Patents by Inventor Shi Ning Ju

Shi Ning Ju 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: 11670550
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes: forming a fin structure protruding above a substrate, where the fin structure comprises a fin and a layer stack overlying the fin, where the layer stack comprises alternating layers of a first semiconductor material and a second semiconductor material; forming a dummy gate structure over the fin structure; forming openings in the fin structure on opposing sides of the dummy gate structure, where the openings extend through the layer stack into the fin; forming a dielectric layer in bottom portions of the openings; and forming source/drain regions in the openings on the dielectric layer, where the source/drain regions are separated from the fin by the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guan-Lin Chen, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Shi Ning Ju, Jung-Chien Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Patent number: 11664378
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The structure includes a semiconductor fin having a first portion having a first width and a second portion having a second width substantially less than the first width. The first portion has a first surface, the second portion has a second surface, and the first and second surfaces are connected by a third surface. The third surface forms an angle with respect to the second surface, and the angle ranges from about 90 degrees to about 130 degrees. The structure further includes a gate electrode layer disposed over the semiconductor fin and source/drain epitaxial features disposed on the semiconductor fin on opposite sides of the gate electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Ting Lan, Shi Ning Ju, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11664454
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a semiconductor fin structure over a substrate, forming a dielectric fin structure laterally spaced apart from the semiconductor fin structure, forming a source/drain spacer between the semiconductor fin structure and the dielectric fin structure, etching an upper portion of the semiconductor fin structure to expose a lower portion of the semiconductor fin structure, and forming a source/drain feature over the lower portion of the semiconductor fin structure. The source/drain spacer is interposed between the source/drain feature and the dielectric fin structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Shi-Ning Ju, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20230155003
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure includes a fin structure over a semiconductor substrate and a dummy gate stack formed over the fin structure and having a first sidewall and an opposite second sidewall. The semiconductor device structure also includes a first and second source or drain (S/D) structures in the fin structure and respectively adjacent to the first and second sidewalls of the dummy gate stack. The semiconductor device structure further includes an isolation feature formed in the fin structure below the dummy gate stack and having a third sidewall and an opposite fourth sidewall. A first end of the third sidewall overlaps the first end of the fourth sidewall. A second end of the third sidewall is in direct contact with a bottom of the dummy gate stack. A second end of the fourth sidewall is separated from the bottom of the dummy gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHING, Shi-Ning JU, Kuan-Ting PAN, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Patent number: 11652160
    Abstract: FinFET patterning methods are disclosed for achieving fin width uniformity. An exemplary method includes forming a mandrel layer over a substrate. A first cut removes a portion of the mandrel layer, leaving a mandrel feature disposed directly adjacent to a dummy mandrel feature. The substrate is etched using the mandrel feature and the dummy mandrel feature as an etch mask, forming a dummy fin feature and an active fin feature separated by a first spacing along a first direction. A second cut removes a portion of the dummy fin feature and a portion of the active fin feature, forming dummy fins separated by a second spacing and active fins separated by the second spacing. The second spacing is along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. A third cut removes the dummy fins, forming fin openings, which are filled with a dielectric material to form dielectric fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Shi Ning Ju, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20230142902
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device structure includes bonding a device substrate to a first de-bond layer. The first de-bond layer is disposed on a first carrier substrate, and the device substrate has a first side facing the first carrier substrate and a second side opposite from the first side. The device substrate has a first width. A front-end-of-line (FEOL) process and a back-end-of-line (BEOL) process are performed on the device substrate. A second carrier substrate having a second de-bond layer is bonded on the second side of the device substrate. The first carrier substrate is removed by removing the first de-bond layer. A width of the device substrate remains the first width after removing the first carrier substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Shi Ning JU, Wen-Ting LAN, I-Han HUANG, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20230141523
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate and first channel structures and second channel structures formed over the substrate. The semiconductor structure also includes a dielectric fin structure formed between the first channel structures and the second channel structures. In addition, the dielectric fin structure includes a core portion and first connecting portions connected to the core portion. The semiconductor structure also includes a gate structure including a first portion. In addition, the first portion of the gate structure is formed around the first channel structures and covers the first connecting portions of the dielectric fin structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Guan-Lin CHEN, Jung-Chien CHENG, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Shi-Ning JU, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20230134161
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a transistor having a plurality of semiconductor nanostructures arranged in a stack and corresponding to channel regions of the transistor. The transistor includes a source/drain region in contact with the channel regions. The transistor includes a silicide that extends downward along a side of the source/drain region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Jung-Chien CHENG, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Shi Ning JU, Guan-Lin CHEN, Bo-Rong LIN, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Patent number: 11637042
    Abstract: Self-aligned gate cutting techniques for multigate devices are disclosed herein that provide multigate devices having asymmetric metal gate profiles and asymmetric source/drain feature profiles. An exemplary multigate device has a channel layer, a metal gate that wraps a portion of the channel layer, and source/drain features disposed over a substrate. The channel layer extends along a first direction between the source/drain features. A first dielectric fin and a second dielectric fin are disposed over the substrate and configured differently. The channel layer extends along a second direction between the first dielectric fin and the second dielectric fin. The metal gate is disposed between the channel layer and the second dielectric fin. In some embodiments, the first dielectric fin is disposed on a first isolation feature, and the second dielectric fin is disposed on a second isolation feature. The first isolation feature and the second isolation feature are configured differently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Guan-Lin Chen, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Chih-Hao Wang, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Ching-Wei Tsai, Shi Ning Ju, Jui-Chien Huang
  • Patent number: 11637102
    Abstract: Gate cutting techniques disclosed herein form gate isolation fins to isolate metal gates of multigate devices from one another before forming the multigate devices, and in particular, before forming the metal gates of the multigate devices. An exemplary device includes a first multigate device having first source/drain features and a first metal gate that surrounds a first channel layer and a second multigate device having second source/drain features and a second metal gate that surrounds a second channel layer. A gate isolation fin, which separates the first metal gate and the second metal gate, includes a first dielectric layer having a first dielectric constant and a second dielectric layer having a second dielectric constant disposed over the first dielectric layer. The second dielectric constant is less than the first dielectric constant. A gate isolation end cap may be disposed on the gate isolation fin to provide additional isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Shi Ning Ju, Guan-Lin Chen, Kuan-Ting Pan, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20230124914
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of forming sidewall spacers by filling a trench between a hybrid fin and a semiconductor fin structure. The sidewall spacer includes two fin sidewall spacer portions connected by a gate sidewall spacer portion. The fin sidewall spacer portion has a substantially uniform profile to provide uniform protection for vertically stacked channel layers and eliminate any gaps and leaks between inner spacers and sidewall spacers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Kuan-Ting Pan, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Shi Ning JU, Yi-Ruei Jhan, KUAN-LUN CHENG, CHIH-HAO WANG
  • Publication number: 20230123987
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a plurality of first nanostructures stacked over a substrate in a vertical direction. The semiconductor device structure includes a gate structure surrounding the first nanostructures, and an S/D structure adjacent to the gate structure. The semiconductor device structure also includes an inner spacer layer formed between the gate structure and the S/D structure, and a hard mask layer formed over the inner spacer layer. The hard mask layer is between the gate structure and the S/D structure, and is in direct contact with the inner spacer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Chien CHENG, Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Shi-Ning JU, Guan-Lin CHEN, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Patent number: 11631770
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure and a method for forming a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes multiple semiconductor nanostructures over a substrate and two epitaxial structures over the substrate. Each of the semiconductor nanostructures is between the epitaxial structures, and the epitaxial structures are p-type doped. The semiconductor device structure also includes a gate stack wrapping around the semiconductor nanostructures. The semiconductor device structure further includes a dielectric stressor structure between the gate stack and the substrate. The epitaxial structures extend exceeding a top surface of the dielectric stressor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shi-Ning Ju, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Guan-Lin Chen, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20230111270
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. An exemplary semiconductor structure according to the present disclosure includes a first base portion and a second base portion, an isolation feature sandwiched between the first base portion and the second base portion, a center dielectric fin over the isolation feature, a first anti-punch-through (APT) feature over the first base portion, a second APT feature over the second base portion, a first stack of channel members over the first APT feature, and a second stack of channel members over the second APT feature. The center dielectric fin is sandwiched between the first stack of channel members and the second stack of channel members as well as between the first APT feature and the second APT feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Jung-Chien Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang, Guan-Lin Chen, Shi Ning Ju, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Publication number: 20230111453
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a semiconductor device and a method for forming the semiconductor device. The method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first stack of channel structures that extends between a source terminal and a drain terminal of a first transistor in a first region of the semiconductor device. The first stack of channel structures includes a first channel structure and a second channel structure. The method further includes forming a first gate structure that wraps around the first stack of channel structures with a first metal cap between the first channel structure and the second channel structure. The first metal cap has a different work function from another portion of the first gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHING, Shi Ning JU, Ching-Wei TSAI, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20230113266
    Abstract: A method includes etching a hybrid substrate to form a recess extending into the hybrid substrate. The hybrid substrate includes a first semiconductor layer having a first surface orientation, a dielectric layer over the first semiconductor layer, and a second semiconductor layer having a second surface orientation different from the first surface orientation. After the etching, a top surface of the first semiconductor layer is exposed to the recess. A spacer is formed on a sidewall of the recess. The spacer contacts a sidewall of the dielectric layer and a sidewall of the second semiconductor layer. An epitaxy is performed to grow an epitaxy semiconductor region from the first semiconductor layer. The spacer is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Shi Ning Ju, Ching-Wei Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11626509
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first dielectric fin, a semiconductor fin, a metal gate structure, an epitaxy structure, and a contact etch stop layer. The first dielectric fin is disposed over the substrate. The semiconductor fin is disposed over the substrate, in which along a lengthwise direction of the first dielectric fin and the semiconductor fin, the first dielectric fin is in contact with a first sidewall of the semiconductor fin. The metal gate structure crosses the first dielectric fin and the semiconductor fin. The epitaxy structure is over and in contact with the semiconductor fin. The contact etch stop layer is over and in contact with first dielectric fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Shi-Ning Ju, Kuan-Ting Pan, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11626402
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes an isolation structure formed over a substrate, and a first stacked structure and a second stacked structure extending above the isolation structure. The first stacked structure includes a plurality of first nanostructures stacked in a vertical direction, and the second stacked structure includes a plurality of second nanostructures stacked in the vertical direction. The semiconductor device structure includes a first dummy fin structure formed over the isolation structure, and the first dummy fin structure is between the first stacked structure and the second stacked structure. The semiconductor device structure also includes a first capping layer formed over the first dummy fin structure, and an interface between the first dummy fin structure and the first capping layer is lower than a top surface of a topmost first nanostructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Shi-Ning Ju, Chih-Hao Wang, Kuan-Ting Pan, Zhi-Chang Lin
  • Publication number: 20230109238
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor fin, a doped dielectric fin, a shallow trench isolation (STI) oxide, a gate structure, and source/drain regions. The semiconductor fin upwardly extends from a substrate. The doped dielectric fin upwardly extends above the substrate. The doped dielectric fin is implanted with an impurity therein. The STI oxide laterally surrounds a lower portion of the semiconductor fin and a lower portion of the doped dielectric fin. The gate structure extends across the semiconductor fin and the doped dielectric fin. The source/drain regions are on the semiconductor fin and at opposite sides of the gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHING, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Chih-Hao WANG, Keng-Chu LIN, Shi-Ning JU
  • Patent number: 11616062
    Abstract: Self-aligned gate cutting techniques are disclosed herein that provide dielectric gate isolation fins for isolating gates of multigate devices from one another. An exemplary device includes a first multigate device having first source/drain features and a first metal gate that surrounds a first channel layer and a second multigate device having second source/drain features and a second metal gate that surrounds a second channel layer. A dielectric gate isolation fin separates the first metal gate from the second metal gate. The dielectric gate isolation fin includes a first dielectric layer having a first dielectric constant and a second dielectric layer having a second dielectric constant disposed over the first dielectric layer. The second dielectric constant is greater than the first dielectric constant. The first metal gate and the second metal gate physically contact the first channel layer and the second channel layer, respectively, and the dielectric gate isolation fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shi Ning Ju, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Kuan-Ting Pan, Zhi-Chang Lin, Chih-Hao Wang, Shih-Cheng Chen