Patents by Inventor Po-Chao Tsao

Po-Chao 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: 9196500
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing semiconductor structures includes providing a substrate having a plurality of mandrel patterns and a plurality of dummy patterns, simultaneously forming a plurality of first spacers on sidewalls of the mandrel patterns and a plurality of second spacers on sidewalls of the dummy patterns, and removing the second spacers and the mandrel patterns to form a plurality of spacer patterns on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Ching-Ling Lin, Po-Chao Tsao, Chia-Jui Liang, Chien-Ting Lin
  • Publication number: 20150333142
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having metal gate includes a substrate, a first metal gate positioned on the substrate, and a second metal gate positioned on the substrate. The first metal gate includes a first p-work function metal layer, an n-work function metal layer, and a gap-filling metal layer. The second metal gate includes a second p-work function metal layer, the n-work function metal layer, and the gap-filling metal layer. The first p-work function metal layer and the second p-work function metal layer include a same p-typed metal material. A thickness of the first p-work function metal layer is larger than a thickness of the second p-work function metal layer. The first p-work function metal layer, the second p-work function metal layer, and the n-work function metal layer include a U shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Po-Chao Tsao, Chien-Ting Lin, Chien-Ming Lai, Chi-Mao Hsu
  • Publication number: 20150332976
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of semiconductor devices having metal gate includes following steps. A substrate having a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device formed thereon is provided. The first semiconductor device includes a first gate trench and the second semiconductor device includes a second gate trench. A first work function metal layer is formed in the first gate trench and the second gate trench. A portion of the first work function metal layer is removed from the second gate trench. A second work function metal layer is formed in the first gate trench and the second gate trench. The second work function metal layer and the first work function metal layer include the same metal material. A third work function metal layer and a gap-filling metal layer are sequentially formed in the first gate trench and the second gate trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Po-Chao Tsao, Chien-Ting Lin, Chien-Ming Lai, Chi-Mao Hsu
  • Patent number: 9190497
    Abstract: A fabrication method of a semiconductor device includes the following steps. First, sacrificial patterns are formed on a substrate and a space is formed on the sidewalls of each sacrificial pattern. Then, the sacrificial patterns are removed and patterns of the spacers are transferred into the substrate to form a fin structure. The fin structure includes a horizontal fin structure extending along a first direction and a vertical fin structure extending along a second direction. Subsequently, a gate structure, source/drain structures, and an electrical connecting structure are formed sequentially on the substrate. The gate structure overlaps portions of the horizontal fin structure. The source/drain structures are respectively on each side of the gate structure. The electrical connecting structure directly covers the horizontal fin structure and the vertical fin structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Shih-Fang Hong, Po-Chao Tsao
  • Patent number: 9190291
    Abstract: A fin-shaped structure forming process includes the following step. A first mandrel and a second mandrel are formed on a substrate. A first spacer material is formed to entirely cover the first mandrel, the second mandrel and the substrate. The exposed first spacer material is etched to form a first spacer on the substrate beside the first mandrel. A second spacer material is formed to entirely cover the first mandrel, the second mandrel and the substrate. The second spacer material and the first spacer material are etched to form a second spacer on the substrate beside the second mandrel and a third spacer including the first spacer on the substrate beside the first mandrel. The layout of the second spacer and the third spacer is transferred to the substrate, so a second fin-shaped structure and a first fin-shaped structure having different widths are formed respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chia-Jui Liang, Po-Chao Tsao, Jun-Jie Wang, Chih-Sen Huang
  • Publication number: 20150325532
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated device includes a substrate having an active region defined thereon, a plurality of active fins positioned in the active region, and a plurality of first protecting fins surrounding the active region. Each of the plurality of active fins extends along a first direction and includes a first length along the first direction. The plurality of first protecting fins extend along the first direction. One of the plurality of first protecting fins immediately adjacent to the active region has a second length along the first direction, and the second length is longer than the first length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Shih-Fang Hong, Po-Chao Tsao
  • Patent number: 9159798
    Abstract: A replacement gate process is disclosed. A substrate and a dummy gate structure formed on the substrate is provided, wherein the dummy gate structure comprises a dummy layer on the substrate, a hard mask layer on the dummy layer, spacers at two sides of the dummy layer and the hard mask layer, and a contact etch stop layer (CESL) covering the substrate, the spacers and the hard mask layer. The spacers and the CESL are made of the same material. Then, a top portion of the CESL is removed to expose the hard mask layer. Next, the hard mask layer is removed. Afterward, the dummy layer is removed to form a trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Jun-Jie Wang, Po-Chao Tsao, Chia-Jui Liang, Shih-Fang Tzou, Chien-Ting Lin, Cheng-Guo Chen, Ssu-I Fu, Yu-Hsiang Hung, Chung-Fu Chang
  • Patent number: 9147612
    Abstract: The present invention provides a manufacturing method for forming a semiconductor structure, in which first, a substrate is provided, a hard mask is disposed on the substrate, the hard mask is then patterned to form a plurality of fin hard masks and a plurality of dummy fin hard masks, afterwards, a pattern transferring process is performed, to transfer the patterns of the fin hard masks and the fin hard masks into the substrate, so as to form a plurality of fin groups and a plurality of dummy fins. Each dummy fin is disposed on the end side of one fin group, and a fin cut process is performed, to remove each dummy fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Po-Cheng Huang, I-Ming Tseng, Yu-Ting Li, Chun-Hsiung Wang, Wu-Sian Sie, Yi-Liang Liu, Chia-Lin Hsu, Po-Chao Tsao, Chien-Ting Lin, Shih-Fang Tzou
  • Publication number: 20150270261
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a metal gate, a second dielectric layer and a contact plug. The metal gate is located on a substrate and in a first dielectric layer, wherein the metal gate includes a work function metal layer having a U-shaped cross-sectional profile and a low resistivity material located on the work function metal layer. The second dielectric layer is located on the metal gate and the first dielectric layer. The contact plug is located on the second dielectric layer and in a third dielectric layer, thereby a capacitor is formed. Moreover, the present invention also provides a semiconductor process forming said semiconductor structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Ching-Wen Hung, Chih-Sen Huang, Po-Chao Tsao
  • Patent number: 9141744
    Abstract: A method for generating a layout pattern is provided. First, a layout pattern is provided to a computer system and is classified into two sub-patterns and a blank pattern. Each of the sub-patterns has pitches in simple integer ratios and the blank pattern is between the two sub-patterns. Then, a plurality of first stripe patterns and at least two second stripe patterns are generated. The edges of the first stripe patterns are aligned with the edges of the sub-patterns and the first stripe patterns have equal spacings and widths. The spacings or widths of the second stripe patterns are different from that of the first stripe patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Po-Chao Tsao, Shih-Fang Hong, Chia-Wei Huang, Ming-Jui Chen, Shih-Fang Tzou, Ming-Te Wei
  • Patent number: 9136348
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a gate structure disposed on a substrate and having an outer spacer, a recess disposed in the substrate and adjacent to the gate structure, a doped epitaxial material filling up the recess, a cap layer including an undoped epitaxial material and disposed on the doped epitaxial material, a lightly doped drain disposed below the cap layer and sandwiched between the doped epitaxial material and the cap layer, and a silicide disposed on the cap layer and covering the doped epitaxial material to cover the cap layer together with the outer spacer without directly contacting the lightly doped drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Ming-Te Wei, Shin-Chuan Huang, Yu-Hsiang Hung, Po-Chao Tsao, Chia-Jui Liang, Ming-Tsung Chen, Chia-Wen Liang
  • Patent number: 9129985
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of semiconductor devices having metal gate includes following steps. A substrate having a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device formed thereon is provided. The first semiconductor device includes a first gate trench and the second semiconductor device includes a second gate trench. A first work function metal layer is formed in the first gate trench and the second gate trench. A portion of the first work function metal layer is removed from the second gate trench. A second work function metal layer is formed in the first gate trench and the second gate trench. The second work function metal layer and the first work function metal layer include the same metal material. A third work function metal layer and a gap-filling metal layer are sequentially formed in the first gate trench and the second gate trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Po-Chao Tsao, Chien-Ting Lin, Chien-Ming Lai, Chi-Mao Hsu
  • Patent number: 9123810
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated device includes a substrate, a plurality of active fins, and a plurality of first protecting fins. The substrate includes an active region, and the active fins are positioned in the active region. The active region is surrounded by the first protecting fins. The active fins and the first protecting fins all extend along a first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Shih-Fang Hong, Po-Chao Tsao
  • Patent number: 9117925
    Abstract: An epitaxial process includes the following steps. A substrate including a first area and a second area is provided. A first gate and a second gate are formed respectively on the substrate of the first area and the second area. A first spacer and a second spacer are respectively formed on the substrate beside the first gate and the second gate at the same time. A first epitaxial structure is formed beside the first spacer and then a second epitaxial structure is formed beside the second spacer by the first spacer and the second spacer respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chia-Jui Liang, Po-Chao Tsao
  • Publication number: 20150228734
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor structure including a substrate, a transistor, a first ILD layer, a second ILD layer, a first contact plug, second contact plug and a third contact plug. The transistor is disposed on the substrate and includes a gate and a source/drain region. The first ILD layer is disposed on the transistor. The first contact plug is disposed in the first ILD layer and a top surface of the first contact plug is higher than a top surface of the gate. The second ILD layer is disposed on the first ILD layer. The second contact plug is disposed in the second ILD layer and electrically connected to the first contact plug. The third contact plug is disposed in the first ILD layer and the second ILD layer and electrically connected to the gate. The present invention further provides a method of making the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Ching-Wen Hung, Chih-Sen Huang, Po-Chao Tsao, Chieh-Te Chen
  • Publication number: 20150221645
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a substrate, a multi-gate transistor device formed on the substrate, and an n-well resistor formed in the substrate. The substrate includes a plurality of first isolation structures and at least a second isolation structure formed therein. A depth of the first isolation structures is smaller than a depth of the second isolation structure. The multi-gate transistor device includes a plurality of fin structures, and the fin structures are parallel with each other and spaced apart from each other by the first isolation structures. The n-well resistor includes at least one first isolation structure. The n-well resistor and the multi-gate transistor device are electrically isolated from each other by the second isolation structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventor: Po-Chao Tsao
  • Patent number: 9093473
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a silicon layer on the semiconductor substrate; performing a first photo-etching process on the silicon layer for forming a gate pattern; forming an epitaxial layer in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to two sides of the gate pattern; and performing a second photo-etching process on the gate pattern to form a slot in the gate pattern while using the gate pattern to physically separate the gate pattern into two gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Ming-Te Wei, Wen-Chen Wu, Lung-En Kuo, Po-Chao Tsao
  • Patent number: 9093285
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a metal gate, a second dielectric layer and a contact plug. The metal gate is located on a substrate and in a first dielectric layer, wherein the metal gate includes a work function metal layer having a U-shaped cross-sectional profile and a low resistivity material located on the work function metal layer. The second dielectric layer is located on the metal gate and the first dielectric layer. The contact plug is located on the second dielectric layer and in a third dielectric layer, thereby a capacitor is formed. Moreover, the present invention also provides a semiconductor process forming said semiconductor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Ching-Wen Hung, Chih-Sen Huang, Po-Chao Tsao
  • Publication number: 20150206759
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor structure including a substrate, at least one fin group and a plurality of sub-fin structures disposed on the substrate, wherein the fin group is disposed between two sub-fin structures, and a top surface of each sub-fin structure is lower than a top surface of the fin group; and a shallow trench isolation (STI) disposed in the substrate, wherein the sub-fin structures are completely covered by the shallow trench isolation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Po-Chao Tsao, Lung-En Kuo, Chien-Ting Lin, Shih-Fang Tzou
  • Publication number: 20150200192
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor structure, including a substrate, having a dielectric layer disposed thereon, a first device region and a second device region defined thereon, at least one first trench disposed in the substrate within the first device region, at least one second trench and at least one third trench disposed in the substrate within the second device region, a work function layer, disposed in the second trench and the third trench, wherein the work function layer partially covers the sidewall of the second trench, and entirely covers the sidewall of the third trench, and a first material layer, disposed in the second trench and the third trench, wherein the first material layer covers the work function layer disposed on partial sidewall of the second trench, and entirely covers the work function layer disposed on the sidewall of the third trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Po-Chao Tsao, Yao-Hung Huang, Chien-Ting Lin, Ming-Te Wei