Patents by Inventor Wan-Yi Kao

Wan-Yi Kao 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: 11948841
    Abstract: A method includes forming a dummy gate stack over a semiconductor region of a wafer, and depositing a gate spacer layer using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) on a sidewall of the dummy gate stack. The depositing the gate spacer layer includes performing an ALD cycle to form a dielectric atomic layer. The ALD cycle includes introducing silylated methyl to the wafer, purging the silylated methyl, introducing ammonia to the wafer, and purging the ammonia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Chung-Chi Ko
  • Patent number: 11942329
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming a semiconductor protruding structure over a substrate and surrounding the semiconductor protruding structure with an insulating layer. The method also includes forming a dielectric layer over the insulating layer. The method further includes partially removing the dielectric layer and insulating layer using a planarization process. As a result, topmost surfaces of the semiconductor protruding structure, the insulating layer, and the dielectric layer are substantially level with each other. In addition, the method includes forming a protective layer to cover the topmost surfaces of the dielectric layer. The method includes recessing the insulating layer after the protective layer is formed such that the semiconductor protruding structure and a portion of the dielectric layer protrude from a top surface of a remaining portion of the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Che-Hao Chang, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11942549
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacture are provided. In embodiments a first liner is deposited to line a recess between a first semiconductor fin and a second semiconductor fin, the first liner comprising a first material. The first liner is annealed to transform the first material to a second material. A second liner is deposited to line the recess, the second liner comprising a third material. The second liner is annealed to transform the third material to a fourth material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Yu-Cheng Shiau, Chunyao Wang, Chih-Tang Peng, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11916132
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing are presented in which inner spacers for nanostructures are manufactured. In embodiments a dielectric material is deposited for the inner spacer and then treated. The treatment may add material and cause an expansion in volume in order to close any seams that can interfere with subsequent processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Hung Cheng Lin, Che-Hao Chang, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11894464
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a fin protruding above a substrate; forming a liner over the fin; performing a surface treatment process to convert an upper layer of the liner distal to the fin into a conversion layer, the conversion layer comprising an oxide or a nitride of the liner; forming isolation regions on opposing sides of the fin after the surface treatment process; forming a gate dielectric over the conversion layer after forming the isolation regions; and forming a gate electrode over the fin and over the gate dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Chung-Chi Ko
  • Publication number: 20230360907
    Abstract: A method includes etching a semiconductor substrate to form a trench, and depositing a dielectric layer using an Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) cycle. The dielectric layer extends into the trench. The ALD cycle includes pulsing Hexachlorodisilane (HCD) to the semiconductor substrate, purging the HCD, pulsing triethylamine to the semiconductor substrate, and purging the triethylamine. An anneal process is then performed on the dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Chung-Chi Ko
  • Publication number: 20230352568
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides embodiments of semiconductor structures and method of forming the same. An example semiconductor structure includes a first source/drain feature and a second source/drain feature and a hybrid fin disposed between the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature and extending lengthwise along a first direction. The hybrid fin includes an inner feature and an outer layer disposed around the inner feature. The outer layer includes silicon oxycarbonitride and the inner feature includes silicon carbonitride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Yung-Cheng Lu, Che-Hao Chang, Chi On Chui, Hung Cheng Lin
  • Publication number: 20230326927
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacture are provided. In embodiments a dielectric fin is formed in order to help isolate adjacent semiconductor fins. The dielectric fin is formed using a deposition process in which deposition times and temperatures are utilized to increase the resistance of the dielectric fin to subsequent etching processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Hung Cheng Lin, Chunyao Wang, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230326746
    Abstract: Semiconductor device structures having low-k features and methods of forming low-k features are described herein. Some examples relate to a surface modification layer, which may protect a low-k feature during subsequent processing. Some examples relate to gate spacers that include a low-k feature. Some examples relate to a low-k contact etch stop layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Chung-Chi Ko, Li Chun Te, Hsiang-Wei Lin, Te-En Cheng, Wei-Ken Lin, Guan-Yao Tu, Shu Ling Liao
  • Publication number: 20230317448
    Abstract: Semiconductor device structures having dielectric features and methods of forming dielectric features are described herein. In some examples, the dielectric features are formed by an ALD process followed by a varying temperature anneal process. The dielectric features can have high density, low carbon concentration, and lower k-value. The dielectric features formed according to the present disclosure has improved resistance against etching chemistry, plasma damage, and physical bombardment in subsequent processes while maintaining a lower k-value for target capacitance efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Shu Ling Liao, Chung-Chi Ko, Wan-Yi Kao
  • Patent number: 11764221
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacture are provided. In embodiments a dielectric fin is formed in order to help isolate adjacent semiconductor fins. The dielectric fin is formed using a deposition process in which deposition times and temperatures are utilized to increase the resistance of the dielectric fin to subsequent etching processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Hung Cheng Lin, Chunyao Wang, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11757020
    Abstract: A method includes forming a fin extending from a substrate; forming an first isolation region along opposing sidewalls of the fin; forming a gate structure over the fin; forming an epitaxial source/drain region in the fin adjacent the gate structure; forming an etch stop layer over the epitaxial source/drain region and over the gate structure; forming a protection layer over the etch stop layer, the protection layer including silicon oxynitride; and forming a second isolation material over the protection layer, wherein forming the second isolation material reduces a nitrogen concentration of the protection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Che-Hao Chang, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230275136
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method of forming a low-k dielectric material, for example, a low-k gate spacer layer in a FinFET device. The low-k dielectric material may be formed using a precursor having a general chemical structure comprising at least one carbon atom bonded between two silicon atoms. A target k-value of the dielectric material may be achieved by controlling carbon concentration in the dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Chung-Chi Ko
  • Patent number: 11742201
    Abstract: A method includes etching a semiconductor substrate to form a trench, and depositing a dielectric layer using an Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) cycle. The dielectric layer extends into the trench. The ALD cycle includes pulsing Hexachlorodisilane (HCD) to the semiconductor substrate, purging the HCD, pulsing triethylamine to the semiconductor substrate, and purging the triethylamine. An anneal process is then performed on the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Chung-Chi Ko
  • Publication number: 20230268426
    Abstract: A method includes depositing a first dielectric layer over and along sidewalls of a first semiconductor fin and a second semiconductor fin, where the first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin extend upwards from a semiconductor substrate, depositing a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer, depositing a third dielectric layer over the second dielectric layer, where materials of the second dielectric layer and the third dielectric layer are different, and a material of the first dielectric layer is different from the material of the second dielectric layer and recessing the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer to expose sidewalls of the first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin and to form a dummy fin between the first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Hung Cheng Lin, Che-Hao Chang, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11721699
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacture are provided. In embodiments a dielectric fin is formed in order to help isolate adjacent semiconductor fins. The dielectric fin is formed using a deposition process in which deposition times and temperatures are utilized to increase the resistance of the dielectric fin to subsequent etching processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Hung Cheng Lin, Chunyao Wang, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11715637
    Abstract: Semiconductor device structures having dielectric features and methods of forming dielectric features are described herein. In some examples, the dielectric features are formed by an ALD process followed by a varying temperature anneal process. The dielectric features can have high density, low carbon concentration, and lower k-value. The dielectric features formed according to the present disclosure has improved resistance against etching chemistry, plasma damage, and physical bombardment in subsequent processes while maintaining a lower k-value for target capacitance efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shu Ling Liao, Chung-Chi Ko, Wan-Yi Kao
  • Patent number: 11710782
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides embodiments of semiconductor structures and method of forming the same. An example semiconductor structure includes a first source/drain feature and a second source/drain feature and a hybrid fin disposed between the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature and extending lengthwise along a first direction. The hybrid fin includes an inner feature and an outer layer disposed around the inner feature. The outer layer includes silicon oxycarbonitride and the inner feature includes silicon carbonitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Hung Cheng Lin, Che-Hao Chang, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11705327
    Abstract: Semiconductor device structures having low-k features and methods of forming low-k features are described herein. Some examples relate to a surface modification layer, which may protect a low-k feature during subsequent processing. Some examples relate to gate spacers that include a low-k feature. Some examples relate to a low-k contact etch stop layer. Example methods are described for forming such features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Chung-Chi Ko, Li Chun Te, Hsiang-Wei Lin, Te-En Cheng, Wei-Ken Lin, Guan-Yao Tu, Shu Ling Liao
  • Publication number: 20230187265
    Abstract: A method includes etching a semiconductor substrate to form a semiconductor strip and a recess, with a sidewall of the semiconductor strip being exposed to the recess, depositing a dielectric layer into the recess, and depositing a capping layer over the dielectric layer. The capping layer extends into the recess, and comprises silicon oxynitride. The method further includes filling remaining portions of the recess with dielectric materials, performing an anneal process to remove nitrogen from the capping layer, and recessing the dielectric materials, the capping layer, and the dielectric layer. The remaining portions of the dielectric materials, the capping layer, and the dielectric layer form an isolation region. A portion of the semiconductor strip protrudes higher than a top surface of the isolation region to form a semiconductor fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, ChunYao Wang, Yung-Cheng Lu