Patents by Inventor Mark Van Dal

Mark Van Dal 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: 20160293703
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are provided. A semiconductor device includes a substrate, the substrate having a first source/drain feature and a second source/drain feature formed thereon. The semiconductor device further includes a first nanowire on the first source/drain feature and a second nanowire on the second source/drain feature, the first nanowire extending vertically from an upper surface of the first source/drain feature and the second nanowire extending vertically from an upper surface of the second source/drain feature. The semiconductor device further includes a third nanowire extending from an upper end of the first nanowire to an upper end of the second nanowire, wherein the first nanowire, the second nanowire and the third nanowire form a channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Aryan Afzalian, Blandine Duriez, Mark van Dal
  • Publication number: 20160284850
    Abstract: Among other things, a semiconductor device comprising one or more faceted surfaces and techniques for forming the semiconductor device are provided. A semiconductor device, such as a finFET, comprises a fin formed on a semiconductor substrate. The fin comprises a source region, a channel, and a drain region. A gate is formed around the channel. A top fin portion of the fin is annealed, such as by a hydrogen annealing process, to create one or more faceted surfaces. For example the top fin portion comprises a first faceted surface formed adjacent to a second faceted surface at an angle greater than 90 degrees relative to the second faceted surface, which results in a reduced sharpness of a corner between the first faceted surface and the second faceted surface. In this way, an electrical field near the corner is substantially uniform to electrical fields induced elsewhere within the fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Mark van Dal, Georgios Vellianitis
  • Publication number: 20160276433
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are provided. A template layer is formed on a substrate, the template layer having a recess therein. A plurality of nanowires is formed in the recess. A gate stack is formed over the substrate, the gate stack surrounding the plurality of nanowires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Martin Christopher Holland, Blandine Duriez, Mark van Dal
  • Patent number: 9450096
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and methods of formation are provided. The semiconductor device includes a first active region having a first active region height and an active channel region having an active channel region height over a fin. The first active region height is greater than the active channel region height. The active channel region having the active channel region height has increased strain, such as increased tensile strain, as compared to an active channel region that has a height greater than the active channel region height. The increased strain increases or enhances at least one of hole mobility or electron mobility in at least one of the first active region or the active channel region. The active channel region having the active channel region height has decreased source drain leakage, as compared to an active channel region that has a height greater than the active channel region height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Mark van Dal, Blandine Duriez
  • Patent number: 9412871
    Abstract: A FinFET with backside passivation layer comprises a template layer disposed on a substrate, a buffer layer disposed over the template layer, a channel backside passivation layer disposed over the buffer layer and a channel layer disposed over the channel backside passivation layer. A gate insulator layer is disposed over and in contact with the channel layer and the channel backside passivation layer. The buffer layer optionally comprises aluminum and the channel layer may optionally comprise a III-V semiconductor compound. STIs may be disposed on opposite sides of the channel backside passivation layer, and the channel backside passivation layer may have a top surface disposed above the top surface of the STIs and a bottom surface disposed below the top surface of the STIs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gerben Doornbos, Mark van Dal, Georgios Vellianitis, Blandine Duriez, Krishna Kumar Bhuwalka, Richard Kenneth Oxland, Martin Christopher Holland, Yee-Chaung See, Matthias Passlack
  • Patent number: 9384991
    Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing a carbon layer is provided. An embodiment comprises depositing a first metal layer on a substrate, the substrate comprising carbon. A silicide is eptiaxially grown on the substrate, the epitaxially growing the silicide also forming a layer of carbon over the silicide. In an embodiment the carbon layer is graphene, and may be transferred to a semiconductor substrate for further processing to form a channel within the graphene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mark van Dal
  • Publication number: 20160172246
    Abstract: A method includes growing a nanowire from a substrate, forming a sacrificial layer surrounding the nanowire, removing the nanowire from the sacrificial layer to form an opening in the sacrificial layer, and growing a replacement semiconductor nanowire in the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Mark van Dal, Aryan Afzalian, Gerben Doornbos
  • Patent number: 9368604
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of forming a fin-like field-effect transistor (FinFET) device. The method includes forming a first strain-relaxed buffer (SRB) stack over a substrate. The first SRB stack has a lattice mismatch with respect to the substrate that generates a threading dislocation defect feature in the first SRB stack. The method also includes forming a patterned dielectric layer over the first SRB stack. The patterned dielectric layer includes a trench extending therethrough. The method also includes forming a second SRB stack over the first SRB stack and within the trench. The second SRB stack has a lattice mismatch with respect to the substrate such that an upper portion of the second SRB stack is without threading dislocation defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark van Dal, Georgios Vellianitis, Matthias Passlack, Martin Christopher Holland
  • Patent number: 9362406
    Abstract: Among other things, a semiconductor device comprising one or more faceted surfaces and techniques for forming the semiconductor device are provided. A semiconductor device, such as a finFET, comprises a fin formed on a semiconductor substrate. The fin comprises a source region, a channel, and a drain region. A gate is formed around the channel. A top fin portion of the fin is annealed, such as by a hydrogen annealing process, to create one or more faceted surfaces. For example the top fin portion comprises a first faceted surface formed adjacent to a second faceted surface at an angle greater than 90 degrees relative to the second faceted surface, which results in a reduced sharpness of a corner between the first faceted surface and the second faceted surface. In this way, an electrical field near the corner is substantially uniform to electrical fields induced elsewhere within the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Mark van Dal, Georgios Vellianitis
  • Patent number: 9349860
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are provided. A semiconductor device includes a substrate, the substrate having a first source/drain feature and a second source/drain feature formed thereon. The semiconductor device further includes a first nanowire on the first source/drain feature and a second nanowire on the second source/drain feature, the first nanowire extending vertically from an upper surface of the first source/drain feature and the second nanowire extending vertically from an upper surface of the second source/drain feature. The semiconductor device further includes a third nanowire extending from an upper end of the first nanowire to an upper end of the second nanowire, wherein the first nanowire, the second nanowire and the third nanowire form a channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Aryan Afzalian, Blandine Duriez, Mark van Dal
  • Publication number: 20160111323
    Abstract: A method includes performing an epitaxy to grow a semiconductor layer, which includes a top portion over a semiconductor region. The semiconductor region is between two insulation regions that are in a substrate. The method further includes recessing the insulation regions to expose portions of sidewalls of the semiconductor region, and etching a portion of the semiconductor region, wherein the etched portion of the semiconductor region is under and contacting a bottom surface of the semiconductor layer, wherein the semiconductor layer is spaced apart from an underlying region by an air gap. A gate dielectric and a gate electrode are formed over the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Georgios Vellianitis, Mark van Dal, Blandine Duriez
  • Publication number: 20160056270
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides one embodiment of a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate of a first semiconductor material; shallow trench isolation (STI) features formed in the semiconductor substrate; and a fin-like active region of a second semiconductor material epitaxy grown on the semiconductor substrate. The first semiconductor material has a first lattice constant and the second semiconductor material has a second lattice constant different from the first lattice constant. The fin-like active region further includes fluorine species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Mark van Dal
  • Publication number: 20160049477
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate; a channel layer of at least one III-V semiconductor compound above the semiconductor substrate; a gate electrode above a first portion of the channel layer; a source region and a drain region above a second portion of the channel layer; and a dopant layer comprising at least one dopant contacting the second portion of the channel layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Richard Kenneth OXLAND, Mark van DAL
  • Patent number: 9219131
    Abstract: A method includes performing an epitaxy to grow a semiconductor layer, which includes a top portion over a semiconductor region. The semiconductor region is between two insulation regions that are in a substrate. The method further includes recessing the insulation regions to expose portions of sidewalls of the semiconductor region, and etching a portion of the semiconductor region, wherein the etched portion of the semiconductor region is under and contacting a bottom surface of the semiconductor layer, wherein the semiconductor layer is spaced apart from an underlying region by an air gap. A gate dielectric and a gate electrode are formed over the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Georgios Vellianitis, Mark van Dal, Blandine Duriez
  • Publication number: 20150364592
    Abstract: A thin-sheet non-planar circuit device such as a FinFET and a method for forming the device is disclosed. In some exemplary embodiments, the device includes a substrate having a top surface and a feature disposed on the substrate that extends above the top surface. A material layer disposed on the feature. The material layer includes a plurality of source/drain regions and a channel region disposed between the source/drain regions. A gate stack is disposed on the channel region of the material layer. In some such embodiments, the feature includes a plurality of side surfaces, and the material layer is disposed on each of the side surface surfaces. In some such embodiments, the feature also includes a top surface and the material layer is further disposed on the top surface. In some embodiments, the top surface of the feature is free of the material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Mark van Dal, Martin Christopher Holland, Matthias Passlack
  • Publication number: 20150364329
    Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing a carbon layer is provided. An embodiment comprises depositing a first metal layer on a substrate, the substrate comprising carbon. A silicide is eptiaxially grown on the substrate, the epitaxially growing the silicide also forming a layer of carbon over the silicide. In an embodiment the carbon layer is graphene, and may be transferred to a semiconductor substrate for further processing to form a channel within the graphene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventor: Mark van Dal
  • Patent number: 9214555
    Abstract: Integrated circuit devices having FinFETs with channel regions low in crystal defects and current-blocking layers underneath the channels to improve electrostatic control. Optionally, an interface control layer formed of a high bandgap semiconductor is provided between the current-blocking layer and the channel. The disclosure also provides methods of forming integrated circuit devices having these structures. The methods include forming a FinFET fin including a channel by epitaxial growth, then oxidizing a portion of the fin to form a current-blocking layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard Kenneth Oxland, Mark van Dal, Martin Christopher Holland, Georgios Vellianitis, Matthias Passlack
  • Patent number: 9184233
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides one embodiment of a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate of a first semiconductor material; shallow trench isolation (STI) features formed in the semiconductor substrate; and a fin-like active region of a second semiconductor material epitaxy grown on the semiconductor substrate. The first semiconductor material has a first lattice constant and the second semiconductor material has a second lattice constant different from the first lattice constant. The fin-like active region further includes fluorine species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mark van Dal
  • Publication number: 20150295064
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and methods of formation are provided. The semiconductor device includes a first active region having a first active region height and an active channel region having an active channel region height over a fin. The first active region height is greater than the active channel region height. The active channel region having the active channel region height has increased strain, such as increased tensile strain, as compared to an active channel region that has a height greater than the active channel region height. The increased strain increases or enhances at least one of hole mobility or electron mobility in at least one of the first active region or the active channel region. The active channel region having the active channel region height has decreased source drain leakage, as compared to an active channel region that has a height greater than the active channel region height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Mark van Dal, Blandine Duriez
  • Publication number: 20150279964
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and methods of formation are provided. The semiconductor device includes a gate over a channel portion of a fin. The fin includes a first active area of the fin having a first active area top surface coplanar with a first shallow trench isolation (STI) top surface of a first STI portion of STI, and a second active area of the fin having a second active area top surface coplanar with a second STI top surface of a second STI portion of the STI. The method herein negates a need to recess at least one of the fin, the first STI portion or the second STI portion during device formation. Negating a need to recess at least one of the fin, the first STI portion or the second STI portion enhances the semiconductor device formation and is more efficient than a semiconductor device formation that requires the recessing of at least one of a fin, a first STI portion or a second STI portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Blandine Duriez, Mark van Dal