Patents by Inventor Tsung-Lin Lee

Tsung-Lin Lee 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: 8941153
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate including a first portion in a first device region, and a second portion in a second device region. A first semiconductor fin is over the semiconductor substrate and has a first fin height. A second semiconductor fin is over the semiconductor substrate and has a second fin height. The first fin height is greater than the second fin height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsung-Lin Lee, Chih Chieh Yeh, Chang-Yun Chang, Feng Yuan
  • Patent number: 8878308
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method includes forming a multi-fin device. The method includes forming a patterned mask layer on a semiconductor substrate. The patterned mask layer includes a first opening having a first width W1 and a second opening having a second width W2 less than the first width. The patterned mask layer defines a multi-fin device region and an inter-device region, wherein the inter-device region is aligned with the first opening; and the multi-fin device region includes at least one intra-device region being aligned with the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsin-Chih Chen, Tsung-Lin Lee, Feng Yuan
  • Patent number: 8846466
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a substrate having a first portion in a first device region and a second portion in a second device region; and two insulation regions in the first device region and over the substrate. The two insulation regions include a first dielectric material having a first k value. A semiconductor strip is between and adjoining the two insulation regions, with a top portion of the semiconductor strip forming a semiconductor fin over top surfaces of the two insulation regions. An additional insulation region is in the second device region and over the substrate. The additional insulation region includes a second dielectric material having a second k value greater than the first k value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Feng Yuan, Tsung-Lin Lee, Hung-Ming Chen, Chang-Yun Chang
  • Patent number: 8847293
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of fabricating thereof is described that includes a substrate having a fin with a top surface and a first and second lateral sidewall. A hard mask layer may be formed on the top surface of the fin (e.g., providing a dual-gate device). A gate dielectric layer and work function metal layer are formed on the first and second lateral sidewalls of the fin. A silicide layer is formed on the work function metal layer on the first and the second lateral sidewalls of the fin. The silicide layer may be a fully-silicided layer and may provide a stress to the channel region of the device disposed in the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsung-Lin Lee, Feng Yuan, Chih Chieh Yeh, Wei-Jen Lai
  • Patent number: 8846465
    Abstract: A system and method for forming multi recessed shallow trench isolation structures on substrate of an integrated circuit is provided. An integrated circuit includes a substrate, at least two shallow trench isolation (STI) structures formed in the substrate, an oxide fill disposed in the at least two STI structures, and semiconductor devices disposed on the oxide fill in the at least two STI structures. A first STI structure is formed to a first depth and a second STI structure is formed to a second depth. The oxide fill fills the at least two STI structures, and the first depth and the second depth are based on semiconductor device characteristics of semiconductor devices disposed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsung-Lin Lee, Chang-Yun Chang
  • Publication number: 20140284723
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a first semiconductor strip, first isolation regions on opposite sides of the first semiconductor strip, and a first epitaxy strip overlapping the first semiconductor strip. A top portion of the first epitaxy strip is over a first top surface of the first isolation regions. The structure further includes a second semiconductor strip, wherein the first and the second semiconductor strips are formed of the same semiconductor material. Second isolation regions are on opposite sides of the second semiconductor strip. A second epitaxy strip overlaps the second semiconductor strip. A top portion of the second epitaxy strip is over a second top surface of the second isolation regions. The first epitaxy strip and the second epitaxy strip are formed of different semiconductor materials. A bottom surface of the first epitaxy strip is lower than a bottom surface of the second epitaxy strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsung-Lin Lee, Chih Chieh Yeh, Feng Yuan, Hung-Li Chiang, Wei-Jen Lai
  • Publication number: 20140246731
    Abstract: An embodiment is an integrated circuit structure including two insulation regions over a substrate with one of the two insulation regions including a void, at least a bottom surface of the void being defined by the one of the two insulation regions. The integrated circuit structure further includes a first semiconductor strip between and adjoining the two insulation regions, where the first semiconductor strip includes a top portion forming a fin over top surfaces of the two insulation regions, a gate dielectric over a top surface and sidewalls of the fin, and a gate electrode over the gate dielectric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventors: Hung-Ming Chen, Feng Yuan, Tsung-Lin Lee, Chih Chieh Yeh
  • Patent number: 8796156
    Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate; providing a first lithography mask, a second lithography mask, and a third lithography mask; forming a first mask layer over the semiconductor substrate, wherein a pattern of the first mask layer is defined using the first lithography mask; performing a first etch to the semiconductor substrate to define an active region using the first mask layer; forming a second mask layer having a plurality of mask strips over the semiconductor substrate and over the active region; forming a third mask layer over the second mask layer, wherein a middle portion of the plurality of mask strips is exposed through an opening in the third mask layer, and end portions of the plurality of mask strips are covered by the third mask layer; and performing a second etch to the semiconductor substrate through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Feng Shieh, Tsung-Lin Lee, Chang-Yun Chang
  • Patent number: 8748993
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate, and a FinFET over the semiconductor substrate. The FinFET includes a semiconductor fin; a gate dielectric on a top surface and sidewalls of the semiconductor fin; a gate electrode on the gate dielectric; and a source/drain region at an end of the semiconductor fin. A first pair of shallow trench isolation (STI) regions includes portions directly underlying portions of the source/drain regions, wherein the first pair of STI regions is separated by, and adjoining a semiconductor strip. The first pair of STI regions further has first top surfaces. A second pair of STI regions comprises portions directly underlying the gate electrode, wherein the second pair of STI regions is separated from each other by, and adjoining, the semiconductor strip. The second pair of STI regions has second top surfaces higher than the first top surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsung-Lin Lee, Chih Chieh Yeh, Chang-Yun Chang, Feng Yuan
  • Patent number: 8747992
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises at least three active areas. The at least three active areas are proximate. Longitudinal axes of the at least three active areas are parallel, and each of the at least three active areas comprises an edge intersecting the longitudinal axis of the respective active area. The edges of the at least three active areas form an arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsung-Lin Lee, Shao-Ming Yu
  • Patent number: 8723271
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a substrate; two insulation regions over the substrate, with one of the two insulation regions including a void therein; and a first semiconductor strip between and adjoining the two insulation regions. The first semiconductor strip includes a top portion forming a fin over top surfaces of the two insulation regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Feng Yuan, Tsung-Lin Lee, Hung-Ming Chen, Chang-Yun Chang
  • Patent number: 8673709
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate, and a FinFET over the semiconductor substrate. The FinFET includes a semiconductor fin; a gate dielectric on a top surface and sidewalls of the semiconductor fin; a gate electrode on the gate dielectric; and a source/drain region at an end of the semiconductor fin. A first pair of shallow trench isolation (STI) regions includes portions directly underlying portions of the source/drain regions, wherein the first pair of STI regions is separated by, and adjoining a semiconductor strip. The first pair of STI regions further has first top surfaces. A second pair of STI regions comprises portions directly underlying the gate electrode, wherein the second pair of STI regions is separated from each other by, and adjoining, the semiconductor strip. The second pair of STI regions has second top surfaces higher than the first top surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsung-Lin Lee, Chih Chieh Yeh, Chang-Yun Chang, Feng Yuan
  • Patent number: 8653609
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes an integrated circuit structure includes a substrate, insulation regions over the substrate, and a fin field-effect transistor (FinFET). The FinFET includes a plurality of fins over the substrate, wherein each of the plurality of fins comprises a first fin portion and a second fin portion, a gate stack on a top surface and sidewalls of the first fin portion of each of the plurality of fins, an epitaxial semiconductor layer comprising a portion directly over the second fin portion of each of the plurality of fins, and sidewall portions directly over the insulation regions, and a silicide layer on, and having an interface with, the epitaxial layer, wherein a peripheral ratio of a total length of an effective silicide peripheral of the FinFET to a total length of peripherals of the plurality of fins is greater than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsung-Lin Lee, Chih Chieh Yeh
  • Patent number: 8653576
    Abstract: A method of forming a SONOS gate structure. The method includes forming a gate pattern with sidewalls on a substrate, wherein the gate pattern includes a gate dielectric layer patterned on the substrate and a gate electrode patterned on the gate dielectric layer, forming a first oxide layer on the gate pattern and the substrate; etching back the first oxide layer to expose the substrate and the top of the gate electrode, leaving oxide spacers along the sidewalls of the gate pattern respectively; forming a second oxide layer on the substrate and the oxide spacers; and forming trapping dielectric spacers on the second oxide layer adjacent to the sidewalls of the gate pattern respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzyh-Cheang Lee, Jiunn-Ren Hwang, Tsung-Lin Lee
  • Patent number: 8653608
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a substrate and a fin field-effect transistor (FinFET). The FinFET includes a fin over the substrate and having a first fin portion and a second fin portion. A gate stack is formed on a top surface and sidewalls of the first fin portion. An epitaxial semiconductor layer has a first portion formed directly over the second fin portion, and a second portion formed on sidewalls of the second fin portion. A silicide layer is formed on the epitaxial semiconductor layer. A peripheral ratio of a total length of an effective silicide peripheral of the FinFET to a total length of a fin peripheral of the FinFET is greater than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsung-Lin Lee, Chih Chieh Yeh
  • Publication number: 20140035043
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate, and a FinFET over the semiconductor substrate. The FinFET includes a semiconductor fin; a gate dielectric on a top surface and sidewalls of the semiconductor fin; a gate electrode on the gate dielectric; and a source/drain region at an end of the semiconductor fin. A first pair of shallow trench isolation (STI) regions includes portions directly underlying portions of the source/drain regions, wherein the first pair of STI regions is separated by, and adjoining a semiconductor strip. The first pair of STI regions further has first top surfaces. A second pair of STI regions comprises portions directly underlying the gate electrode, wherein the second pair of STI regions is separated from each other by, and adjoining, the semiconductor strip. The second pair of STI regions has second top surfaces higher than the first top surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tsung-Lin Lee, Chih Chieh Yeh, Chang-Yun Chang, Feng Yuan
  • Patent number: 8637135
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises at least three active areas. The at least three active areas are proximate. Longitudinal axes of the at least three active areas are parallel, and each of the at least three active areas comprises an edge intersecting the longitudinal axis of the respective active area. The edges of the at least three active areas form an arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsung-Lin Lee, Shao-Ming Yu
  • Patent number: 8623718
    Abstract: In a method for forming FinFETs, a photo resist is formed to cover a first semiconductor fin in a wafer, wherein a second semiconductor fin adjacent to the first semiconductor fin is not covered by the photo resist. An edge of the photo resist between and parallel to the first and the second semiconductor fins is closer to the first semiconductor fin than to the second semiconductor fin. A tilt implantation is performed to form a lightly-doped source/drain region in the second semiconductor fin, wherein the first tilt implantation is tilted from the second semiconductor fin toward the first semiconductor fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Feng Yuan, Tsung-Lin Lee, Shao-Ming Yu, Clement Hsingjen Wann
  • Publication number: 20140004682
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a substrate having a first portion in a first device region and a second portion in a second device region; and two insulation regions in the first device region and over the substrate. The two insulation regions include a first dielectric material having a first k value. A semiconductor strip is between and adjoining the two insulation regions, with a top portion of the semiconductor strip forming a semiconductor fin over top surfaces of the two insulation regions. An additional insulation region is in the second device region and over the substrate. The additional insulation region includes a second dielectric material having a second k value greater than the first k value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Feng Yuan, Tsung-Lin Lee, Hung-Ming Chen, Chang-Yun Chang
  • Patent number: 8610240
    Abstract: A system and method for forming multi recessed shallow trench isolation structures on substrate of an integrated circuit is provided. An integrated circuit includes a substrate, at least two shallow trench isolation (STI) structures formed in the substrate, an oxide fill disposed in the at least two STI structures, and semiconductor devices disposed on the oxide fill in the at least two STI structures. A first STI structure is formed to a first depth and a second STI structure is formed to a second depth. The oxide fill fills the at least two STI structures, and the first depth and the second depth are based on semiconductor device characteristics of semiconductor devices disposed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsung-Lin Lee, Chang-Yun Chang