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).

  • Patent number: 10147496
    Abstract: At least one method, apparatus and system disclosed involves hard-coding data into an integrated circuit device. An integrated circuit device provided. Data for hard-wiring information into a portion of the integrated circuit device is received. A stress voltage signal is provided to a portion of a transistor of the integrated circuit device for causing a dielectric breakdown of the portion of the transistor for hard-wiring the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Akhilesh Gautam, Suresh Uppal, Min-hwa Chi
  • Patent number: 10128333
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Hoong Shing Wong, Min-hwa Chi, Tae-Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 10121893
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to an integrated circuit structure. The integrated circuit structure may include: a gate structure between a pair of gate spacers within a dielectric layer and substantially surrounding a fin, wherein the gate structure is disposed adjacent to a channel region within the fin; and a source/drain contact extending within the dielectric layer to a source/drain region within a fin, the source/drain contact being separated from the gate structure by at least one gate spacer in the pair of gate spacers, wherein the channel region and the source/drain region provide electrical connection between the gate structure and the source/drain contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Hui Zang, Manfred J Eller, Min-Hwa Chi, Jerome J. B. Ciavatti
  • Patent number: 10115807
    Abstract: At least one method, apparatus and system disclosed herein fin field effect transistor (finFET) comprising a tall fin having a plurality of epitaxial regions. A first fin of a transistor is formed. The first fin comprising a first portion comprising silicon, a second portion comprising silicon germanium and a third portion comprising silicon. A gate structure above the third portion is formed. An etching process is performed for removing the silicon germanium of the second portion that is not below the gate structure. A first epitaxy region is formed above the first portion. A second epitaxy region is formed vertically aligned with the first epitaxy region and above the silicon germanium of the second portion that is below the gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Hui Zang, Min-Hwa Chi, Jinping Liu
  • Patent number: 10115738
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to self-aligned back-plane and well contacts for a fully depleted silicon on insulator device and methods of manufacture. The structure includes a back-plane, a p-well and an n-well formed within a bulk substrate; a contact extending from each of the back-plane, the p-well and the n-well; a gate structure formed above the back-plane, the p-well and the n-well; and an insulating spacer isolating the contact of the back-plane from the gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Hui Zang, Min-Hwa Chi
  • Patent number: 10096604
    Abstract: FinFET structures and methods of forming such structures. The FinFET structures including a substrate; at least two gates disposed on the substrate; a plurality of source/drain regions within the substrate adjacent to each of the gates; a dielectric disposed between each gate and the plurality of source/drain regions adjacent to each gate; a dielectric capping layer disposed on a first one of the at least two gates, wherein no dielectric capping layer is disposed on a second one of the at least two gates; and a local interconnect electrically connected to the second one of the at least two gates, wherein the dielectric capping layer disposed on the first one of the at least two gates prevents an electrical connection between the local interconnect and the first one of the at least two gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Min-hwa Chi, Hui Zang
  • Publication number: 20180286873
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating the semiconductor devices for forming conductive paths between fins for contact-to-gate shorting. One method includes, for instance: obtaining wafer with a substrate, at least one fin, at least one hard mask, and an oxide layer; etching the oxide layer to reveal at least one of a portion of the hard masks; forming sacrificial pillars over the substrate; forming sacrificial gates, wherein at least one sacrificial gate contacts at least one sacrificial pillar; growing an epitaxial layer between the at least one sacrificial gate and the at least one sacrificial pillar; starting a RMG process on the sacrificial gates; etching to remove the sacrificial pillars and form pillar openings; and completing the RMG process to fill the pillar openings and the gate openings with a metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Hui ZANG, Min-hwa CHI
  • Publication number: 20180277655
    Abstract: A method of reducing parasitic capacitance includes providing a starting semiconductor structure, the starting semiconductor structure including a semiconductor substrate with fin(s) thereon, the fin(s) having at least two dummy transistors integrated therewith and separated by a dielectric region, the dummy transistors including dummy gates with spacers and gate caps, the fin(s) having ends tucked by the dummy gates. The method further includes removing the dummy gates and gate caps, resulting in gate trenches, protecting area(s) of the structure during fabrication process(es) where source/drain parasitic capacitance may occur, and forming air-gaps at a bottom portion of unprotected gate trenches to reduce parasitic capacitance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Srikanth Balaji SAMAVEDAN, Manfred ELLER, Min-hwa CHI, Hui ZANG
  • Patent number: 10068766
    Abstract: A method includes, for example, providing a starting semiconductor structure having a plurality of material lines disposed over a hard mask, and the hard mask disposed over a patternable layer, forming a protective layer over a portion of at least one material line, the at least one protected material line and at least one unprotected material line having a same critical dimension, oxidizing the at least one unprotected material line to increase the critical dimension compared to the first critical dimension of the at least one protected material line, and etching at least a portion of the oxidized unprotected material line so that the etched critical dimension of the at least one etched material line is different from the first critical dimension of the at least one protected material line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Hui Zang, Min-hwa Chi
  • Patent number: 10056468
    Abstract: A method of reducing parasitic capacitance includes providing a starting semiconductor structure, the starting semiconductor structure including a semiconductor substrate with fin(s) thereon, the fin(s) having at least two dummy transistors integrated therewith and separated by a dielectric region, the dummy transistors including dummy gates with spacers and gate caps, the fin(s) having ends tucked by the dummy gates. The method further includes removing the dummy gates and gate caps, resulting in gate trenches, protecting area(s) of the structure during fabrication process(es) where source/drain parasitic capacitance may occur, and forming air-gaps at a bottom portion of unprotected gate trenches to reduce parasitic capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Srikanth Balaji Samavedan, Manfred Eller, Min-hwa Chi, Hui Zang
  • Patent number: 10056331
    Abstract: Programmable via devices and fabrication methods thereof are presented. The programmable via devices include, for instance, a first metal layer and a second metal layer electrically connected by a via link. The via link includes a semiconductor portion and a metal portion, where the via link facilitates programming of the programmable via device by applying a programming current through the via link to migrate materials between the semiconductor portion and the metal portion to facilitate a change of an electrical resistance of the via link. In one embodiment, the programming current facilitates formation of at least one gap region within the via link, the at least one gap region facilitating the change of the electrical resistance of the via link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Ajey P. Jacob, Suraj K. Patil, Min-hwa Chi
  • Patent number: 10038096
    Abstract: A three-dimensional transistor includes a channel with a center portion (forked channel) or side portions (narrow channel) removed, or fins without shaping, after removal of the dummy gate and before a replacement metal gate is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Hui Zang, Min-hwa Chi
  • Patent number: 10032910
    Abstract: Fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) devices and methods of forming the same are provided herein. In an embodiment, a FinFET device includes a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of fins disposed in parallel relationship. A first insulator layer overlies the semiconductor substrate, with the fins extending through and protruding beyond the first insulator layer to provide exposed fin portions. A gate electrode structure overlies the exposed fin portions and is electrically insulated from the fins by a gate insulating layer. Epitaxially-grown source regions and drain regions are disposed adjacent to the gate electrode structure. The epitaxially-grown source regions and drain regions have an asymmetric profile along a lateral direction perpendicular to a length of the fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Xusheng Wu, Changyong Xiao, Min-hwa Chi
  • Patent number: 10014303
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating the semiconductor devices for forming conductive paths between fins for contact-to-gate shorting. One method includes, for instance: obtaining wafer with a substrate, at least one fin, at least one hard mask, and an oxide layer; etching the oxide layer to reveal at least one of a portion of the hard masks; forming sacrificial pillars over the substrate; forming sacrificial gates, wherein at least one sacrificial gate contacts at least one sacrificial pillar; growing an epitaxial layer between the at least one sacrificial gate and the at least one sacrificial pillar; starting a RMG process on the sacrificial gates; etching to remove the sacrificial pillars and form pillar openings; and completing the RMG process to fill the pillar openings and the gate openings with a metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Hui Zang, Min-hwa Chi
  • Patent number: 10003302
    Abstract: Tunneling field effect transistors and fabrication methods thereof are provided, which include: an integrated circuit device which includes a circuit input configured to receive an input voltage and a circuit output configured to deliver an output current. The integrated circuit also includes a circuit element having at least one tunneling field effect transistor (TFET). The circuit element connects the circuit input to the circuit output and is characterized by a V-shaped current-voltage diagram. The V-shaped current-voltage diagram describes the relationship between the input voltage of the circuit input and the output current of the circuit output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Yanxiang Liu, Min-hwa Chi
  • Publication number: 20180158821
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to gate structures with low resistance and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: an nFET device formed in a first cavity having a first volume which is filled with conductive material; and a pFET device forming in a second cavity having a second volume greater than the first volume. The second volume being filled with the conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Changyong XIAO, Xusheng WU, Min-hwa CHI, Jie CHEN
  • Publication number: 20180151238
    Abstract: At least one method, apparatus and system disclosed involves hard-coding data into an integrated circuit device. An integrated circuit device provided. Data for hard-wiring information into a portion of the integrated circuit device is received. A stress voltage signal is provided to a portion of a transistor of the integrated circuit device for causing a dielectric breakdown of the portion of the transistor for hard-wiring the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Akhilesh Gautam, Suresh Uppal, Min-hwa Chi
  • Patent number: 9984932
    Abstract: A finFET includes a source or a drain including: a first semiconductor fin extending parallel to a second semiconductor fin, and a semiconductor connector fin creating a first semiconductor fin loop by connecting an end of the first semiconductor fin to an end of the second semiconductor fin. A diffusion break isolates the source or the drain, and is positioned about the first semiconductor connector fin and the ends of the first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin. The semiconductor connector fin provides an epitaxial growth surface adjacent the diffusion break. A related method and IC structure are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Hui Zang, Min-hwa Chi
  • Publication number: 20180138203
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to self-aligned back-plane and well contacts for a fully depleted silicon on insulator device and methods of manufacture. The structure includes a back-plane, a p-well and an n-well formed within a bulk substrate; a contact extending from each of the back-plane, the p-well and the n-well; a gate structure formed above the back-plane, the p-well and the n-well; and an insulating spacer isolating the contact of the back-plane from the gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Hui ZANG, Min-Hwa CHI
  • Publication number: 20180130711
    Abstract: A finFET includes a source or a drain including: a first semiconductor fin extending parallel to a second semiconductor fin, and a semiconductor connector fin creating a first semiconductor fin loop by connecting an end of the first semiconductor fin to an end of the second semiconductor fin. A diffusion break isolates the source or the drain, and is positioned about the first semiconductor connector fin and the ends of the first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin. The semiconductor connector fin provides an epitaxial growth surface adjacent the diffusion break. A related method and IC structure are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Hui Zang, Min-hwa Chi