Patents by Inventor Mu Li

Mu Li 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: 20210202740
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a gate stack over an active region and a source/drain region in the active region adjacent the gate stack. The source/drain region includes a first semiconductor layer having a first germanium concentration and a second semiconductor layer over the first semiconductor layer. The second semiconductor layer has a second germanium concentration greater than the first germanium concentration. The source/drain region further includes a third semiconductor layer over the second semiconductor layer and a fourth semiconductor layer over the third semiconductor layer. The third semiconductor layer has a third germanium concentration greater than the second germanium concentration. The fourth semiconductor layer has a fourth germanium concentration less than the third germanium concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Kun-Mu Li, Hsueh-Chang Sung
  • Publication number: 20210184037
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate, and an opening extending into the semiconductor substrate, wherein the opening is adjacent to the gate stack. A first silicon germanium region is disposed in the opening, wherein the first silicon germanium region has a first germanium percentage. A second silicon germanium region is over the first silicon germanium region. The second silicon germanium region comprises a portion in the opening. The second silicon germanium region has a second germanium percentage greater than the first germanium percentage. A silicon cap substantially free from germanium is over the second silicon germanium region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Hsueh-Chang Sung, Kun-Mu Li, Tze-Liang Lee, Chii-Horng Li, Tsz-Mei Kwok
  • Publication number: 20210119048
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming a transistor device. The method may be performed by forming a gate structure onto a semiconductor substrate and forming a source/drain recess within the semiconductor substrate adjacent to a side of the gate structure. One or more strain inducing materials are formed within the source/drain recess. The one or more strain inducing materials include a strain inducing component with a strain inducing component concentration profile that continuously decreases from a bottommost surface of the one or more strain inducing materials to a position above the bottommost surface. The bottommost surface contacts the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Hsueh-Chang Sung, Tsz-Mei Kwok, Kun-Mu Li, Tze-Liang Lee, Chii-Horng Li
  • Publication number: 20210119037
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a gate structure, a first source/drain structure, and a contact structure. The gate structure has a gate dielectric layer over a first fin structure. The first source/drain structure is positioned in the first fin structure and adjacent to the gate structure. The first source/drain structure includes a first epitaxial layer in contact with the top surface of the first fin structure and a second epitaxial layer over the first epitaxial layer and extending above a bottom surface of the gate dielectric layer. The contact structure extends into the first source/drain structure. The top surface of the first fin structure is between a top surface and a bottom surface of the first source/drain structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kun-Mu LI, Wei-Yang LEE, Wen-Chu HSIAO
  • Patent number: 10950725
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a gate stack over an active region and a source/drain region in the active region adjacent the gate stack. The source/drain region includes a first semiconductor layer having a first germanium concentration and a second semiconductor layer over the first semiconductor layer. The second semiconductor layer has a second germanium concentration greater than the first germanium concentration. The source/drain region further includes a third semiconductor layer over the second semiconductor layer and a fourth semiconductor layer over the third semiconductor layer. The third semiconductor layer has a third germanium concentration greater than the second germanium concentration. The fourth semiconductor layer has a fourth germanium concentration less than the third germanium concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kun-Mu Li, Hsueh-Chang Sung
  • Publication number: 20210074710
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes etching a substrate to form a semiconductor fin. An isolation structure is formed above the substrate and laterally surrounds the semiconductor fin. A fin sidewall structure is formed above the isolation structure and on a sidewall of the semiconductor fin. The semiconductor fin is recessed to expose an inner sidewall of the fin sidewall structure. A source/drain epitaxial structure is grown on the recessed semiconductor fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Jing LEE, Tsz-Mei KWOK, Ming-Hua YU, Kun-Mu LI
  • Publication number: 20210050267
    Abstract: A device includes a fin over a substrate, the fin including a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the fin has a convex profile, an isolation region adjacent the fin, a gate structure along sidewalls of the fin and over the top surface of the fin, a gate spacer laterally adjacent the gate structure, and an epitaxial region adjacent the first end of the fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Kun-Mu Li, Heng-Wen Ting, Hsueh-Chang Sung, Yen-Ru Lee, Chien-Wei Lee
  • Patent number: 10916656
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate, and an opening extending into the semiconductor substrate, wherein the opening is adjacent to the gate stack. A first silicon germanium region is disposed in the opening, wherein the first silicon germanium region has a first germanium percentage. A second silicon germanium region is over the first silicon germanium region. The second silicon germanium region comprises a portion in the opening. The second silicon germanium region has a second germanium percentage greater than the first germanium percentage. A silicon cap substantially free from germanium is over the second silicon germanium region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsueh-Chang Sung, Kun-Mu Li, Tze-Liang Lee, Chii-Horng Li, Tsz-Mei Kwok
  • Publication number: 20210036154
    Abstract: A fin field effect transistor (Fin FET) device includes a fin structure extending in a first direction and protruding from an isolation insulating layer disposed over a substrate. The fin structure includes a well layer, an oxide layer disposed over the well layer and a channel layer disposed over the oxide layer. The Fin FET device includes a gate structure covering a portion of the fin structure and extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The Fin FET device includes a source and a drain. Each of the source and drain includes a stressor layer disposed in recessed portions formed in the fin structure. The stressor layer extends above the recessed portions and applies a stress to a channel layer of the fin structure under the gate structure. The Fin FET device includes a dielectric layer formed in contact with the oxide layer and the stressor layer in the recessed portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Kun-Mu LI, Tsz-Mei KWOK, Ming-Hua YU, Chan-Lon YANG
  • Patent number: 10879355
    Abstract: A semiconductor device, and a method of manufacturing, is provided. A first recess in the semiconductor layer may be disposed between a first dummy gate and a second dummy gate. A first spacer is formed on sidewalls of the first dummy gate and a second spacer is formed on sidewalls of the second dummy gate. The first and second spacers form triangular spacer extensions contacting the bottom surface of the first recess. After forming the first spacer and the second spacer, a second recess is formed in the semiconductor layer disposed between the first dummy gate and the second dummy gate. A source/drain region is epitaxially grown in the second recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kun-Mu Li, Yen-Ru Lee, Hsueh-Chang Sung
  • Publication number: 20200395477
    Abstract: A method includes forming a semiconductor fin over a substrate, etching the semiconductor fin to form a recess, wherein the recess extends into the substrate, and forming a source/drain region in the recess, wherein forming the source/drain region includes epitaxially growing a first semiconductor material on sidewalls of the recess, wherein the first semiconductor material includes silicon germanium, wherein the first semiconductor material has a first germanium concentration from 10 to 40 atomic percent, epitaxially growing a second semiconductor material over the first semiconductor material, the second semiconductor material including silicon germanium, wherein the second semiconductor material has a second germanium concentration that is greater than the first germanium concentration, and epitaxially growing a third semiconductor material over the second semiconductor material, the third semiconductor material including silicon germanium, wherein the third semiconductor material has a third germanium con
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Kun-Mu Li, Heng-Wen Ting, Yen-Ru Lee, Hsueh-Chang Sung
  • Patent number: 10868181
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a gate structure, a first source/drain structure, and a contact structure. The gate structure has a gate dielectric layer over a first fin structure. The first source/drain structure is positioned in the first fin structure and adjacent to the gate structure. The first source/drain structure includes a first epitaxial layer in contact with the top surface of the first fin structure and a second epitaxial layer over the first epitaxial layer and extending above a bottom surface of the gate dielectric layer. The contact structure extends into the first source/drain structure. The top surface of the first fin structure is between a top surface and a bottom surface of the first source/drain structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kun-Mu Li, Wei-Yang Lee, Wen-Chu Hsiao
  • Patent number: 10861971
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a transistor device having a strained source/drain region. In some embodiments, the transistor device has a gate structure arranged over a semiconductor substrate. The transistor device also has a strained source/drain region arranged within the semiconductor substrate along a side of the gate structure. The strained source/drain region includes a first layer and a second layer over the first layer. The first layer has a strain inducing component with a first concentration profile that decreases as a distance from the second layer decreases, and the second layer has the strain inducing component with a second non-zero concentration profile that is discontinuous with the first concentration profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsueh-Chang Sung, Tsz-Mei Kwok, Kun-Mu Li, Tze-Liang Lee, Chii-Horng Li
  • Publication number: 20200357921
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate, and an opening extending into the semiconductor substrate, wherein the opening is adjacent to the gate stack. A first silicon germanium region is disposed in the opening, wherein the first silicon germanium region has a first germanium percentage. A second silicon germanium region is over the first silicon germanium region. The second silicon germanium region comprises a portion in the opening. The second silicon germanium region has a second germanium percentage greater than the first germanium percentage. A silicon cap substantially free from germanium is over the second silicon germanium region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Hsueh-Chang Sung, Kun-Mu Li, Tze-Liang Lee, Chii-Horng Li, Tsz-Mei Kwok
  • Publication number: 20200343381
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate, and a silicon germanium region extending into the semiconductor substrate and adjacent to the gate stack. The silicon germanium region has a top surface, with a center portion of the top surface recessed from edge portions of the top surface to form a recess. The edge portions are on opposite sides of the center portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Kun-Mu Li, Tsz-Mei Kwok, Hsueh-Chang Sung, Chii-Horng Li, Tze-Liang Lee
  • Publication number: 20200343250
    Abstract: A static random access memory (SRAM) cell includes a semiconductor fin, a first gate structure, a second gate structure, an epitaxy structure, and a first fin sidewall structure. The first gate structure crosses the semiconductor fin to form a pull-down (PD) transistor. The second gate structure crosses the semiconductor fin to form a pull-gate (PG) transistor. The epitaxy structure is on the semiconductor fin and between the first and second gate structures. The first fin sidewall structure is on a first side of the epitaxy structure and between the first and second gate structures. A method for manufacturing the semiconductor device is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Jing LEE, Tsz-Mei KWOK, Ming-Hua YU, Kun-Mu LI
  • Publication number: 20200321450
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device having first and second fin structures on a substrate includes forming a first epitaxial region of the first fin structure and forming a second epitaxial region of the second fin structure. The method further includes forming a buffer region on the first epitaxial region of the first fin structure and performing an etch process to etch back a portion of the second epitaxial region. The buffer region helps to prevents etch back of a top surface of the first epitaxial region during the etch process. Further, a capping region is formed on the buffer region and the etched second epitaxial region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsueh-Chang SUNG, Kun-Mu LI
  • Patent number: 10797173
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure include a semiconductor substrate, a gate stack over the semiconductor substrate, and a recess extending into the semiconductor substrate, wherein the recess is adjacent to the gate stack. A silicon germanium region is disposed in the recess, wherein the silicon germanium region has a first p-type impurity concentration. A silicon cap substantially free from germanium is overlying the silicon germanium region. The silicon cap has a second p-type impurity concentration greater than the first p-type impurity concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsueh-Chang Sung, Tsz-Mei Kwok, Kun-Mu Li, Tze-Liang Lee, Chii-Horng Li
  • Patent number: 10749029
    Abstract: A fin field effect transistor (Fin FET) device includes a fin structure extending in a first direction and protruding from an isolation insulating layer disposed over a substrate. The fin structure includes a well layer, an oxide layer disposed over the well layer and a channel layer disposed over the oxide layer. The Fin FET device includes a gate structure covering a portion of the fin structure and extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The Fin FET device includes a source and a drain. Each of the source and drain includes a stressor layer disposed in recessed portions formed in the fin structure. The stressor layer extends above the recessed portions and applies a stress to a channel layer of the fin structure under the gate structure. The Fin FET device includes a dielectric layer formed in contact with the oxide layer and the stressor layer in the recessed portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kun-Mu Li, Tsz-Mei Kwok, Ming-Hua Yu, Chan-Lon Yang
  • Patent number: 10734520
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate, and an opening extending into the semiconductor substrate, wherein the opening is adjacent to the gate stack. A first silicon germanium region is disposed in the opening, wherein the first silicon germanium region has a first germanium percentage. A second silicon germanium region is over the first silicon germanium region. The second silicon germanium region comprises a portion in the opening. The second silicon germanium region has a second germanium percentage greater than the first germanium percentage. A silicon cap substantially free from germanium is over the second silicon germanium region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsueh-Chang Sung, Kun-Mu Li, Tze-Liang Lee, Chii-Horng Li, Tsz-Mei Kwok