Patents by Inventor Kuo-Ju Chen
Kuo-Ju Chen 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).
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Publication number: 20220140142Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a source/drain (S/D) feature disposed in a semiconductor layer, a metal gate stack (MG) disposed in a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer and adjacent to the S/D feature, a second ILD layer disposed over the MG, and an S/D contact disposed over the S/D feature. The semiconductor structure further includes an air gap disposed between a sidewall of a bottom portion of the S/D contact and the first ILD layer, where a sidewall of a top portion of the S/D contact is in direct contact with the second ILD layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2022Publication date: May 5, 2022Inventors: Chao-Hsun Wang, Chen-Ming Lee, Kuo-Yi Chao, Mei-Yun Wang, Pei-Yu Chou, Kuo-Ju Chen
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Publication number: 20220122884Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for forming conductive features in a dielectric layer without using adhesion layers or barrier layers and devices formed thereby. In some embodiments, a structure comprising a dielectric layer over a substrate, and a conductive feature disposed through the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer has a lower surface near the substrate and a top surface distal from the substrate. The conductive feature is in direct contact with the dielectric layer, and the dielectric layer comprises an implant species. A concentration of the implant species in the dielectric layer has a peak concentration proximate the top surface of the dielectric layer, and the concentration of the implant species decreases from the peak concentration in a direction towards the lower surface of the dielectric layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2021Publication date: April 21, 2022Inventors: Li-Chieh Wu, Tang-Kuei Chang, Kuo-Hsiu Wei, Kei-Wei Chen, Ying-Lang Wang, Su-Hao Liu, Kuo-Ju Chen, Liang-Yin Chen, Huicheng Chang, Ting-Kui Chang, Chia Hsuan Lee
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Patent number: 11289417Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate structure, a dielectric structure and a contact structure. The substrate has source/drain (S/D) regions. The gate structure is on the substrate and between the S/D regions. The dielectric structure covers the gate structure. The contact structure penetrates through the dielectric structure to connect to the S/D region. A lower portion of a sidewall of the contact structure is spaced apart from the dielectric structure by an air gap therebetween, while an upper portion of the sidewall of the contact structure is in contact with the dielectric structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Pei-Yu Chou, Jr-Hung Li, Liang-Yin Chen, Su-Hao Liu, Tze-Liang Lee, Meng-Han Chou, Kuo-Ju Chen, Huicheng Chang, Tsai-Jung Ho, Tzu-Yang Ho
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Publication number: 20220093758Abstract: Methods for improving sealing between contact plugs and adjacent dielectric layers and semiconductor devices formed by the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first dielectric layer over a conductive feature, a first portion of the first dielectric layer including a first dopant; a metal feature electrically coupled to the conductive feature, the metal feature including a first contact material in contact with the conductive feature; a second contact material over the first contact material, the second contact material including a material different from the first contact material, a first portion of the second contact material further including the first dopant; and a dielectric liner between the first dielectric layer and the metal feature, a first portion of the dielectric liner including the first dopant.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2021Publication date: March 24, 2022Inventors: Kuo-Ju Chen, Shih-Hsiang Chiu, Su-Hao Liu, Liang-Yin Chen, Huicheng Chang, Yee-Chia Yeo
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Publication number: 20220059405Abstract: A method includes forming a metallic feature, forming an etch stop layer over the metallic feature, implanting the metallic feature with a dopant, forming a dielectric layer over the etch stop layer, performing a first etching process to etch the dielectric layer and the etch stop layer to form a first opening, performing a second etching process to etch the metallic feature and to form a second opening in the metallic feature, wherein the second opening is joined with the first opening, and filling the first opening and the second opening with a metallic material to form a contact plug.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2020Publication date: February 24, 2022Inventors: Meng-Han Chou, Su-Hao Liu, Kuo-Ju Chen, Liang-Yin Chen, Huicheng Chang, Yee-Chia Yeo
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Patent number: 11257952Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to using an implantation process and a melting anneal process performed on a nanosecond scale to achieve a high surface concentration (surface pile up) dopant profile and a retrograde dopant profile simultaneously. In an embodiment, a method includes forming a source/drain structure in an active area on a substrate, the source/drain structure including a first region comprising germanium, implanting a first dopant into the first region of the source/drain structure to form an amorphous region in at least the first region of the source/drain structure, implanting a second dopant into the amorphous region containing the first dopant, and heating the source/drain structure to liquidize and convert at least the amorphous region into a crystalline region, the crystalline region containing the first dopant and the second dopant.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Su-Hao Liu, Kuo-Ju Chen, Wen-Yen Chen, Ying-Lang Wang, Liang-Yin Chen, Li-Ting Wang, Huicheng Chang
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Patent number: 11227950Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a source/drain (S/D) feature disposed in a semiconductor layer, a metal gate stack (MG) disposed in a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer and adjacent to the S/D feature, a second ILD layer disposed over the MG, and an S/D contact disposed over the S/D feature. The semiconductor structure further includes an air gap disposed between a sidewall of a bottom portion of the S/D contact and the first ILD layer, where a sidewall of a top portion of the S/D contact is in direct contact with the second ILD layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2019Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Chao-Hsun Wang, Chen-Ming Lee, Kuo-Yi Chao, Mei-Yun Wang, Pei-Yu Chou, Kuo-Ju Chen
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Patent number: 11211289Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for forming conductive features in a dielectric layer without using adhesion layers or barrier layers and devices formed thereby. In some embodiments, a structure comprising a dielectric layer over a substrate, and a conductive feature disposed through the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer has a lower surface near the substrate and a top surface distal from the substrate. The conductive feature is in direct contact with the dielectric layer, and the dielectric layer comprises an implant species. A concentration of the implant species in the dielectric layer has a peak concentration proximate the top surface of the dielectric layer, and the concentration of the implant species decreases from the peak concentration in a direction towards the lower surface of the dielectric layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2019Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Li-Chieh Wu, Tang-Kuei Chang, Kuo-Hsiu Wei, Kei-Wei Chen, Ying-Lang Wang, Su-Hao Liu, Kuo-Ju Chen, Liang-Yin Chen, Huicheng Chang, Ting-Kui Chang, Chia Hsuan Lee
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Publication number: 20210335719Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first dielectric layer disposed over a substrate and a conductive feature, a doped dielectric layer disposed over the first dielectric layer, a first metal portion disposed in the first dielectric layer and in contact with the conductive feature, and a doped metal portion disposed over the first metal portion. The first metal portion and the doped metal portion include a same noble metal material. The doped dielectric layer and the doped metal portion include same dopants. The dopants are bonded to the noble metal material.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2021Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventors: Kuo-Ju Chen, Chun-Hsien Huang, Su-Hao Liu, Liang-Yin Chen, Huicheng Chang, Yee-Chia Yeo
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Publication number: 20210327818Abstract: A connecting structure includes a first dielectric layer disposed over a substrate and a conductive feature, a doped dielectric layer disposed over the first dielectric layer, a first metal portion disposed in the first dielectric layer and in contact with the conductive feature, and a doped metal portion disposed over the first metal portion. The first metal portion and the doped metal portion include a same noble metal material. The doped dielectric layer and the doped metal portion include same dopants.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2021Publication date: October 21, 2021Inventors: Kuo-Ju Chen, Chun-Hsien Huang, Su-Hao Liu, Liang-Yin Chen, Huicheng Chang, Yee-Chia Yeo
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Patent number: 11145751Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a gate structure, a source/drain structure, a dielectric layer, a contact plug. The gate structure is positioned over a fin structure. The source/drain structure is positioned in the fin structure and adjacent to the gate structure. The dielectric layer is positioned over the gate structure and the source/drain structure. The contact plug is positioned passing through the dielectric layer. The contact plug includes a first metal compound including one of group III elements, group IV elements, group V elements or a combination thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2018Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Kuo-Ju Chen, Su-Hao Liu, Chun-Hao Kung, Liang-Yin Chen, Huicheng Chang, Kei-Wei Chen, Hui-Chi Huang, Kao-Feng Liao, Chih-Hung Chen, Jie-Huang Huang, Lun-Kuang Tan, Wei-Ming You
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Publication number: 20210226008Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to doping for conductive features in a semiconductor device. In an example, a structure includes an active region of a transistor. The active region includes a source/drain region, and the source/drain region is defined at least in part by a first dopant having a first dopant concentration. The source/drain region further includes a second dopant with a concentration profile having a consistent concentration from a surface of the source/drain region into a depth of the source/drain region. The consistent concentration is greater than the first dopant concentration. The structure further includes a conductive feature contacting the source/drain region at the surface of the source/drain region.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Su-Hao Liu, Huicheng Chang, Chia-Cheng Chen, Liang-Yin Chen, Kuo-Ju Chen, Chun-Hung Wu, Chang-Maio Liu, Huai-Tei Yang, Lun-Kuang Tan, Wei-Ming You
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Patent number: 11049972Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming an epitaxial structure over a semiconductor substrate. The method also includes generating and applying plasma on an entire exposed surface of the epitaxial structure to form a modified region in the epitaxial structure. The plasma is directly applied on the source/drain structure without being filtered out, and the plasma includes ions with different charges. The method further includes forming a metal layer on the modified region and heating the metal layer and the modified region to form a metal-semiconductor compound region.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2020Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Chia-Cheng Chen, Su-Hao Liu, Kuo-Ju Chen, Liang-Yin Chen
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Publication number: 20210098365Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate structure, a dielectric structure and a contact structure. The substrate has source/drain (S/D) regions. The gate structure is on the substrate and between the S/D regions. The dielectric structure covers the gate structure. The contact structure penetrates through the dielectric structure to connect to the S/D region. A lower portion of a sidewall of the contact structure is spaced apart from the dielectric structure by an air gap therebetween, while an upper portion of the sidewall of the contact structure is in contact with the dielectric structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2020Publication date: April 1, 2021Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Pei-Yu Chou, Jr-Hung Li, Liang-Yin Chen, Su-Hao Liu, Tze-Liang Lee, Meng-Han Chou, Kuo-Ju Chen, Huicheng Chang, Tsai-Jung Ho, Tzu-Yang Ho
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Publication number: 20210083114Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a source/drain (S/D) feature disposed in a semiconductor layer, a metal gate stack (MG) disposed in a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer and adjacent to the S/D feature, a second ILD layer disposed over the MG, and an S/D contact disposed over the S/D feature. The semiconductor structure further includes an air gap disposed between a sidewall of a bottom portion of the S/D contact and the first ILD layer, where a sidewall of a top portion of the S/D contact is in direct contact with the second ILD layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2019Publication date: March 18, 2021Inventors: Chao-Hsun Wang, Chen-Ming Lee, Kuo-Yi Chao, Mei-Yun Wang, Pei-Yu Chou, Kuo-Ju Chen
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Patent number: 10950694Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to doping for conductive features in a semiconductor device. In an example, a structure includes an active region of a transistor. The active region includes a source/drain region, and the source/drain region is defined at least in part by a first dopant having a first dopant concentration. The source/drain region further includes a second dopant with a concentration profile having a consistent concentration from a surface of the source/drain region into a depth of the source/drain region. The consistent concentration is greater than the first dopant concentration. The structure further includes a conductive feature contacting the source/drain region at the surface of the source/drain region.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2019Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Su-Hao Liu, Huicheng Chang, Chia-Cheng Chen, Liang-Yin Chen, Kuo-Ju Chen, Chun-Hung Wu, Chang-Maio Liu, Huai-Tei Yang, Lun-Kuang Tan, Wei-Ming You
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Publication number: 20210066500Abstract: A device includes a fin extending from a semiconductor substrate; a gate stack over the fin; a first spacer on a sidewall of the gate stack; a source/drain region in the fin adjacent the first spacer; an inter-layer dielectric layer (ILD) extending over the gate stack, the first spacer, and the source/drain region, the ILD having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion of the ILD is closer to the gate stack than the first portion of the ILD; a contact plug extending through the ILD and contacting the source/drain region; a second spacer on a sidewall of the contact plug; and an air gap between the first spacer and the second spacer, wherein the first portion of the ILD extends across the air gap and physically contacts the second spacer, wherein the first portion of the ILD seals the air gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2020Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Su-Hao Liu, Kuo-Ju Chen, Kai-Hsuan Lee, I-Hsieh Wong, Cheng-Yu Yang, Liang-Yin Chen, Huicheng Chang, Yee-Chia Yeo, Syun-Ming Jang, Meng-Han Chou
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Publication number: 20200402853Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a gate structure over a fin structure. The semiconductor structure also includes a source/drain structure in the fin structure and adjacent to the gate structure. The semiconductor structure also includes a first contact plug over the source/drain structure. The semiconductor structure also includes a first via plug over the first contact plug. The semiconductor structure also includes a dielectric layer surrounding the first via plug. The first via plug includes a first group IV element and the dielectric layer includes the first group IV element and a second group IV element.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Tung-Po HSIEH, Su-Hao LIU, Hong-Chih LIU, Jing-Huei HUANG, Jie-Huang HUANG, Lun-Kuang TAN, Huicheng CHANG, Liang-Yin CHEN, Kuo-Ju CHEN
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Patent number: 10868178Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to forming an ultra-shallow junction having high dopant concentration and low contact resistance in a p-type source/drain region. In an embodiment, a method includes forming a source/drain region in an active area on a substrate, the source/drain region comprising germanium, performing an ion implantation process using gallium (Ga) to form an amorphous region in the source/drain region, performing an ion implantation process using a dopant into the amorphous region, and subjecting the amorphous region to a thermal process.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2019Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Su-Hao Liu, Kuo-Ju Chen, Chun-Hung Wu, Chia-Cheng Chen, Liang-Yin Chen, Huicheng Chang, Ying-Lang Wang
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Publication number: 20200279944Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to using an implantation process and a melting anneal process performed on a nanosecond scale to achieve a high surface concentration (surface pile up) dopant profile and a retrograde dopant profile simultaneously. In an embodiment, a method includes forming a source/drain structure in an active area on a substrate, the source/drain structure including a first region comprising germanium, implanting a first dopant into the first region of the source/drain structure to form an amorphous region in at least the first region of the source/drain structure, implanting a second dopant into the amorphous region containing the first dopant, and heating the source/drain structure to liquidize and convert at least the amorphous region into a crystalline region, the crystalline region containing the first dopant and the second dopant.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2020Publication date: September 3, 2020Inventors: Su-Hao Liu, Kuo-Ju Chen, Wen-Yen Chen, Ying-Lang Wang, Liang-Yin Chen, Li-Ting Wang, Huicheng Chang