Patents by Inventor Min-Chuan Tsai

Min-Chuan Tsai 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: 9558996
    Abstract: A method for filling a trench with a metal layer is disclosed. A deposition apparatus having a plurality of supporting pins is provided. A substrate and a dielectric layer disposed thereon are provided. The dielectric layer has a trench. A first deposition process is performed immediately after the substrate is placed on the supporting pins to form a metal layer in the trench, wherein during the first deposition process a temperature of the substrate is gradually increased to reach a predetermined temperature. When the temperature of the substrate reaches the predetermined temperature, a second deposition process is performed to completely fill the trench with the metal layer. The present invention further provides a semiconductor device having an aluminum layer with a reflectivity greater than 1, wherein the semiconductor device is formed by using the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chi-Mao Hsu, Hsin-Fu Huang, Min-Chuan Tsai, Chien-Hao Chen, Wei-Yu Chen, Chin-Fu Lin, Jing-Gang Li, Min-Hsien Chen, Jian-Hong Su
  • Publication number: 20160336227
    Abstract: A method of forming a contact structure is provided. A silicon-containing substrate is provided with a composite dielectric layer formed thereon. An opening penetrates through the composite dielectric layer and exposes a portion of the source/drain region. A titanium nitride layer is formed in the opening, and the titanium nitride layer is in contact with the exposed portion of the source/drain region. The titanium nitride layer is annealed, so that the bottom portion of the titanium nitride layer is partially transformed into a titanium silicide layer. A conductive layer is formed to fill up the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Pin-Hong Chen, Kuo-Chih Lai, Chia-Chang Hsu, Chun-Chieh Chiu, Li-Han Chen, Shu-Min Huang, Min-Chuan Tsai, Hsin-Fu Huang, Chi-Mao Hsu
  • Publication number: 20160336270
    Abstract: A semiconductor process for forming a plug includes the following steps. A dielectric layer having a recess is formed on a substrate. A titanium layer is formed to conformally cover the recess. A first titanium nitride layer is formed to conformally cover the titanium layer, thereby the first titanium nitride layer having first sidewall parts. The first sidewall parts of the first titanium nitride layer are pulled back, thereby second sidewall parts being formed. A second titanium nitride layer is formed to cover the recess. Moreover, a semiconductor structure formed by said semiconductor process is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Pin-Hong Chen, Kuo-Chih Lai, Chia Chang Hsu, Chun-Chieh Chiu, Li-Han Chen, Shu Min Huang, Min-Chuan Tsai, Hsin-Fu Huang, Chi-Mao Hsu
  • Publication number: 20160336269
    Abstract: A semiconductor process includes the following steps. A dielectric layer having a recess is formed on a substrate. A barrier layer is formed to cover the recess, thereby the barrier layer having two sidewall parts. A conductive layer is formed on the barrier layer by an atomic layer deposition process, thereby the conductive layer having two sidewall parts. The two sidewall parts of the conductive layer are pulled down. A conductive material fills the recess and has a part contacting the two sidewall parts of the barrier layer protruding from the two sidewall parts of the conductive layer, wherein the equilibrium potential difference between the barrier layer and the conductive layer is different from the equilibrium potential difference between the barrier layer and the conductive material. Moreover, the present invention also provides a semiconductor structure formed by said semiconductor process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Kun-Ju Li, Shu Min Huang, Kuo-Chin Hung, Po-Cheng Huang, Yu-Ting Li, Pei-Yu Lee, Min-Chuan Tsai, Chih-Hsun Lin, Wu-Sian Sie, Jen-Chieh Lin
  • Patent number: 9478628
    Abstract: A metal gate forming process includes the following steps. A first metal layer is formed on a substrate by at least a first step followed by a second step, wherein the processing power of the second step is higher than the processing power of the first step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chih Lai, Nien-Ting HO, Chi-Mao Hsu, Ching-Yun Chang, Yen-Chen Chen, Yang-Ju Lu, Shih-Min Chou, Yun-Tzu Chang, Hsiang-Chieh Yen, Min-Chuan Tsai
  • Patent number: 9281374
    Abstract: A metal gate structure located on a substrate includes a gate dielectric layer, a metal layer and a titanium aluminum nitride metal layer. The gate dielectric layer is located on the substrate. The metal layer is located on the gate dielectric layer. The titanium aluminum nitride metal layer is located on the metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Tsun-Min Cheng, Min-Chuan Tsai, Chih-Chien Liu, Jen-Chieh Lin, Pei-Ying Li, Shao-Wei Wang, Mon-Sen Lin, Ching-Ling Lin
  • Publication number: 20150380512
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a metal gate structure includes providing a substrate having a high-K gate dielectric layer and a bottom barrier layer sequentially formed thereon, forming a work function metal layer on the substrate, and performing an anneal treatment to the work function metal layer in-situ.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Chan-Lon Yang, Chi-Mao Hsu, Chun-Yuan Wu, Tzyy-Ming Cheng, Shih-Fang Tzou, Chin-Fu Lin, Hsin-Fu Huang, Min-Chuan Tsai
  • Patent number: 9166020
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a metal gate structure includes providing a substrate having a high-K gate dielectric layer and a bottom barrier layer sequentially formed thereon, forming a work function metal layer on the substrate, and performing an anneal treatment to the work function metal layer in-situ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chan-Lon Yang, Chi-Mao Hsu, Chun-Yuan Wu, Tzyy-Ming Cheng, Shih-Fang Tzou, Chin-Fu Lin, Hsin-Fu Huang, Min-Chuan Tsai
  • Patent number: 9130032
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device including a substrate, a gate structure, a second dielectric layer and a source/drain region. A first dielectric layer is disposed on the substrate, and the first dielectric layer has a trench therein. The gate structure is disposed on the substrate in the trench and includes a work function metal layer and a metal layer. The work function metal layer is disposed in the trench, and includes a TiAl3 phase metal layer. A height of the work function metal layer disposed on a sidewall of the trench is lower than a height of a top surface of the first dielectric layer. The metal layer fills the trench. The second dielectric layer is disposed between the gate structure and the substrate. The source/drain region is disposed in the substrate at two sides of the gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Hsin-Fu Huang, Kun-Hsien Lin, Chi-Mao Hsu, Min-Chuan Tsai, Tzung-Ying Lee, Chin-Fu Lin
  • Patent number: 9076784
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a work function metal layer, a (work function) metal oxide layer and a main electrode. The work function metal layer is located on a substrate. The (work function) metal oxide layer is located on the work function metal layer. The main electrode is located on the (work function) metal oxide layer. A semiconductor process forming said semiconductor structure is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Min-Chuan Tsai, Hsin-Fu Huang, Chi-Mao Hsu, Chin-Fu Lin, Chien-Hao Chen, Wei-Yu Chen, Chi-Yuan Sun, Ya-Hsueh Hsieh, Tsun-Min Cheng
  • Patent number: 9018086
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a semiconductor device having a metal gate. A substrate is provided and a gate dielectric and a work function metal layer are formed thereon, wherein the work function metal layer is on the gate dielectric layer. Then, a top barrier layer is formed on the work function metal layer. The step of forming the top barrier layer includes increasing a concentration of a boundary protection material in the top barrier layer. Lastly, a metal layer is formed on the top barrier layer. The present invention further provides a semiconductor device having a metal gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chi-Mao Hsu, Hsin-Fu Huang, Chin-Fu Lin, Min-Chuan Tsai, Wei-Yu Chen, Chien-Hao Chen
  • Patent number: 8975666
    Abstract: A MOS transistor includes a gate structure on a substrate, and the gate structure includes a wetting layer, a transitional layer and a low resistivity material from bottom to top, wherein the transitional layer has the properties of a work function layer, and the gate structure does not have any work function layers. Moreover, the present invention provides a MOS transistor process forming said MOS transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Ya-Hsueh Hsieh, Chi-Mao Hsu, Hsin-Fu Huang, Min-Chuan Tsai, Chien-Hao Chen, Chi-Yuan Sun, Wei-Yu Chen, Chin-Fu Lin
  • Publication number: 20150061042
    Abstract: A metal gate structure is provided. The metal gate structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate dielectric layer, a multi-layered P-type work function layer and a conductive metal layer. The gate dielectric layer is disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The multi-layered P-type work function layer is disposed on the gate dielectric layer, and the multi-layered P-type work function layer includes at least a crystalline P-type work function layer and at least an amorphous P-type work function layer. Furthermore, the conductive metal layer is disposed on the multi-layered P-type work function layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Tsun-Min Cheng, Nien-Ting Ho, Chien-Hao Chen, Ching-Yun Chang, Hsin-Fu Huang, Min-Chuan Tsai, Chi-Yuan Sun, Chi-Mao Hsu
  • Publication number: 20150004780
    Abstract: A metal gate structure located on a substrate includes a gate dielectric layer, a metal layer and a titanium aluminum nitride metal layer. The gate dielectric layer is located on the substrate. The metal layer is located on the gate dielectric layer. The titanium aluminum nitride metal layer is located on the metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Tsun-Min Cheng, Min-Chuan Tsai, Chih-Chien Liu, Jen-Chieh Lin, Pei-Ying Li, Shao-Wei Wang, Mon-Sen Lin, Ching-Ling Lin
  • Publication number: 20140374909
    Abstract: A method for filling a trench with a metal layer is disclosed. A deposition apparatus having a plurality of supporting pins is provided. A substrate and a dielectric layer disposed thereon are provided. The dielectric layer has a trench. A first deposition process is performed immediately after the substrate is placed on the supporting pins to form a metal layer in the trench, wherein during the first deposition process a temperature of the substrate is gradually increased to reach a predetermined temperature. When the temperature of the substrate reaches the predetermined temperature, a second deposition process is performed to completely fill the trench with the metal layer. The present invention further provides a semiconductor device having an aluminum layer with a reflectivity greater than 1, wherein the semiconductor device is formed by using the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Chi-Mao Hsu, Hsin-Fu Huang, Min-Chuan Tsai, Chien-Hao Chen, Wei-Yu Chen, Chin-Fu Lin, JING-GANG LI, Min-Hsien Chen, JIAN-HONG SU
  • Publication number: 20140361386
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device including a substrate, a gate structure, a second dielectric layer and a source/drain region. A first dielectric layer is disposed on the substrate, and the first dielectric layer has a trench therein. The gate structure is disposed on the substrate in the trench and includes a work function metal layer and a metal layer. The work function metal layer is disposed in the trench, and includes a TiAl3 phase metal layer. A height of the work function metal layer disposed on a sidewall of the trench is lower than a height of a top surface of the first dielectric layer. The metal layer fills the trench. The second dielectric layer is disposed between the gate structure and the substrate. The source/drain region is disposed in the substrate at two sides of the gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Hsin-Fu Huang, Kun-Hsien Lin, Chi-Mao Hsu, Min-Chuan Tsai, Tzung-Ying Lee, Chin-Fu Lin
  • Publication number: 20140346616
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a work function metal layer, a (work function) metal oxide layer and a main electrode. The work function metal layer is located on a substrate. The (work function) metal oxide layer is located on the work function metal layer. The main electrode is located on the (work function) metal oxide layer. A semiconductor process forming said semiconductor structure is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Min-Chuan Tsai, Hsin-Fu Huang, Chi-Mao Hsu, Chin-Fu Lin, Chien-Hao Chen, Wei-Yu Chen, Chi-Yuan Sun, Ya-Hsueh Hsieh, Tsun-Min Cheng
  • Patent number: 8872286
    Abstract: A metal gate structure located on a substrate includes a gate dielectric layer, a metal layer and a titanium aluminum nitride metal layer. The gate dielectric layer is located on the substrate. The metal layer is located on the gate dielectric layer. The titanium aluminum nitride metal layer is located on the metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Tsun-Min Cheng, Min-Chuan Tsai, Chih-Chien Liu, Jen-Chieh Lin, Pei-Ying Li, Shao-Wei Wang, Mon-Sen Lin, Ching-Ling Lin
  • Publication number: 20140306273
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a metal gate structure is provided. First, a substrate covered by an interlayer dielectric is provided. A gate trench is formed in the interlayer dielectric, wherein a gate dielectric layer is formed in the gate trench. A silicon-containing work function layer is formed on the gate dielectric layer in the gate trench. Finally, the gate trench is filled up with a conductive metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Nien-Ting Ho, Chien-Hao Chen, Hsin-Fu Huang, Chi-Yuan Sun, Wei-Yu Chen, Min-Chuan Tsai, Tsun-Min Cheng, Chi-Mao Hsu
  • Patent number: 8860135
    Abstract: A method for filling a trench with a metal layer is disclosed. A deposition apparatus having a plurality of supporting pins is provided. A substrate and a dielectric layer disposed thereon are provided. The dielectric layer has a trench. A first deposition process is performed immediately after the substrate is placed on the supporting pins to form a metal layer in the trench, wherein during the first deposition process a temperature of the substrate is gradually increased to reach a predetermined temperature. When the temperature of the substrate reaches the predetermined temperature, a second deposition process is performed to completely fill the trench with the metal layer. The present invention further provides a semiconductor device having an aluminum layer with a reflectivity greater than 1, wherein the semiconductor device is formed by using the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chi-Mao Hsu, Hsin-Fu Huang, Min-Chuan Tsai, Chien-Hao Chen, Wei-Yu Chen, Chin-Fu Lin, Jing-Gang Li, Min-Hsien Chen, Jian-Hong Su