Patents by Inventor Ping-Wei Wang
Ping-Wei Wang 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).
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Patent number: 11710663Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a semiconductor substrate and a first fin structure, a second fin structure, and a third fin structure over the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure also includes a merged semiconductor element on the first fin structure and the second fin structure and an isolated semiconductor element on the third fin structure. The semiconductor device structure further includes an isolation feature over the semiconductor substrate and partially or completely surrounding the first fin structure, the second fin structure, and the third fin structure. A top surface of the first fin structure is below a top surface of the isolation feature, and a top surface of the third fin structure is above the top surface of the isolation feature.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2021Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Wen-Chun Keng, Yu-Kuan Lin, Chang-Ta Yang, Ping-Wei Wang
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Publication number: 20230225098Abstract: A method includes forming a first fin protruding from a substrate in a first region of the substrate and a second fin protruding from the substrate in a second region of the substrate, recessing a portion of the first fin, thereby forming a first recess, recessing a portion of the second fin, thereby forming a second recess, depositing a blocking layer in the second recess, growing a base epitaxial layer in the first recess, removing the blocking layer from the second recess, and growing a doped epitaxial layer in the first recess and the second recess. The base epitaxial layer is dopant free. The doped epitaxial layer abuts the first fin in the first region and the second fin in the second region.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2022Publication date: July 13, 2023Inventors: Chih-Chuan Yang, Wen-Chun Keng, Shih-Hao Lin, Hsin-Wen Su, Yu-Kuan Lin, Ping-Wei Wang, Jing-Yi Lin
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Publication number: 20230197802Abstract: A method according to the present disclosure includes forming a fin-shaped structure protruding from a substrate, forming a gate structure intersecting the fin-shaped structure, forming a gate spacer on a sidewall of the gate structure, and forming a conductive feature above the fin-shaped structure. The gate spacer is laterally between the gate structure and the conductive feature. The method also includes depositing a dielectric layer over the gate structure and the conductive feature, performing an etching process, thereby forming an opening through the dielectric layer and exposing top surfaces of the conductive feature and the gate structure, recessing the gate spacers through the opening, thereby exposing the sidewall of the gate structure, and forming a contact feature in the opening, wherein the contact feature is in contact with the conductive feature and has a bottom portion protruding downward to be in contact with the sidewall of the gate structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2022Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: Jui-Lin Chen, Chao-Hsun Wang, Hsin-Wen Su, Yi-Feng Ting, Chi Hua Wang, I-Hung Li, Yuan-Tien Tu, Fu-Kai Yang, Mei-Yun Wang, Ping-Wei Wang, Lien Jung Hung
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Publication number: 20230200041Abstract: A method includes forming a first semiconductor fin and a second semiconductor fin over a substrate; forming a first gate structure over the substrate and crossing the first semiconductor fin; forming a second gate structure over the substrate and crossing the second semiconductor fin; forming a first gate spacer on a sidewall of the first gate structure; and forming a second gate spacer on a sidewall of the second gate structure, wherein in a top view, an outer sidewall of the first gate spacer farthest from the first gate structure is coterminous with an outer sidewall of the second gate spacer farthest from the second gate structure, and an inner sidewall of the first gate spacer in contact with the first gate structure is misaligned with an inner sidewall of the second gate spacer in contact with the second gate structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2023Publication date: June 22, 2023Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Hsin-Wen SU, Chih-Chuan YANG, Shih-Hao LIN, Yu-Kuan LIN, Lien-Jung HUNG, Ping-Wei WANG
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Patent number: 11678474Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first, second, third, fourth, and fifth active regions each extending lengthwise along a first direction, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth active regions comprise channel regions and source/drain (S/D) regions of first, second, third, and fourth transistors respectively, and the fifth active region comprises channel regions and S/D regions of fifth and sixth transistors; and first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth gates each extending lengthwise along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the first through sixth gates are configured to engage the channel regions of the first through sixth transistors respectively, wherein the first, second, and fifth gates are electrically connected, and wherein one of the S/D regions of the first transistor, one of the S/D regions of the second transistor, the third gate, and the fourth gate are electrically connected.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2019Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Kuo-Hsiu Hsu, Yu-Kuan Lin, Feng-Ming Chang, Lien Jung Hung, Ping-Wei Wang
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Patent number: 11675949Abstract: A method includes laying out a standard cell region, with a rectangular space being within the standard cell region. The standard cell region includes a first row of standard cells having a first bottom boundary facing the rectangular space, and a plurality of standard cells having side boundaries facing the rectangular space. The plurality of standard cells include a bottom row of standard cells. A memory array is laid out in the rectangular space, and a second bottom boundary of the bottom row and a third bottom boundary of the memory array are aligned to a same straight line. A filler cell region is laid out in the rectangular space. The filler cell region includes a first top boundary contacting the first bottom boundary of the first row of standard cells, and a fourth bottom boundary contacting a second top boundary of the memory array.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Feng-Ming Chang, Ruey-Wen Chang, Ping-Wei Wang, Sheng-Hsiung Wang, Chi-Yu Lu
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Patent number: 11657869Abstract: One aspect of this description relates to a memory cell. In some embodiments, the memory cell includes a first gate structure, a second gate structure, a third gate structure, a fourth gate structure, and a fifth gate structure that each extend along a first lateral direction, a first active structure extending along a second lateral direction and overlaid by respective first portions of the first to fourth gate structures, a second active structure extending along the second lateral direction and overlaid by respective second portions of the first to fourth gate structures, and a third active structure extending along the second lateral direction and overlaid by respective third portions of the third and fifth gate structures. In some embodiments, the first and second gate structures are aligned with each other, with the fourth and fifth gate structures aligned with a first segment and a second segment of the third gate structure, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Chih-Chuan Yang, Feng-Ming Chang, Kuo-Hsiu Hsu, Ping-Wei Wang
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Patent number: 11641729Abstract: A method for manufacturing a SRAM cell includes forming a first p-well in a semiconductor substrate; forming a first semiconductor fin extending within the first p-well; forming a first mask layer over the first semiconductor fin; patterning the first mask layer to expose a first channel region of the first semiconductor fin, while leaving a second channel region of the first semiconductor fin covered by the first mask layer; with the patterned first mask layer in place, doping the first channel region of the first semiconductor fin with a first dopant; after doping the first channel region of the first semiconductor fin, removing the first mask layer from the second channel region; and forming a first gate structure extending across the first channel region of the first semiconductor fin and a second gate structure extending across the second channel region of the first semiconductor fin.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2019Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Jordan Hsu, Yu-Kuan Lin, Shau-Wei Lu, Chang-Ta Yang, Ping-Wei Wang, Kuo-Hung Lo
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Patent number: 11637109Abstract: A semiconductor device according to the present disclosure includes a first source/drain feature, a second source/drain feature, a third source/drain feature, a first dummy fin disposed between the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature along a direction to isolate the first source/drain feature from the second source/drain feature, and a second dummy fin disposed between the second source/drain feature and the third source/drain feature along the direction to isolate the second source/drain feature from the third source/drain feature. The first dummy fin includes an outer dielectric layer, an inner dielectric layer over the outer dielectric layer, and a first capping layer disposed over the outer dielectric layer and the inner dielectric layer. The second dummy fin includes a base portion and a second capping layer disposed over the base portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2020Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Wen-Chun Keng, Kuo-Hsiu Hsu, Chih-Chuan Yang, Lien Jung Hung, Ping-Wei Wang
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Publication number: 20230105495Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an SRAM cell that includes first and second pull-up (PU) transistors, first and second pull-down (PD) transistors, and first and second pass-gate (PG) transistors. A source, a drain, and a channel of the first PU transistor and a source, a drain, and a channel of the second PU transistor are collinear. A source, a drain, and a channel of the first PD transistor, a source, a drain, and a channel of the second PD transistor, a source, a drain, and a channel of the first PG transistor, and a source, a drain, and a channel of the second PG transistor are collinear.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2022Publication date: April 6, 2023Inventors: Kuo-Hsiu Hsu, Feng-Ming Chang, Kian-Long Lim, Ping-Wei Wang, Lien Jung Hung, Ruey-Wen Chang
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Patent number: 11621267Abstract: An integrated circuit structure in which a gate overlies channel region in an active area of a first transistor. The first transistor includes a channel region, a source region and a drain region. A conductive contact is coupled to the drain region of the first transistor. A second transistor that includes a channel region, a source region a drain region is adjacent to the first transistor. The gate of the second transistor is spaced from the gate of the first transistor. A conductive via passes through an insulation layer to electrically connect to the gate of the second transistor. An expanded conductive via overlays both the conductive contact and the conductive via to electrically connect the drain of the first transistor to the gate of the second transistor.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2020Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yu-Kuan Lin, Chang-Ta Yang, Ping-Wei Wang, Kuo-Yi Chao, Mei-Yun Wang
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Patent number: 11610628Abstract: A static random access memory (SRAM) includes a bit cell including a p-type pass gate, a bit information path connected to the bit cell by the p-type pass gate, and a read multiplexer connected to the bit information path. The read multiplexer includes an n-type transistor configured to selectively couple the bit information path to a sense amplifier.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2021Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Wei-Cheng Wu, Hung-Jen Liao, Ping-Wei Wang, Wei Min Chan, Yen-Huei Chen
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Patent number: 11600625Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of fabricating thereof where the device includes a fin structure between a first isolation region and a second isolation region. A first source/drain feature is formed over a recessed portion of the first fin structure. The first source/drain feature interfaces a top surface of the first isolation region for a first distance and interfaces the top surface of the second isolation region for a second distance. The first distance is different than the second distance. The source/drain feature is offset in a direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2020Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Chih-Chuan Yang, Chia-Hao Pao, Wen-Chun Keng, Lien Jung Hung, Ping-Wei Wang
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Patent number: 11600623Abstract: Well pick-up regions are disclosed herein for improving performance of memory arrays, such as static random access memory arrays. An exemplary integrated circuit (IC) device includes a circuit region; a first well pick-up (WPU) region; a first well oriented lengthwise along a first direction in the circuit region and extending into the first WPU region, the first well having a first conductivity type; and a second well oriented lengthwise along the first direction in the circuit region and extending into the first WPU region, the second well having a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type, wherein the first well has a first portion in the circuit region and a second portion in the first WPU region, and the second portion of the first well has a width larger than the first portion of the first well along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2019Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Chih-Chuan Yang, Chang-Ta Yang, Ping-Wei Wang
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Publication number: 20230068359Abstract: A static random-access memory (SRAM) structure and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. An exemplary SRAM structure includes a first source/drain (S/D) feature and a second S/D feature formed in an interlayer dielectric layer (ILD) of a bit cell region of the SRAM structure, a frontside via electrically connecting to the first S/D feature, and a first backside via electrically connecting to the second S/D feature. The first S/D feature and the second S/D feature are of a same type.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2021Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: Ruey-Wen Chang, Feng-Ming Chang, Ping-Wei Wang
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Publication number: 20230062162Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a contact, a first gate, a second gate, a dielectric feature between the gates, a via, and a conductive line. The gates are each adjacent the contact and aligned lengthwise with each other along a first direction. A first sidewall of the dielectric feature defines an end-wall of the first gate. A second sidewall of the dielectric feature defines an end-wall of the second gate. The conductive line extends along a second direction. A projection of the conductive line onto a top surface of the dielectric feature passes between the first and second sidewalls. The via interfaces with the contact along a second plane. The via has a first dimension on the second plane along the second direction; the contact has a second dimension on the second plane along the second direction. The first dimension is greater than the second dimension.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2021Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: Jui-Lin Chen, Yu-Kuan Lin, Ping-Wei Wang
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Publication number: 20230059973Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit, including forming a n-type doped well (N-well) and a p-type doped well (P-well) disposed side by side on a semiconductor substrate, forming a first fin active region extruded from the N-well and a second fin active region extruded from the P-well, forming a first isolation feature inserted between and vertically extending through the N-well and the P-well, and forming a second isolation feature over the N-well and the P-well and laterally contacting the first and the second fin active regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Inventors: Kuo-Hsiu Hsu, Yu-Kuan Lin, Feng-Ming Chang, Hsin-Wen Su, Lien Jung Hung, Ping-Wei Wang
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Publication number: 20230046028Abstract: SRAM designs based on GAA transistors are disclosed that provide flexibility for increasing channel widths of transistors at scaled IC technology nodes and relax limits on SRAM performance optimization imposed by FinFET-based SRAMs. GAA-based SRAM cells described have active region layouts with active regions shared by pull-down GAA transistors and pass-gate GAA transistors. A width of shared active regions that correspond with the pull-down GAA transistors are enlarged with respect to widths of the shared active regions that correspond with the pass-gate GAA transistors. A ratio of the widths is tuned to obtain ratios of pull-down transistor effective channel width to pass-gate effective channel width greater than 1, increase an on-current of pull-down GAA transistors relative to an on-current of pass-gate GAA transistors, decrease a threshold voltage of pull-down GAA transistors relative to a threshold voltage of pass-gate GAA transistors, and/or increases a ? ratio of an SRAM cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2021Publication date: February 16, 2023Inventors: Chia-Hao Pao, Chih-Chuan Yang, Shih-Hao Lin, Chih-Hsuan Chen, Kian-Long Lim, Chao-Yuan Chang, Feng-Ming Chang, Lien Jung Hung, Ping-Wei Wang
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Patent number: 11563013Abstract: A memory device includes a substrate, first semiconductor fin, second semiconductor fin, first gate structure, second gate structure, first gate spacer, and a second gate spacer. The first gate structure crosses the first semiconductor fin. The second gate structure crosses the second semiconductor fin, the first gate structure extending continuously from the second gate structure, in which in a top view of the memory device, a width of the first gate structure is greater than a width of the second gate structure. The first gate spacer is on a sidewall of the first gate structure. The second gate spacer extends continuously from the first gate spacer and on a sidewall of the second gate structure, in which in the top view of the memory device, a width of the first gate spacer is less than a width of the second gate spacer.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2020Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Hsin-Wen Su, Chih-Chuan Yang, Shih-Hao Lin, Yu-Kuan Lin, Lien-Jung Hung, Ping-Wei Wang
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Publication number: 20230012621Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for memory cell placement. The method can include placing a memory cell region in a layout area and placing a well pick-up region and a first power supply routing region along a first side of the memory cell region. The method also includes placing a second power supply routing region and a bitline jumper routing region along a second side of the memory cell region, where the second side is on an opposite side to that of the first side. The method further includes placing a device region along the second side of the memory cell region, where the bitline jumper routing region is between the second power supply routing region and the device region.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chia-Chuan YANG, Ruey-Wen CHANG, Feng-Ming CHANG, Kian-Long LIM, Kuo-Hsiu HSU, Lien Jung HUNG, Ping-Wei WANG