Patents by Inventor Min-Hwa Chi

Min-Hwa Chi 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: 20150287727
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a semiconductor structure including a finFET having an epitaxial semiconductor region in direct physical contact with a plurality of fins, wherein the epitaxial semiconductor region traverses an insulator layer and is in direct physical contact with the semiconductor substrate. The gate of the finFET is disposed over an insulator layer, such as a buried oxide layer. Methods of forming the semiconductor structure are also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Yanxiang Liu, Min-hwa Chi
  • Patent number: 9153496
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing semiconductor integrated circuits having FinFET structures with epitaxially formed source and drain regions are disclosed. A method of fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming a plurality of silicon fin structures on a semiconductor substrate, epitaxially growing a silicon material on the fin structures, wherein a merged source/drain region is formed on the fin structures, and anisotropically etching at least one of the merged source drain regions to form an un-merged source/drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Hoong Shing Wong, Min-hwa Chi
  • Patent number: 9142673
    Abstract: Devices and methods for forming semiconductor devices with FinFETs are provided. One intermediate semiconductor device includes, for instance: a substrate with at least one fin with at least one channel; at least one gate over the channel; at least one hard-mask over the gate; and at least one spacer disposed over the gate and hard-mask. One method includes, for instance: obtaining an intermediate semiconductor device; forming at least one recess into the substrate, the recess including a bottom and at least one sidewall exposing a portion of the at least one fin; depositing a dielectric layer into the at least one recess; removing at least a portion of the dielectric layer to form a barrier dielectric layer; and performing selective epitaxial growth in the at least one recess over the barrier dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Jin Ping Liu, Min-hwa Chi
  • Patent number: 9142316
    Abstract: An OTP anti-fuse memory array without additional selectors and a manufacturing method are provided. Embodiments include forming wells of a first polarity in a substrate, forming a bitline of the first polarity in each well, and forming plural metal gates across each bitline, wherein no source/drain regions are formed between the metal gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Yanxiang Liu, Min-hwa Chi, Anurag Mittal
  • Publication number: 20150255456
    Abstract: Embodiments herein provide approaches for forming a set of replacement fins in a semiconductor device. Specifically, a device is formed having a set of replacement fins over a substrate, each of the set of replacement fins comprising a first section separated from a second section by a liner layer, the first section having a lower dopant centration than a dopant concentration of the second section. In one embodiment, sequential epitaxial deposition with insitu doping is used to form the second section, the liner layer, and then the first section of each of the set of replacement fins. In another embodiment, the second section is formed over the substrate, and the liner layer is formed through a carbon implant. The first section is then epitaxially formed over the liner layer, and serves as the fin channel. As provided, upward dopant diffusion is suppressed, resulting in the first section of each fin being maintained with low doping so that the fin channel is fully depleted channel during device operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Ajey Poovannummoottil Jacob, Min-hwa Chi
  • Publication number: 20150255277
    Abstract: Fin-type transistor fabrication methods and structures are provided having one or more nitrided conformal layers, to improve reliability of the semiconductor device. The method includes, for example, providing at least one material layer disposed, in part, conformally over a fin extending above a substrate, the material layer(s) including a gate dielectric layer; and performing a conformal nitridation process over an exposed surface of the material layer(s), the conformal nitridation process forming an exposed, conformal nitrided surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Wei Hua TONG, Tien-Ying LUO, Yan Ping SHEN, Feng ZHOU, Jun LIAN, Haoran SHI, Min-hwa CHI, Jin Ping LIU, Haiting WANG, Seung KIM
  • Publication number: 20150228648
    Abstract: A method of forming a multi-valued logic transistor with a small footprint and the resulting device are disclosed. Embodiments include forming plural fins on a silicon substrate, each fin covered with a hardmask; filling spaces between the fins and hard masks with an oxide; removing the hardmasks and recessing each fin, forming a cavity in the oxide over each fin; forming plural Si-based layers in each cavity with an increasing percentage of Ge or C or with an decreasing concentration of dopant from a bottom layer to a top layer; performing CMP for planarization to a top of the fins; recessing the oxide to a depth slightly below a top portion of the fin having a thickness equal to a thickness of each Si-based layer; and forming a high-k gate dielectric and a metal gate electrode over the plural Si-based layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: Globalfoundries Inc.
    Inventors: Min-hwa CHI, Ajey JACOB, Abhijeet PAUL
  • Publication number: 20150221726
    Abstract: A FinFET has shaped epitaxial structures for the source and drain that are electrically isolated from the substrate. Shaped epitaxial structures in the active region are separated from the substrate in the source and drain regions while those in the channel region remain. The gaps created by the separation in the source and drain are filled with electrically insulating material. Prior to filling the gaps, defects created by the separation may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Hoong Shing Wong, Min-hwa Chi, Tae-Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 9087743
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a semiconductor structure including a finFET having an epitaxial semiconductor region in direct physical contact with a plurality of fins, wherein the epitaxial semiconductor region traverses an insulator layer and is in direct physical contact with the semiconductor substrate. The gate of the finFET is disposed over an insulator layer, such as a buried oxide layer. Methods of forming the semiconductor structure are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Yanxiang Liu, Min-hwa Chi
  • Publication number: 20150200298
    Abstract: Tunneling field effect transistors and fabrication methods thereof are provided, which include: obtaining a gate structure disposed over a substrate structure; and providing a source region and a drain region within the substrate structure separated by a channel region, the channel region underlying, at least partially, the gate structure, and the providing including: modifying the source region to attain a narrowed source region bandgap; and modifying the drain region to attain a narrowed drain region bandgap, the narrowed source region bandgap and the narrowed drain region bandgap facilitating quantum tunneling of charge carriers from the source region or the drain region to the channel region. Devices including digital modulation circuits with one or more tunneling field effect transistor(s) are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Yanxiang LIU, Min-hwa CHI
  • Publication number: 20150200251
    Abstract: A process and device are provided for a high-k gate-dielectric operating as a built-in e-fuse. Embodiments include: providing first and second active regions of a transistor, separated by a gate region of the transistor, on a substrate; forming an interfacial layer on the gate region; minimizing the interfacial layer; forming a high-k gate dielectric layer on the interfacial layer to operate as an e-fuse element, the high-k gate dielectric layer and interfacial layer having a combined breakdown voltage less than three times a circuit operating voltage associated with the transistor; and forming a metal gate on the high-k gate dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Min-hwa CHI, Yanxiang LIU
  • Patent number: 9076868
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved shallow trench isolation structure and method of fabrication. The shallow trench isolation cavity includes an upper region having a sigma cavity shape, and a lower region having a substantially rectangular cross-section. The lower region is filled with a first material having good gap fill properties. The sigma cavity is filled with a second material having good stress-inducing properties. In some embodiments, source/drain stressor cavities may be eliminated, with the stress provided by the shallow trench isolation structure. In other embodiments, the stress from the shallow trench isolation structure may be used to complement or counteract stress from a source/drain stressor region of an adjacent transistor. This enables precise tuning of channel stress to achieve a desired carrier mobility for a transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: HaoCheng Tsai, Min-hwa Chi
  • Patent number: 9076791
    Abstract: A process and device are provided for a high-k gate-dielectric operating as a built-in e-fuse. Embodiments include: providing first and second active regions of a transistor, separated by a gate region of the transistor, on a substrate; forming an interfacial layer on the gate region; minimizing the interfacial layer; forming a high-k gate dielectric layer on the interfacial layer to operate as an e-fuse element, the high-k gate dielectric layer and interfacial layer having a combined breakdown voltage less than three times a circuit operating voltage associated with the transistor; and forming a metal gate on the high-k gate dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Min-hwa Chi, Yanxiang Liu
  • Publication number: 20150187947
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure in fabrication includes a n-FinFET and p-FinFET. Stress inducing materials such as silicon and silicon germanium are epitaxially grown into naturally diamond-shaped structures atop the silicon fins of the n-FinFET and p-FinFET areas. The diamond structures act as the source, drain and channel between the source and drain. The diamond structures of the channel are selectively separated from the fin while retaining the fin connections of the diamond-shaped growth of the source and the drain. Further fabrication to complete the structure may then proceed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Min-Hwa CHI, Hoong Shing WONG
  • Patent number: 9064888
    Abstract: Methods for forming stacking faults in sources, or sources and drains, of TFETs to improve tunneling efficiency and the resulting devices are disclosed. Embodiments may include designating areas within a substrate that will subsequently correspond to a source region and a drain region, selectively forming a stacking fault within the substrate corresponding to the source region, and forming a tunneling field-effect transistor incorporating the source region and the drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Yanxiang Liu, Min-hwa Chi
  • Publication number: 20150137236
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a semiconductor structure including a finFET having an epitaxial semiconductor region in direct physical contact with a plurality of fins, wherein the epitaxial semiconductor region traverses an insulator layer and is in direct physical contact with the semiconductor substrate. The gate of the finFET is disposed over an insulator layer, such as a buried oxide layer. Methods of forming the semiconductor structure are also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDERIES Inc.
    Inventors: Yanxiang Liu, Min-hwa Chi
  • Publication number: 20150137235
    Abstract: There is set forth herein in one embodiment a FinFET semiconductor device having a fin extending from a bulk silicon substrate, wherein there is formed wrapped around a portion of the fin a gate, and wherein proximate a channel area of the fin aligned to the gate there is formed a local buried oxide region aligned to the gate. In one embodiment, the local buried oxide region is formed below a channel area of the fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc
    Inventors: Yanxiang LIU, Min-hwa CHI
  • Publication number: 20150126008
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices that involve formation of alternating layers of different semiconductor materials in the channel region of FinFET devices. The methods involve forming such alternating layers of different semiconductor materials in a cavity formed above the substrate fin and thereafter forming a gate structure around the fin using gate first or gate last techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Abhijeet Paul, Ajey Poovannummoottil Jacob, Min-hwa Chi
  • Patent number: 9023705
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices that involve formation of alternating layers of different semiconductor materials in the channel region of FinFET devices. The methods involve forming such alternating layers of different semiconductor materials in a cavity formed above the substrate fin and thereafter forming a gate structure around the fin using gate first or gate last techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Abhijeet Paul, Ajey Poovannummoottil Jacob, Min-hwa Chi
  • Patent number: 9012286
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods of forming FinFET semiconductor devices so as to tune the threshold voltage of such devices. In one example, the method includes forming a plurality of spaced-apart trenches in a semiconducting substrate to define at least one fin (or fins) for the device, prior to forming a gate structure above the fin (or fins), performing a first epitaxial growth process to grow a first semiconductor material on exposed portions of the fin (or fins) and forming the gate structure above the first semiconductor material on the fin (or fins).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventor: Min-Hwa Chi