Patents by Inventor Pin Tsao

Pin Tsao 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: 11948800
    Abstract: A device includes a pair of gate spacers on a substrate, and a gate structure on the substrate and between the gate spacers. The gate structure includes an interfacial layer, a metal oxide layer, a nitride-containing layer, a tungsten-containing layer, and a metal compound layer. The interfacial layer is over the substrate. The metal oxide layer is over the interfacial layer. The nitride-containing layer is over the metal oxide layer. The tungsten-containing layer is over the nitride-containing layer. The metal compound layer is over the tungsten-containing layer. The metal compound layer has a different material than a material of the tungsten-containing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yen-Yu Chen, Yu-Chi Lu, Chih-Pin Tsao, Shih-Hsun Chang
  • Publication number: 20240063287
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, an interlayer dielectric layer, spacer structures, a gate insulating layer, a first work function metal layer and a metal gate. The interlayer dielectric layer is disposed above the substrate. The spacer structures are located in a trench of the interlayer dielectric. The gate insulating layer is disposed between inner sidewalls of the spacer structures. The gate insulating layer includes a first region doped with dipole dopant and second regions without the dipole dopant. The first region is connected with the second regions. The first region is horizontally located between the first work function metal layer and the spacer structures. The metal gate is disposed above the first work function metal layer. The metal gate is disposed between and in contact with the second regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia Ming Liang, Chih-Pin Tsao, Ting-Huan Hsieh, Ta-Wei Lin
  • Publication number: 20240014256
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are provided. A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a first active region, a second active region and a third active region over the substrate, a first gate structure over a channel region of the first active region, a second gate structure over a channel region of the second active region, a third gate structure over a channel region of the third active region, a first cap layer over the first gate structure, a second cap layer over the second gate structure, and a third cap layer over the third gate structure. A height of the second gate structure is smaller than a height of the first gate structure or a height of the third gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Lin, Chih-Pin Tsao, Chih-Hao Chang
  • Publication number: 20230387024
    Abstract: A method includes forming a gate structure on a substrate; forming a gate spacer on a sidewall of the gate structure; forming a carbon-containing layer on the gate spacer; diffusing carbon from the carbon-containing layer into a portion of the substrate below the gate spacer; forming a recess in the substrate on one side of the gate spacer opposite to the gate structure; and forming an epitaxy feature in the recess of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hung-Ming CHEN, Yu-Chang LIN, Chung-Ting LI, Jen-Hsiang LU, Hou-Ju LI, Chih-Pin TSAO
  • Patent number: 11823908
    Abstract: A method includes removing a dummy gate to form a gate trench. A gate dielectric layer is deposited over a bottom and sidewalls of the gate trench. A first work function metal layer is deposited over the gate dielectric layer. A dummy layer is deposited over the first work function metal layer. An impurity is introduced into the dummy layer and the first work function metal layer after the dummy layer is deposited. The dummy layer is removed after the impurity is introduced into the dummy layer and the first work function metal layer. The gate trench is filled with a conductive material after the dummy layer is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yen-Yu Chen, Yu-Chi Lu, Chih-Pin Tsao, Shih-Hsun Chang
  • Patent number: 11776911
    Abstract: A method includes forming a gate structure on a substrate; forming a gate spacer on a sidewall of the gate structure; forming a carbon-containing layer on the gate spacer; diffusing carbon from the carbon-containing layer into a portion of the substrate below the gate spacer; forming a recess in the substrate on one side of the gate spacer opposite to the gate structure; and forming an epitaxy feature in the recess of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hung-Ming Chen, Yu-Chang Lin, Chung-Ting Li, Jen-Hsiang Lu, Hou-Ju Li, Chih-Pin Tsao
  • Publication number: 20230170397
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a source/drain region, a source/drain silicide layer formed on the source/drain region, and a first contact disposed over the source/drain silicide layer. The first contact includes a first metal layer, an upper surface of the first metal layer is at least covered by a silicide layer, and the silicide layer includes a same metal element as the first metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Chia-Ming HSU, Pei-Yu CHOU, Chih-Pin TSAO, Kuang-Yuan HSU, Jyh-Huei CHEN
  • Publication number: 20230109915
    Abstract: A device includes a pair of gate spacers on a substrate, and a gate structure on the substrate and between the gate spacers. The gate structure includes an interfacial layer, a metal oxide layer, a nitride-containing layer, a tungsten-containing layer, and a metal compound layer. The interfacial layer is over the substrate. The metal oxide layer is over the interfacial layer. The nitride-containing layer is over the metal oxide layer. The tungsten-containing layer is over the nitride-containing layer. The metal compound layer is over the tungsten-containing layer. The metal compound layer has a different material than a material of the tungsten-containing layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yen-Yu CHEN, Yu-Chi LU, Chih-Pin TSAO, Shih-Hsun CHANG
  • Patent number: 11569362
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a source/drain region, a source/drain silicide layer formed on the source/drain region, and a first contact disposed over the source/drain silicide layer. The first contact includes a first metal layer, an upper surface of the first metal layer is at least covered by a silicide layer, and the silicide layer includes a same metal element as the first metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Ming Hsu, Pei-Yu Chou, Chih-Pin Tsao, Kuang-Yuan Hsu, Jyh-Huei Chen
  • Patent number: 11450757
    Abstract: A finFET device and methods of forming a finFET device are provided. The method includes depositing a dummy gate over and along sidewalls of a fin extending upwards from a semiconductor substrate, forming a first gate spacer along a sidewall of the dummy gate, and plasma-doping the first gate spacer with carbon to form a carbon-doped gate spacer. The method further includes forming a source/drain region adjacent a channel region of the fin and diffusing carbon from the carbon-doped gate spacer into a first region of the fin to provide a first carbon-doped region. The first carbon-doped region is disposed between at least a portion of the source/drain region and the channel region of the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Chang Lin, Chun-Feng Nieh, Huicheng Chang, Wei-Ting Chien, Chih-Pin Tsao, Hou-Ju Li, Tien-Shun Chang
  • Patent number: 11322215
    Abstract: A one-time programmable (OTP) memory device includes a first memory cell, which further includes a first source line extending along a first direction on a substrate, a first word line extending along the first direction on one side of the first source line, a second word line extending along the first direction on another side of the first source line, a first diffusion region extending along a second direction adjacent to two sides of the first word line and the second word line, and a first metal interconnection connecting the first word line and the second word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Pin Tsao, Tsung-Hsun Wu, Liang-Wei Chiu, Kuo-Hsing Lee, Sheng-Yuan Hsueh, Kun-Hsien Lee, Chang-Chien Wong
  • Publication number: 20220102147
    Abstract: A method includes removing a dummy gate to form a gate trench. A gate dielectric layer is deposited over a bottom and sidewalls of the gate trench. A first work function metal layer is deposited over the gate dielectric layer. A dummy layer is deposited over the first work function metal layer. An impurity is introduced into the dummy layer and the first work function metal layer after the dummy layer is deposited. The dummy layer is removed after the impurity is introduced into the dummy layer and the first work function metal layer. The gate trench is filled with a conductive material after the dummy layer is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yen-Yu CHEN, Yu-Chi LU, Chih-Pin TSAO, Shih-Hsun CHANG
  • Patent number: 11211477
    Abstract: A FinFET and methods for forming a FinFET are disclosed. A method includes forming a semiconductor fin on a substrate, implanting the semiconductor fin with dopants, and forming a capping layer on a top surface and sidewalls of the semiconductor fin. The method further includes forming a dielectric on the capping layer, and forming a gate electrode on the dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Hua Yu, Chih-Pin Tsao, Hou-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 11201059
    Abstract: A method includes removing a dummy gate to form a gate trench. A gate dielectric layer is deposited over a bottom and sidewalls of the gate trench. A first work function metal layer is deposited over the gate dielectric layer. A dummy layer is deposited over the first work function metal layer. An impurity is introduced into the dummy layer and the first work function metal layer after the dummy layer is deposited. The dummy layer is removed after the impurity is introduced into the dummy layer and the first work function metal layer. The gate trench is filled with a conductive material after the dummy layer is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yen-Yu Chen, Yu-Chi Lu, Chih-Pin Tsao, Shih-Hsun Chang
  • Publication number: 20210280516
    Abstract: A method includes forming a gate structure on a substrate; forming a gate spacer on a sidewall of the gate structure; forming a carbon-containing layer on the gate spacer; diffusing carbon from the carbon-containing layer into a portion of the substrate below the gate spacer; forming a recess in the substrate on one side of the gate spacer opposite to the gate structure; and forming an epitaxy feature in the recess of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hung-Ming CHEN, Yu-Chang LIN, Chung-Ting LI, Jen-Hsiang LU, Hou-Ju LI, Chih-Pin TSAO
  • Patent number: 11107810
    Abstract: A FinFET device structure is provided. The FinFET device structure includes a fin structure formed over a substrate, and the substrate includes a first region and a second region. A gate structure is formed over a fin structure and a first S/D structure has a first volume. A second S/D structure has a second volume, and the second volume is lower than the first volume. A first contact structure is formed over the first S/D structure and a first conductive via is formed over the first contact structure. A power line is formed over the first conductive via, and the power line is electrically connected to the first S/D structure by the first conductive via and the first contact structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Pin Tsao, Jeng-Ya Yeh, Chia-Wei Soong
  • Patent number: 11024582
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a carbon-containing diffusion barrier, a phosphorus-containing source/drain feature, a gate structure, and a gate spacer. The substrate has a channel region. The carbon-containing diffusion barrier is present in the substrate. The phosphorus-containing source/drain feature is present in the substrate, and the carbon-containing diffusion barrier is between the channel region and the phosphorus-containing source/drain feature. The gate is present over the channel region of the substrate. The gate spacer abuts the gate structure and is present over a portion of the phosphorus-containing source/drain feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hung-Ming Chen, Yu-Chang Lin, Chung-Ting Li, Jen-Hsiang Lu, Hou-Ju Li, Chih-Pin Tsao
  • Publication number: 20200411672
    Abstract: A finFET device and methods of forming a finFET device are provided. The method includes depositing a dummy gate over and along sidewalls of a fin extending upwards from a semiconductor substrate, forming a first gate spacer along a sidewall of the dummy gate, and plasma-doping the first gate spacer with carbon to form a carbon-doped gate spacer. The method further includes forming a source/drain region adjacent a channel region of the fin and diffusing carbon from the carbon-doped gate spacer into a first region of the fin to provide a first carbon-doped region. The first carbon-doped region is disposed between at least a portion of the source/drain region and the channel region of the fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Yu-Chang Lin, Chun-Feng Nieh, Huicheng Chang, Wei-Ting Chien, Chih-Pin Tsao, Hou-Ju Li, Tien-Shun Chang
  • Patent number: 10861975
    Abstract: A method of forming a FinFET with a rounded source/drain profile comprises forming a fin in a substrate, etching a source/drain recess in the fin, forming a plurality of source/drain layers in the source/drain recess; and etching at least one of the plurality of source/drain layers. The source/drain layers may be a silicon germanium compound. Etching at the source/drain layers may comprises partially etching each of the plurality of source/drain layers prior to forming subsequent layers of the plurality of source/drain layers. The source/drain layers may be formed with a thickness at a top corner of about 15 nm, and the source/drain layers may each be etched back by about 3 nm prior to forming subsequent layers of the plurality of source/drain layers. Forming the plurality of source/drain layers optionally comprises forming at least five source/drain layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Hua Yu, Chih-Pin Tsao, Pei-Ren Jeng, Tze-Liang Lee
  • Publication number: 20200350416
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a source/drain region, a source/drain silicide layer formed on the source/drain region, and a first contact disposed over the source/drain silicide layer. The first contact includes a first metal layer, an upper surface of the first metal layer is at least covered by a silicide layer, and the silicide layer includes a same metal element as the first metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Chia-Ming HSU, Pei-Yu CHOU, Chih-Pin TSAO, Kuang-Yuan HSU, Jyh-Huei CHEN