of the second portion is lower than a top surface of the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-San Chien, Chun-Sheng Liang, Jhon-Jhy Liaw, Kuo-Hua Pan, Hsin-Che Chiang
  • Publication number: 20230360961
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a semiconductor substrate including a first well region of a first conductivity type. The semiconductor device structure also includes a first fin structure and an adjacent second fin structure formed in and protruding from the first well region. The semiconductor device structure also includes a first isolation structure formed in the first well region between the first fin structure and the second fin structure. A first sidewall surface of the first fin structure faces to a second sidewall surface of the second fin structure. The first sidewall surface and the second sidewall surface each extend along at least two directions from a bottom of the first isolation structure to a top of the first isolation structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ta-Chun LIN, Tien-Shao CHUANG, Kuang-Cheng TAI, Chun-Hung CHEN, Chih-Hung HSIEH, Kuo-Hua PAN, Jhon-Jhy LIAW
  • Publication number: 20230361124
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first active region and a second active region disposed over a substrate. A first source/drain component is grown on the first active region. A second source/drain component is grown on the second active region. An interlayer dielectric (ILD) is disposed around the first source/drain component and the second source/drain component. An isolation structure extends vertically through the ILD. The isolation structure separates the first source/drain component from the second source/drain component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Lin, Kuan-Lin Yeh, Chun-Jun Lin, Kuo-Hua Pan, Mu-Chi Chiang
  • Publication number: 20230361114
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first semiconductor device formed over a substrate. The first semiconductor device includes a first source/drain feature over the substrate, a first gate structure over the substrate, a first conductive feature over the first source/drain feature, and a first insulation layer between the first gate structure and the first conductive feature, wherein the first insulation layer comprises a first contact etching stop layer (CESL) in contact with the first source/drain feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Ta-Chun LIN, Kuo-Hua PAN, Jhon Jhy LIAW
  • Patent number: 11804485
    Abstract: Transistors of different types of electronic devices on the same semiconductor substrate are configured with different transistor attributes to increase the performance of the different types of electronic devices. Fin height, shallow source drain (SSD) height, source or drain width, and/or one or more other transistor attributes may be co-optimized for the different types of electronic devices by various semiconductor manufacturing processes such as etching, lithography, process loading, and/or masking, among other examples. This enables the performance of a plurality of types of electronic devices on the same semiconductor substrate to be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Lin, Kuo-Hua Pan, Jhon Jhy Liaw
  • Patent number: 11804402
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an integrated circuit (IC) structure. The IC structure includes first and second fins formed on a semiconductor substrate and laterally separated from each other by an isolation feature, the isolation feature formed of a dielectric material that physically contacts the semiconductor substrate; and a contact feature between the first and second fins and extending into the isolation feature thereby defining an air gap vertically between the isolation feature and the contact feature, the dielectric material of the isolation feature extending from the semiconductor substrate to the contact feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Che Tsai, Min-Yann Hsieh, Hua Feng Chen, Kuo-Hua Pan
  • Patent number: 11799017
    Abstract: An embodiment method includes: forming a semiconductor liner layer on exposed surfaces of a fin structure that extends above a dielectric isolation structure disposed over a substrate; forming a first capping layer to laterally surround a bottom portion of the semiconductor liner layer; forming a second capping layer over an upper portion of the semiconductor liner layer; and annealing the fin structure having the semiconductor liner layer, the first capping layer, and the second capping layer thereon, the annealing driving a dopant from the semiconductor liner layer into the fin structure, wherein a dopant concentration profile in a bottom portion of the fin structure is different from a dopant concentration profile in an upper portion of the fin structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Wei-Chih Kao, Hsin-Che Chiang, Yu-San Chien, Chun-Sheng Liang, Kuo-Hua Pan
  • Publication number: 20230335643
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, an epitaxial structure over the substrate, a conductive structure, and a dielectric liner. The conductive structure extends from within the epitaxial structure to above the epitaxial structure. The dielectric liner extends along a sidewall of the conductive structure. The dielectric liner has a top end capped by the conductive structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Che TSAI, Min-Yann HSIEH, Hua-Feng CHEN, Kuo-Hua PAN
  • Publication number: 20230335619
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first active region over a substrate and extending along a first direction, a gate structure over the first active region and extending along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a gate-cut feature abutting an end of the gate structure, and a channel isolation feature extending along the second direction and between the first active region and a second active region. The gate structure includes a metal electrode in direct contact with the gate-cut feature. The channel isolation feature includes a liner on sidewalls extending along the second direction and a dielectric fill layer between the sidewalls. The gate-cut feature abuts an end of the channel isolation feature and the dielectric fill layer is in direct contact with the gate-cut feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Lin, Jhon Jhy Liaw, Kuo-Hua Pan
  • Patent number: 11791217
    Abstract: A structure includes a fin on a substrate; first and second gate stacks over the fin and including first and second gate dielectric layers and first and second gate electrodes respectively; and a dielectric gate over the fin and between the first and second gate stacks. The dielectric gate includes a dielectric material layer on a third gate dielectric layer. In a cross-sectional view cut along a direction parallel to a lengthwise direction of the fin and offset from the fin, the first gate dielectric layer forms a first U shape, the third gate dielectric layer forms a second U shape, a portion of the first gate electrode is disposed within the first U shape, a portion of the dielectric material layer is disposed within the second U shape, and a portion of an interlayer dielectric layer is disposed laterally between the first and the second U shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Lin, Buo-Chin Hsu, Kuo-Hua Pan, Jhon Jhy Liaw, Chih-Yung Lin
  • Publication number: 20230326999
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a gate stack over a substrate. The method includes forming a spacer structure over a sidewall of the gate stack. The method includes forming a source/drain structure in and over the substrate, wherein a portion of the spacer structure is between the source/drain structure and the gate stack. The method includes partially removing the outer layer, wherein a first lower portion of the outer layer remains between the source/drain structure and the gate stack. The method includes partially removing the middle layer, wherein a second lower portion of the middle layer remains between the source/drain structure and the gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ta-Chun LIN, Ming-Che CHEN, Chun-Jun LIN, Kuo-Hua PAN, Jhon-Jhy LIAW
  • Publication number: 20230320058
    Abstract: Methods and structures for the co-optimization of memory and logic devices. A device includes a substrate having a first region and a second region. The device may include a first gate structure disposed in the first region and a second gate structure disposed in the second region. The device may further include a first source/drain feature disposed adjacent to the first gate structure and a second source/drain feature disposed adjacent to the second gate structure. A first top surface of the first source/drain feature and a second top surface of the second source/drain feature are substantially level. A first bottom surface of the first source/drain feature is a first distance away from the first top surface, and a second bottom surface of the second source/drain feature is a second distance away from the second top surface. In some cases, the second distance is greater than the first distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Lin, Chih-Hung Hsieh, Chun-Jun Lin, Kuo-Hua Pan, Jhon Jhy Liaw
  • Publication number: 20230307299
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fabrication method that includes providing a workpiece having a semiconductor substrate with a first circuit area and a second circuit area; forming a first active region within the first circuit area and a second active region within the second circuit area; forming a first gate structure on the first active region and a second gate structure on the second active region; introducing a doping species to the first active region but not the second active region; performing an etching process, thereby simultaneously recessing both first source/drain regions of the first active region and second source/drain regions of the second active region at a same etch rate; and thereafter, epitaxially growing first source/drain features within the first source/drain regions and second source/drain features within the second source/drain regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Lin, Kuo-Hua Pan, Jhon Jhy Liaw
  • Patent number: 11756962
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device including a substrate, one hybrid fin, a gate, and a dielectric structure. The substrate includes at least two fins. The hybrid fin is disposed between the at least two fins. The gate covers portions of the at least two fins and the hybrid fin. The dielectric structure lands on the hybrid fin to divide the gate into two segment. The two segments are electrically isolated to each other by the dielectric structure and the hybrid fin. The hybrid fin includes a first portion, disposed between the two segments of the gate; and a second portion, disposed aside the first portion, wherein a top surface of the second portion is lower than a top surface of the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-San Chien, Chun-Sheng Liang, Jhon-Jhy Liaw, Kuo-Hua Pan, Hsin-Che Chiang