Patents by Inventor Wen-Hsien TU

Wen-Hsien TU 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: 20250015187
    Abstract: A transistor structure includes a semiconductor body, a source region, a drain region and a gate region. The semiconductor body has a convex structure and the convex structure has at least four conductive channels extending upward. The source region contacts with a first end of the convex structure. The drain region contacts with a second end of the convex structure. The gate region has a gate conductive layer, wherein the gate conductive layer is across over the convex structure. Two or four conductive channels are not parallel to each other, and there is no shallow trench isolation region among the at least four conductive channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Applicant: Invention and Collaboration Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Chao-Chun Lu, Feng-Wu Chen, Wen-Hsien Tu
  • Publication number: 20240413159
    Abstract: A complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) circuit includes a bulk semiconductor substrate, a first active region and a second active region, a first type transistor, a first localized isolating layer, a second type transistor, and a second localized isolating layer. The bulk semiconductor substrate has an original semiconductor surface. The first active region and the second active region are formed based on the bulk semiconductor substrate. The first type transistor is formed based on the first active region and has a first doped body. The first localized isolating layer is under the first type transistor and at least isolates the first doped body from the bulk semiconductor substrate. The second type transistor is formed based on the second active region and has a second doped body. The second localized isolating layer is under the second type transistor and at least partially isolates the second doped body from the bulk semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Applicant: Invention and Collaboration Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Chao-Chun Lu, Wen-Hsien Tu
  • Publication number: 20240297254
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a fin structure protruding from a first isolation insulating layer disposed over a substrate, and forming a dummy gate structure over an upper portion of the fin structure. The method further includes forming a second isolation insulating layer over the first isolation insulating layer and forming gate sidewall spacers on opposing side faces of the dummy gate structure. The method also includes after the gate sidewall spacers are formed, forming a trench by etching a source/drain region of the fin structure and forming a base semiconductor epitaxial layer in the trench. The method further includes forming a cap semiconductor epitaxial layer on the base semiconductor epitaxial layer 108, removing the dummy gate structure to expose the fin structure, and forming a gate dielectric layer over a channel region of the fin structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2024
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Hsien TU, Wei-Fan LEE
  • Patent number: 12021144
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a fin structure protruding from a first isolation insulating layer provided over a substrate, a gate dielectric layer disposed over a channel region of the fin structure, a gate electrode layer disposed over the gate dielectric layer, a base semiconductor epitaxial layer disposed over a source/drain region of the fin structure, and a cap semiconductor epitaxial layer disposed over the base semiconductor epitaxial layer. The cap semiconductor epitaxial layer has a different lattice constant than the base semiconductor epitaxial layer, and a surface roughness of the cap semiconductor epitaxial layer along a source-to-drain direction is greater than zero and smaller than a surface roughness of the base semiconductor epitaxial layer along the source-to-drain direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Hsien Tu, Wei-Fan Lee
  • Publication number: 20240107746
    Abstract: A memory device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The memory device includes an access transistor defined within an active region of a semiconductor substrate and a storage capacitor disposed on the access transistor. A recessed gate structure of the access transistor extends into the active region from above the active region. Source/drain contacts of the access transistor are disposed on the active region at opposite sides of the recessed gate structure. The storage capacitor includes: a composite bottom electrode, formed by alternately stacked first conductive layers and second conductive layers, wherein each second conductive layer is sandwiched between a pair of the first conductive layers, and tunnels laterally extend through the second conductive layers, respectively; a capacitor dielectric layer, covering inner and outer surfaces of the composite bottom electrode; and a top electrode, in contact with the composite bottom electrode through the capacitor dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Invention And Collaboration Laboratory Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-Chun Lu, Li-Ping HUANG, Wen-Hsien Tu
  • Publication number: 20240105846
    Abstract: A transistor structure and a formation method thereof are provided. The transistor structure includes a transistor device, formed on an active region of a semiconductor substrate, and including: a gate structure, disposed on the active region; gate spacers, formed along opposite sidewalls of the gate structure; source/drain structures, formed in recesses of the active region at opposite sides of the gate structure; and buried isolation structures, separately extending along bottom sides of the source/drain structures. Further, a channel portion of the active region between the source/drain structures is strained as a result of a strained etching stop layer lying above or dislocation stressors formed in the source/drain structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Invention And Collaboration Laboratory Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-Chun Lu, Li-Ping HUANG, Wen-Hsien Tu
  • Publication number: 20240096710
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device is provided. The integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate, first and second semiconductor fins over the semiconductor substrate, and first and second epitaxy structures respectively on the first and second semiconductor fins. The first epitaxy structure is merged with the second epitaxy structure, and a bottom surface of the second epitaxy structure is lower than a bottom surface of the first epitaxy structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Hsien TU, Dong-Jie KE
  • Patent number: 11862519
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an integrated circuit device is provided. The method includes forming first, second, and third semiconductor fins over a semiconductor substrate, in which the second semiconductor fin is between the first and third semiconductor fins; forming first and second fin sidewall spacers respectively on a sidewall of a first portion of the first semiconductor fin and a sidewall of a first portion of the second semiconductor fin, wherein the first and second fin sidewall spacers are between the first and second semiconductor fins; recessing the first portions of the first and second semiconductor fins and a first portion of the third semiconductor fin; and forming first to third epitaxial features respectively on the recessed portions of the first to third semiconductor fins, wherein the second epitaxial feature is spaced apart from the first epitaxial feature and merged with the third epitaxial feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Hsien Tu, Dong-Jie Ke
  • Publication number: 20230074496
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to semiconductor structures with source/drain epitaxial stacks having a low-melting point top layer and a high-melting point bottom layer. For example, a semiconductor structure includes a gate structure disposed on a fin and a recess formed in a portion of the fin not covered by the gate structure. Further, the semiconductor structure includes a source/drain epitaxial stack disposed in the recess, where the source/drain epitaxial stack has bottom layer and a top layer with a higher activated dopant concentration than the bottom layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Hsien TU, Chee-Wee LIU, Fang-Liang LU
  • Patent number: 11600728
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to source/drain (S/D) epitaxial structures with enlarged top surfaces. In some embodiments, the S/D epitaxial structures include a first crystalline epitaxial layer comprising facets; a non-crystalline epitaxial layer on the first crystalline layer; and a second crystalline epitaxial layer on the non-crystalline epitaxial layer, where the second crystalline epitaxial layer is substantially facet-free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Hsien Tu, Wei-Fan Lee
  • Publication number: 20230068725
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an integrated circuit device is provided. The method includes forming first, second, and third semiconductor fins over a semiconductor substrate, in which the second semiconductor fin is between the first and third semiconductor fins; forming first and second fin sidewall spacers respectively on a sidewall of a first portion of the first semiconductor fin and a sidewall of a first portion of the second semiconductor fin, wherein the first and second fin sidewall spacers are between the first and second semiconductor fins; recessing the first portions of the first and second semiconductor fins and a first portion of the third semiconductor fin; and forming first to third epitaxial features respectively on the recessed portions of the first to third semiconductor fins, wherein the second epitaxial feature is spaced apart from the first epitaxial feature and merged with the third epitaxial feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Hsien TU, Dong-Jie KE
  • Publication number: 20220376067
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to source/drain (S/D) epitaxial structures with enlarged top surfaces. In some embodiments, the S/D epitaxial structures include a first crystalline epitaxial layer comprising facets; a non-crystalline epitaxial layer on the first crystalline layer; and a second crystalline epitaxial layer on the non-crystalline epitaxial layer, where the second crystalline epitaxial layer is substantially facet-free.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Hsien Tu, Wei-Fan Lee
  • Patent number: 11502197
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to semiconductor structures with source/drain epitaxial stacks having a low-melting point top layer and a high-melting point bottom layer. For example, a semiconductor structure includes a gate structure disposed on a fin and a recess formed in a portion of the fin not covered by the gate structure. Further, the semiconductor structure includes a source/drain epitaxial stack disposed in the recess, where the source/drain epitaxial stack has bottom layer and a top layer with a higher activated dopant concentration than the bottom layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Hsien Tu, Chee-Wee Liu, Fang-Liang Lu
  • Publication number: 20220130993
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a fin structure protruding from a first isolation insulating layer provided over a substrate, a gate dielectric layer disposed over a channel region of the fin structure, a gate electrode layer disposed over the gate dielectric layer, a base semiconductor epitaxial layer disposed over a source/drain region of the fin structure, and a cap semiconductor epitaxial layer disposed over the base semiconductor epitaxial layer. The cap semiconductor epitaxial layer has a different lattice constant than the base semiconductor epitaxial layer, and a surface roughness of the cap semiconductor epitaxial layer along a source-to-drain direction is greater than zero and smaller than a surface roughness of the base semiconductor epitaxial layer along the source-to-drain direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Wen-Hsien TU, Wei-Fan LEE
  • Patent number: 11222980
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a fin structure protruding from a first isolation insulating layer provided over a substrate, a gate dielectric layer disposed over a channel region of the fin structure, a gate electrode layer disposed over the gate dielectric layer, a base semiconductor epitaxial layer disposed over a source/drain region of the fin structure, and a cap semiconductor epitaxial layer disposed over the base semiconductor epitaxial layer. The cap semiconductor epitaxial layer has a different lattice constant than the base semiconductor epitaxial layer, and a surface roughness of the cap semiconductor epitaxial layer along a source-to-drain direction is greater than zero and smaller than a surface roughness of the base semiconductor epitaxial layer along the source-to-drain direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Hsien Tu, Wei-Fan Lee
  • Publication number: 20210391454
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to source/drain (S/D) epitaxial structures with enlarged top surfaces. In some embodiments, the S/D epitaxial structures include a first crystalline epitaxial layer comprising facets; a non-crystalline epitaxial layer on the first crystalline layer; and a second crystalline epitaxial layer on the non-crystalline epitaxial layer, where the second crystalline epitaxial layer is substantially facet-free.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: WEN-HSIEN TU, Wei-Fan LEE
  • Publication number: 20210119047
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to semiconductor structures with source/drain epitaxial stacks having a low-melting point top layer and a high-melting point bottom layer. For example, a semiconductor structure includes a gate structure disposed on a fin and a recess formed in a portion of the fin not covered by the gate structure. Further, the semiconductor structure includes a source/drain epitaxial stack disposed in the recess, where the source/drain epitaxial stack has bottom layer and a top layer with a higher activated dopant concentration than the bottom layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Hsien TU, Chee-Wee LIU, Fang-Liang LU
  • Publication number: 20210020770
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a fin structure protruding from a first isolation insulating layer provided over a substrate, a gate dielectric layer disposed over a channel region of the fin structure, a gate electrode layer disposed over the gate dielectric layer, a base semiconductor epitaxial layer disposed over a source/drain region of the fin structure, and a cap semiconductor epitaxial layer disposed over the base semiconductor epitaxial layer. The cap semiconductor epitaxial layer has a different lattice constant than the base semiconductor epitaxial layer, and a surface roughness of the cap semiconductor epitaxial layer along a source-to-drain direction is greater than zero and smaller than a surface roughness of the base semiconductor epitaxial layer along the source-to-drain direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Wen-Hsien TU, Wei-Fan LEE
  • Publication number: 20160211261
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming the same are disclosed. The device comprises a semiconductor substrate comprised of a first semiconductor material and having a plurality of isolation features, thereby defining a first active region and a second active region; a first fin semiconductor feature comprised of a second semiconductor material and formed in the first active region; and a second fin semiconductor feature comprised of a second semiconductor material and formed in the second active region. The first fin semiconductor feature is tensile strained and the second fin semiconductor feature is compressively strained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: CheeWee Liu, Wen-Hsien Tu, Shih-Hsien Huang, Cheng-Yi Peng, Chih-Sheng Chang, Yee-Chia Yeo
  • Patent number: 9391078
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming the same are disclosed. The device comprises a semiconductor substrate comprised of a first semiconductor material and having a plurality of isolation features, thereby defining a first active region and a second active region; a first fin semiconductor feature comprised of a second semiconductor material and formed in the first active region; and a second fin semiconductor feature comprised of a second semiconductor material and formed in the second active region. The first fin semiconductor feature is tensile strained and the second fin semiconductor feature is compressively strained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: CheeWee Liu, Wen-Hsien Tu, Shih-Hsien Huang, Cheng-Yi Peng, Chih-Sheng Chang, Yee-Chia Yeo