Patents by Inventor Neng-Kuo Chen

Neng-Kuo Chen 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: 20080242020
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor device is disclosed. A semiconductor substrate and a gate structure positioned on the semiconductor substrate are prepared first. A source region and a drain region are included in the semiconductor substrate on two opposite sides of the gate structure. Subsequently, a stressed cap layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate, and covers the gate structure, the source region and the drain region. Next, an inert gas treatment is performed to change a stress value of the stressed cap layer. Because the stress value of the stressed cap layer can be adjusted easily by means of the present invention, one stressed cap layer can be applied to both the N-type MOS transistor and the P-type MOS transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Jei-Ming Chen, Neng-Kuo Chen, Hsiu-Lien Liao, Teng-Chun Tsai, Chien-Chung Huang, Shih-Wei Sun
  • Publication number: 20080237658
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. A MOS transistor is formed on a substrate, and then a contact etching stop layer (CESL) is formed over the substrate. A first UV-curing process is performed to increase the stress of the CESL. A dielectric layer is formed on the CESL, and then a second UV-curing process is performed to increase the stress of the dielectric layer. A CMP process is conducted, and then a cap layer is formed on the dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Hsiu-Lien Liao, Neng-Kuo Chen, Jei-Ming Chen, Teng-Chun Tsai, Chien-Chung Huang
  • Publication number: 20080206943
    Abstract: A method of fabricating CMOS transistor is disclosed. Initially, a semiconductor substrate having at least a first active area and a second active area is provided. A high-strained thin film is formed on the semiconductor substrate, the first active area, and the second active area. Thereafter, a mask is formed to cover a part of the high-strained thin film, which is disposed on the first active area. An implantation is performed to implant dopants into the part of the high-strained thin film on the second active area and to modify the stress status thereof. After that, the mask is removed and a rapid thermal annealing process is performed. Then, the high-strained thin film is removed and the method of the present invention is accomplished.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Jei-Ming Chen, Neng-Kuo Chen, Hsiu-Lien Liao, Teng-Chun Tsai
  • Publication number: 20080188091
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device is provided. The method comprises steps of providing a substrate having a first-conductive-type transistor and a second-conductive-type transistor formed thereon and then forming a stress layer over the substrate to conformally cover the first-conductive-type transistor and the second-conductive-type transistor. A cap layer is formed on the stress layer over the first-conductive-type transistor. A modification process is performed. The cap layer is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: SHAO-TA HSU, Teng-Chun Tsai, Neng-Kuo Chen, Hsiu-Lien Liao, Cheng-Han Wu, Wen-Han Hung
  • Publication number: 20080185655
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device is provided. The method comprises steps of providing a substrate having a first-conductive-type transistor and a second-conductive-type transistor formed thereon and then forming a stress layer over the substrate to conformally cover the first-conductive-type transistor and the second-conductive-type transistor. A cap layer is formed on the stress layer over the first-conductive-type transistor. A modification process is performed. The cap layer is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Shao-Ta Hsu, Teng-Chun Tsai, Neng-Kuo Chen, Hsiu-Lien Liao, Cheng-Han Wu, Wen-Han Hung
  • Publication number: 20080166888
    Abstract: A method for filling silicon nitride materials into a trench includes providing a substrate having a plurality of trenches, performing a first deposition process to form a first silicon nitride layer in the trenches, and performing a second deposition process to form a second silicon nitride layer in the trenches. The reactant gas of the first deposition process has a first O3/TEOS flow ratio larger than a second O3/TEOS flow ratio of the reactant gas of the second deposition process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Shao-Ta Hsu, Neng-Kuo Chen, Teng-Chun Tsai
  • Publication number: 20080160786
    Abstract: A method for forming a high stress layer is provided. According to the method, a substrate is put into a reactor of a PECVD machine and a reaction gas is added into the reactor. Then, an assistant reaction gas which has the molecular weight greater than or equal to the molecular weight of nitrogen gas is added into the reactor. Next, a carrier gas which has the molecular weight smaller than the molecular weight of nitrogen gas is added into the reactor to increase the bombarding efficiency in film deposition. Thereby, the high stress layer is formed on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Neng-Kuo Chen, Teng-Chun Tsai, Chien-Chung Huang
  • Publication number: 20080153290
    Abstract: A method of forming a contact is provided. A substrate having at least two metal oxide semiconductor devices is provided and a gap is formed between the two devices. A first stress layer is formed over the substrate to cover the metal-oxide semiconductor devices and the substrate. The first stress layer is formed by first forming a first stress material layer over the substrate to cover the metal-oxide semiconductor devices and to fill the gap, the stress material inside the gap. An etching back process is then performed to remove a portion of the stress material layer inside the gap. A second stress layer and a dielectric layer are sequentially formed on the first stress layer. A portion of the second stress layer is removed to form a contact opening. A second conductive layer is filled into the contact opening to form a contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Neng-Kuo Chen, Teng-Chun Tsai, Chien-Chung Huang
  • Publication number: 20080142902
    Abstract: A metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor device is disclosed. The MOS transistor device comprises a semiconductor substrate; a gate structure on the semiconductor substrate; source/drain regions on the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the gate structure; an ultra-high tensile-stressed nitride film having a hydrogen concentration of less than 1E22 atoms/cm3 covering the gate structure and the source/drain regions; and an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) film over the ultra-high tensile-stressed nitride film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Neng-Kuo Chen, Teng-Chun Tsai, Chien-Chung Huang, Tsai-Fu Chen, Wen-Han Hung
  • Publication number: 20080099801
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a MOS transistor device. First, a semiconductor substrate having a gate structure is prepared. The gate structure has two sidewalls and a liner on the sidewalls. Subsequently, a stressed cap layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate, and covers the gate structure and the liner. Next, an activating process is performed. Furthermore, the stressed cap layer is etched to be a salicide block. Afterward, a salicide process is performed to form a silicide layer on the regions that are not covered by the stressed cap layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Kun-Hsien Lee, Cheng-Tung Huang, Wen-Han Hung, Shyh-Fann Ting, Li-Shian Jeng, Tzyy-Ming Cheng, Neng-Kuo Chen, Shao-Ta Hsu, Teng-Chun Tsai, Chien-Chung Huang
  • Publication number: 20080096331
    Abstract: A method for fabricating strained silicon transistors is disclosed. First, a semiconductor substrate is provided, in which the semiconductor substrate includes a gate, at least a spacer, and a source/drain region formed thereon. Next, a precursor, silane, and ammonia are injected, in which the precursor is reacted with silane and ammonia to form a high compressive stress film on the surface of the gate, the spacer, and the source/drain region. Preferably, the high compressive stress film can be utilized in the fabrication of a poly stressor, a contact etch stop layer, and dual contact etch stop layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Neng-Kuo Chen, Teng-Chun Tsai, Chien-Chung Huang
  • Patent number: 7332447
    Abstract: A method of forming a contact is provided. A substrate having at least two metal oxide semiconductor devices is provided and a gap is formed between the two devices. A first stress layer is formed over the substrate to cover the metal-oxide semiconductor devices and the substrate. The first stress layer is formed by first forming a first stress material layer over the substrate to cover the metal-oxide semiconductor devices and to fill the gap, wherein the stress material inside the gap has a seam. An etching back process is then performed to remove a portion of the stress material layer inside the gap. A second stress layer and a dielectric layer are sequentially formed on the first stress layer. A portion of the second stress layer is removed to form a contact opening. A second conductive layer is filled into the contact opening to form a contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Neng-Kuo Chen, Teng-Chun Tsai, Chien-Chung Huang
  • Publication number: 20080023842
    Abstract: A method of forming a contact is provided. A substrate having at least two metal oxide semiconductor devices is provided and a gap is formed between the two devices. A first stress layer is formed over the substrate to cover the metal-oxide semiconductor devices and the substrate. The first stress layer is formed by first forming a first stress material layer over the substrate to cover the metal-oxide semiconductor devices and to fill the gap, wherein the stress material inside the gap has a seam. An etching back process is then performed to remove a portion of the stress material layer inside the gap. A second stress layer and a dielectric layer are sequentially formed on the first stress layer. A portion of the second stress layer is removed to form a contact opening. A second conductive layer is filled into the contact opening to form a contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Neng-Kuo Chen, Teng-Chun Tsai, Chien-Chung Huang
  • Publication number: 20080020588
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device. The method comprises steps of providing a substrate having a first transistor, a second transistor and non-salicide device formed thereon and the conductive type of the first transistor is different from that of the second transistor. A buffer layer is formed over the substrate and a tensile material layer is formed over the buffer layer. A portion of the tensile material layer over the second transistor is thinned and a spike annealing process is performed. The tensile material layer is removed to expose the buffer layer over the substrate and a patterned salicide blocking layer is formed over the non-salicide device. A salicide process is performed for forming a salicide layer on a portion of the first transistor and the second transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Wen-Han Hung, Cheng-Tung Huang, Kun-Hsien Lee, Shyh-Fann Ting, Li-Shian Jeng, Tzyy-Ming Cheng, Chia-Wen Liang, Neng-Kuo Chen
  • Publication number: 20070264836
    Abstract: A method for forming a gate and a method for etching a conductive layer are provided. First, a substrate is provided, including a dielectric layer and a conductive layer on its surface in order. Subsequently, a patterned silicon nitride layer is formed on the conductive layer as a hard mask, and the hydrogen concentration of the patterned silicon nitride layer is more than 1022 atoms/cm3. Thereafter, the conductive layer and the dielectric layer are etched utilizing the hard mask as a mask. Finally, an etching solution is utilized to remove the hard mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Neng-Kuo Chen, Teng-Chun Tsai, Hsiu-Lien Liao
  • Publication number: 20070264786
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor is provided. The method includes first providing a substrate and forming an MOS transistor on the substrate. Then, a self-aligned metal silicidation process is performed. Afterwards, an infrared radiation (IR) treatment is performed on the substrate in order to repair damage therein. Because the damage in the substrate can be repaired by this method, the junction leakage of the MOS transistor can be efficiently reduced, and therefore the yield can be raised.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Neng-Kuo Chen, Shih-Fang Tzou, Teng-Chun Tsai, Chien-Chung Huang
  • Patent number: 7294572
    Abstract: A method of forming a contact is provided. A substrate having at least two conductive devices is provided. A spacing is located between the two conductive devices. A first dielectric layer is formed over the substrate to cover the two conductive devices and the spacing. A seam is formed in the first dielectric layer within the spacing. Then, a portion of the first dielectric layer is removed to form an opening so that the width of the seam is expanded. A second dielectric layer is formed over the first dielectric layer to fill the opening. A portion of the second dielectric layer and a portion of the first dielectric layer within the spacing are removed until a portion of the surface of the substrate is exposed and a contact opening is formed in the location for forming the contact. Finally, conductive material is deposited to fill the contact opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chao-Lon Yang, Neng-Kuo Chen, Teng-Chun Tsai, Chien-Chung Huang, Shao-Ta Hsu
  • Publication number: 20070243686
    Abstract: A method of forming compressive nitride film is provided. The method includes performing a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process to form a nitride film on a substrate, and the method is characterized by adding a certain gas, selected from among Ar, N2, Kr, Xe, and mixtures thereof. Due to the addition of the foregoing certain gas, it can reduce the compressive stress, thereby increasing PMOS drive current gain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: Neng-Kuo Chen, Teng-Chun Tsai, Chien-Chung Huang
  • Patent number: 7238586
    Abstract: A seamless trench fill method utilizing ozone-assisted sub-atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (SACVD) technique is provided. After the deposition of a SACVD silicon oxide film, the substrate is subjected to a steam anneal that is performed under H2/O2 environment at a relatively lower temperature ranging between 500° C. and 800° C. for a time period of no less than 30 minutes. The seam defect in the trench is effectively eliminated by this low-temperature steam anneal. To densify the SACVD silicon oxide film, a subsequent N2 anneal is carried out at a higher temperature, for example, 1050° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Shao-Ta Hsu, Neng-Kuo Chen, Teng-Chun Tsai
  • Publication number: 20070117370
    Abstract: A method of forming a contact is provided. A substrate having at least two metal oxide semiconductor devices is provided and a gap is formed between the two devices. A first stress layer is formed over the substrate to cover the metal-oxide semiconductor devices and the substrate. The first stress layer is formed by first forming a first stress material layer over the substrate to cover the metal-oxide semiconductor devices and to fill the gap, wherein the stress material inside the gap has a seam. An etching back process is then performed to remove a portion of the stress material layer inside the gap. A second stress layer and a dielectric layer are sequentially formed on the first stress layer. A portion of the second stress layer is removed to form a contact opening. A second conductive layer is filled into the contact opening to form a contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2005
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventors: Neng-Kuo Chen, Teng-Chun Tsai, Chien-Chung Huang