Patents by Inventor Lei-Chun Chou

Lei-Chun 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).

  • Patent number: 12272603
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of fin structures extending in a first direction over a semiconductor substrate. Each fin structure includes a first region proximate to the semiconductor substrate and a second region distal to the semiconductor substrate. An electrically conductive layer is formed between the first regions of a first adjacent pair of fin structures. A gate electrode structure is formed extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction over the fin structure second region, and a metallization layer including at least one conductive line is formed over the gate electrode structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hung-Li Chiang, Chih-Liang Chen, Tzu-Chiang Chen, I-Sheng Chen, Lei-Chun Chou
  • Publication number: 20240379854
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes various non-planar semiconductor devices, such as fin field-effect transistors (finFETs) to provide an example, having one or more metal rail conductors and various methods for fabricating these non-planar semiconductor devices. In some situations, the one or more metal rail conductors can be electrically connected to gate, source, and/or drain regions of these various non-planar semiconductor devices. In these situations, the one or more metal rail conductors can be utilized to electrically connect the gate, the source, and/or the drain regions of various non-planar semiconductor devices to other gate, source, and/or drain regions of various non-planar semiconductor devices and/or other semiconductor devices. However, in other situations, the one or more metal rail conductors can be isolated from the gate, the source, and/or the drain regions these various non-planar semiconductor devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Liang Chen, Chih-Ming Lai, Ching-Wei Tsai, Charles Chew -Yuen Young, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Ru-Gun Liu, Wei-Hao Wu, Yi-Hsiung Lin, Chia-Hao Chang, Lei-Chun Chou
  • Publication number: 20240363393
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a buried metal line disposed in a semiconductor substrate, a first dielectric material on a first sidewall of the buried metal line and a second dielectric material on a second sidewall of the buried metal line, a first multiple fins disposed proximate the first sidewall of the buried metal line, a second multiple fins disposed proximate the second sidewall of the buried metal line, a first metal gate structure over the first multiple fins and over the buried metal line, wherein the first metal gate structure extends through the first dielectric material to contact the buried metal line, and a second metal gate structure over the second multiple fins and over the buried metal line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Inventors: Lei-Chun Chou, Chih-Liang Chen, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Chih-Ming Lai, Ru-Gun Liu, Charles Chew-Yuen Young
  • Patent number: 12113132
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes various non-planar semiconductor devices, such as fin field-effect transistors (finFETs) to provide an example, having one or more metal rail conductors and various methods for fabricating these non-planar semiconductor devices. In some situations, the one or more metal rail conductors can be electrically connected to gate, source, and/or drain regions of these various non-planar semiconductor devices. In these situations, the one or more metal rail conductors can be utilized to electrically connect the gate, the source, and/or the drain regions of various non-planar semiconductor devices to other gate, source, and/or drain regions of various non-planar semiconductor devices and/or other semiconductor devices. However, in other situations, the one or more metal rail conductors can be isolated from the gate, the source, and/or the drain regions these various non-planar semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Liang Chen, Chih-Ming Lai, Ching-Wei Tsai, Charles Chew-Yuen Young, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Ru-Gun Liu, Wei-Hao Wu, Yi-Hsiung Lin, Chia-Hao Chang, Lei-Chun Chou
  • Publication number: 20240322042
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a dielectric region, a first fin structure, a second fin structure, a plurality of conductive regions, a first conductive rail and a conductive structure. The dielectric region is situated on the substrate. The first fin structure protrudes from the substrate and the dielectric region. The second fin structure protrudes from the substrate and the dielectric region, and extends parallel to the first fin structure. The conductive regions are situated on the dielectric region. The first conductive rail is situated within the dielectric region, and electrically connected to a first conductive region of the plurality of conductive regions. Opposite sides of the first conductive rail face the first fin structure and the second fin structure, respectively. The conductive structure penetrates through the substrate and formed under the first conductive rail, and is electrically connected to the first conductive rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Inventors: CHIH-LIANG CHEN, LEI-CHUN CHOU, JACK LIU, KAM-TOU SIO, HUI-TING YANG, WEI-CHENG LIN, CHUN-HUNG LIOU, JIANN-TYNG TZENG, CHEW-YUEN YOUNG
  • Patent number: 12080588
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a buried metal line disposed in a semiconductor substrate, a first dielectric material on a first sidewall of the buried metal line and a second dielectric material on a second sidewall of the buried metal line, a first multiple fins disposed proximate the first sidewall of the buried metal line, a second multiple fins disposed proximate the second sidewall of the buried metal line, a first metal gate structure over the first multiple fins and over the buried metal line, wherein the first metal gate structure extends through the first dielectric material to contact the buried metal line, and a second metal gate structure over the second multiple fins and over the buried metal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Lei-Chun Chou, Chih-Liang Chen, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Chih-Ming Lai, Ru-Gun Liu, Charles Chew-Yuen Young
  • Patent number: 12034076
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a dielectric region, a first fin structure, a second fin structure, a plurality of conductive regions, a first conductive rail and a conductive structure. The dielectric region is situated on the substrate. The first fin structure protrudes from the substrate and the dielectric region. The second fin structure protrudes from the substrate and the dielectric region, and extends parallel to the first fin structure. The conductive regions are situated on the dielectric region. The first conductive rail is situated within the dielectric region, and electrically connected to a first conductive region of the plurality of conductive regions. Opposite sides of the first conductive rail face the first fin structure and the second fin structure, respectively. The conductive structure penetrates through the substrate and formed under the first conductive rail, and is electrically connected to the first conductive rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Liang Chen, Lei-Chun Chou, Jack Liu, Kam-Tou Sio, Hui-Ting Yang, Wei-Cheng Lin, Chun-Hung Liou, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Chew-Yuen Young
  • Publication number: 20240194682
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an apparatus with a local interconnect structure. The apparatus can include a first transistor, a second transistor, a first interconnect structure, a second interconnect structure, and a third interconnect structure. The local interconnect structure can be coupled to gate terminals of the first and second transistors and routed at a same interconnect level as reference metal lines coupled to ground and a power supply voltage. The first interconnect structure can be coupled to a source/drain terminal of the first transistor and routed above the local interconnect structure. The second interconnect structure can be coupled to a source/drain terminal of the second transistor and routed above the local interconnect structure. The third interconnect structure can be routed above the local interconnect structure and at a same interconnect level as the first and second interconnect structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2024
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Applicant: Tiawan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Liang CHEN, Cheng-Chi Chuang, Chih-Ming Lai, Chia-Tien WU, Charles Chew-Yuen Young, Hui-Ting Yang, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Ru-Gun Liu, Wei-Cheng Lin, Lei-Chun Chou, Wei-An Lai
  • Publication number: 20240071834
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of fin structures extending in a first direction over a semiconductor substrate. Each fin structure includes a first region proximate to the semiconductor substrate and a second region distal to the semiconductor substrate. An electrically conductive layer is formed between the first regions of a first adjacent pair of fin structures. A gate electrode structure is formed extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction over the fin structure second region, and a metallization layer including at least one conductive line is formed over the gate electrode structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hung-Li CHIANG, Chih-Liang CHEN, Tzu-Chiang CHEN, I-Sheng CHEN, Lei-Chun CHOU
  • Patent number: 11916077
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an apparatus with a local interconnect structure. The apparatus can include a first transistor, a second transistor, a first interconnect structure, a second interconnect structure, and a third interconnect structure. The local interconnect structure can be coupled to gate terminals of the first and second transistors and routed at a same interconnect level as reference metal lines coupled to ground and a power supply voltage. The first interconnect structure can be coupled to a source/drain terminal of the first transistor and routed above the local interconnect structure. The second interconnect structure can be coupled to a source/drain terminal of the second transistor and routed above the local interconnect structure. The third interconnect structure can be routed above the local interconnect structure and at a same interconnect level as the first and second interconnect structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Liang Chen, Cheng-Chi Chuang, Chih-Ming Lai, Chia-Tien Wu, Charles Chew-Yuen Young, Hui-Ting Yang, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Ru-Gun Liu, Wei-Cheng Lin, Lei-Chun Chou, Wei-An Lai
  • Patent number: 11848242
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of fin structures extending in a first direction over a semiconductor substrate. Each fin structure includes a first region proximate to the semiconductor substrate and a second region distal to the semiconductor substrate. An electrically conductive layer is formed between the first regions of a first adjacent pair of fin structures. A gate electrode structure is formed extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction over the fin structure second region, and a metallization layer including at least one conductive line is formed over the gate electrode structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hung-Li Chiang, Chih-Liang Chen, Tzu-Chiang Chen, I-Sheng Chen, Lei-Chun Chou
  • Publication number: 20230377941
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a buried metal line disposed in a semiconductor substrate, a first dielectric material on a first sidewall of the buried metal line and a second dielectric material on a second sidewall of the buried metal line, a first multiple fins disposed proximate the first sidewall of the buried metal line, a second multiple fins disposed proximate the second sidewall of the buried metal line, a first metal gate structure over the first multiple fins and over the buried metal line, wherein the first metal gate structure extends through the first dielectric material to contact the buried metal line, and a second metal gate structure over the second multiple fins and over the buried metal line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Lei-Chun Chou, Chih-Liang Chen, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Chih-Ming Lai, Ru-Gun Liu, Charles Chew-Yuen Young
  • Patent number: 11810811
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a buried metal line disposed in a semiconductor substrate, a first dielectric material on a first sidewall of the buried metal line and a second dielectric material on a second sidewall of the buried metal line, a first multiple fins disposed proximate the first sidewall of the buried metal line, a second multiple fins disposed proximate the second sidewall of the buried metal line, a first metal gate structure over the first multiple fins and over the buried metal line, wherein the first metal gate structure extends through the first dielectric material to contact the buried metal line, and a second metal gate structure over the second multiple fins and over the buried metal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Lei-Chun Chou, Chih-Liang Chen, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Chih-Ming Lai, Ru-Gun Liu, Charles Chew-Yuen Young
  • Publication number: 20230091869
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes various non-planar semiconductor devices, such as fin field-effect transistors (finFETs) to provide an example, having one or more metal rail conductors and various methods for fabricating these non-planar semiconductor devices. In some situations, the one or more metal rail conductors can be electrically connected to gate, source, and/or drain regions of these various non-planar semiconductor devices. In these situations, the one or more metal rail conductors can be utilized to electrically connect the gate, the source, and/or the drain regions of various non-planar semiconductor devices to other gate, source, and/or drain regions of various non-planar semiconductor devices and/or other semiconductor devices. However, in other situations, the one or more metal rail conductors can be isolated from the gate, the source, and/or the drain regions these various non-planar semiconductor devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Liang CHEN, Chih-Ming LAI, Ching-Wei TSAI, Charles Chew-Yuen YOUNG, Jiann-Tyng TZENG, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Ru-Gun LIU, Wei-Hao WU, Yi-Hsiung LIN, Chia-Hao CHANG, Lei-Chun CHOU
  • Patent number: 11532482
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes depositing a first material on a substrate, depositing on the substrate a second material that has an etch selectivity different from an etch selectively of the first material, depositing a spacer material on the first and second material, and etching the substrate using the spacer material as an etch mask to form a fin under the first material and a fin under the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Lei-Chun Chou, Chih-Liang Chen, Chih-Ming Lai, Charles Chew-Yuen Young, Chin-Yuan Tseng, Hsin-Chih Chen, Shi Ning Ju, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Kam-Tou Sio, Ru-Gun Liu, Wei-Cheng Lin, Wei-Liang Lin
  • Patent number: 11532751
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes various non-planar semiconductor devices, such as fin field-effect transistors (finFETs) to provide an example, having one or more metal rail conductors and various methods for fabricating these non-planar semiconductor devices. In some situations, the one or more metal rail conductors can be electrically connected to gate, source, and/or drain regions of these various non-planar semiconductor devices. In these situations, the one or more metal rail conductors can be utilized to electrically connect the gate, the source, and/or the drain regions of various non-planar semiconductor devices to other gate, source, and/or drain regions of various non-planar semiconductor devices and/or other semiconductor devices. However, in other situations, the one or more metal rail conductors can be isolated from the gate, the source, and/or the drain regions these various non-planar semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Liang Chen, Charles Chew-Yuen Young, Hui-Ting Yang, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Kam-Tou Sio, Shih-Wei Peng, Wei-Cheng Lin, Lei-Chun Chou
  • Publication number: 20220367240
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a buried metal line disposed in a semiconductor substrate, a first dielectric material on a first sidewall of the buried metal line and a second dielectric material on a second sidewall of the buried metal line, a first multiple fins disposed proximate the first sidewall of the buried metal line, a second multiple fins disposed proximate the second sidewall of the buried metal line, a first metal gate structure over the first multiple fins and over the buried metal line, wherein the first metal gate structure extends through the first dielectric material to contact the buried metal line, and a second metal gate structure over the second multiple fins and over the buried metal line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Lei-Chun Chou, Chih-Liang Chen, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Chih-Ming Lai, Ru-Gun Liu, Charles Chew-Yuen Young
  • Patent number: 11495687
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes various non-planar semiconductor devices, such as fin field-effect transistors (finFETs) to provide an example, having one or more metal rail conductors and various methods for fabricating these non-planar semiconductor devices. In some situations, the one or more metal rail conductors can be electrically connected to gate, source, and/or drain regions of these various non-planar semiconductor devices. In these situations, the one or more metal rail conductors can be utilized to electrically connect the gate, the source, and/or the drain regions of various non-planar semiconductor devices to other gate, source, and/or drain regions of various non-planar semiconductor devices and/or other semiconductor devices. However, in other situations, the one or more metal rail conductors can be isolated from the gate, the source, and/or the drain regions these various non-planar semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Liang Chen, Chih-Ming Lai, Ching-Wei Tsai, Charles Chew-Yuen Young, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Ru-Gun Liu, Wei-Hao Wu, Yi-Hsiung Lin, Chia-Hao Chang, Lei-Chun Chou
  • Patent number: 11424154
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a buried metal line disposed in a semiconductor substrate, a first dielectric material on a first sidewall of the buried metal line and a second dielectric material on a second sidewall of the buried metal line, a first multiple fins disposed proximate the first sidewall of the buried metal line, a second multiple fins disposed proximate the second sidewall of the buried metal line, a first metal gate structure over the first multiple fins and over the buried metal line, wherein the first metal gate structure extends through the first dielectric material to contact the buried metal line, and a second metal gate structure over the second multiple fins and over the buried metal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Lei-Chun Chou, Chih-Liang Chen, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Chih-Ming Lai, Ru-Gun Liu, Charles Chew-Yuen Young
  • Publication number: 20220216112
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of fin structures extending in a first direction over a semiconductor substrate. Each fin structure includes a first region proximate to the semiconductor substrate and a second region distal to the semiconductor substrate. An electrically conductive layer is formed between the first regions of a first adjacent pair of fin structures. A gate electrode structure is formed extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction over the fin structure second region, and a metallization layer including at least one conductive line is formed over the gate electrode structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Hung-Li CHIANG, Chih-Liang CHEN, Tzu-Chiang CHEN, I-Sheng CHEN, Lei-Chun CHOU