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: 11749683
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Lin, Kuan-Lin Yeh, Chun-Jun Lin, Kuo-Hua Pan, Mu-Chi Chiang
  • Patent number: 11749677
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first semiconductor device formed over a substrate and a second semiconductor device formed over the 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. The second semiconductor device includes a second source/drain feature over the substrate, a second gate structure over the substrate, a second conductive feature over the second source/drain feature, and a second insulation layer between the second gate structure and the second conductive feature. A width of the first conductive feature and a width of the second conductive feature are different, and a width of the first insulation layer is less than a width of the second insulation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Lin, Kuo-Hua Pan, Jhon Jhy Liaw
  • Patent number: 11742349
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first channel region, a second channel region, and a third channel region over a substrate, depositing a first interfacial layer over the first, second, and third channel regions, removing the first interfacial layer from the first and second channel regions, depositing a second interfacial layer over the first and second channel regions, thinning a thickness of the second interfacial layer over the first channel region, depositing a high-k dielectric layer over the first, second, and third channel regions, and forming a gate electrode layer over the first, second, and third channel regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Lin, Kuo-Hua Pan, Jhon Jhy Liaw, Shien-Yang Wu
  • Publication number: 20230260796
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, an initial pattern layout is obtained. The initial pattern layout incudes fin patterns which include active fin patterns to be formed as active fin structures and dummy fin patterns not to be formed as actual fin structures or to be removed. The locations of the fin patterns are modified, as follows. A space between adjacent active fin patterns is increased by a first amount, a space between the dummy fin patterns is decreased by a second amount, and a space between one of the dummy fin patterns and one of the active fin patterns adjacent to the one of the dummy fin patterns is decreased by a third amount. Mandrel patterns are placed so that the fin patterns of which locations are modified are placed along longitudinal edges of the mandrel patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Yu-Jen CHANG, Chih-Yang CHEN, Hua Feng CHEN, Kuo-Hua PAN, Mu-Chi CHIANG
  • Patent number: 11728206
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a first fin structure and an adjacent second fin structure protruding from the semiconductor substrate and an isolation structure formed in the semiconductor substrate and in direct contact with the first fin structure and the second fin structure. The first fin structure and the second fin structure each include a first portion protruding above a top surface of the isolation structure, a second portion in direct contact with a bottom surface of the first portion, and a third portion extending from a bottom of the second portion. A top width of the third portion is different than a bottom width of the third portion and a bottom width of the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 11721763
    Abstract: A method comprises forming a source/drain region on a substrate; forming a dielectric layer over the source/drain region; forming a contact hole in the dielectric layer; forming a contact hole liner in the contact hole; removing a first portion of the contact hole liner to expose a sidewall of the contact hole; etching the exposed sidewall of the contact hole to laterally expand the contact hole; and forming a contact plug in the laterally expanded contact hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Che Tsai, Min-Yann Hsieh, Hua-Feng Chen, Kuo-Hua Pan
  • Patent number: 11688791
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Lin, Jhon Jhy Liaw, Kuo-Hua Pan
  • Patent number: 11658074
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fabrication method that includes providing a workpiece having a semiconductor substrate that includes a first circuit area and a second circuit area; forming a first active region in the first circuit area and a second active region on the second circuit area; forming first stacks with a first gate spacing on the first active region and second gate stacks with a second gate spacing on the second active region, the second gate spacing being different from the first gate spacing; performing an ion implantation to introduce a doping species to the first active region; performing an etching process, thereby recessing both first source/drain regions of the first active region with a first etch rate and second source/drain regions of the second active region; and epitaxially growing first source/drain features within the first source/drain regions and second source/drain features within the second source/drain regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Lin, Kuo-Hua Pan, Jhon Jhy Liaw
  • Publication number: 20230145984
    Abstract: A method includes depositing a semiconductor stack within a first region and a second region on a substrate, the semiconductor stack having alternating layers of a first type of semiconductor material and a second type of semiconductor material. The method further includes removing a portion of the semiconductor stack from the second region to form a trench and with an epitaxial growth process, filling the trench with the second type of semiconductor material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Lin, Kuo-Hua Pan, Jhon Jhy Liaw
  • Publication number: 20230101278
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor fin protruding from a substrate, an S/D feature disposed over the semiconductor fin, and a first dielectric fin and a second dielectric fin disposed over the substrate, where the semiconductor fin is disposed between the first dielectric fin and the second dielectric fin, where a first air gap is enclosed by a first sidewall of the epitaxial S/D feature and the first dielectric fin, and where a second air gap is enclosed by a second sidewall of the epitaxial S/D feature and the second dielectric fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Lin, Kuo-Hua Pan, Jhon Jhy Liaw
  • Publication number: 20230081710
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods are provided. A semiconductor structure according to an embodiment includes a first cell disposed over a first well doped with a first-type dopant, a second cell disposed over the first well, and a tap cell disposed over the first well. The tap cell is sandwiched between the first cell and the second cell. The first cell includes a first plurality of transistors and the second cell includes a second plurality of transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Lin, Kuo-Hua Pan, Jhon Jhy Liaw
  • Publication number: 20230062379
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods of forming the same are provided. A method according to an embodiment includes receiving a workpiece comprising a first semiconductor element and a second semiconductor element, and a dielectric fin disposed between the first semiconductor element and the second semiconductor element. The method also includes forming a masking layer directly over the dielectric fin, etching the first semiconductor element and the second semiconductor element to form a first recess and a second recess, and forming a first source/drain feature and a second source/drain feature in the first recess and the second recess, respectively. By employing a masking layer and patterning the masking layer to have different widths, a parasitic resistance and a parasitic capacitance of the semiconductor structure may be adjusted accordingly, and undesirably bridging between two adjacent epitaxial source/drain features may be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Lin, Kuo-Hua Pan, Jhon Jhy Liaw
  • Publication number: 20230009852
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, hybrid fins positioned between two different epitaxial source/drain features are recessed to prevent conductive material from entering interior air gaps of the hybrid fins, thus, preventing short circuit between source/drain contacts and gate electrodes. Recessing the hybrid fins may be achieved by enlarging mask during semiconductor fin etch back, therefore, without increasing production cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Ta-Chun LIN, Chun-Jun LIN, Kuo-Hua PAN, Jhon Jhy LIAW, Hsiu-Yu KANG, Yu-Hsuan LU, Hui-Chi CHUANG
  • Patent number: 11545573
    Abstract: A method includes depositing a semiconductor stack within a first region and a second region on a substrate, the semiconductor stack having alternating layers of a first type of semiconductor material and a second type of semiconductor material. The method further includes removing a portion of the semiconductor stack from the second region to form a trench and with an epitaxial growth process, filling the trench with the second type of semiconductor material. The method further includes patterning the semiconductor stack within the first region to form a nanostructure stack, patterning the second type of semiconductor material within the second region to form a fin structure, and forming a gate structure over both the nanostructure stack and the fin structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Lin, Kuo-Hua Pan, Jhon Jhy Liaw
  • Patent number: 11532502
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor fin protruding from a substrate, an S/D feature disposed over the semiconductor fin, and a first dielectric fin and a second dielectric fin disposed over the substrate, where the semiconductor fin is disposed between the first dielectric fin and the second dielectric fin, where a first air gap is enclosed by a first sidewall of the epitaxial S/D feature and the first dielectric fin, and where a second air gap is enclosed by a second sidewall of the epitaxial S/D feature and the second dielectric fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Lin, Kuo-Hua Pan, Jhon Jhy Liaw
  • Patent number: 11515199
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods are provided. A semiconductor structure according to an embodiment includes a first cell disposed over a first well doped with a first-type dopant, a second cell disposed over the first well, and a tap cell disposed over a second well doped with a second-type dopant different from the first-type dopant. The tap cell is sandwiched between the first cell and the second cell. The first cell includes a first plurality of transistors and the second cell includes a second plurality of transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Lin, Kuo-Hua Pan, Jhon Jhy Liaw
  • Publication number: 20220375790
    Abstract: Interconnect structures and corresponding techniques for forming the interconnect structures are disclosed herein. An exemplary interconnect structure includes a conductive feature that includes cobalt and a via disposed over the conductive feature. The via includes a first via barrier layer disposed over the conductive feature, a second via barrier layer disposed over the first via barrier layer, and a via bulk layer disposed over the second via barrier layer. The first via barrier layer includes titanium, and the second via barrier layer includes titanium and nitrogen. The via bulk layer can include tungsten and/or cobalt. A capping layer may be disposed over the conductive feature, where the via extends through the capping layer to contact the conductive feature. In some implementations, the capping layer includes cobalt and silicon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Yu-Jen Chang, Min-Yann Hsieh, Hua Feng Chen, Kuo-Hua Pan
  • Publication number: 20220336448
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first semiconductor device formed over a substrate and a second semiconductor device formed over the 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. The second semiconductor device includes a second source/drain feature over the substrate, a second gate structure over the substrate, a second conductive feature over the second source/drain feature, and a second insulation layer between the second gate structure and the second conductive feature. A width of the first conductive feature and a width of the second conductive feature are different, and a width of the first insulation layer is less than a width of the second insulation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Ta-Chun LIN, Kuo-Hua PAN, Jhon Jhy LIAW
  • Publication number: 20220328361
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fabrication method that includes providing a workpiece having a semiconductor substrate that includes a first circuit area and a second circuit area; forming a first active region in the first circuit area and a second active region on the second circuit area; forming first stacks with a first gate spacing on the first active region and second gate stacks with a second gate spacing on the second active region, the second gate spacing being different from the first gate spacing; performing an ion implantation to introduce a doping species to the first active region; performing an etching process, thereby recessing both first source/drain regions of the first active region with a first etch rate and second source/drain regions of the second active region; and 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: April 8, 2021
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Lin, Kuo-Hua Pan, Jhon Jhy Liaw
  • Publication number: 20220328654
    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: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Wei-Chih KAO, Hsin-Che CHIANG, Chun-Sheng LIANG, Kuo-Hua PAN