Patents by Inventor Mao-Lin Huang

Mao-Lin Huang 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: 20230120117
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first dielectric layer over a first channel region in a first region and over a second channel region in a second region; introducing a first dipole element into the first dielectric layer in the first region to form a first dipole-containing gate dielectric layer in the first region; forming a second dielectric layer over the first dipole-containing gate dielectric layer; introducing fluorine into the second dielectric layer to form a first fluorine-containing gate dielectric layer over the first dipole-containing gate dielectric layer; and forming a gate electrode over the first fluorine-containing gate dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Chung-Wei Hsu, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Mao-Lin Huang, Lung-Kun Chu, Jia-Ni Yu, Chun-Fu Lu, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20230123562
    Abstract: A structure includes first nanostructures vertically spaced one from another over a substrate in a core region of the semiconductor structure, a first interfacial layer wrapping around each of the first nanostructures, a first high-k dielectric layer over the first interfacial layer and wrapping around each of the first nanostructures, second nanostructures vertically spaced one from another over the substrate in an I/O region of the semiconductor structure, a second interfacial layer wrapping around each of the second nanostructures, a second high-k dielectric layer over the second interfacial layer and wrapping around each of the second nanostructures. The first nanostructures have a first vertical pitch, the second nanostructures have a second vertical pitch substantially equal to the first vertical pitch, the first nanostructures have a first vertical spacing, the second nanostructures have a second vertical spacing greater than the first vertical spacing by about 4 ? to about 20 ?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Chung-Wei Hsu, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Mao-Lin Huang, Lung-Kun Chu, Jia-Ni Yu, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11626485
    Abstract: A device includes a substrate, and a first semiconductor channel over the substrate. The first semiconductor channel includes a first nanosheet of a first semiconductor material, a second nanosheet of a second semiconductor material in physical contact with a topside surface of the first nanosheet, and a third nanosheet of the second semiconductor material in physical contact with an underside surface of the first nanosheet. The first gate structure is over and laterally surrounding the first semiconductor channel, and in physical contact with the second nanosheet and the third nanosheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lung-Kun Chu, Mao-Lin Huang, Chung-Wei Hsu, Jia-Ni Yu, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11626327
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of first semiconductor nanosheets spaced apart from each other and in a p-type device region, and a plurality of second semiconductor nanosheets spaced apart from each other and in an n-type device region. The semiconductor device includes an isolation structure formed at a boundary between the p-type and n-type device regions, and a first hard mask layer formed over the first semiconductor nanosheets. The semiconductor device also includes a second hard mask layer formed over the second semiconductor nanosheets, and a p-type work function layer surrounding each of the first semiconductor nanosheets and the first hard mask layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Chung-Wei Hsu, Lung-Kun Chu, Jia-Ni Yu, Chih-Hao Wang, Mao-Lin Huang
  • Patent number: 11615962
    Abstract: A method includes providing a structure having a substrate and a stack of semiconductor layers over a surface of the substrate and spaced vertically one from another; forming an interfacial layer wrapping around each of the semiconductor layers; forming a high-k dielectric layer over the interfacial layer and wrapping around each of the semiconductor layers; and forming a capping layer over the high-k dielectric layer and wrapping around each of the semiconductor layers. With the capping layer wrapping around each of the semiconductor layers, the method further includes performing a thermal treatment to the structure, thereby increasing a thickness of the interfacial layer. After the performing of the thermal treatment, the method further includes removing the capping layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Wei Hsu, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Mao-Lin Huang, Lung-Kun Chu, Jia-Ni Yu, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11600533
    Abstract: A method includes providing semiconductor channel layers over a substrate; forming a first dipole layer wrapping around the semiconductor channel layers; forming an interfacial dielectric layer wrapping around the first dipole layer; forming a high-k dielectric layer wrapping around the interfacial dielectric layer; forming a second dipole layer wrapping around the high-k dielectric layer; performing a thermal process to drive at least some dipole elements from the second dipole layer into the high-k dielectric layer; removing the second dipole layer; and forming a work function metal layer wrapping around the high-k dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Wei Hsu, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Mao-Lin Huang, Lung-Kun Chu, Jia-Ni Yu, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20230062026
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The structure includes a first gate electrode layer, a second gate electrode layer disposed over and aligned with the first gate electrode layer, and a gate isolation structure disposed between the first gate electrode layer and the second gate electrode layer. The gate isolation structure includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. At least a portion of the first surface is in contact with the first gate electrode layer. The second surface includes a first material and a second material different from the first material, and at least a portion of the second surface is in contact with the second gate electrode layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Jia-Ni YU, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Mao-Lin HUANG, Lung-Kun CHU, Chung-Wei HSU, Chih-Hao WANG, Kuan-Lun CHENG
  • Publication number: 20230061676
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The structure includes first and second dielectric features and a first semiconductor layer disposed between the first and second dielectric features. The structure further includes an isolation layer disposed between the first and second dielectric features, and the isolation layer is in contact with the first and second dielectric features. The first semiconductor layer is disposed over the isolation layer. The structure further includes a gate dielectric layer disposed over the isolation layer and a gate electrode layer disposed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate electrode layer has an end extending to a level between a first plane defined by a first surface of the first semiconductor layer and a second plane defined by a second surface opposite the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Lung-Kun CHU, Mao-Lin HUANG, Chung-Wei HSU, Jia-Ni YU, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Patent number: 11594614
    Abstract: Multi-gate devices and methods for fabricating such are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes forming a gate dielectric layer around first channel layers in a p-type gate region and around second channel layers in an n-type gate region. Sacrificial features are formed between the second channel layers in the n-type gate region. A p-type work function layer is formed over the gate dielectric layer in the p-type gate region and the n-type gate region. After removing the p-type work function layer from the n-type gate region, the sacrificial features are removed from between the second channel layers in the n-type gate region. An n-type work function layer is formed over the gate dielectric layer in the n-type gate region. A metal fill layer is formed over the p-type work function layer in the p-type gate region and the n-type work function layer in the n-type gate region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jia-Ni Yu, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Lung-Kun Chu, Chung-Wei Hsu, Chih-Hao Wang, Mao-Lin Huang
  • Publication number: 20230029370
    Abstract: A method for processing an integrated circuit includes forming N-type and P-type gate all around transistors and core gate all around transistors. The method deposits a metal gate layer for the P-type transistors. The method forms a passivation layer in-situ with the metal gate layer of the P-type transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Mao-Lin HUANG, Lung-Kun CHU, Chung-Wei HSU, Jia-Ni YU, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Patent number: 11563109
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a fin structure formed over a substrate, and a gate structure formed over the fin structure. The gate structure includes a first layer, and a fill layer over the first layer. The gate structure includes a protection layer formed over the fill layer of the gate structure, and the protection layer is separated from the first layer by the fill layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Mao-Lin Huang, Lung-Kun Chu, Chung-Wei Hsu, Jia-Ni Yu, Chun-Fu Lu, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20230010502
    Abstract: A method for processing an integrated circuit includes forming first and second gate all around transistors. The method forms a dipole oxide in the first gate all around transistor without forming the dipole oxide in the second gate all around transistor. This is accomplished by entirely removing an interfacial dielectric layer and a dipole-inducing layer from semiconductor nanosheets of the second gate all around transistor before redepositing the interfacial dielectric layer on the semiconductor nanosheets of the second gate all around transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Lung-Kun CHU, Mao-Lin HUANG, Chung-Wei HSU, Jia-Ni YU, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20230009349
    Abstract: A method for processing an integrated circuit includes forming I/O gate all around transistors and core gate all around transistors. The method performs a regrowth process on an interfacial gate dielectric layer of the I/O gate all around transistors by diffusing metal atoms into the interfacial dielectric layer I/O gate all around transistor. The regrowth process does not diffuse metal atoms into the interfacial gate dielectric layer of the gate all around core transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Jia-Ni YU, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Mao-Lin HUANG, Lung-Kun CHU, Chung-Wei HSU, Chih-Hao WANG, Kuan-Lun CHENG
  • Publication number: 20220384434
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The device includes one or more first semiconductor layers, each first semiconductor layer of the one or more first semiconductor layers is surrounded by a first intermixed layer, wherein the first intermixed layer comprises a first material and a second material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Mao-Lin HUANG, Lung-Kun CHU, Chung-Wei HSU, Jia-Ni YU, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20220375936
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second n-type transistors and first and second p-type transistors. The first n-type transistor includes a first channel layer and a first portion of a high-k dielectric layer over the first channel layer. The second n-type transistor includes a second channel layer and a second portion of the high-k dielectric layer over the second channel layer, wherein the second portion includes a higher amount of an n-type dipole material than the first portion. The first p-type transistor includes a third channel layer and a third portion of the high-k dielectric layer over the third channel layer. The second p-type transistor includes a fourth channel layer and a fourth portion of the high-k dielectric layer over the fourth channel layer, wherein the fourth portion includes a higher amount of a p-type dipole material than the third portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Lung-Kun Chu, Mao-Lin Huang, Chung-Wei Hsu, Jia-Ni Yu, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20220367291
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. An exemplary method comprises forming a first stack structure and a second stack structure in a first area over a substrate, wherein each of the stack structures includes semiconductor layers separated and stacked up; depositing a first interfacial layer around each of the semiconductor layers of the stack structures; depositing a gate dielectric layer around the first interfacial layer; forming a dipole oxide layer around the gate dielectric layer; removing the dipole oxide layer around the gate dielectric layer of the second stack structure; performing an annealing process to form a dipole gate dielectric layer for the first stack structure and a non-dipole gate dielectric layer for the second stack structure; and depositing a first gate electrode around the dipole gate dielectric layer of the first stack structure and the non-dipole gate dielectric layer of the second stack structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Chung-Wei Hsu, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Hou-Yu Chen, Ching-Wei Tsai, Chih-Hao Wang, Lung-Kun Chu, Mao-Lin Huang, Jia-Ni Yu
  • Publication number: 20220367689
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a device includes providing a fin extending from a substrate, the fin having a plurality of semiconductor layers and a first distance between each adjacent semiconductor layers. The method further includes providing a dielectric fin extending from the substrate where the dielectric fin is adjacent to the plurality of semiconductor layers and there is a second distance between an end of each of the semiconductor layers and a first sidewall of the dielectric fin. The second distance is greater than the first distance. Depositing a dielectric layer over the semiconductor layers and over the first sidewall of the dielectric fin. Forming a first metal layer over the dielectric layer on the semiconductor layers and on the first sidewall of the dielectric fin, wherein portions of the first metal layer disposed on and interposing adjacent semiconductor layers are merged together. Finally removing the first metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Lung-Kun Chu, Mao-Lin Huang, Chung-Wei Hsu, Jia-Ni Yu, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11502168
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a first nanosheet field effect transistor (NSFET). The first NSFET includes a first nanosheet channel structure arranged over a substrate, a second nanosheet channel structure arranged directly over the first nanosheet channel structure, and a first gate electrode structure. The first and second nanosheet channel structures extend in parallel between first and second source/drain regions. The first gate electrode structure includes a first conductive ring and a second conductive ring that completely surround outer sidewalls of the first nanosheet channel structure and the second nanosheet channel structure, respectively, and that comprise a first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Wei Hsu, Hou-Yu Chen, Chih-Hao Wang, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Mao-Lin Huang, Jia-Ni Yu, Lung-Kun Chu
  • Publication number: 20220359513
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first FET device, a second FET device disposed, and an isolation separating the first FET device and the second FET device. The first FET device includes a fin structure, a first work function metal layer disposed over the fin structure, and a high-k gate dielectric layer between the first work function metal layer and the fin structure. The second FET device includes a plurality of nanosheets separated from each other, a second work function metal layer surrounding each of the nanosheets, and the high-k gate dielectric layer between the second work function metal layer and each of the nanosheets. A portion of the high-k gate dielectric layer is directly over the isolation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: JIA-NI YU, KUO-CHENG CHIANG, LUNG-KUN CHU, CHUNG-WEI HSU, CHIH-HAO WANG, MAO-LIN HUANG
  • Publication number: 20220359725
    Abstract: Multi-gate devices and methods for fabricating such are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes forming a gate dielectric layer around first channel layers in a p-type gate region and around second channel layers in an n-type gate region. Sacrificial features are formed between the second channel layers in the n-type gate region. A p-type work function layer is formed over the gate dielectric layer in the p-type gate region and the n-type gate region. After removing the p-type work function layer from the n-type gate region, the sacrificial features are removed from between the second channel layers in the n-type gate region. An n-type work function layer is formed over the gate dielectric layer in the n-type gate region. A metal fill layer is formed over the p-type work function layer in the p-type gate region and the n-type work function layer in the n-type gate region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Jia-Ni Yu, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Lung-Kun Chu, Chung-Wei Hsu, Chih-Hao Wang, Mao-Lin Huang