Patents by Inventor Kuo-Yao Chou

Kuo-Yao Chou 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: 20240128324
    Abstract: A field effect transistor includes a substrate having a transistor forming region thereon; an insulating layer on the substrate; a first graphene layer on the insulating layer within the transistor forming region; an etch stop layer on the first graphene layer within the transistor forming region; a first inter-layer dielectric layer on the etch stop layer; a gate trench recessed into the first inter-layer dielectric layer and the etch stop layer within the transistor forming region; a second graphene layer on interior surface of the gate trench; a gate dielectric layer on the second graphene layer and on the first inter-layer dielectric layer; and a gate electrode on the gate dielectric layer within the gate trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chih Lai, Shih-Min Chou, Nien-Ting Ho, Wei-Ming Hsiao, Li-Han Chen, Szu-Yao Yu, Chung-Yi Chiu
  • Patent number: 10832910
    Abstract: A method for processing a substrate is provided. The method comprises forming a patterned photoresist over a first material, the patterned photoresist comprising island portions and shaped spaces surrounding the island portions. An area of each of the island portions is reduced to enlarge the shaped spaces, which are filled with a second material. The island portions are removed to form first openings in the second material. Portions of the first material exposed through the first openings are removed to form second openings in the first material. Portions of a substrate exposed through the second openings are removed to form holes in the substrate. Methods of patterning a substrate and methods of forming a hole pattern in a substrate are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kuo-Yao Chou
  • Patent number: 10768526
    Abstract: A substrate having a target material layer is provided. A first hard mask layer, a second hard mask layer, and a photoresist layer are formed on the target material layer. The photoresist layer is transferred into first patterns on the second hard mask layer. Regions of the second hard mask layer not protected by the first patterns are etched away, thereby forming second patterns. The first patterns are trimmed to form trimmed features. A conformal spacer material layer is deposited on the trimmed features, the second patterns, and the first hard mask. The spacer material layer is etched to form first spacers on sidewalls of the trimmed features, and second spacers on sidewalls of the second patterns. The trimmed features are removed. Regions of the second patterns not protected by the first spacers are removed, thereby forming patterns with a reduced, fine pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kuo-Yao Chou
  • Patent number: 10707080
    Abstract: A method of forming patterns includes the steps of providing a substrate on which a target layer and a hard mask layer are formed; forming a plurality of first resist patterns on the hard mask layer; performing a tilt-angle ion implant process to form a first doped area and a second doped area in the hard mask layer between adjacent first resist patterns; removing the first resist patterns; coating a directed self-assembly (DSA) material layer onto the hard mask layer; performing a self-assembling process of the DSA material layer to form repeatedly arranged block copolymer patterns in the DSA material layer; removing undesired portions from the DSA material layer to form second patterns on the hard mask layer; transferring the second patterns to the hard mask layer to form third patterns; and etching the target layer through the third patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kuo-Yao Chou
  • Publication number: 20190259614
    Abstract: A method for processing a substrate is provided. The method comprises forming a patterned photoresist over a first material, the patterned photoresist comprising island portions and shaped spaces surrounding the island portions. An area of each of the island portions is reduced to enlarge the shaped spaces, which are filled with a second material. The island portions are removed to form first openings in the second material. Portions of the first material exposed through the first openings are removed to form second openings in the first material. Portions of a substrate exposed through the second openings are removed to form holes in the substrate. Methods of patterning a substrate and methods of forming a hole pattern in a substrate are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventor: Kuo-Yao Chou
  • Patent number: 10312086
    Abstract: A method for processing a substrate is provided. The method comprises forming a patterned photoresist over a first material, the patterned photoresist comprising island portions and shaped spaces surrounding the island portions. An area of each of the island portions is reduced to enlarge the shaped spaces, which are filled with a second material. The island portions are removed to form first openings in the second material. Portions of the first material exposed through the first openings are removed to form second openings in the first material. Portions of a substrate exposed through the second openings are removed to form holes in the substrate. Methods of patterning a substrate and methods of forming a hole pattern in a substrate are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kuo-Yao Chou
  • Publication number: 20190027365
    Abstract: A method of forming patterns includes the steps of providing a substrate on which a target layer and a hard mask layer are formed; forming a plurality of first resist patterns on the hard mask layer; performing a tilt-angle ion implant process to form a first doped area and a second doped area in the hard mask layer between adjacent first resist patterns; removing the first resist patterns; coating a directed self-assembly (DSA) material layer onto the hard mask layer; performing a self-assembling process of the DSA material layer to form repeatedly arranged block copolymer patterns in the DSA material layer; removing undesired portions from the DSA material layer to form second patterns on the hard mask layer; transferring the second patterns to the hard mask layer to form third patterns; and etching the target layer through the third patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventor: Kuo-Yao Chou
  • Publication number: 20180364567
    Abstract: A substrate having a target material layer is provided. A first hard mask layer, a second hard mask layer, and a photoresist layer are formed on the target material layer. The photoresist layer is transferred into first patterns on the second hard mask layer. Regions of the second hard mask layer not protected by the first patterns are etched away, thereby forming second patterns. The first patterns are trimmed to form trimmed features. A conformal spacer material layer is deposited on the trimmed features, the second patterns, and the first hard mask. The spacer material layer is etched to form first spacers on sidewalls of the trimmed features, and second spacers on sidewalls of the second patterns. The trimmed features are removed. Regions of the second patterns not protected by the first spacers are removed, thereby forming patterns with a reduced, fine pitch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventor: Kuo-Yao Chou
  • Patent number: 10157743
    Abstract: A method of forming patterns includes the steps of providing a substrate on which a target layer and a hard mask layer are formed; forming a plurality of first resist patterns on the hard mask layer; performing a tilt-angle ion implant process to form a first doped area and a second doped area in the hard mask layer between adjacent first resist patterns; removing the first resist patterns; coating a directed self-assembly (DSA) material layer onto the hard mask layer; performing a self-assembling process of the DSA material layer to form repeatedly arranged block copolymer patterns in the DSA material layer; removing undesired portions from the DSA material layer to form second patterns on the hard mask layer; transferring the second patterns to the hard mask layer to form third patterns; and etching the target layer through the third patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kuo-Yao Chou
  • Patent number: 10073342
    Abstract: A substrate having a target material layer is provided. A first hard mask layer, a second hard mask layer, and a photoresist layer are formed on the target material layer. The photoresist layer is transferred into first patterns on the second hard mask layer. Regions of the second hard mask layer not protected by the first patterns are etched away, thereby forming second patterns. The first patterns are trimmed to form trimmed features. A conformal spacer material layer is deposited on the trimmed features, the second patterns, and the first hard mask. The spacer material layer is etched to form first spacers on sidewalls of the trimmed features, and second spacers on sidewalls of the second patterns. The trimmed features are removed. Regions of the second patterns not protected by the first spacers are removed, thereby forming patterns with a reduced, fine pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kuo-Yao Chou
  • Publication number: 20180144937
    Abstract: A method of forming patterns includes the steps of providing a substrate on which a target layer and a hard mask layer are formed; forming a plurality of first resist patterns on the hard mask layer; performing a tilt-angle ion implant process to form a first doped area and a second doped area in the hard mask layer between adjacent first resist patterns; removing the first resist patterns; coating a directed self-assembly (DSA) material layer onto the hard mask layer; performing a self-assembling process of the DSA material layer to form repeatedly arranged block copolymer patterns in the DSA material layer; removing undesired portions from the DSA material layer to form second patterns on the hard mask layer; transferring the second patterns to the hard mask layer to form third patterns; and etching the target layer through the third patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventor: Kuo-Yao Chou
  • Patent number: 9929019
    Abstract: A patterns forming method begins with performing a lithography process on a photoresist film with a photomask having first apertures in a first mask region and second apertures in a second mask region to respectively form first main features and dummy features, on which the second mask region is located between the border of the photomask and the first mask region, and a size of each of the first apertures is greater than a size of each of the second apertures. Subsequently, a material is filled into the first main features to respectively form second main features and into the dummy features to seal the dummy features. Then, a substrate is etched to form patterned features by using the photoresist film having the second main features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kuo-Yao Chou
  • Patent number: 9911608
    Abstract: A method of forming patterns includes the steps of providing a substrate on which a target layer and a hard mask layer are formed; forming a plurality of first resist patterns on the hard mask layer; performing a tilt-angle ion implant process to form a first doped area and a second doped area in the hard mask layer between adjacent first resist patterns; removing the first resist patterns; coating a directed self-assembly (DSA) material layer onto the hard mask layer; performing a self-assembling process of the DSA material layer to form repeatedly arranged block copolymer patterns in the DSA material layer; removing undesired portions from the DSA material layer to form second patterns on the hard mask layer; transferring the second patterns to the hard mask layer to form third patterns; and etching the target layer through the third patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kuo-Yao Chou
  • Publication number: 20180033623
    Abstract: A method for processing a substrate is provided. The method comprises forming a patterned photoresist over a first material, the patterned photoresist comprising island portions and shaped spaces surrounding the island portions. An area of each of the island portions is reduced to enlarge the shaped spaces, which are filled with a second material. The island portions are removed to form first openings in the second material. Portions of the first material exposed through the first openings are removed to form second openings in the first material. Portions of a substrate exposed through the second openings are removed to form holes in the substrate. Methods of patterning a substrate and methods of forming a hole pattern in a substrate are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Kuo-Yao Chou
  • Publication number: 20170294317
    Abstract: A patterns forming method begins with performing a lithography process on a photoresist film with a photomask having first apertures in a first mask region and second apertures in a second mask region to respectively form first main features and dummy features, on which the second mask region is located between the border of the photomask and the first mask region, and a size of each of the first apertures is greater than a size of each of the second apertures. Subsequently, a material is filled into the first main features to respectively form second main features and into the dummy features to seal the dummy features. Then, a substrate is etched to form patterned features by using the photoresist film having the second main features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventor: Kuo-Yao CHOU
  • Patent number: 9786504
    Abstract: A method for forming a patterned layer is provided. The method comprises forming a first material layer over a first substrate, forming a photoresist layer on the first material layer, wherein the photoresist layer includes at least one island portion and a spacing surrounding a lateral portion of the island portion, trimming the island portion to enlarge the spacing, forming a second material layer filled in the enlarged spacing and surrounding the trimmed island portion, removing the trimmed island portion to form a first opening passing through the second material layer and exposing a portion of the first material layer, and removing the exposed portion of the first material layer through the first opening to form a second opening in the first material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kuo-Yao Chou
  • Publication number: 20170256417
    Abstract: A substrate having a target material layer is provided. A first hard mask layer, a second hard mask layer, and a photoresist layer are formed on the target material layer. The photoresist layer is transferred into first patterns on the second hard mask layer. Regions of the second hard mask layer not protected by the first patterns are etched away, thereby forming second patterns. The first patterns are trimmed to form trimmed features. A conformal spacer material layer is deposited on the trimmed features, the second patterns, and the first hard mask. The spacer material layer is etched to form first spacers on sidewalls of the trimmed features, and second spacers on sidewalls of the second patterns. The trimmed features are removed. Regions of the second patterns not protected by the first spacers are removed, thereby forming patterns with a reduced, fine pitch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventor: Kuo-Yao Chou
  • Publication number: 20170213733
    Abstract: A method of forming patterns includes the steps of providing a substrate on which a target layer and a hard mask layer are formed; forming a plurality of first resist patterns on the hard mask layer; performing a tilt-angle ion implant process to form a first doped area and a second doped area in the hard mask layer between adjacent two of the first resist patterns; removing the first resist patterns; coating a directed self-assembly (DSA) material layer onto the hard mask layer; performing a self-assembling process of the DSA material layer to form repeatedly arranged block copolymer patterns in the DSA material layer; removing undesired portions from the DSA material layer to form second resist patterns on the hard mask layer; transferring the second resist patterns to the hard mask layer to form third resist patterns; and etching the target layer through the third resist patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventor: Kuo-Yao Chou
  • Publication number: 20170205712
    Abstract: A development apparatus includes a rotatable table for mounting a wafer, and a shower nozzle positioned directly above the rotatable table. The shower nozzle comprises a housing having a liquid inlet and a nozzle plate. The nozzle plate has a plurality of apertures distributed on a major surface of the nozzle plate. Solvent or water is uniformly dispensed onto the wafer through the apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventor: Kuo-Yao Chou
  • Patent number: 9613820
    Abstract: A method of forming patterns includes the steps of providing a substrate having a target layer thereon; forming a plurality of first resist patterns on the target layer; depositing a directed self-assembly (DSA) material layer in a blanket manner on the first resist patterns, wherein the DSA material layer fills up a gap between the first resist patterns; subjecting the DSA material layer to a self-assembling process so as to form repeatedly arranged block copolymer patterns in the DSA material layer; and removing undesired portions from the DSA material layer to form second resist patterns on the target layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: INOTERA MEMORIES, INC.
    Inventor: Kuo-Yao Chou