Patents by Inventor Wei-Yang Lee

Wei-Yang 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).

  • Publication number: 20230061857
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method of forming the same are provided. In an embodiment, a semiconductor structure includes a first plurality of channel members, a second plurality of channel members, a first gate structure over and wrapping around each of the first plurality of channel members, a second gate structure over and wrapping around each of the second plurality of channel members, and a frontside source contact disposed between the first plurality of channel members and the second plurality of channel members as well as between the first gate structure and the second gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Jui-Ping Lin, Kai-Di Tzeng, Chen-Ming Lee, Wei-Yang Lee
  • Publication number: 20230064735
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating the semiconductor devices are described herein. The method includes steps for patterning fins in a multilayer stack and forming an opening in a fin as an initial step in forming a multilayer source/drain region. The opening is formed into a parasitic channel region of the fin. Once the opening has been formed, a source/drain barrier material is deposited using a bottom-up deposition process at the bottom of the opening to a level below the multilayer stack. A multilayer source/drain region is formed over the source/drain barrier material. A stack of nanostructures is formed by removing sacrificial layers of the multilayer stack, the multilayer source/drain region being electrically coupled to the stack of nanostructures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Chien-Wei Lee, Chii-Horng Li, Bang-Ting Yan, Bo-Yu Lai, Wei-Yang Lee, Chia-Pin Lin
  • Publication number: 20230062597
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of nanostructures extending in a first direction above a semiconductor substrate and arranged in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and a gate structure extending in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions, the gate structure surrounding each of the plurality of nano structures. Each of the plurality of nanostructures has an outer region having a composition different from a composition of an inner region of each of the plurality of the nanostructures. The gate structure includes a plurality of high-k gate dielectric layers respectively surrounding the plurality of nanostructures, a work function layer surrounding each of the plurality of high-k gate dielectric layers and a fill metal layer surrounding the work function layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Kai LIN, Shih-Chiang CHEN, Po-Shao LIN, Wei-Yang LEE, Chia-Pin LIN, Yuan-Ching PENG
  • Publication number: 20230063463
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of fabrication are described herein. The method includes steps for patterning fins in a multilayer stack and forming an opening in a fin and into a substrate as an initial step in forming a source/drain region. A first semiconductor material is epitaxially grown from channels exposed along sidewalls of the opening to form first source/drain structures. A second semiconductor material is epitaxially grown from the first semiconductor material to form a second source/drain structure over and to fill a space between the first source/drain structures. A bottom of the second source/drain structure is located below a bottommost surface of the first source/drain structures. The second semiconductor material has a greater concentration percentage by volume of germanium than the first semiconductor material. A stack of nanostructures is formed by removing sacrificial layers of the multilayer stack, the second semiconductor material being electrically coupled to the nanostructures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Yen-Ting Chen, Po-Shao Lin, Wei-Yang Lee
  • Publication number: 20230065318
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor including forming a source/drain feature adjacent to a semiconductor layer stack disposed over a substrate. The method further includes forming a dummy fin adjacent to the source/drain feature and adjacent to the semiconductor layer stack. The method further includes performing an etching process from a backside of the substrate to remove a first portion of the dummy fin adjacent to the source/drain feature, thereby forming a first trench in the dummy fin, where the first trench extends from the dummy fin to the source/drain feature. The method further includes forming a first dielectric layer in the first trench and replacing a second portion of the dummy fin with a source/drain contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Wei-Han Fan, Wei-Yang Lee, Tzu-Hua Chiu, Chia-Pin Lin
  • Publication number: 20230067804
    Abstract: A plurality of first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers are formed over a front side of a substrate. The first semiconductor layers interleave with the second semiconductor layers in a vertical direction. The first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers are etched into a plurality of stacks. The etching is performed such that a bottommost first semiconductor layer is etched to have a tapered profile in a cross-sectional view. The bottommost first semiconductor layer is replaced with a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer inherits the tapered profile of the bottommost first semiconductor layer. Gate structures are formed over the stacks. The gate structures each extend in a first horizontal direction. A first interconnect structure is formed over the gate structures. A second interconnect structure is formed over a back side of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Shu-Wen Shen, Wei-Yang Lee, Yen-Po Lin, Jiun-Ming Kuo, Kuo-Yi Chao, Yuan-Ching Peng
  • Publication number: 20230063612
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a source/drain feature over a semiconductor substrate, channel layers connected to the source/drain feature, a gate structure between adjacent channel layers and wrapping the channel layers, and an inner spacer between the source/drain feature and the gate structure and between adjacent channel layers. The source/drain feature has a first interface with a first channel layer of the channel layer. The first interface has a convex profile protruding towards the first channel layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Po-Yu Lin, Tzu-Hua Chiu, Wei-Yang Lee, Chia-Pin Lin, Yuan-Ching Peng
  • Publication number: 20230063984
    Abstract: Methods and associated devices including the fabrication of a semiconductor structure that provides a silicon-on-insulator substrate. The semiconductor structure may be formed by providing a base substrate, forming a sacrificial layer over the base structure, and forming a semiconductor layer over the sacrificial layer. The sacrificial layer is removed to form a void that is filled with oxide. The semiconductor structure includes a dielectric support feature extending through the semiconductor and oxide layers and/or a portion of the oxide layer extends to the surface of the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Feng-Ching CHU, I-Hsieh WONG, Wei-Yang LEE, Chia-Pin LIN
  • Publication number: 20230052084
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a first nanostructure stacked over and spaced apart from a second nanostructure, a gate stack wrapping around the first nanostructure and the second nanostructure, a source/drain feature adjoining the first nanostructure and the second nanostructure, and a first inner spacer layer interposing the gate stack and the source/drain feature and interposing the first nanostructure and the second nanostructure. A dopant in the source/drain feature has a first concentration at an interface between the first inner spacer layer and the source/drain feature and a second concentration at a first distance away from the interface. The first concentration is higher than the second concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuan-Hao CHENG, Wei-Yang LEE, Tzu-Hua CHIU, Wei-Han FAN, Po-Yu LIN, Chia-Pin LIN
  • Publication number: 20230052380
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed herein. An exemplary semiconductor device comprises a substrate, at least two gate structures disposed over the substrate, each of the at least two gate structures including a gate electrode and a spacer disposed along sidewalls of the gate electrode, wherein the spacer includes a refill portion and a bottom portion, the refill portion of the spacer has a funnel shape such that a top surface of the refill portion of the spacer is larger than a bottom surface of the refill portion of the spacer, and a source/drain contact disposed over the substrate and between the spacers of the at least two gate structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Cheng-Yu Yang, Yen-Ting Chen, Wei-Yang Lee, Fu-Kai Yang, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 11575047
    Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. An exemplary method of manufacture comprises receiving a substrate including a semiconductor material stack formed thereon, wherein the semiconductor material stack includes a first semiconductor layer of a first semiconductor material and second semiconductor layer of a second semiconductor material that is different than the first semiconductor material. Patterning the semiconductor material stack to form a trench. The patterning includes performing a first etch process with a first etchant for a first duration and then performing a second etch process with a second etchant for a second duration, where the second etchant is different from the first etchant and the second duration is greater than the first duration. The first etch process and the second etch process are repeated a number of times. Then epitaxially growing a third semiconductor layer of the first semiconductor material on a sidewall of the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Feng-Ching Chu, Wei-Yang Lee, Chia-Pin Lin
  • Patent number: 11569386
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a first fin structure and a second fin structure extended above a substrate, and a first source/drain structure formed over the first fin structure. The first source/drain structure is made of an N-type conductivity material. The semiconductor device structure also includes a second source/drain structure formed over the second fin structure, and the second source/drain structure is made of an P-type conductivity material. The semiconductor device structure also includes a cap layer formed over the first source/drain structure, wherein the cap layer is made of P-type conductivity material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Feng-Ching Chu, Wei-Yang Lee, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yen-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20230029393
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a fin structure, which includes a stacked layer of first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers disposed over a bottom fin structure and a hard mask layer over the stacked layer, is formed. An isolation insulating layer is formed. A sacrificial cladding layer is formed over at least sidewalls of the exposed hard mask layer and stacked layer. A first dielectric layer is formed. A second dielectric layer is formed over the first dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer is recessed. A third dielectric layer is formed on the recessed second dielectric layer. The third dielectric layer is partially removed to form a trench. A fourth dielectric layer is formed by filling the trench with a dielectric material, thereby forming a wall fin structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Ting-Yeh CHEN, Wei-Yang LEE, Chia-Pin LIN, Yuan-Ching PENG
  • Publication number: 20230017036
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a device includes providing a fin having a stack of epitaxial layers including a plurality of semiconductor channel layers interposed by a plurality of dummy layers. A source/drain etch process is performed to remove portions of the stack of epitaxial layers in source/drain regions to form trenches that expose lateral surfaces of the stack of epitaxial layers. A dummy layer recess process is performed to laterally etch the plurality of dummy layers to form recesses along sidewalls of the trenches. An inner spacer material is deposited along sidewalls of the trenches and within the recesses. An inner spacer etch-back process is performed to remove the inner spacer material from the sidewalls of the trenches and to remove a portion of the inner spacer material from within the recesses to form inner spacers having a dish-like region along lateral surfaces of the inner spacers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Wei-Han FAN, Chia-Pin LIN, Wei-Yang LEE, Tzu-Hua CHIU, Kuan-Hao CHENG, Po Shao LIN
  • Publication number: 20230018266
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming the same are provided. In an embodiment, an exemplary semiconductor device includes a vertical stack of channel members disposed over a substrate, a gate structure wrapping around each channel member of the vertical stack of channel members, and a source/drain feature disposed over the substrate and coupled to the vertical stack of channel members. The source/drain feature is spaced apart from a sidewall of the gate structure by an air gap and a dielectric layer, and the air gap extends into the source/drain feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Wei-Han Fan, Chia-Pin Lin, Wei-Yang Lee, Tzu-Hua Chiu, Kuan-Hao Cheng, Po Shao Lin
  • Publication number: 20230018480
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate having a base and a fin over the base. The semiconductor device structure includes a gate stack over a top portion of the fin. The semiconductor device structure includes a first nanostructure over the fin and passing through the gate stack. The semiconductor device structure includes a second nanostructure over the first nanostructure and passing through the gate stack. The first nanostructure is thicker than the second nanostructure. The semiconductor device structure includes a stressor structure over the fin and connected to the first nanostructure and the second nanostructure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuan-Hao CHENG, Wei-Yang LEE, Tzu-Hua CHIU, Wei-Han FAN, Po-Yu LIN, Chia-Pin LIN
  • Publication number: 20230019386
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods are provided. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes first nanostructures directly over a first portion of a substrate and second nanostructures directly over a second portion of the substrate, n-type source/drain features coupled to the first nanostructures and p-type source/drain features coupled to the second nanostructures, and an isolation structure disposed between the first portion of the substrate and the second portion of the substrate. The isolation structure includes a first smiling region in direct contact with the first portion of the substrate and having a first height. The isolation structure also includes a second smiling region in direct contact with the second portion of the substrate and having a second height, the first height is greater than the second height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Kuan-Hao Cheng, Chia-Pin Lin, Wei-Yang Lee, Tzu-Hua Chiu, Wei-Han Fan, Po-Yu Lin
  • Publication number: 20230010717
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure and a method for forming a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a stack of channel structures over a semiconductor fin and a gate stack wrapped around the channel structures. The semiconductor device structure also includes a source/drain epitaxial structure adjacent to the channel structures and multiple inner spacers. Each of the inner spacers is between the gate stack and the source/drain epitaxial structure. The semiconductor device structure further includes an isolation structure between the semiconductor fin and the source/drain epitaxial structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Cheng WANG, Ting-Yeh CHEN, De-Fang CHEN, Wei-Yang LEE
  • Publication number: 20220416035
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure and a formation method are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a stack of channel structures and includes a first epitaxial structure and a second epitaxial structure adjacent to opposite sides of the channel structures. The semiconductor device structure also includes a gate stack wrapped around each of the channel structures and a backside conductive contact connected to the second epitaxial structure. The second epitaxial structure is between a top of the backside conductive contact and a top of the gate stack. The semiconductor device structure further includes a dielectric fin stacked over an isolation structure. The dielectric fin is adjacent to the second epitaxial structure, and the isolation structure is adjacent to the backside conductive contact. The isolation structure has a first height, the dielectric fin has a second height, and the second height is greater than the first height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Feng-Ching CHU, Wei-Yang LEE, Chia-Pin LIN
  • Patent number: 11532749
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a gate structure, a first source/drain structure, and a contact structure. The gate structure has a gate dielectric layer over a first fin structure. The first source/drain structure is positioned in the first fin structure and adjacent to the gate structure. The first source/drain structure includes a first epitaxial layer in contact with the top surface of the first fin structure and a second epitaxial layer over the first epitaxial layer and extending above a bottom surface of the gate dielectric layer. The contact structure extends into the first source/drain structure. The top surface of the first fin structure is between a top surface and a bottom surface of the first source/drain structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kun-Mu Li, Wei-Yang Lee, Wen-Chu Hsiao