Patents by Inventor Li-Chiang Chen

Li-Chiang 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).

  • Patent number: 10937701
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first gate structure in a substrate and a second gate structure in the substrate and adjacent to the first gate structure. Preferably, a top surface of the first gate structure and a top surface of the second gate structure are lower than a top surface of the substrate and a number of work function metal layers in the first gate structure and the second gate structure are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignees: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP., Fujian Jinhua Integrated Circuit Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Feng-Yi Chang, Shih-Fang Tzou, Yu-Cheng Tung, Ming-Feng Kuo, Li-Chiang Chen
  • Patent number: 10475649
    Abstract: A patterning method includes the following steps. A hard mask layer is formed on a substrate. Mandrels are formed on the hard mask layer. Mask patterns are formed on the mandrels. Each of the mask patterns is formed on one of the mandrels. Spacers are formed on the hard mask layer. Each of the spacers is formed on a sidewall of one of the mandrels and on a sidewall of one of the mask patterns. A cover layer covering the hard mask layer, the spacers and the mask patterns is formed. A planarization process is performed to remove the cover layer on the mask patterns and the spacer and remove the mask patterns. A part of the cover layer remains between the spacers after the planarization process. The mandrels and the cover layer are removed after the planarization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignees: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP., Fujian Jinhua Integrated Circuit Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Chen Chuang, Fu-Che Lee, Ming-Feng Kuo, Cheng-Yu Wang, Hsien-Shih Chu, Li-Chiang Chen
  • Publication number: 20190318929
    Abstract: A patterning method includes the following steps. A hard mask layer is formed on a substrate. Mandrels are formed on the hard mask layer. Mask patterns are formed on the mandrels. Each of the mask patterns is formed on one of the mandrels. Spacers are formed on the hard mask layer. Each of the spacers is formed on a sidewall of one of the mandrels and on a sidewall of one of the mask patterns. A cover layer covering the hard mask layer, the spacers and the mask patterns is formed. A planarization process is performed to remove the cover layer on the mask patterns and the spacer and remove the mask patterns. A part of the cover layer remains between the spacers after the planarization process. The mandrels and the cover layer are removed after the planarization process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2018
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Yu-Chen Chuang, Fu-Che Lee, Ming-Feng Kuo, Cheng-Yu Wang, Hsien-Shih Chu, Li-Chiang Chen
  • Patent number: 10249629
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming buried word lines. Firstly, a substrate is provided, having a plurality of shallow trench isolations disposed therein, next, a plurality of first patterned material layers are formed on the substrate, a plurality of first recesses are disposed between every two adjacent first patterned material layers, a second patterned material layer is formed in the first recesses, and using the first patterned material layers and the second patterned material layer as the protect layers, and a first etching process is then performed, to form a plurality of second recesses in the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignees: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP., Fujian Jinhua Integrated Circuit Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Li-Chiang Chen, Fu-Che Lee, Ming-Feng Kuo, Chieh-Te Chen, Hsien-Shih Chu
  • Patent number: 10199258
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an isolation structure is provided. A first oxide layer and a first, second, and third hard mask layers are formed on a substrate. A patterned third hard mask layer is formed. Second oxide layers are formed on sidewalls of the patterned third hard mask layer and a fourth hard mask layer is formed between the second oxide layers. The second oxide layers and the second hard mask layer are removed using the patterned third hard mask layer and the fourth hard mask layer as a mask, to form a patterned second hard mask layer. The patterned third hard mask layer and the fourth hard mask layer are removed. A portion of the patterned second hard mask layer is removed to form trench patterns. A patterned first hard mask layer and first oxide layer, and trenches located in the substrate are defined. An isolation material is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignees: United Microelectronics Corp., Fujian Jianhua Integrated Circuit Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chieh-Te Chen, Hsien-Shih Chu, Ming-Feng Kuo, Fu-Che Lee, Chien-Ting Ho, Chiung-Lin Hsu, Feng-Yi Chang, Yi-Wang Zhan, Li-Chiang Chen, Chien-Cheng Tsai, Chin-Hsin Chiu
  • Patent number: 10192777
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an STI trench includes providing a substrate. Later, a first mask is formed to cover the substrate. The first mask includes numerous sub-masks. A first trench is disposed between each sub-mask. Subsequently, a protective layer is formed to fill up the first trench. Then, a second mask is formed to cover the first mask. The second mask includes an opening. The sub-mask directly disposed under the opening is defined as a joint STI pattern. After that, the joint STI pattern is removed to transform the first mask into a third mask. Later, the second mask is removed followed by removing the protective layer. Finally, part of the substrate is removed by taking the third mask as a mask to form numerous STI trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignees: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP., Fujian Jinhua Integrated Circuit Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsien-Shih Chu, Ming-Feng Kuo, Yi-Wang Zhan, Li-Chiang Chen, Fu-Che Lee, Feng-Yi Chang
  • Publication number: 20180342425
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first gate structure in a substrate and a second gate structure in the substrate and adjacent to the first gate structure. Preferably, a top surface of the first gate structure and a top surface of the second gate structure are lower than a top surface of the substrate and a number of work function metal layers in the first gate structure and the second gate structure are different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Feng-Yi Chang, Shih-Fang Tzou, Yu-Cheng Tung, Ming-Feng Kuo, Li-Chiang Chen
  • Patent number: 10141223
    Abstract: A method of improving micro-loading effect when recess etching a tungsten layer. A substrate having trenches thereon is provided. A tungsten layer is deposited on the substrate and in the trenches. A planarization process is performed to form a planarization layer on the tungsten layer. A first etching process is performed to etch the planarization layer and the tungsten layer with an etch selectivity of planarization layer:tungsten layer=1:1 until the planarization layer is completely removed. A second etching process is performed to etch the remainder of the tungsten layer to recess the tungsten layer within the trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignees: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP., Fujian Jinhua Integrated Circuit Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Li-Chiang Chen, Fu-Che Lee, Ming-Feng Kuo
  • Publication number: 20180294188
    Abstract: A method of improving micro-loading effect when recess etching a tungsten layer. A substrate having trenches thereon is provided. A tungsten layer is deposited on the substrate and in the trenches. A planarization process is performed to form a planarization layer on the tungsten layer. A first etching process is performed to etch the planarization layer and the tungsten layer with an etch selectivity of planarization layer:tungsten layer=1:1 until the planarization layer is completely removed. A second etching process is performed to etch the remainder of the tungsten layer to recess the tungsten layer within the trenches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Li-Chiang Chen, Fu-Che Lee, Ming-Feng Kuo
  • Patent number: 10062613
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device includes the steps of: forming a first trench and a second trench in a substrate; forming a first work function metal layer in the first trench and the second trench; forming a patterned mask to cover the second trench; removing the first work function metal layer from the first trench; forming a second work function metal layer in the first trench and the second trench; and forming a conductive layer in the first trench and the second trench to form a first gate structure and a second gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignees: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP., Fujian Jinhua Integrated Circuit Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Feng-Yi Chang, Shih-Fang Tzou, Yu-Cheng Tung, Ming-Feng Kuo, Li-Chiang Chen
  • Patent number: 10032631
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a mask pattern includes providing numerous masks on a substrate. A wider trench and a narrower trench are respectively defined between the mask. Subsequently, a mask material is formed to fill in the wider trench and the narrower trench. The top surface of the mask material overlapping the wider trench is lower than the top surface of the mask material overlapping the narrower trench. A photoresist layer is formed on the mask material overlapping the wider trench. Later, the mask material overlapping the narrower trench is etched while the mask material overlapping the wider trench is protected by the photoresist layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignees: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP., Fujian Jinhua Integrated Circuit Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Li-Chiang Chen, Fu-Che Lee, Ming-Feng Kuo, Hsien-Shih Chu, Cheng-Yu Wang, Yu-Chen Chuang
  • Publication number: 20180190538
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an STI trench includes providing a substrate. Later, a first mask is formed to cover the substrate. The first mask includes numerous sub-masks. A first trench is disposed between each sub-mask. Subsequently, a protective layer is formed to fill up the first trench. Then, a second mask is formed to cover the first mask. The second mask includes an opening. The sub-mask directly disposed under the opening is defined as a joint STI pattern. After that, the joint STI pattern is removed to transform the first mask into a third mask. Later, the second mask is removed followed by removing the protective layer. Finally, part of the substrate is removed by taking the third mask as a mask to form numerous STI trenches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Hsien-Shih Chu, Ming-Feng Kuo, Yi-Wang Zhan, Li-Chiang Chen, Fu-Che Lee, Feng-Yi Chang
  • Publication number: 20180108563
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an isolation structure is provided. A first oxide layer and a first, second, and third hard mask layers are formed on a substrate. A patterned third hard mask layer is formed. Second oxide layers are formed on sidewalls of the patterned third hard mask layer and a fourth hard mask layer is formed between the second oxide layers. The second oxide layers and the second hard mask layer are removed using the patterned third hard mask layer and the fourth hard mask layer as a mask, to form a patterned second hard mask layer. The patterned third hard mask layer and the fourth hard mask layer are removed. A portion of the patterned second hard mask layer is removed to form trench patterns. A patterned first hard mask layer and first oxide layer, and trenches located in the substrate are defined. An isolation material is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicants: United Microelectronics Corp., Fujian Jinhua Integrated Circuit Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chieh-Te Chen, Hsien-Shih Chu, Ming-Feng Kuo, Fu-Che Lee, Chien-Ting Ho, Chiung-Lin Hsu, Feng-Yi Chang, Yi-Wang Zhan, Li-Chiang Chen, Chien-Cheng Tsai, Chin-Hsin Chiu
  • Patent number: 9887088
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a memory region defined thereon; forming a trench in the substrate; forming a barrier layer in the trench; forming a conductive layer on the barrier layer; performing a first etching process to remove part of the conductive layer; and performing a second etching process to remove part of the barrier layer. Preferably, the second etching process comprises a non-plasma etching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignees: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP., Fujian Jinhua Integrated Circuit Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Feng-Yi Chang, Shih-Fang Tzou, Fu-Che Lee, Ming-Feng Kuo, Li-Chiang Chen
  • Patent number: 9553026
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. First, a substrate is provided, and a first mandrel, a second mandrel, a third mandrel, and a fourth mandrel are formed on the substrate. Preferably, the first mandrel and the second mandrel include a first gap therebetween, the second mandrel and the third mandrel include a second gap therebetween, and the third mandrel and the fourth mandrel include a third gap therebetween, in which the first gap is equivalent to the third gap but different from the second gap. Next, spacers are formed adjacent to the first mandrel, the second mandrel, the third mandrel, and the fourth mandrel, and the spacers in the first gap and the third gap are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Li-Wei Feng, Shih-Hung Tsai, Chao-Hung Lin, Chien-Ting Lin, Li-Chiang Chen, Jyh-Shyang Jenq
  • Patent number: 9165997
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a resist layer, a dielectric material, two U-shaped metal layers and two metals. The substrate has an isolation structure. The resist layer is located on the isolation structure. The dielectric material is located on the resist layer. Two U-shaped metal layers are located at the two sides of the dielectric material and on the resist layer. Two metals are respectively located on the two U-shaped metal layers. This way a semiconductor process for forming said semiconductor structure is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chieh-Te Chen, Yi-Po Lin, Jiunn-Hsiung Liao, Shui-Yen Lu, Li-Chiang Chen
  • Publication number: 20150126015
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a resist layer, a dielectric material, two U-shaped metal layers and two metals. The substrate has an isolation structure. The resist layer is located on the isolation structure. The dielectric material is located on the resist layer. Two U-shaped metal layers are located at the two sides of the dielectric material and on the resist layer. Two metals are respectively located on the two U-shaped metal layers. This way a semiconductor process for forming said semiconductor structure is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Chieh-Te Chen, Yi-Po Lin, Jiunn-Hsiung Liao, Shui-Yen Lu, Li-Chiang Chen
  • Patent number: 9023708
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device is provided. At least one gate structure including a dummy gate is formed on a substrate. A contact etch stop layer and a dielectric layer are formed to cover the gate structure. A portion of the contact etch stop layer and a portion of the dielectric layer are removed to expose the top of the gate structure. A dry etching process is performed to remove a portion of the dummy gate of the gate structure. A hydrogenation treatment is performed to the surface of the remaining dummy gate. A wet etching process is performed to remove the remaining dummy gate and thereby form a gate trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Li-Chiang Chen, Jiunn-Hsiung Liao, Hsuan-Hsu Chen, Feng-Yi Chang, Chieh-Te Chen, Shang-Yuan Tsai, Ching-Pin Hsu
  • Patent number: 8952392
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a resist layer, a dielectric material, two U-shaped metal layers and two metals. The substrate has an isolation structure. The resist layer is located on the isolation structure. The dielectric material is located on the resist layer. Two U-shaped metal layers are located at the two sides of the dielectric material and on the resist layer. Two metals are respectively located on the two U-shaped metal layers. This way a semiconductor process for forming said semiconductor structure is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chieh-Te Chen, Yi-Po Lin, Jiunn-Hsiung Liao, Shui-Yen Lu, Li-Chiang Chen
  • Publication number: 20140315365
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device is provided. At least one gate structure including a dummy gate is formed on a substrate. A contact etch stop layer and a dielectric layer are formed to cover the gate structure. A portion of the contact etch stop layer and a portion of the dielectric layer are removed to expose the top of the gate structure. A dry etching process is performed to remove a portion of the dummy gate of the gate structure. A hydrogenation treatment is performed to the surface of the remaining dummy gate. A wet etching process is performed to remove the remaining dummy gate and thereby form a gate trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Li-Chiang Chen, Jiunn-Hsiung Liao, Hsuan-Hsu Chen, Feng-Yi Chang, Chieh-Te Chen, Shang-Yuan Tsai, Ching-Pin Hsu