Patents by Inventor Ming-Chia Tai

Ming-Chia Tai 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: 11942532
    Abstract: A method includes fabricating a semiconductor device, wherein the method includes depositing a coating layer on a first region and a second region under a loading condition such that a height of the coating layer in the first region is greater than a height of the coating layer in the second region. The method also includes applying processing gas to the coating layer to remove an upper portion of the coating layer such that a height of the coating layer in the first region is a same as a height of the coating layer in the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chao-Hsuan Chen, Ming-Chia Tai, Yu-Hsien Lin, Shun-Hui Yang, Ryan Chia-Jen Chen
  • Publication number: 20230268404
    Abstract: A method of applying and then removing a protective layer over a portion of a gate stack is provided. The protective layer is deposited and then a plasma precursor is separated into components. Neutral radicals are then utilized in order to remove the protective layer. In some embodiments the removal also forms a protective by-product which helps to protect underlying layers from damage during the etching process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Ming-Chia Tai, Ju-Yuan Tzeng, Hsin-Che Chiang, Yuan-Sheng Huang, Chun-Sheng Liang
  • Patent number: 11670695
    Abstract: A method of applying and then removing a protective layer over a portion of a gate stack is provided. The protective layer is deposited and then a plasma precursor is separated into components. Neutral radicals are then utilized in order to remove the protective layer. In some embodiments the removal also forms a protective by-product which helps to protect underlying layers from damage during the etching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Chia Tai, Ju-Yuan Tzeng, Hsin-Che Chiang, Yuan-Sheng Huang, Chun-Sheng Liang
  • Publication number: 20230111895
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a first fin structure and a second fin structure over a substrate. The method includes forming a dielectric layer over the substrate, the first fin structure, and the second fin structure. The method includes forming a first work function layer in the first trench and the second trench. The method includes forming a first mask layer over the first work function layer in the first trench. The method includes removing the first work function layer exposed by the first mask layer. The method includes removing the first mask layer. The method includes forming a first gate electrode in the first trench and a second gate electrode in the second trench. The method includes forming a first hard mask layer in the first trench and a second hard mask layer in the second trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Han FANG, Chang-Yin CHEN, Ming-Chia TAI, Po-Chi WU
  • Publication number: 20230062257
    Abstract: A method includes fabricating a semiconductor device, wherein the method includes depositing a coating layer on a first region and a second region under a loading condition such that a height of the coating layer in the first region is greater than a height of the coating layer in the second region. The method also includes applying processing gas to the coating layer to remove an upper portion of the coating layer such that a height of the coating layer in the first region is a same as a height of the coating layer in the second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-Hsuan Chen, Ming-Chia Tai, Yu-Hsien Lin, Shun-Hui Yang, Ryan Chia-Jen Chen
  • Publication number: 20230000278
    Abstract: A steam stove contains: a body, a steaming module, two flowing conduits, and two heating modules. The body includes a steam room defined therein and being opened or closed, a water tank formed on a bottom of the steam room and accommodating the steaming module, two vertical partitions vertically arranged on two sides of the steam room of the body so as to produce the two flowing conduits, and a bottom and a top of each of the two flowing conduits are in communication with the water tank and the steam room. Each of the two heating modules is fixed in each of the two flowing conduits and is not shielded by the water tank, and a horizontal partition is defined among two bottoms of the two vertical partitions and the body so as to shield the water tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventor: MING-CHIA TAI
  • Patent number: 11527636
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a first fin structure over a substrate. The method includes forming a dielectric layer over the substrate and the first fin structure. The dielectric layer has a first trench exposing a first portion of the first fin structure. The method includes forming a first work function layer in the first trench. The method includes forming a first mask layer over the first work function layer in the first trench, wherein an upper portion of the first work function layer in the first trench is exposed by the first mask layer. The method includes removing the first work function layer exposed by the first mask layer. The method includes removing the first mask layer. The method includes forming a first gate electrode in the first trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Han Fang, Chang-Yin Chen, Ming-Chia Tai, Po-Chi Wu
  • Publication number: 20210234013
    Abstract: A method of applying and then removing a protective layer over a portion of a gate stack is provided. The protective layer is deposited and then a plasma precursor is separated into components. Neutral radicals are then utilized in order to remove the protective layer. In some embodiments the removal also forms a protective by-product which helps to protect underlying layers from damage during the etching process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Ming-Chia Tai, Ju-Yuan Tzeng, Hsin-Che Chiang, Yuan-Sheng Huang, Chun-Sheng Liang
  • Patent number: 10991805
    Abstract: A method of applying and then removing a protective layer over a portion of a gate stack is provided. The protective layer is deposited and then a plasma precursor is separated into components. Neutral radicals are then utilized in order to remove the protective layer. In some embodiments the removal also forms a protective by-product which helps to protect underlying layers from damage during the etching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Chia Tai, Ju-Yuan Tzeng, Hsin-Che Chiang, Yuan-Sheng Huang, Chun-Sheng Liang
  • Publication number: 20200395464
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a first fin structure over a substrate. The method includes forming a dielectric layer over the substrate and the first fin structure. The dielectric layer has a first trench exposing a first portion of the first fin structure. The method includes forming a first work function layer in the first trench. The method includes forming a first mask layer over the first work function layer in the first trench, wherein an upper portion of the first work function layer in the first trench is exposed by the first mask layer. The method includes removing the first work function layer exposed by the first mask layer. The method includes removing the first mask layer. The method includes forming a first gate electrode in the first trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Han FANG, Chang-Yin CHEN, Ming-Chia TAI, Po-Chi WU
  • Patent number: 10763341
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a first fin structure and a second fin structure disposed over the substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a first gate stack disposed over the substrate and overlapping the first fin structure. The first gate stack includes a first work function layer, a first gate electrode, and a first hard mask layer, the first gate electrode is over the first work function layer, the first hard mask layer is over the first gate electrode, the first gate electrode has a first convex top surface protruding beyond a first top surface of the first work function layer. The semiconductor device structure includes a second gate stack disposed over the substrate and overlapping the second fin structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Han Fang, Chang-Yin Chen, Ming-Chia Tai, Po-Chi Wu
  • Publication number: 20200044037
    Abstract: A method of applying and then removing a protective layer over a portion of a gate stack is provided. The protective layer is deposited and then a plasma precursor is separated into components. Neutral radicals are then utilized in order to remove the protective layer. In some embodiments the removal also forms a protective by-product which helps to protect underlying layers from damage during the etching process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Ming-Chia Tai, Ju-Yuan Tzeng, Hsin-Che Chiang, Yuan-Sheng Huang, Chun-Sheng Liang
  • Publication number: 20190088756
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a first fin structure and a second fin structure disposed over the substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a first gate stack disposed over the substrate and overlapping the first fin structure. The first gate stack includes a first work function layer, a first gate electrode, and a first hard mask layer, the first gate electrode is over the first work function layer, the first hard mask layer is over the first gate electrode, the first gate electrode has a first convex top surface protruding beyond a first top surface of the first work function layer. The semiconductor device structure includes a second gate stack disposed over the substrate and overlapping the second fin structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Han FANG, Chang-Yin CHEN, Ming-Chia TAI, Po-Chi WU
  • Patent number: 10134861
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate, a first fin structure and a second fin structure disposed over the substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a first gate stack overlapping the first fin structure. The first gate stack has a first width. The first gate stack includes a first work function layer. A first top surface of the first work function layer is positioned above the first fin structure by a first distance. The semiconductor device structure includes a second gate stack disposed overlapping the second fin structure. The first width is less than a second width of the second gate stack. A second top surface of a second work function layer of the second gate stack is positioned above the second fin structure by a second distance. The first distance is less than the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Han Fang, Chang-Yin Chen, Ming-Chia Tai, Po-Chi Wu
  • Patent number: 9761684
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having metal gates and methods of forming the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a substrate and a gate structure over the substrate. The gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer over the substrate, a barrier layer over the gate dielectric layer, an oxide layer over the barrier layer, and a work function metal layer over the oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ju-Li Huang, Chao-Cheng Chen, Calvin Chiang, Ming-Chia Tai, Ming-Hsi Yeh
  • Publication number: 20160372565
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having metal gates and methods of forming the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a substrate and a gate structure over the substrate. The gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer over the substrate, a barrier layer over the gate dielectric layer, an oxide layer over the barrier layer, and a work function metal layer over the oxide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Ju-Li Huang, Chao-Cheng Chen, Chih-Long Chiang, Ming-Chia Tai, Ming-Hsi Yeh
  • Patent number: 9431304
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having metal gates and methods of forming the same are disclosed. The method includes receiving a substrate, a dummy gate stack formed over the substrate, and a structure surrounding the dummy gate stack. The method further includes removing the dummy gate stack, resulting in a trench in the structure. The method further includes forming a gate dielectric layer in the trench; forming a barrier layer over the gate dielectric layer; forming an oxide layer over the barrier layer; and forming a work function metal layer over the oxide layer. In embodiments, the method further includes removing the work function metal layer by an etchant containing phosphoric acid, wherein the oxide layer prevents the etchant from etching the barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju-Li Huang, Calvin Chiang, Ming-Chia Tai, Ming-Hsi Yeh, Chao-Cheng Chen
  • Publication number: 20160181163
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having metal gates and methods of forming the same are disclosed. The method includes receiving a substrate, a dummy gate stack formed over the substrate, and a structure surrounding the dummy gate stack. The method further includes removing the dummy gate stack, resulting in a trench in the structure. The method further includes forming a gate dielectric layer in the trench; forming a barrier layer over the gate dielectric layer; forming an oxide layer over the barrier layer; and forming a work function metal layer over the oxide layer. In embodiments, the method further includes removing the work function metal layer by an etchant containing phosphoric acid, wherein the oxide layer prevents the etchant from etching the barrier layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Ju-Li Huang, Calvin Chiang, Ming-Chia Tai, Ming-Hsi Yeh, Chao-Cheng Chen
  • Publication number: 20160104704
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate, a first fin structure and a second fin structure disposed over the substrate. The semiconductor device structure includes a first gate stack overlapping the first fin structure. The first gate stack has a first width. The first gate stack includes a first work function layer. A first top surface of the first work function layer is positioned above the first fin structure by a first distance. The semiconductor device structure includes a second gate stack disposed overlapping the second fin structure. The first width is less than a second width of the second gate stack. A second top surface of a second work function layer of the second gate stack is positioned above the second fin structure by a second distance. The first distance is less than the second distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Wen-Han FANG, Chang-Yin CHEN, Ming-Chia TAI, Po-Chi WU
  • Patent number: 9276089
    Abstract: Methods for forming a semiconductor device and a FinFET device are disclosed. A method comprises forming a dummy gate electrode layer over a substrate, the dummy gate electrode layer having a first height, forming a first etch stop layer on the dummy gate electrode layer, forming a first hard mask layer on the first etch stop layer, and patterning the first hard mask layer. The method further comprises patterning the first etch stop layer to align with the patterned first hard mask layer, and patterning the gate electrode layer to form a dummy gate electrode, the dummy gate electrode aligning with the patterned first etch stop layer, wherein after the patterning the gate electrode layer the first hard mask layer has a vertical sidewall of a second height, the second height being less than the first height, and the first hard mask layer having a rounded top surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu Chao Lin, Tzu-Yen Hsieh, Ming-Chia Tai, Chao-Cheng Chen