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).

  • Publication number: 20150194348
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first gate and a second gate, a first spacer and a second spacer, two first epitaxial structures and two second epitaxial structures. The first gate and the second gate are located on a substrate. The first spacer and the second spacer are respectively located on the substrate beside the first gate and the second gate. The first epitaxial structures and the second epitaxial structures are respectively located in the substrate beside the first spacer and the second spacer, wherein the first spacer and the second spacer have different thicknesses, and the spacing between the first epitaxial structures is different from the spacing between the second epitaxial structures. Moreover, the present invention also provides a semiconductor process forming said semiconductor structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Chia-Jui Liang, Po-Chao Tsao
  • Publication number: 20150179770
    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: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Shih-Fang Hong, Po-Chao Tsao
  • Publication number: 20150179457
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes the following steps. First, a first interlayer dielectric is formed on a substrate. Then, a gate electrode is formed on the substrate so that the periphery of the gate electrode is surrounded by the first interlayer dielectric. Afterwards, a patterned mask layer is formed on the gate electrode, and a bottom surface of the patterned mask layer is level with a top surface of the first interlayer dielectric. A spacer is then formed on each sidewall of the gate electrode. Subsequently, a second interlayer dielectric is formed to cover a top surface and each side surface of the patterned mask layer. Finally, a self-aligned contact structure is formed in the first interlayer dielectric and the second interlayer dielectric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Ching-Wen Hung, Chih-Sen Huang, Po-Chao Tsao, Shih-Fang Tzou
  • Patent number: 9064931
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor structure including at least a contact plug. The structure includes a substrate, a transistor, a first ILD layer, a second ILD layer and a first 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 and levels with a top surface of the gate. The second ILD layer is disposed on the first ILD layer. The first contact plug is disposed in the first ILD layer and the second ILD layer and includes a first trench portion and a first via portion, wherein a boundary of the first trench portion and a first via portion is higher than the top surface of the gate. The present invention further provides a method of making the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Ching-Wen Hung, Chih-Sen Huang, Po-Chao Tsao
  • Patent number: 9054172
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRNICS CORP.
    Inventors: Ching-Wen Hung, Chih-Sen Huang, Po-Chao Tsao, Chieh-Te Chen
  • Patent number: 9048246
    Abstract: A die seal ring is provided. The die seal ring includes a substrate and a first layer extruding from the substrate. The first layer has a first fin ring structure and a layout of the first fin ring structure has a stamp-like shape. In addition, a method for forming a die seal ring is provided. A substrate having an active region is provided. A patterned sacrificial layer is formed on the substrate. A spacer is formed on the sidewall of the patterned sacrificial layer. The patterned sacrificial layer is removed. The substrate is patterned by using the spacer as a mask, thereby simultaneously forming at least a fin structure of a Fin-FET and a first layer of the die seal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Ming-Te Wei, Po-Chao Tsao, Ching-Li Yang, Chien-Yang Chen, Hui-Ling Chen, Guan-Kai Huang
  • Publication number: 20150147874
    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: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: 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
  • Patent number: 9035425
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventor: Po-Chao Tsao
  • Publication number: 20150129980
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises a substrate, a plurality of fins, an oxide layer and a gate structure. The fins protrude from the substrate and are separated from each other by the oxide layer. The surface of the oxide layer is uniform and even plane. The gate structure is disposed on the fins. The fin height is distance between the top of the fins and the oxide layer, and at least two of the fins have different fin heights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Jun-Jie Wang, Po-Chao Tsao, Ming-Te Wei, Shih-Fang Tzou
  • Publication number: 20150118836
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. Provided is a substrate having a dummy gate formed thereon, a spacer on a sidewall of the dummy gate and a first dielectric layer surrounding the spacer. The dummy gate is removed to form a gate trench. A gate dielectric layer and at least one work function layer is formed in the gate trench. The work function layer and the gate dielectric layer are pulled down, and a portion of the spacer is laterally removed at the same time to widen a top portion of the gate trench. A low-resistivity metal layer is formed in a bottom portion of the gate trench. A hard mask layer is formed in the widened top portion of the gate trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Ching-Ling Lin, Chih-Sen Huang, Jia-Rong Wu, Ching-Wen Hung, Po-Chao Tsao
  • Publication number: 20150118835
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes following steps. A substrate having at least a transistor embedded in an insulating material formed thereon is provided. The transistor includes a metal gate. Next, an etching process is performed to remove a portion of the metal gate to form a recess and to remove a portion of the insulating material to form a tapered part. After forming the recess and the tapered part of the insulating material, a hard mask layer is formed on the substrate to fill up the recess. Subsequently, the hard mask layer is planarized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Ching-Ling Lin, Chih-Sen Huang, Po-Chao Tsao, Ching-Wen Hung, Jia-Rong Wu, Chien-Ting Lin
  • Patent number: 9013003
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first gate and a second gate, a first spacer and a second spacer, two first epitaxial structures and two second epitaxial structures. The first gate and the second gate are located on a substrate. The first spacer and the second spacer are respectively located on the substrate beside the first gate and the second gate. The first epitaxial structures and the second epitaxial structures are respectively located in the substrate beside the first spacer and the second spacer, wherein the first spacer and the second spacer have different thicknesses, and the spacing between the first epitaxial structures is different from the spacing between the second epitaxial structures. Moreover, the present invention also provides a semiconductor process forming said semiconductor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chia-Jui Liang, Po-Chao Tsao
  • Patent number: 9006804
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided herein and includes the following steps. First, a first interlayer dielectric is formed on a substrate. Then, a gate electrode is formed on the substrate, wherein a periphery of the gate electrode is surrounded by the first interlayer dielectric. Afterwards, a patterned mask layer is formed on the gate electrode, wherein a bottom surface of the patterned mask layer is leveled with a top surface of the first interlayer dielectric. A second interlayer dielectric is then formed to cover a top surface and each side surface of the patterned mask layer. Finally, a self-aligned contact structure is formed in the first interlayer dielectric and the second interlayer dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Ching-Wen Hung, Chih-Sen Huang, Po-Chao Tsao, Shih-Fang Tzou
  • Patent number: 9006072
    Abstract: A method of forming a metal silicide layer includes the following steps. At first, at least a gate structure, at least a source/drain region and a first dielectric layer are formed on a substrate, and the gate structure is aligned with the first dielectric layer. Subsequently, a cap layer covering the gate structure is formed, and the cap layer does not overlap the first dielectric layer and the source/drain region. Afterwards, the first dielectric layer is removed to expose the source/drain region, and a metal silicide layer totally covering the source/drain region is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Po-Chao Tsao, Chien-Ting Lin
  • Publication number: 20150097248
    Abstract: The semiconductor structure includes a plurality of first insulators in a substrate, a common insulating layer surrounding the sidewall and the bottom of said first insulators in said substrate, and suspended portions of said substrate on said common insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: En-Chiuan Liou, Po-Chao Tsao, Chia-Jui Liang, Jia-Rong Wu
  • Patent number: 9000483
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first fin structure, an electrical contact structure and a gate structure. The first fin structure includes a horizontal fin structure extending along a first direction and a vertical fin structure extending along a second direction. The substrate has a first region and a second region. A portion of the horizontal fin structure and the vertical fin structure are disposed in the first region, and the electrical contact structure directly covers the horizontal fin structure and the vertical fin structure within the first region. The gate structure partially overlaps the horizontal fin structure within the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Shih-Fang Hong, Po-Chao Tsao
  • Patent number: 8981487
    Abstract: A method for fabricating fin-shaped field-effect transistor (FinFET) is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate; forming a fin-shaped structure in the substrate; forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) on the substrate and around the bottom portion of the fin-shaped structure; forming a first gate structure on the STI and the fin-shaped structure; and removing a portion of the STI for exposing the sidewalls of the STI underneath the first gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Yu-Hsiang Hung, Ssu-I Fu, Chien-Ting Lin, Po-Chao Tsao, Chung-Fu Chang, Cheng-Guo Chen
  • Publication number: 20150052491
    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: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Po-Chao Tsao, Shih-Fang Hong, Chia-Wei Huang, Ming-Jui Chen, Shih-Fang Tzou, Ming-Te Wei
  • Patent number: 8951918
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a patterned structure of a semiconductor device is provided. First, a substrate having a first region and a second region is provided. A target layer, a hard mask layer and a first patterned mask layer are then sequentially formed on the substrate. A first etching process is performed by using the first patterned mask layer as an etch mask so that a patterned hard mask layer is therefore formed. Spacers are respectively formed on each sidewall of the patterned hard mask layer. Then, a second patterned mask layer is formed on the substrate. A second etching process is performed to etch the patterned hard mask layer in the second region. After the exposure of the spacers, the patterned hard mask layer is used as an etch mask and an exposed target layer is removed until the exposure of the corresponding substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chia-Jung Li, Chia-Jui Liang, Po-Chao Tsao, Ching-Ling Lin, En-Chiuan Liou
  • Publication number: 20150035069
    Abstract: A method for fabricating fin-shaped field-effect transistor (FinFET) is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate; forming a fin-shaped structure in the substrate; forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) on the substrate and around the bottom portion of the fin-shaped structure; forming a first gate structure on the STI and the fin-shaped structure; and removing a portion of the STI for exposing the sidewalls of the STI underneath the first gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Yu-Hsiang Hung, Ssu-I Fu, Chien-Ting Lin, Po-Chao Tsao, Chung-Fu Chang, Cheng-Guo Chen