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).

  • Publication number: 20220231022
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: forming a first fin and a second fin extending from a semiconductor substrate; depositing a liner layer along a first sidewall of the first fin, a second sidewall of the second fin, and a top surface of the semiconductor substrate, the liner layer formed of silicon oxynitride having a nitrogen concentration in a range of 5% to 30%; depositing a fill material on the liner layer, the fill material formed of silicon; annealing the liner layer and the fill material, the annealing converting the fill material to silicon oxide, the annealing decreasing the nitrogen concentration of the liner layer to a range of 1% to 5%; and recessing the liner layer and the fill material to form an isolation region between the first fin and the second fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Szu-Ping Lee, Che-Hao Chang, Chun-Heng Chen, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11393711
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a bulk semiconductor region, a first semiconductor strip over and connected to the bulk semiconductor region, and a dielectric layer including silicon oxide therein. Carbon atoms are doped in the silicon oxide. The dielectric layer includes a horizontal portion over and contacting a top surface of the bulk semiconductor region, and a vertical portion connected to an end of the horizontal portion. The vertical portion contacts a sidewall of a lower portion of the first semiconductor strip. A top portion of the first semiconductor strip protrudes higher than a top surface of the vertical portion to form a semiconductor fin. The horizontal portion and the vertical portion have a same thickness. A gate stack extends on a sidewall and a top surface of the semiconductor fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Chung-Chi Ko
  • Patent number: 11355339
    Abstract: A method includes forming a silicon layer on a wafer, forming an oxide layer in contact with the silicon layer, and, after the oxide layer is formed, annealing the wafer in an environment comprising ammonia (NH3) to form a dielectric barrier layer between, and in contact with, the silicon layer and the oxide layer. The dielectric barrier layer comprises silicon and nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Chung-Chi Ko
  • Patent number: 11342177
    Abstract: A treatment, structure and system are provided that modify the deposition process of a material that can occur over two differing materials. In an embodiment the deposition rates may be adjusted by the treatment to change the deposition rate of one of the materials to be more in line with the deposition rate of a second one of the materials. Also, the deposition rates may be modified to be different from each other, to allow for a more selective deposition over the first one of the materials than over the second one of the materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Kuang-Yuan Hsu
  • Publication number: 20220157596
    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: February 2, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Shu Ling Liao, Chung-Chi Ko, Wan-Yi Kao
  • Patent number: 11329141
    Abstract: Semiconductor device structures comprising a spacer feature having multiple spacer layers are provided. In one example, a semiconductor device includes an active area on a substrate, the active area comprising a source/drain region, a gate structure over the active area, the source/drain region being proximate the gate structure, a spacer feature having a first portion along a sidewall of the gate structure and having a second portion along the source/drain region, wherein the first portion of the spacer feature comprises a bulk spacer layer along the sidewall of the gate structure, wherein the second portion of the spacer feature comprises the bulk spacer layer and a treated seal spacer layer, the treated seal spacer layer being disposed along the source/drain region and between the bulk spacer layer and the source/drain region, and a contact etching stop layer on the spacer feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Chung-Chi Ko
  • Patent number: 11322412
    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: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Chung-Chi Ko
  • Patent number: 11316034
    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: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Hung Cheng Lin, Che-Hao Chang, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20220122834
    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: December 23, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Chung-Chi Ko
  • Patent number: 11295948
    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: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    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
  • Patent number: 11282749
    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: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Chung-Chi Ko
  • Patent number: 11244823
    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: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shu Ling Liao, Chung-Chi Ko, Wan-Yi Kao
  • Publication number: 20220037321
    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: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Hung Cheng Lin, Chunyao Wang, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20220029011
    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: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Yu-Cheng Shiau, Chunyao Wang, Chih-Tang Peng, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11211243
    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: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Chung-Chi Ko
  • Publication number: 20210376113
    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: November 19, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Hung Cheng Lin, Che-Hao Chang, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20210367063
    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: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Hung Cheng Lin, Che-Hao Chang, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20210343867
    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: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Chung-Chi Ko
  • Publication number: 20210242333
    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: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Che-Hao Chang, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11075123
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure is provided. The method includes patterning a semiconductor substrate to form a first semiconductor fin and a second semiconductor fin, and depositing a first dielectric material on the first and second semiconductor fins. There is a trench between the first and second semiconductor fins. The method also includes depositing a semiconductor material on the first dielectric material, heating the semiconductor material to cause the semiconductor material to flow to a bottom region of the trench, filling a top region of the trench with a second dielectric material, and heating the first dielectric material, the second dielectric material, and the semiconductor material to form an isolation structure between the first and second semiconductor fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Chung-Chi Ko, Wei-Jin Li