Patents by Inventor Tzu-Hsiang HSU

Tzu-Hsiang HSU 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: 11289574
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor fin disposed over a substrate, a metal gate stack disposed over the semiconductor fin, an epitaxial source/drain (S/D) feature disposed over the semiconductor fin and adjacent to the metal gate stack, and a dielectric feature embedded in the semiconductor fin, where a bottom surface of the epitaxial S/D feature is disposed on a top surface of the dielectric feature, and where sidewalls of the epitaxial S/D feature extend to define sidewalls of the dielectric feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tzu-Hsiang Hsu, Ting-Yeh Chen, Wei-Yang Lee, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 11264237
    Abstract: A transistor is provided including a source-drain region, the source-drain region including a first layer wherein a first average silicon content is between about 80% and 100%, a second layer wherein a second average silicon content is between zero and about 90%, the second average silicon content being smaller than the first average silicon content by at least 7%, and the second layer disposed on and adjacent the first layer, a third layer wherein a third average silicon content is between about 80% and 100%, and a fourth layer wherein a fourth average silicon content is between zero and about 90%, the fourth average silicon content being smaller than the third average silicon content by at least 7%, and the fourth layer disposed on and adjacent the third layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Yun Chin, Tzu-Hsiang Hsu, Yen-Ru Lee, Chii-Horng Li
  • Patent number: 11257928
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second semiconductor fins extending from a substrate and a source/drain region epitaxially grown in recesses of the first and second semiconductor fins. A top surface of the source/drain region is higher than a surface level with top surfaces of the first and second semiconductor fins. The source/drain region includes a plurality of buffer layers. Respective layers of the plurality of buffer layers are embedded between respective layers of the source/drain region. Each of the plurality of buffer layers may have an average thickness in a range of about 2 ? to about 30 ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzu-Hsiang Hsu, Ting-Yeh Chen, Wei-Yang Lee, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20210336048
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a source/drain region having a V-shaped bottom surface and extending below gate spacers adjacent a gate stack and a method of forming the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes forming a gate stack over a fin; forming a gate spacer on a sidewall of the gate stack; etching the fin with a first anisotropic etch process to form a first recess adjacent the gate spacer; etching the fin with a second etch process using etchants different from the first etch process to remove an etching residue from the first recess; etching surfaces of the first recess with a third anisotropic etch process using etchants different from the first etch process to form a second recess extending below the gate spacer and having a V-shaped bottom surface; and epitaxially forming a source/drain region in the second recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Chien-Wei Lee, Hsueh-Chang Sung, Yen-Ru Lee, Jyun-Chih Lin, Tzu-Hsiang Hsu, Feng-Cheng Yang
  • Publication number: 20210296498
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, first fins extending from the substrate with a first fin pitch, and second fins extending from the substrate with a second fin pitch smaller than the first fin pitch. The semiconductor structure also includes first gate structures engaging the first fins with a first gate pitch and second gate structures engaging the second fins with a second gate pitch smaller than the first gate pitch. The semiconductor structure also includes first epitaxial semiconductor features partially embedded in the first fins and adjacent the first gate structures and second epitaxial semiconductor features partially embedded in the second fins and adjacent the second gate structures. A bottom surface of the first epitaxial semiconductor features is lower than a bottom surface of the second epitaxial semiconductor features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Wei-Yang Lee, Tzu-Hsiang Hsu, Ting-Yeh Chen, Feng-Cheng Yang
  • Patent number: 11063152
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a source/drain region having a V-shaped bottom surface and extending below gate spacers adjacent a gate stack and a method of forming the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes forming a gate stack over a fin; forming a gate spacer on a sidewall of the gate stack; etching the fin with a first anisotropic etch process to form a first recess adjacent the gate spacer; etching the fin with a second etch process using etchants different from the first etch process to remove an etching residue from the first recess; etching surfaces of the first recess with a third anisotropic etch process using etchants different from the first etch process to form a second recess extending below the gate spacer and having a V-shaped bottom surface; and epitaxially forming a source/drain region in the second recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Wei Lee, Hsueh-Chang Sung, Yen-Ru Lee, Jyun-Chih Lin, Tzu-Hsiang Hsu, Feng-Cheng Yang
  • Publication number: 20210202699
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor fin disposed over a substrate, a metal gate stack disposed over the semiconductor fin, an epitaxial source/drain (S/D) feature disposed over the semiconductor fin and adjacent to the metal gate stack, and a dielectric feature embedded in the semiconductor fin, where a bottom surface of the epitaxial S/D feature is disposed on a top surface of the dielectric feature, and where sidewalls of the epitaxial S/D feature extend to define sidewalls of the dielectric feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Tzu-Hsiang Hsu, Ting-Yeh Chen, Wei-Yang Lee, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20210193831
    Abstract: An embodiment is a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate. A fin is on the substrate. The fin includes silicon germanium. An interfacial layer is over the fin. The interfacial layer has a thickness in a range from greater than 0 nm to about 4 nm. A source/drain region is over the interfacial layer. The source/drain region includes silicon germanium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Chih-Yun Chin, Chii-Horng Li, Chien-Wei Lee, Hsueh-Chang Sung, Heng-Wen Ting, Roger Tai, Pei-Ren Jeng, Tzu-Hsiang Hsu, Yen-Ru Lee, Yan-Ting Lin, Davie Liu
  • Patent number: 11031498
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, first fins extending from the substrate with a first fin pitch, and second fins extending from the substrate with a second fin pitch that is smaller than the first fin pitch. The semiconductor structure also includes first gate structures engaging the first fins, second gate structures engaging the second fins, first epitaxial semiconductor features adjacent the first gate structures, and second epitaxial semiconductor features adjacent the second gate structures. The first epitaxial semiconductor features are partially embedded in the first fins at a first depth, and the second epitaxial semiconductor features are partially embedded in the second fins at a second depth that is smaller than the first depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Yang Lee, Tzu-Hsiang Hsu, Ting-Yeh Chen, Feng-Cheng Yang
  • Publication number: 20210098311
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed herein. An exemplary method comprises forming first and second semiconductor fins in first and second regions of a substrate, respectively; forming first and second dummy gate stacks over the first and second semiconductor fins, respectively, and forming a spacer layer over the first and the second dummy gate stacks; forming a first pattern layer with a thickness along the spacer layer in the first region; form a first source/drain (S/D) trench along the first pattern layer and epitaxially growing a first epitaxial feature therein; removing the first pattern layer to expose the spacer layer; forming a second pattern layer with a different thickness along the spacer layer in the second region; form a second S/D trench along the second pattern layer and epitaxially growing a second epitaxial feature therein; and removing the second pattern layer to expose the spacer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Shih-Hao Lin, Tzu-Hsiang Hsu, Chong-De Lien, Szu-Chi Yang, Hsin-Wen Su, Chih-Hsiang Huang
  • Publication number: 20210082925
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a layer having a semiconductive material. The layer includes an outwardly-protruding fin structure. An isolation structure is disposed over the layer but not over the fin structure. A first spacer and a second spacer are each disposed over the isolation structure and on sidewalls of the fin structure. The first spacer is disposed on a first sidewall of the fin structure. The second spacer is disposed on a second sidewall of the fin structure opposite the first sidewall. The second spacer is substantially taller than the first spacer. An epi-layer is grown on the fin structure. The epi-layer protrudes laterally. A lateral protrusion of the epi-layer is asymmetrical with respect to the first side and the second side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Chun Po Chang, Chen-Ming Lee, Fu-Kai Yang, Mei-Yun Wang, Wei-Yang Lee, Tzu-Hsiang Hsu
  • Patent number: 10944005
    Abstract: An embodiment is a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate. A fin is on the substrate. The fin includes silicon germanium. An interfacial layer is over the fin. The interfacial layer has a thickness in a range from greater than 0 nm to about 4 nm. A source/drain region is over the interfacial layer. The source/drain region includes silicon germanium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Yun Chin, Chii-Horng Li, Chien-Wei Lee, Hsueh-Chang Sung, Heng-Wen Ting, Roger Tai, Pei-Ren Jeng, Tzu-Hsiang Hsu, Yen-Ru Lee, Yan-Ting Lin, Davie Liu
  • Publication number: 20210057567
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a source/drain region having a V-shaped bottom surface and extending below gate spacers adjacent a gate stack and a method of forming the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes forming a gate stack over a fin; forming a gate spacer on a sidewall of the gate stack; etching the fin with a first anisotropic etch process to form a first recess adjacent the gate spacer; etching the fin with a second etch process using etchants different from the first etch process to remove an etching residue from the first recess; etching surfaces of the first recess with a third anisotropic etch process using etchants different from the first etch process to form a second recess extending below the gate spacer and having a V-shaped bottom surface; and epitaxially forming a source/drain region in the second recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Chien-Wei Lee, Hsueh-Chang Sung, Yen-Ru Lee, Jyun-Chih Lin, Tzu-Hsiang Hsu, Feng-Cheng Yang
  • Patent number: 10854615
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a layer having a semiconductive material. The layer includes an outwardly-protruding fin structure. An isolation structure is disposed over the layer but not over the fin structure. A first spacer and a second spacer are each disposed over the isolation structure and on sidewalls of the fin structure. The first spacer is disposed on a first sidewall of the fin structure. The second spacer is disposed on a second sidewall of the fin structure opposite the first sidewall. The second spacer is substantially taller than the first spacer. An epi-layer is grown on the fin structure. The epi-layer protrudes laterally. A lateral protrusion of the epi-layer is asymmetrical with respect to the first side and the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun Po Chang, Chen-Ming Lee, Fu-Kai Yang, Mei-Yun Wang, Wei-Yang Lee, Tzu-Hsiang Hsu
  • Publication number: 20200251594
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, first fins extending from the substrate with a first fin pitch, and second fins extending from the substrate with a second fin pitch that is smaller than the first fin pitch. The semiconductor structure also includes first gate structures engaging the first fins, second gate structures engaging the second fins, first epitaxial semiconductor features adjacent the first gate structures, and second epitaxial semiconductor features adjacent the second gate structures. The first epitaxial semiconductor features are partially embedded in the first fins at a first depth, and the second epitaxial semiconductor features are partially embedded in the second fins at a second depth that is smaller than the first depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Wei-Yang Lee, Tzu-Hsiang Hsu, Ting-Yeh Chen, Feng-Cheng Yang
  • Publication number: 20200168723
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second semiconductor fins extending from a substrate and a source/drain region epitaxially grown in recesses of the first and second semiconductor fins. A top surface of the source/drain region is higher than a surface level with top surfaces of the first and second semiconductor fins. The source/drain region includes a plurality of buffer layers. Respective layers of the plurality of buffer layers are embedded between respective layers of the source/drain region. Each of the plurality of buffer layers may have an average thickness in a range of about 2 ? to about 30 ?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Tzu-Hsiang Hsu, Ting-Yeh Chen, Wei-Yang Lee, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 10629736
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first region. The first region includes at least three first gate structures separate one from another and adjacent to each other and at least three second gate structures separate one from another and adjacent to each other. The first gate structures are further away from each other than the second gate structures. The first region further includes first epitaxial semiconductor features proximate the first gate structures and second epitaxial semiconductor features proximate the second gate structures. A first distance from the first epitaxial semiconductor features to the respective first gate structures is smaller than a second distance from the second epitaxial semiconductor features to the respective second gate structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Yang Lee, Tzu-Hsiang Hsu, Ting-Yeh Chen, Feng-Cheng Yang
  • Publication number: 20200105526
    Abstract: A transistor is provided including a source-drain region, the source-drain region including a first layer wherein a first average silicon content is between about 80% and 100%, a second layer wherein a second average silicon content is between zero and about 90%, the second average silicon content being smaller than the first average silicon content by at least 7%, and the second layer disposed on and adjacent the first layer, a third layer wherein a third average silicon content is between about 80% and 100%, and a fourth layer wherein a fourth average silicon content is between zero and about 90%, the fourth average silicon content being smaller than the third average silicon content by at least 7%, and the fourth layer disposed on and adjacent the third layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Chih-Yun Chin, Tzu-Hsiang Hsu, Yen-Ru Lee, Chii-Horng Li
  • Publication number: 20200006548
    Abstract: An embodiment is a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate. A fin is on the substrate. The fin includes silicon germanium. An interfacial layer is over the fin. The interfacial layer has a thickness in a range from greater than 0 nm to about 4 nm. A source/drain region is over the interfacial layer. The source/drain region includes silicon germanium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Chih-Yun Chin, Chii-Horng Li, Chien-Wei Lee, Hsueh-Chang Sung, Heng-Wen Ting, Roger Tai, Pei-Ren Jeng, Tzu-Hsiang Hsu, Yen-Ru Lee, Yan-Ting Lin, Davie Liu
  • Publication number: 20190378920
    Abstract: An embodiment is a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate. A fin is on the substrate. The fin includes silicon germanium. An interfacial layer is over the fin. The interfacial layer has a thickness in a range from greater than 0 nm to about 4 nm. A source/drain region is over the interfacial layer. The source/drain region includes silicon germanium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Chih-Yun Chin, Chii-Horng Li, Chien-Wei Lee, Hsueh-Chang Sung, Heng-Wen Ting, Roger Tai, Pei-Ren Jeng, Tzu-Hsiang Hsu, Yen-Ru Lee, Yan-Ting Lin, Davie Liu