Patents by Inventor Teng-Chun Tsai

Teng-Chun Tsai 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: 12176217
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor. The method includes: forming a metal oxide layer over a gate structure over a substrate; forming a dielectric layer over the metal oxide layer; forming a metal layer over the metal oxide layer; and performing a chemical mechanical polish (CMP) operation to remove a portion of the dielectric layer and a portion of the metal layer, the CMP operation stopping at the metal oxide layer, wherein a slurry used in the CMP operation includes a ceria compound. The present disclosure also provides a method for planarizing a metal-dielectric surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Hung Liao, Chung-Wei Hsu, Tsung-Ling Tsai, Chen-Hao Wu, An-Hsuan Lee, Shen-Nan Lee, Teng-Chun Tsai, Huang-Lin Chao
  • Patent number: 12154822
    Abstract: An embodiment method includes depositing a first dielectric film over and along sidewalls of a semiconductor fin, the semiconductor fin extending upwards from a semiconductor substrate. The method further includes depositing a dielectric material over the first dielectric film; recessing the first dielectric film below a top surface of the semiconductor fin to define a dummy fin, the dummy fin comprising an upper portion of the dielectric material; and forming a gate stack over and along sidewalls of the semiconductor fin and the dummy fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chin-Hsiang Lin, Keng-Chu Lin, Shwang-Ming Jeng, Teng-Chun Tsai, Tsu-Hsiu Perng, Fu-Ting Yen
  • Publication number: 20240387240
    Abstract: An embodiment method includes depositing a first dielectric film over and along sidewalls of a semiconductor fin, the semiconductor fin extending upwards from a semiconductor substrate. The method further includes depositing a dielectric material over the first dielectric film; recessing the first dielectric film below a top surface of the semiconductor fin to define a dummy fin, the dummy fin comprising an upper portion of the dielectric material; and forming a gate stack over and along sidewalls of the semiconductor fin and the dummy fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Chin-Hsiang Lin, Keng-Chu Lin, Shwang-Ming Jeng, Teng-Chun Tsai, Tsu-Hsiu Perng, Fu-Ting Yen
  • Publication number: 20240363726
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for forming a hard mask on a transistor's gate structure that minimizes gate spacer loss and gate height loss during the formation of self-aligned contact openings. The method includes forming spacers on sidewalls of spaced apart gate structures and disposing a dielectric layer between the gate structures. The method also includes etching top surfaces of the gate structures and top surfaces of the spacers with respect to a top surface of the dielectric layer. Additionally, the method includes depositing a hard mask layer having a metal containing dielectric layer over the etched top surfaces of the gate structures and the spacers and etching the dielectric layer with an etching chemistry to form contact openings between the spacers, where the hard mask layer has a lower etch rate than the spacers when exposed to the etching chemistry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chin-Hsiang Lin, Teng-Chun TSAI, Huang-Lin Chao, Akira Mineji
  • Patent number: 12112974
    Abstract: Examples of a technique for forming a dielectric material for an integrated circuit are provided herein. In an example, an integrated circuit workpiece is received that includes a recess. A first dielectric precursor is deposited in the recess. The first dielectric precursor includes a non-semiconductor component. A second dielectric precursor is deposited in the recess on the first dielectric precursor, and an annealing process is performed such that a portion of the non-semiconductor component of the first dielectric precursor diffuses into the second dielectric precursor. The non-semiconductor component may include oxygen, and the annealing process may be performed in one of a vacuum or an inert gas environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Tang Peng, Shuen-Shin Liang, Keng-Chu Lin, Teng-Chun Tsai
  • Publication number: 20240332073
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides one embodiment of a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a first conductive feature and a second conductive feature disposed on the semiconductor substrate; and a staggered dielectric feature interposed between the first and second conductive feature. The staggered dielectric feature includes first dielectric layers and second dielectric layers being interdigitated. The first dielectric layers include a first dielectric material and the second dielectric layers include a second dielectric material being different from the first dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Zhi-Chang LIN, Wei-Hao WU, Teng-Chun TSAI
  • Publication number: 20240327677
    Abstract: A CMP slurry composition and a method of polishing a metal layer are provided. In some embodiments, the CMP slurry composition includes about 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a metal oxide, and about 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a chelator. The chelator includes a thiol compound or a thiolether compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Hung Liao, An-Hsuan Lee, Shen-Nan Lee, Teng-Chun Tsai, Chen-Hao Wu, Huang-Lin Chao
  • Patent number: 12080779
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for forming a hard mask on a transistor's gate structure that minimizes gate spacer loss and gate height loss during the formation of self-aligned contact openings. The method includes forming spacers on sidewalls of spaced apart gate structures and disposing a dielectric layer between the gate structures. The method also includes etching top surfaces of the gate structures and top surfaces of the spacers with respect to a top surface of the dielectric layer. Additionally, the method includes depositing a hard mask layer having a metal containing dielectric layer over the etched top surfaces of the gate structures and the spacers and etching the dielectric layer with an etching chemistry to form contact openings between the spacers, where the hard mask layer has a lower etch rate than the spacers when exposed to the etching chemistry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chin-Hsiang Lin, Teng-Chun Tsai, Huang-Lin Chao, Akira Mineji
  • Publication number: 20240274694
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes device fins formed on a substrate; fill fins formed on the substrate and disposed among the device fins; and gate stacks formed on the device fins and the fill fins. The fill fins include a first dielectric material layer and a second dielectric material layer deposited on the first dielectric material layer. The first and second dielectric material layers are different from each other in composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng CHIANG, Teng-Chun TSAI, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Chih-Hao WANG
  • Publication number: 20240234213
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes an isolation feature formed over a substrate that includes a first fin and a second fin separated from each other by the isolation feature. The semiconductor device structure also includes an insulating fin structure formed in the isolation feature between the first fin and the second fin. The insulating fin structure includes a first insulating fin base partially formed within the isolation feature and a first insulating capping layer formed over a top surface of the first insulating fin base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chu-An LEE, Chen-Hao WU, Peng-Chung JANGJIAN, Chun-Wen HSIAO, Teng-Chun TSAI, Huang-Lin CHAO
  • Patent number: 12024651
    Abstract: A CMP slurry composition and a method of polishing a metal layer are provided. In some embodiments, the CMP slurry composition includes about 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a metal oxide, and about 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a chelator. The chelator includes a thiol compound or a thiolether compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Hung Liao, An-Hsuan Lee, Shen-Nan Lee, Teng-Chun Tsai, Chen-Hao Wu, Huang-Lin Chao
  • Patent number: 12009253
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides one embodiment of a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a first conductive feature and a second conductive feature disposed on the semiconductor substrate; and a staggered dielectric feature interposed between the first and second conductive feature. The staggered dielectric feature includes first dielectric layers and second dielectric layers being interdigitated. The first dielectric layers include a first dielectric material and the second dielectric layers include a second dielectric material being different from the first dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhi-Chang Lin, Teng-Chun Tsai, Wei-Hao Wu
  • Publication number: 20240186400
    Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, a method of forming a vertical device is provided. The method includes: providing a protrusion over a substrate; forming an etch stop layer over the protrusion; laterally etching a sidewall of the etch stop layer; forming an insulating layer over the etch stop layer; forming a film layer over the insulating layer and the etch stop layer; performing chemical mechanical polishing on the film layer and exposing the etch stop layer; etching a portion of the etch stop layer to expose a top surface of the protrusion; forming an oxide layer over the protrusion and the film layer; and performing chemical mechanical polishing on the oxide layer and exposing the film layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2024
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: De-Fang Chen, Teng-Chun Tsai, Cheng-Tung Lin, Li-Ting Wang, Chun-Hung Lee, Ming-Ching Chang, Huan-Just Lin
  • Patent number: 11961900
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes device fins formed on a substrate; fill fins formed on the substrate and disposed among the device fins; and gate stacks formed on the device fins and the fill fins. The fill fins include a first dielectric material layer and a second dielectric material layer deposited on the first dielectric material layer. The first and second dielectric material layers are different from each other in composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Teng-Chun Tsai, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11942373
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a first fin, a second fin and a third fin therebetween. A first insulating structure includes a first insulating layer formed between the first and third fins, a capping structure covering the first insulating layer, a first insulating liner covering sidewall surfaces of the first insulating layer and the capping structure and a bottom surface of the first insulating layer, and a second insulating liner formed between the first insulating liner and the first fin and between the first insulating liner and the third fin. The second insulating structure includes a second insulating layer formed between the second fin and the third fin and a third insulating liner formed between the second insulating layer and the second fin and between the second insulating layer and the third fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chu-An Lee, Chen-Hao Wu, Peng-Chung Jangjian, Chun-Wen Hsiao, Teng-Chun Tsai, Huang-Lin Chao
  • Patent number: 11923251
    Abstract: A method includes forming a gate stack, which includes a gate dielectric and a metal gate electrode over the gate dielectric. An inter-layer dielectric is formed on opposite sides of the gate stack. The gate stack and the inter-layer dielectric are planarized. The method further includes forming an inhibitor film on the gate stack, with at least a portion of the inter-layer dielectric exposed, selectively depositing a dielectric hard mask on the inter-layer dielectric, with the inhibitor film preventing the dielectric hard mask from being formed thereon, and etching to remove a portion of the gate stack, with the dielectric hard mask acting as a portion of a corresponding etching mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsu-Hsiu Perng, Kai-Chieh Yang, Zhi-Chang Lin, Teng-Chun Tsai, Wei-Hao Wu
  • Patent number: 11916131
    Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, a method of forming a vertical device is provided. The method includes: providing a protrusion over a substrate; forming an etch stop layer over the protrusion; laterally etching a sidewall of the etch stop layer; forming an insulating layer over the etch stop layer; forming a film layer over the insulating layer and the etch stop layer; performing chemical mechanical polishing on the film layer and exposing the etch stop layer; etching a portion of the etch stop layer to expose a top surface of the protrusion; forming an oxide layer over the protrusion and the film layer; and performing chemical mechanical polishing on the oxide layer and exposing the film layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: De-Fang Chen, Teng-Chun Tsai, Cheng-Tung Lin, Li-Ting Wang, Chun-Hung Lee, Ming-Ching Chang, Huan-Just Lin
  • Patent number: 11915936
    Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a gate structure over the substrate, gate spacers on opposite sidewalls of the gate structure, source/drain structures over the substrate and on opposite sides of the gate structure, and a self-assemble monolayer (SAM) in contact with an inner sidewall of one of the gate spacer and in contact with a top surface of the gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Wei Su, Fu-Ting Yen, Ting-Ting Chen, Teng-Chun Tsai
  • Publication number: 20240021501
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming the same are provided. A method includes forming a gate over a semiconductor structure. An epitaxial source/drain region is formed adjacent the gate. A dielectric layer is formed over the epitaxial source/drain region. An opening extending through the dielectric layer and exposing the epitaxial source/drain region is formed. A conductive material is non-conformally deposited in the opening. The conductive material fills the opening in a bottom-up manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Mrunal A. Khaderbad, Yasutoshi Okuno, Sung-Li Wang, Pang-Yen Tsai, Shen-Nan Lee, Teng-Chun Tsai
  • Patent number: 11865666
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing chemical mechanical polish on a wafer includes a polishing head that includes a retaining ring. The polishing head is configured to hold the wafer in the retaining ring. The retaining ring includes a first ring having a first hardness, and a second ring encircled by the first ring, wherein the second ring has a second hardness smaller than the first hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Te-Chien Hou, Ching-Hong Jiang, Kuo-Yin Lin, Ming-Shiuan She, Shen-Nan Lee, Teng-Chun Tsai, Yung-Cheng Lu