Patents by Inventor Samuel C. Pan

Samuel C. Pan 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: 20180151734
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an alloy semiconductor material layer comprising a first element and a second element on a semiconductor substrate. A mask is formed on the alloy semiconductor material layer to provide a masked portion and an unmasked portion of the alloy semiconductor material layer. The unmasked portion of the alloy semiconductor material layer not covered by the mask is irradiated with radiation from a radiation source to transform the alloy semiconductor material layer so that a surface region of the unmasked portion of the alloy semiconductor material layer has a higher concentration of the second element than an internal region of the unmasked portion of the alloy semiconductor material layer. The surface region surrounds the internal region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Fang-Liang LU, I-Hsieh WONG, Shih-Ya LIN, CheeWee LIU, Samuel C. PAN
  • Publication number: 20180151755
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a field effect transistor (FET) device includes a substrate and a channel structure formed of a two-dimensional (2D) material over the substrate. Source and drain contacts are formed partially over the 2D material. A first dielectric layer is formed at least partially over the channel structure and at least partially over the source and drain contacts. The first dielectric layer is configured to trap charge carriers. A second dielectric layer is formed over the first dielectric layer, and a gate electrode is formed over the second dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Tuo-Hung HOU, Samuel C. PAN, Pang-Shiuan LIU
  • Patent number: 9978868
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device in accordance with some embodiments. The semiconductor device includes a substrate; a gate stack over the substrate. The gate stack includes a ferroelectric layer; a first dielectric material layer; and a first conductive layer. One of the first dielectric material layer and the ferroelectric layer is electrically charged to form a charged layer with fixed charge. The semiconductor device further includes source and drain features formed on the substrate and disposed on sides of the gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Der-Chuan Lai, Samuel C Pan, Yu-Cheng Shen, Min-Hung Lee, Chee-Wee Liu
  • Patent number: 9953989
    Abstract: A method for forming an antifuse on a substrate is provided, which comprises: forming a first conductive material on the substrate; placing the first conductive material in an electrolytic solution; performing anodic oxidation on the first conductive material to form a nanowire made of the first conductive material and surrounded by a first dielectric material formed during the anodic oxidation and to form the antifuse on the nanowire; and forming a second conductive material on the antifuse to sandwich the antifuse between the first conductive material and the second conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited and National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Jenn-Gwo Hwu, Wei-Cheng Tian, Samuel C. Pan, Chao-Hsiung Wang, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 9941380
    Abstract: A method and structure for providing high-quality transferred graphene layers for subsequent device fabrication includes transferring graphene onto a hydrophobic surface of a hydrophobic layer and performing a thermal treatment process. In various embodiments, a substrate including an insulating layer is provided, and a hydrophobic layer is formed over the insulating layer. In some examples, a graphene layer is transferred onto the hydrophobic layer. By way of example, the transferred graphene layer has a first carrier mobility. In some embodiments, after transferring the graphene layer, an annealing process is performed, and the annealed graphene layer has a second carrier mobility greater than the first carrier mobility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignees: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd., National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Shang-Yi Liu, Samuel C. Pan, Chih-I Wu, Tsung-Chin Cheng
  • Patent number: 9934969
    Abstract: A process for fabricating an integrated circuit is provided. The process includes providing a substrate, forming a hard mask upon the substrate by one of atomic-layer deposition and molecular-layer deposition, and exposing the hard mask to a charged particle from one or more charged particle beams to pattern a gap in the hard mask. In the alternative, the process includes exposing the hard mask to a charged particle from one or more charged-particle beams to pattern a structure on the hard mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignees: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd., National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Kuen-Yu Tsai, Miin-Jang Chen, Samuel C. Pan
  • Patent number: 9923093
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are provided. A first source/drain layer is formed over a substrate. A channel layer is formed over the first source/drain layer. A second source/drain layer is formed over the channel layer. The first source/drain layer, the channel layer, and the second source/drain layer are patterned to form a fin-shaped structure. A gate stack is formed on a sidewall of the fin-shaped structure. The fin-shaped structure is patterned to expose a top surface of the first source/drain layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignees: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd., National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Chee Wee Liu, Samuel C. Pan, I-Hsieh Wong, Hung-Yu Yeh
  • Patent number: 9923142
    Abstract: A method and structure for providing uniform, large-area graphene by way of a transfer-free, direct-growth process. In some embodiments, a SAM is used as a carbon source for direct graphene synthesis on a substrate. For example, a SAM is formed on an insulating surface, and a metal layer is formed over the SAM. The metal layer may serve as a catalytic metal, whereby the SAM is converted to graphene following an annealing process. The SAM is deposited using a VPD process (e.g., an ALD process and/or an MLD process). In some embodiments, a CNT having a controlled diameter may be formed on the surface of a nanorod by appropriately tuning the geometry of the nanorod. Additionally, in some embodiments, a curved graphene transistor may be formed over a curved oxide surface, thereby providing a band gap in a channel region of the graphene transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignees: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd., National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Miin-Jang Chen, Samuel C. Pan, Chung-Yen Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20180068851
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices comprising two-dimensional (2D) materials and methods of manufacture thereof are described. In an embodiment, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising 2D materials may include: epitaxially forming a first 2D material layer on a substrate; and epitaxially forming a second 2D material layer over the first 2D material layer, the first 2D material layer and the second 2D material layer differing in composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Meng-Yu Lin, Shih-Yen Lin, Si-Chen Lee, Samuel C. Pan
  • Publication number: 20180033889
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor fin protruding from a substrate, a gate electrode over the semiconductor fin, a gate insulating layer between the semiconductor fin and the gate electrode, source and drain regions disposed on opposite sides of the semiconductor fin, a first stressor formed in a region between the source and drain regions. The first stressor including one material selected from the group consisting of He, Ne, and Ga.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Che-Wei YANG, Hao-Hsiung LIN, Samuel C. PAN
  • Patent number: 9859115
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices comprising two-dimensional (2D) materials and methods of manufacture thereof are described. In an embodiment, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising 2D materials may include: epitaxially forming a first 2D material layer on a substrate; and epitaxially forming a second 2D material layer over the first 2D material layer, the first 2D material layer and the second 2D material layer differing in composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignees: National Taiwan University, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Meng-Yu Lin, Shih-Yen Lin, Si-Chen Lee, Samuel C. Pan
  • Patent number: 9859276
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including at least one fin disposed on a surface of a semiconductor substrate is provided. The fin includes a main portion extending along a first direction, and at least one secondary portion extending outward from the main portion along a second direction not collinear with the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignees: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd., National Chiao-Tung University
    Inventors: Chao-Hsin Chien, Chen-Han Chou, Cheng-Ting Chung, Samuel C. Pan
  • Publication number: 20170346010
    Abstract: A method and structure for providing uniform, large-area graphene by way of a transfer-free, direct-growth process. In some embodiments, a SAM is used as a carbon source for direct graphene synthesis on a substrate. For example, a SAM is formed on an insulating surface, and a metal layer is formed over the SAM. The metal layer may serve as a catalytic metal, whereby the SAM is converted to graphene following an annealing process. The SAM is deposited using a VPD process (e.g., an ALD process and/or an MLD process). In some embodiments, a CNT having a controlled diameter may be formed on the surface of a nanorod by appropriately tuning the geometry of the nanorod. Additionally, in some embodiments, a curved graphene transistor may be formed over a curved oxide surface, thereby providing a band gap in a channel region of the graphene transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Miin-Jang CHEN, Samuel C. Pan, Chung-Yen HSIEH
  • Patent number: 9812558
    Abstract: A method includes providing a substrate having a mesa, forming a first opening in the mesa, the first opening being surrounded by first inner sidewalls of the mesa exposed by the first opening. The method further includes etching from a first one of the first inner sidewalls of the mesa to form a first vertical recess, the first vertical recess having a wide end and a narrow end, with the narrow end defining a first vertically recessed channel region, and forming a first gate structure over the first vertically recessed channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignees: National Taiwan University, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jhih-Yang Yan, Samuel C. Pan, Chee Wee Liu, Hung-Yu Yeh, Da-Zhi Zhang
  • Patent number: 9812395
    Abstract: A method of forming low-k interconnect structure is disclosed, which comprises: providing at least one protruding structure on a substrate traversing between a first connection region to a second connection region defined thereon; performing anodic oxidation on the substrate having the protruding structure; forming one or more nanowire interconnect in the protruding structure traversing between the first connection region and the second connection region; the nanowire interconnect being surrounded by a dielectric layer formed during the anodic oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited & National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Jenn-Gwo Hwu, Wei-Cheng Tian, Samuel C. Pan, Chao-Hsiung Wang, Chi-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 9748379
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tunnel FET device with a steep sub-threshold slope, and a corresponding method of formation. In some embodiments, the tunnel FET device has a dielectric layer arranged over a substrate. A conductive gate electrode and a conductive drain electrode are arranged over the dielectric layer. A conductive source electrode contacts the substrate at a first position located along a first side of the conductive gate electrode. The conductive drain electrode is arranged at a second position located along the first side of the conductive gate electrode. By arranging the conductive gate electrode over the dielectric layer at a position laterally offset from the conductive drain electrode, the conductive gate electrode is able to generate an electric field that controls tunneling of minority carriers, which can change the effective barrier height of the tunnel barrier, and thereby improving a sub-threshold slope of the tunnel FET device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignees: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd., National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Jenn-Gwo Hwu, Samuel C. Pan, Chien-Shun Liao
  • Publication number: 20170194464
    Abstract: A method includes providing a substrate having a mesa, forming a first opening in the mesa, the first opening being surrounded by first inner sidewalls of the mesa exposed by the first opening. The method further includes etching from a first one of the first inner sidewalls of the mesa to form a first vertical recess, the first vertical recess having a wide end and a narrow end, with the narrow end defining a first vertically recessed channel region, and forming a first gate structure over the first vertically recessed channel region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Jhih-Yang Yan, Samuel C. Pan, Chee Wee Liu, Hung-Yu Yeh, Da-Zhi Zhang
  • Patent number: 9679961
    Abstract: A device includes a source region, a drain region, and a wurtzite semiconductor between the source region and the drain region. A source-drain direction is parallel to a [01-10] direction or a [?2110] direction of the wurtzite semiconductor. The device further includes a gate dielectric over the wurtzite semiconductor, and a gate electrode over the gate dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignees: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd., National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Hung-Chih Chang, Pin-Shiang Chen, Chee-Wee Liu, Samuel C. Pan
  • Publication number: 20170154975
    Abstract: A method and structure for providing high-quality transferred graphene layers for subsequent device fabrication includes transferring graphene onto a hydrophobic surface of a hydrophobic layer and performing a thermal treatment process. In various embodiments, a substrate including an insulating layer is provided, and a hydrophobic layer is formed over the insulating layer. In some examples, a graphene layer is transferred onto the hydrophobic layer. By way of example, the transferred graphene layer has a first carrier mobility. In some embodiments, after transferring the graphene layer, an annealing process is performed, and the annealed graphene layer has a second carrier mobility greater than the first carrier mobility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Shang-Yi Liu, Samuel C. Pan, Chih-I Wu, Tsung-Chin Cheng
  • Patent number: 9666441
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacturing are presented in which features of reduced size are formed using an irradiated mask material. In an embodiment a mask material that has been irradiated with charged ions is utilized to focus a subsequent irradiation process. In another embodiment the mask material is irradiated in order to reshape the mask material and reduce the size of openings formed within the mask material. Through such processes the limits of photolithography may be circumvented and smaller feature sizes may be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Heng Kao, Samuel C. Pan, Chi-Wen Liu, Miin-Jang Chen, Po-Shuan Yang