Patents by Inventor Shan-Mei Liao
Shan-Mei Liao 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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Publication number: 20240413221Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate, a fin structure on the semiconductor substrate, a gate structure on the fin structure, and a pair of source/drain features on both sides of the gate structure. The gate structure includes an interfacial layer on the fin structure, a gate dielectric layer on the interfacial layer, and a gate electrode layer of a conductive material on and directly contacting the gate dielectric layer. The gate dielectric layer includes nitrogen element.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2024Publication date: December 12, 2024Inventors: Chia-Wei Chen, Chih-Yu Hsu, Hui-Chi Chen, Shan-Mei Liao, Jian-Hao Chen, Cheng-Hao Hou, Huang-Chin Chen, Cheng Hong Yang, Shih-Hao Lin, Tsung-Da Lin, Da-Yuan Lee, Kuo-Feng Yu, Feng-Cheng Yang, Chi On Chui, Yen-Ming Chen
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Patent number: 12154964Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an interface layer on a substrate, a gate dielectric layer on the interface layer, and a work function metal layer on the gate dielectric layer. An interface between the interface layer and the gate dielectric layer has a concentration of a dipole-inducing element. The semiconductor device also includes an oxygen blocking layer on the work function metal layer and a metal fill layer on the oxygen blocking layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2021Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: An-Hung Tai, Yung-Hsiang Chan, Shan-Mei Liao, Hsin-Han Tsai, Jian-Hao Chen, Kuo-Feng Yu
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Publication number: 20240387277Abstract: A method includes forming a first gate dielectric, a second gate dielectric, and a third gate dielectric over a first semiconductor region, a second semiconductor region, and a third semiconductor region, respectively. The method further includes depositing a first lanthanum-containing layer overlapping the first gate dielectric, and depositing a second lanthanum-containing layer overlapping the second gate dielectric. The second lanthanum-containing layer is thinner than the first lanthanum-containing layer. An anneal process is then performed to drive lanthanum in the first lanthanum-containing layer and the second lanthanum-containing layer into the first gate dielectric and the second gate dielectric, respectively. During the anneal process, the third gate dielectric is free from lanthanum-containing layers thereon.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2024Publication date: November 21, 2024Inventors: Wen-Hung Huang, Kuo-Feng Yu, Jian-Hao Chen, Shan-Mei Liao, Jer-Fu Wang, Yung-Hsiang Chan
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Publication number: 20240387639Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a stack of nanostructures, an interfacial layer wrapping around each nanostructure of the stack of nanostructures, a first gate dielectric layer wrapping around the interfacial layer and each nanostructure of the stack of nanostructures, and a gate electrode layer disposed over the first gate dielectric layer. The first gate dielectric layer includes a dipole element. A first concentration of the dipole element at a center line of the first gate dielectric layer is greater than a second concentration of the dipole element at a boundary surface of the first gate dielectric layer interfacing the interfacial layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2024Publication date: November 21, 2024Inventors: Shan-Mei Liao, Yung-Hsiang Chan, Yao-Teng Chuang, Jian-Hao Chen, Kuo-Feng Yu
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Publication number: 20240387682Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes removing a dummy gate structure to expose a channel region, depositing an interface layer on the channel region, depositing a gate dielectric layer on the interface layer, and forming a doping layer on the gate dielectric layer. The doping layer includes a dipole-inducing element. The method also includes annealing the doping layer to drive the dipole-inducing element through the gate dielectric layer, removing the doping layer, forming a work function metal layer on the gate dielectric layer, depositing an oxygen blocking layer on the work function metal layer, and forming a gate metal fill layer on the oxygen blocking layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2024Publication date: November 21, 2024Inventors: An-Hung Tai, Yung-Hsiang Chan, Shan-Mei Liao, Hsin-Han Tsai, Jian-Hao Chen, Kuo-Feng Yu
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Publication number: 20240381608Abstract: A transistor includes a gate structure that has a first gate dielectric layer and a second gate dielectric layer. The first gate dielectric layer is disposed over the substrate. The first gate dielectric layer contains a first type of dielectric material that has a first dielectric constant. The second gate dielectric layer is disposed over the first gate dielectric layer. The second gate dielectric layer contains a second type of dielectric material that has a second dielectric constant. The second dielectric constant is greater than the first dielectric constant. The first dielectric constant and the second dielectric constant are each greater than a dielectric constant of silicon oxide.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2024Publication date: November 14, 2024Inventors: Chih-Yu Hsu, Jian-Hao Chen, Chia-Wei Chen, Shan-Mei Liao, Hui-Chi Chen, Yu-Chia Liang, Shih-Hao Lin, Kuei-Lun Lin, Kuo-Feng Yu, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen
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Patent number: 12142640Abstract: A method includes receiving a workpiece having a first stack of semiconductor layers in a first region and a second stack of semiconductor layers in a second region; forming a first gate dielectric layer surrounding each layer of the first stack and a second gate dielectric layer surrounding each layer of the second stack; forming a first dipole layer surrounding the first gate dielectric layer and merging between vertically adjacent portions of the first gate dielectric layer, and a second dipole layer surrounding the second gate dielectric layer and merging between vertically adjacent portions of the second gate dielectric layer; removing the first dipole layer; after the removing of the first dipole layer, conducting a first annealing on the workpiece; removing a remaining portion of the second dipole layer; and forming a gate electrode layer in the first region and the second region.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2021Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Shan-Mei Liao, Yung-Hsiang Chan, Yao-Teng Chuang, Jian-Hao Chen, Kuo-Feng Yu
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Publication number: 20240332382Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a first transistor disposed over the substrate and including a first channel, a first interfacial layer over the first channel, a first gate dielectric layer over the first interfacial layer, and a first gate electrode layer over the first gate dielectric layer, and a second transistor disposed over the substrate and including a second channel, a second interfacial layer over the second channel, a second gate dielectric layer over the second interfacial layer, and a second gate electrode layer over the second gate dielectric layer. The first gate dielectric layer includes a first dipole material composition having a first maximum concentration at a half-thickness line of the first gate dielectric layer. The second gate dielectric layer includes a second dipole material composition having a second maximum concentration at a half-thickness line of the second gate dielectric layer and greater than the first maximum concentration.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2024Publication date: October 3, 2024Inventors: Yung-Hsiang Chan, Shan-Mei Liao, Wen-Hung Huang, Jian-Hao Chen, Kuo-Feng Yu, Mei-Yun Wang
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Patent number: 12074206Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate, a fin structure on the semiconductor substrate, a gate structure on the fin structure, and a pair of source/drain features on both sides of the gate structure. The gate structure includes an interfacial layer on the fin structure, a gate dielectric layer on the interfacial layer, and a gate electrode layer of a conductive material on and directly contacting the gate dielectric layer. The gate dielectric layer includes nitrogen element.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2021Date of Patent: August 27, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Chia-Wei Chen, Chih-Yu Hsu, Hui-Chi Chen, Shan-Mei Liao, Jian-Hao Chen, Cheng-Hao Hou, Huang-Chin Chen, Cheng Hong Yang, Shih-Hao Lin, Tsung-Da Lin, Da-Yuan Lee, Kuo-Feng Yu, Feng-Cheng Yang, Chi On Chui, Yen-Ming Chen
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Patent number: 12041760Abstract: A transistor includes a gate structure that has a first gate dielectric layer and a second gate dielectric layer. The first gate dielectric layer is disposed over the substrate. The first gate dielectric layer contains a first type of dielectric material that has a first dielectric constant. The second gate dielectric layer is disposed over the first gate dielectric layer. The second gate dielectric layer contains a second type of dielectric material that has a second dielectric constant. The second dielectric constant is greater than the first dielectric constant. The first dielectric constant and the second dielectric constant are each greater than a dielectric constant of silicon oxide.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2022Date of Patent: July 16, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Chih-Yu Hsu, Jian-Hao Chen, Chia-Wei Chen, Shan-Mei Liao, Hui-Chi Chen, Yu-Chia Liang, Shih-Hao Lin, Kuei-Lun Lin, Kuo-Feng Yu, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen
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Patent number: 12022643Abstract: A transistor includes a gate structure that has a first gate dielectric layer and a second gate dielectric layer. The first gate dielectric layer is disposed over the substrate. The first gate dielectric layer contains a first type of dielectric material that has a first dielectric constant. The second gate dielectric layer is disposed over the first gate dielectric layer. The second gate dielectric layer contains a second type of dielectric material that has a second dielectric constant. The second dielectric constant is greater than the first dielectric constant. The first dielectric constant and the second dielectric constant are each greater than a dielectric constant of silicon oxide.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2020Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Chih-Yu Hsu, Jian-Hao Chen, Chia-Wei Chen, Shan-Mei Liao, Hui-Chi Chen, Yu-Chia Liang, Shih-Hao Lin, Kuei-Lun Lin, Kuo-Feng Yu, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen
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Patent number: 12009400Abstract: A method includes forming a dielectric layer on a semiconductor workpiece, forming a first patterned layer of a first dipole material on the dielectric layer, and performing a first thermal drive-in operation at a first temperature to form a diffusion feature in a first portion of the dielectric layer beneath the first patterned layer. The method also includes forming a second patterned layer of a second dipole material, where a first section of the second patterned layer is on the diffusion feature and a second section of the second patterned layer is offset from the diffusion feature. The method further includes performing a second thermal drive-in operation at a second temperature, where the second temperature is less than the first temperature. The method additionally includes forming a gate electrode layer on the dielectric layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2021Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Yung-Hsiang Chan, Shan-Mei Liao, Wen-Hung Huang, Jian-Hao Chen, Kuo-Feng Yu, Mei-Yun Wang
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Publication number: 20240186188Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer below a second semiconductor layer; first and second gate dielectric layers surrounding the first and the second semiconductor layers, respectively; and a gate electrode surrounding both the first and the second gate dielectric layers. The first gate dielectric layer has a first top section above the first semiconductor layer and a first bottom section below the first semiconductor layer. The second gate dielectric layer has a second top section above the second semiconductor layer and a second bottom section below the second semiconductor layer. The first top section has a first thickness. The second top section has a second thickness. The second thickness is greater than the first thickness.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2024Publication date: June 6, 2024Inventors: Yung-Hsiang CHAN, Wen-Hung HUANG, Shan-Mei LIAO, Jian-Hao CHEN, Kuo-Feng YU, Kuei-Lun LIN
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Patent number: 11908745Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer below a second semiconductor layer; first and second gate dielectric layers surrounding the first and the second semiconductor layers, respectively; and a gate electrode surrounding both the first and the second gate dielectric layers. The first gate dielectric layer has a first top section above the first semiconductor layer and a first bottom section below the first semiconductor layer. The second gate dielectric layer has a second top section above the second semiconductor layer and a second bottom section below the second semiconductor layer. The first top section has a first thickness. The second top section has a second thickness. The second thickness is greater than the first thickness.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2023Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Yung-Hsiang Chan, Wen-Hung Huang, Shan-Mei Liao, Jian-Hao Chen, Kuo-Feng Yu, Kuei-Lun Lin
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Publication number: 20240014279Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a fin over a substrate, the fin comprising alternately stacking first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers, removing the first semiconductor layers to form spaces each between the second semiconductor layers, forming a gate dielectric layer wrapping around each of the second semiconductor layers, forming a fluorine-containing layer on the gate dielectric layer, performing an anneal process to drive fluorine atoms from the fluorine-containing layer into the gate dielectric layer, removing the fluorine-containing layer, and forming a metal gate on the gate dielectric layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2022Publication date: January 11, 2024Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Hsin-Yi LEE, Shan-Mei LIAO, Kuo-Feng YU, Da-Yuan LEE, Weng CHANG, Chi On CHUI
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Publication number: 20230411220Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. An exemplary semiconductor device comprises a first semiconductor stack and a second semiconductor stack over a substrate, wherein each of the first and second semiconductor stacks includes semiconductor layers stacked up and separated from each other; a dummy spacer between the first and second semiconductor stacks, wherein the dummy spacer contacts a first sidewall of each semiconductor layer of the first and second semiconductor stacks; and a gate structure wrapping a second sidewall, a top surface, and a bottom surface of each semiconductor layer of the first and second semiconductor stacks.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Chih-Yu Hsu, Jian-Hao Chen, Chia-Wei Chen, Shan-Mei Liao, Hui-Chi Chen, Cheng Hong Yang, Shih-Hao Lin, Kuo-Feng Yu, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen
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Publication number: 20230395432Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods are provided. An exemplary method according to the present disclosure includes providing a workpiece comprising a first channel member directly over a first region of a substrate and a second channel member directly over the first channel member, the first channel member being vertically spaced apart from the second channel member, conformally forming a dielectric layer over the workpiece, conformally depositing a dipole material layer over the dielectric layer, after the depositing of the dipole material layer, performing a thermal treatment process to the workpiece, after the performing of the thermal treatment process, selectively removing the dipole material layer, and forming a gate electrode layer over the dielectric layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2022Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Chien-Yuan Chen, Kuo-Feng Yu, Jian-Hao Chen, Chih-Yu Hsu, Yao-Teng Chuang, Shan-Mei Liao
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Publication number: 20230389256Abstract: A transistor includes a gate structure that has a first gate dielectric layer and a second gate dielectric layer. The first gate dielectric layer is disposed over the substrate. The first gate dielectric layer contains a first type of dielectric material that has a first dielectric constant. The second gate dielectric layer is disposed over the first gate dielectric layer. The second gate dielectric layer contains a second type of dielectric material that has a second dielectric constant. The second dielectric constant is greater than the first dielectric constant. The first dielectric constant and the second dielectric constant are each greater than a dielectric constant of silicon oxide.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventors: Chih-Yu Hsu, Jian-Hao Chen, Chia-Wei Chen, Shan-Mei Liao, Hui-Chi Chen, Yu-Chia Liang, Shih-Hao Lin, Kuei-Lun Lin, Kuo-Feng Yu, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen
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Patent number: 11735484Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. An exemplary semiconductor device comprises a first semiconductor stack and a second semiconductor stack over a substrate, wherein each of the first and second semiconductor stacks includes semiconductor layers stacked up and separated from each other; a dummy spacer between the first and second semiconductor stacks, wherein the dummy spacer contacts a first sidewall of each semiconductor layer of the first and second semiconductor stacks; and a gate structure wrapping a second sidewall, a top surface, and a bottom surface of each semiconductor layer of the first and second semiconductor stacks.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2020Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Chih-Yu Hsu, Jian-Hao Chen, Chia-Wei Chen, Shan-Mei Liao, Hui-Chi Chen, Cheng Hong Yang, Shih-Hao Lin, Kuo-Feng Yu, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen
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Publication number: 20230253256Abstract: A method includes forming a first gate dielectric, a second gate dielectric, and a third gate dielectric over a first semiconductor region, a second semiconductor region, and a third semiconductor region, respectively. The method further includes depositing a first lanthanum-containing layer overlapping the first gate dielectric, and depositing a second lanthanum-containing layer overlapping the second gate dielectric. The second lanthanum-containing layer is thinner than the first lanthanum-containing layer. An anneal process is then performed to drive lanthanum in the first lanthanum-containing layer and the second lanthanum-containing layer into the first gate dielectric and the second gate dielectric, respectively. During the anneal process, the third gate dielectric is free from lanthanum-containing layers thereon.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2023Publication date: August 10, 2023Inventors: Wen-Hung Huang, Kuo-Feng Yu, Jian-Hao Chen, Shan-Mei Liao, Jer-Fu Wang, Yung-Hsiang Chan