Patents by Inventor Ta-Chun Ma

Ta-Chun Ma 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: 11854901
    Abstract: A device is manufactured by providing a semiconductor fin protruding from a major surface of a silicon substrate comprising silicon. A liner and a shallow trench isolation (STI) region are formed adjacent the semiconductor fin. A silicon cap is deposited over the semiconductor fin. The resulting cap consists of crystalline silicon in the portion over the semiconductor fin and consists of amorphous silicon in the portions over the liner and STI region. An HCl etch bake process is performed to remove the portions of amorphous silicon over the liner and the STI region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsiung Yen, Ta-Chun Ma, Chien-Chang Su, Jung-Jen Chen, Pei-Ren Jeng, Chii-Horng Li, Kei-Wei Chen
  • Publication number: 20230343595
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second semiconductor fins, a first gate structure, and a second gate structure. The first and second semiconductor fins respectively includes a first channel region and a second channel region, which the first and second gate structures are respectively on. The first gate structure includes a first silicon oxide layer on the first channel region, a first high-k dielectric layer on the first silicon oxide layer, and a first metal gate on the first high-k dielectric layer. The second gate structure includes a second silicon oxide layer on the second channel region, a second high-k dielectric layer on the second silicon oxide layer, and a second metal gate on the second high-k dielectric layer. The first silicon oxide layer has a Si4+ ion concentration greater than a Si4+ ion concentration of a bottom portion of the second silicon oxide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Andrew Joseph KELLY, Yusuke ONIKI, Yasutoshi OKUNO, Ta-Chun MA
  • Patent number: 11728169
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second semiconductor fins, a first gate structure, and a second gate structure. The first and second semiconductor fins respectively includes a first channel region and a second channel region, which the first and second gate structures are respectively on. The first gate structure includes a first silicon oxide layer on the first channel region, a first high-k dielectric layer on the first silicon oxide layer, and a first metal gate on the first high-k dielectric layer. The second gate structure includes a second silicon oxide layer on the second channel region, a second high-k dielectric layer on the second silicon oxide layer, and a second metal gate on the second high-k dielectric layer. The first silicon oxide layer has a Si4+ ion concentration greater than a Si4+ ion concentration of a bottom portion of the second silicon oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Andrew Joseph Kelly, Yusuke Oniki, Yasutoshi Okuno, Ta-Chun Ma
  • Publication number: 20230019633
    Abstract: A method includes forming a fin extending from a substrate; depositing a liner over a top surface and sidewalls of the fin, where the minimum thickness of the liner is dependent on selected according to a first germanium concentration of the fin; forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) region adjacent the fin; removing a first portion of the liner on sidewalls of the fin, the first portion of the liner being above a topmost surface of the STI region; and forming a gate stack on sidewalls and a top surface of the fin, where the gate stack is in physical contact with the liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Yi-Cheng Li, Pin-Ju Liang, Ta-Chun Ma, Pei-Ren Jeng, Yee-Chia Yeo
  • Publication number: 20220328358
    Abstract: A device is manufactured by providing a semiconductor fin protruding from a major surface of a silicon substrate comprising silicon. A liner and a shallow trench isolation (STI) region are formed adjacent the semiconductor fin. A silicon cap is deposited over the semiconductor fin. The resulting cap consists of crystalline silicon in the portion over the semiconductor fin and consists of amorphous silicon in the portions over the liner and STI region. An HCl etch bake process is performed to remove the portions of amorphous silicon over the liner and the STI region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsiung Yen, Ta-Chun Ma, Chien-Chang Su, Jung-Jen Chen, Pei-Ren Jeng, Chii-Horng Li, Kei-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 11367660
    Abstract: A device is manufactured by providing a semiconductor fin protruding from a major surface of a silicon substrate comprising silicon. A liner and a shallow trench isolation (STI) region are formed adjacent the semiconductor fin. A silicon cap is deposited over the semiconductor fin. The resulting cap consists of crystalline silicon in the portion over the semiconductor fin and consists of amorphous silicon in the portions over the liner and STI region. An HCl etch bake process is performed to remove the portions of amorphous silicon over the liner and the STI region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsiung Yen, Ta-Chun Ma, Chien-Chang Su, Jung-Jen Chen, Pei-Ren Jeng, Chii-Horng Li, Kei-Wei Chen
  • Publication number: 20220165869
    Abstract: A fin field effect transistor device structure includes a fin structure formed over a substrate. The structure also includes a liner layer and an isolation structure surrounding the fin structure. The structure also includes a gate dielectric layer formed over the fin structure and the isolation structure. The structure also includes a gate structure formed over the gate dielectric layer. The structure also includes source/drain epitaxial structures formed on opposite sides of the gate structure. The fin structure includes a protruding portion laterally extending over the liner layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ta-Chun MA, Yee-Chia YEO
  • Patent number: 11257932
    Abstract: A method for forming a fin field effect transistor device structure includes forming a fin structure over a substrate. The method also includes forming an isolation structure surrounding the fin structure. The method also includes cleaning sidewalls of the fin structure. The method also includes depositing a silicon cap layer over the fin structure. The method also includes growing an oxide layer over the silicon cap layer. The silicon cap layer is thinned after growing an oxide layer over the silicon cap layer. The method also includes forming a gate structure over the oxide layer across the fin structure. The method also includes growing a source/drain epitaxial structure beside the gate structure. The method also includes forming a contact structure electrically connected to the gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Ma, Yee-Chia Yeo
  • Publication number: 20210366715
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: forming a first fin extending from a substrate, the substrate including silicon, the first fin including silicon germanium; forming an isolation region around the first fin, an oxide layer being formed on the first fin during formation of the isolation region; removing the oxide layer from the first fin with a hydrogen-based etching process, silicon at a surface of the first fin being terminated with hydrogen after the hydrogen-based etching process; desorbing the hydrogen from the silicon at the surface of the first fin to depassivate the silicon; and exchanging the depassivated silicon at the surface of the first fin with germanium at a subsurface of the first fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Ma, Yi-Cheng Li, Pin-Ju Liang, Cheng-Po Chau, Jung-Jen Chen, Pei-Ren Jeng, Chii-Horng Li, Kei-Wei Chen, Cheng-Hsiung Yen
  • Patent number: 11087987
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: forming a first fin extending from a substrate, the substrate including silicon, the first fin including silicon germanium; forming an isolation region around the first fin, an oxide layer being formed on the first fin during formation of the isolation region; removing the oxide layer from the first fin with a hydrogen-based etching process, silicon at a surface of the first fin being terminated with hydrogen after the hydrogen-based etching process; desorbing the hydrogen from the silicon at the surface of the first fin to depassivate the silicon; and exchanging the depassivated silicon at the surface of the first fin with germanium at a subsurface of the first fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Ma, Yi-Cheng Li, Pin-Ju Liang, Cheng-Po Chau, Jung-Jen Chen, Pei-Ren Jeng, Chii-Horng Li, Kei-Wei Chen, Cheng-Hsiung Yen
  • Publication number: 20210242332
    Abstract: A method for forming a fin field effect transistor device structure includes forming a fin structure over a substrate. The method also includes forming an isolation structure surrounding the fin structure. The method also includes cleaning sidewalls of the fin structure. The method also includes depositing a silicon cap layer over the fin structure. The method also includes growing an oxide layer over the silicon cap layer. The silicon cap layer is thinned after growing an oxide layer over the silicon cap layer. The method also includes forming a gate structure over the oxide layer across the fin structure. The method also includes growing a source/drain epitaxial structure beside the gate structure. The method also includes forming a contact structure electrically connected to the gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ta-Chun MA, Yee-Chia YEO
  • Publication number: 20210098308
    Abstract: A device is manufactured by providing a semiconductor fin protruding from a major surface of a silicon substrate comprising silicon. A liner and a shallow trench isolation (STI) region are formed adjacent the semiconductor fin. A silicon cap is deposited over the semiconductor fin. The resulting cap consists of crystalline silicon in the portion over the semiconductor fin and consists of amorphous silicon in the portions over the liner and STI region. An HCl etch bake process is performed to remove the portions of amorphous silicon over the liner and the STI region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsiung Yen, Ta-Chun Ma, Chien-Chang Su, Jung-Jen Chen, Pei-Ren Jeng, Chii-Horng Li, Kei-Wei Chen
  • Publication number: 20200395216
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second semiconductor fins, a first gate structure, and a second gate structure. The first and second semiconductor fins respectively includes a first channel region and a second channel region, which the first and second gate structures are respectively on. The first gate structure includes a first silicon oxide layer on the first channel region, a first high-k dielectric layer on the first silicon oxide layer, and a first metal gate on the first high-k dielectric layer. The second gate structure includes a second silicon oxide layer on the second channel region, a second high-k dielectric layer on the second silicon oxide layer, and a second metal gate on the second high-k dielectric layer. The first silicon oxide layer has a Si4+ ion concentration greater than a Si4+ ion concentration of a bottom portion of the second silicon oxide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Andrew Joseph KELLY, Yusuke ONIKI, Yasutoshi OKUNO, Ta-Chun MA
  • Patent number: 10867862
    Abstract: A device is manufactured by providing a semiconductor fin protruding from a major surface of a silicon substrate comprising silicon. A liner and a shallow trench isolation (STI) region are formed adjacent the semiconductor fin. A silicon cap is deposited over the semiconductor fin. The resulting cap consists of crystalline silicon in the portion over the semiconductor fin and consists of amorphous silicon in the portions over the liner and STI region. An HCl etch bake process is performed to remove the portions of amorphous silicon over the liner and the STI region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsiung Yen, Ta-Chun Ma, Chien-Chang Su, Jung-Jen Chen, Pei-Ren Jeng, Chii-Horng Li, Kei-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 10763114
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a semiconductor fin comprising a channel region for a fin field effect transistor (finFET). A gate oxide layer is then formed on the channel. The gate oxide layer is treated with a nitrogen containing agent so as to form a nitrogenous layer and an interfacial layer. The nitrogenous layer is then removed. A high-k dielectric layer is formed on the interfacial layer. A metal gate is formed on the high-k dielectric layer. The nitrogenous layer is removed by rinsing the semiconductor fin with deionized water. The gate oxide and interfacial layer contains the same material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Andrew Joseph Kelly, Yusuke Oniki, Yasutoshi Okuno, Ta-Chun Ma
  • Publication number: 20200135467
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: forming a first fin extending from a substrate, the substrate including silicon, the first fin including silicon germanium; forming an isolation region around the first fin, an oxide layer being formed on the first fin during formation of the isolation region; removing the oxide layer from the first fin with a hydrogen-based etching process, silicon at a surface of the first fin being terminated with hydrogen after the hydrogen-based etching process; desorbing the hydrogen from the silicon at the surface of the first fin to depassivate the silicon; and exchanging the depassivated silicon at the surface of the first fin with germanium at a subsurface of the first fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Ma, Yi-Cheng Li, Pin-Ju Liang, Cheng-Po Chau, Jung-Jen Chen, Pei-Ren Jeng, Chii-Horng Li, Kei-Wei Chen, Cheng-Hsiung Yen
  • Publication number: 20200075729
    Abstract: A device is manufactured by etching a semiconductor fin protruding from a major surface of a silicon substrate comprising silicon. A liner and a shallow trench isolation (STI) region are formed adjacent the semiconductor fin. A silicon cap is deposited over the semiconductor fin. The resulting cap consists of crystalline silicon in the portion over the semiconductor fin and consists of amorphous silicon in the portions over the liner and STI region. An HCl etch bake process is performed to remove the portions of amorphous silicon over the liner and the STI region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsiung Yen, Ta-Chun Ma, Chien-Chang Su, Jung-Jen Chen, Pei-Ren Jeng, Chii-Horng Li, Kei-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 10326021
    Abstract: An embodiment is a FinFET device. The FinFET device comprises a fin, a first source/drain region, a second source/drain region, and a channel region. The fin is raised above a substrate. The first source/drain region and the second source/drain region are in the fin. The channel region is laterally between the first and second source/drain regions. The channel region has facets that are not parallel and not perpendicular to a top surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ta-Chun Ma, Cheng-Hsien Wu, Chih-Hsin Ko, Clement Hsingjen Wann
  • Publication number: 20190096682
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a semiconductor fin comprising a channel region for a fin field effect transistor (finFET). A gate oxide layer is then formed on the channel. The gate oxide layer is treated with a nitrogen containing agent so as to form a nitrogenous layer and an interfacial layer. The nitrogenous layer is then removed. A high-k dielectric layer is formed on the interfacial layer. A metal gate is formed on the high-k dielectric layer. The nitrogenous layer is removed by rinsing the semiconductor fin with deionized water. The gate oxide and interfacial layer contains the same material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Andrew Joseph KELLY, Yusuke ONIKI, Yasutoshi OKUNO, Ta-Chun MA
  • Patent number: 10115597
    Abstract: A device having an epitaxial region and dual metal-semiconductor alloy surfaces is provided. The epitaxial region includes an upward facing facet and a downward facing facet. The upward facing facet has a first metal-semiconductor alloy surface and the downward facing facet has a second metal-semiconductor alloy surface, wherein the first metal-semiconductor alloy is different than the second metal-semiconductor alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun Hsiung Tsai, Chi-Yuan Shih, Gin-Chen Huang, Clement Hsingjen Wann, Li-Chi Yu, Chin-Hsiang Lin, Ling-Yen Yeh, Meng-Chun Chang, Neng-Kuo Chen, Sey-Ping Sun, Ta-Chun Ma, Yen-Chun Huang