Patents by Inventor Wen-Hsing Hsieh

Wen-Hsing Hsieh 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: 11626400
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure includes a dielectric layer, a first source/drain feature in contact with the dielectric layer, wherein the first source/drain feature comprises a first sidewall, and a second source/drain feature in contact with the dielectric layer and adjacent to the first source/drain feature, wherein the second source/drain feature comprises a second sidewall. The structure also includes an insulating layer disposed over the dielectric layer and between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, wherein the insulating layer comprises a first surface facing the first sidewall, a second surface facing the second sidewall, a third surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, and a fourth surface opposite the third surface. The structure includes a sealing material disposed between the first sidewall and the first surface, wherein the sealing material, the first sidewall, the first surface, and the dielectric layer are exposed to an air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Ching Wang, Wen-Yuan Chen, Chun Chung Su, Jon-Hsu Ho, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chung-Wei Wu, Zhiqiang Wu
  • Patent number: 11621343
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a plurality of fin structures are formed over a semiconductor substrate. The fin structures extend along a first direction and are arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction. A plurality of sacrificial gate structures extending in the second direction are formed over the fin structures. An interlayer dielectric layer is formed over the plurality of fin structures between adjacent sacrificial gate structures. The sacrificial gate structures are cut into a plurality of pieces of sacrificial gate structures by forming gate end spaces along the second direction. Gate separation plugs are formed by filling the gate end spaces with two or more dielectric materials. The two or more dielectric materials includes a first layer and a second layer formed on the first layer, and a dielectric constant of the second layer is smaller than a dielectric constant of the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Yi Peng, Wen-Yuan Chen, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Yi-Ju Hsu, Jon-Hsu Ho, Song-Bor Lee, Bor-Zen Tien
  • Patent number: 11616151
    Abstract: Multi-gate devices and methods for fabricating such are disclosed herein. An exemplary device includes a channel layer, a first source/drain feature, a second source/drain feature, and a metal gate. The channel layer has a first horizontal segment, a second horizontal segment, and a vertical segment connects the first horizontal segment and the second horizontal segment. The first horizontal segment and the second horizontal segment extend along a first direction, and the vertical segment extends along a second direction. The vertical segment has a width along the first direction and a thickness along the second direction, and the thickness is greater than the width. The channel layer extends between the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature along a third direction. The metal gate wraps channel layer. In some embodiments, the first horizontal segment and the second horizontal segment are nanosheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Chih-Ching Wang, Jon-Hsu Ho, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Zhiqiang Wu
  • Patent number: 11600699
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure a first source/drain region, a second source/drain region, and a gate stack disposed between the first source/drain region and the second source/drain region. The semiconductor device structure also includes a conductive feature disposed below the first source/drain region. The semiconductor device structure also includes a power rail disposed below and in contact with the conductive feature. semiconductor device structure also includes a dielectric layer enclosing the conductive feature, wherein an air gap is formed between the dielectric layer and the conductive feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Ching Wang, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Wen-Hsing Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20230020933
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure includes a dielectric layer, a first source/drain feature in contact with the dielectric layer, wherein the first source/drain feature comprises a first sidewall, and a second source/drain feature in contact with the dielectric layer and adjacent to the first source/drain feature, wherein the second source/drain feature comprises a second sidewall. The structure also includes an insulating layer disposed over the dielectric layer and between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, wherein the insulating layer comprises a first surface facing the first sidewall, a second surface facing the second sidewall, a third surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, and a fourth surface opposite the third surface. The structure includes a sealing material disposed between the first sidewall and the first surface, wherein the sealing material, the first sidewall, the first surface, and the dielectric layer are exposed to an air gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Chih-Ching WANG, Wen-Yuan CHEN, Chun-Chung SU, Jon-Hsu HO, Wen-Hsing HSIEH, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Chung-Wei WU, Zhiqiang WU
  • Patent number: 11557659
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure includes a method of forming a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a substrate having a plurality of first semiconductor layers and a plurality of second semiconductor layers disposed over the substrate. The method also includes patterning the first semiconductor layers and the second semiconductor layers to form a first fin and a second fin, removing the first semiconductor layers from the first and second fins such that a first portion of the patterned second semiconductor layers becomes first suspended nanostructures in the first fin and that a second portion of the patterned second semiconductor layers becomes second suspended nanostructures in the second fin, and doping a threshold modifying impurity into the first suspended nanostructures in the first fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Ching Wang, Chia-Ying Su, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chung-Wei Wu, Zhiqiang Wu
  • Patent number: 11508807
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a semiconductor device structure including a first channel layer having a first surface and a second surface, a second channel layer having a first surface and a second surface, and the first and second channel layers are formed of a first material. The structure also includes a first dopant suppression layer in contact with the second surface of the first channel layer, and a second dopant suppression layer parallel to the first dopant suppression layer. The second dopant suppression layer is in contact with the first surface of the second channel layer, and the first and second dopant suppression layers each comprises carbon or fluorine. The structure further includes a gate dielectric layer in contact with the first and second dopant suppression layers and the first surface of the first channel layer, and a gate electrode layer disposed on the gate dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Ching Wang, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Jon-Hsu Ho, Wen-Yuan Chen, Chia-Ying Su, Chung-Wei Wu, Zhiqiang Wu
  • Publication number: 20220367612
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a semiconductor device structure including a first channel layer having a first surface and a second surface, a second channel layer having a first surface and a second surface, and the first and second channel layers are formed of a first material. The structure also includes a first dopant suppression layer in contact with the second surface of the first channel layer, and a second dopant suppression layer parallel to the first dopant suppression layer. The second dopant suppression layer is in contact with the first surface of the second channel layer, and the first and second dopant suppression layers each comprises carbon or fluorine. The structure further includes a gate dielectric layer in contact with the first and second dopant suppression layers and the first surface of the first channel layer, and a gate electrode layer disposed on the gate dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Chih-Ching Wang, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Jon-Hsu Ho, Wen-Yuan Chen, Chia-Ying Su, Chung-Wei Wu, Zhiqiang Wu
  • Publication number: 20220359546
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first nanostructures vertically separated from one another, a first gate structure wrapping around each of the first nanostructures, and second nanostructures vertically separated from one another. The semiconductor device also includes a second gate structure wrapping around the second nanostructures, a first drain/source structure coupled to a first end of the first nanostructures, a second drain/source structure coupled to both of a second end of the first nanostructures and a first end of the second nanostructures, and a third drain/source structure coupled to a second end of the second nanostructures. The first drain/source structure has a first doping type, the second and third drain/source structures have a second doping type, and the first doping type is opposite to the second doping type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Meng-Sheng Chang, Chia-En Huang, Chun Chung Su, Wen-Hsing Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20220359752
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate has a top surface and includes a semiconductor element. Moreover, the semiconductor substrate has a fin structure formed thereon. The method also includes recessing the fin structure to form source/drain trenches, forming a first dielectric layer over the recessed fin structure in the source/drain trenches, implanting a dopant element into a portion of the fin structure beneath a bottom surface of the source/drain trenches to form an amorphous semiconductor layer, forming a second dielectric layer over the recessed fin structure in the source/drain trenches, annealing the semiconductor substrate, and removing the first and second dielectric layers. After the annealing and the removing steps, the method further includes further recessing the recessed fin structure to provide a top surface. Additionally, the method includes forming an epitaxial layer from and on the top surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Chih-Ching Wang, Wen-Yuan Chen, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chung-Wei Wu, Zhiqiang Wu
  • Publication number: 20220359657
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure a first source/drain region, a second source/drain region, and a gate stack disposed between the first source/drain region and the second source/drain region. The semiconductor device structure also includes a conductive feature disposed below the first source/drain region. The semiconductor device structure also includes a power rail disposed below and in contact with the conductive feature. semiconductor device structure also includes a dielectric layer enclosing the conductive feature, wherein an air gap is formed between the dielectric layer and the conductive feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Chih-Ching WANG, Kuan-Lun CHENG, Wen-Hsing HSIEH
  • Publication number: 20220352319
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for forming semiconductor device structures. The method includes forming a fin structure having a stack of semiconductor layers comprising first semiconductor layers and second semiconductor layers alternatingly arranged, forming a sacrificial gate structure over a portion of the fin structure, removing the first and second semiconductor layers in a source/drain region of the fin structure that is not covered by the sacrificial gate structure, forming an epitaxial source/drain feature in the source/drain region, removing portions of the sacrificial gate structure to expose the first and second semiconductor layers, removing portions of the second semiconductor layers so that at least one second semiconductor layer has a width less than a width of each of the first semiconductor layers, forming a conformal gate dielectric layer on exposed first and second semiconductor layers, and forming a gate electrode layer on the conformal gate dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Chih-Ching WANG, Wei-Yang LEE, Ming-Chang WEN, Jo-Tzu HUNG, Wen-Hsing HSIEH, Kuan-Lun CHENG
  • Publication number: 20220343054
    Abstract: A method of generating an IC layout diagram includes receiving a first gate resistance value of a gate region in an IC layout diagram, the first gate resistance value corresponding to a location of a gate via positioned within an active region and along a width of the gate region extending across the active region, determining a second gate resistance value based on the location and the width, using the first and second resistance values to determine that the IC layout diagram does not comply with a design specification, and based on the non-compliance with the design specification, modifying the IC layout diagram.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Ke-Ying SU, Jon-Hsu HO, Ke-Wei SU, Liang-Yi CHEN, Wen-Hsing HSIEH, Wen-Koi LAI, Keng-Hua KUO, KuoPei LU, Lester CHANG, Ze-Ming WU
  • Publication number: 20220344502
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to the present disclosure includes a dielectric fin having a helmet layer, a gate structure disposed over a first portion of the helmet layer and extending along a direction, and a dielectric layer adjacent the gate structure and disposed over a second portion of the helmet layer. A width of the first portion along the direction is greater than a width of the second portion along the direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Yu-Shan Lu, Chung-I Yang, Kuo-Yi Chao, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Jiun-Ming Kuo, Chih-Ching Wang, Yuan-Ching Peng
  • Publication number: 20220336614
    Abstract: Source/drain silicide that improves performance and methods for fabricating such are disclosed herein. An exemplary device includes a first channel layer disposed over a substrate, a second channel layer disposed over the first channel layer, and a gate stack that surrounds the first channel layer and the second channel layer. A source/drain feature disposed adjacent the first channel layer, second channel layer, and gate stack. The source/drain feature is disposed over first facets of the first channel layer and second facets of the second channel layer. The first facets and the second facets have a (111) crystallographic orientation. An inner spacer disposed between the gate stack and the source/drain feature and between the first channel layer and the second channel layer. A silicide feature is disposed over the source/drain feature where the silicide feature extends into the source/drain feature towards the substrate to a depth of the first channel layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Chih-Ching Wang, Chung-I Yang, Jon-Hsu Ho, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Chung-Wei Wu, Zhiqiang Wu
  • Patent number: 11404576
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to the present disclosure includes a dielectric fin having a helmet layer, a gate structure disposed over a first portion of the helmet layer and extending along a direction, and a dielectric layer adjacent the gate structure and disposed over a second portion of the helmet layer. A width of the first portion along the direction is greater than a width of the second portion along the direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Shan Lu, Chung-I Yang, Kuo-Yi Chao, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Jiun-Ming Kuo, Chih-Ching Wang, Yuan-Ching Peng
  • Patent number: 11392749
    Abstract: A method of generating a netlist of an IC device includes receiving gate region information of the IC device. The gate region information includes a width of the gate region, the width extending at least from a first edge of an active region to a second edge of the active region, a location of a gate via positioned within the active region and along the width, and a first gate resistance value corresponding to the gate region. The method includes determining a second gate resistance value based on the location and the width, and modifying the netlist based on the second gate resistance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ke-Ying Su, Jon-Hsu Ho, Ke-Wei Su, Liang-Yi Chen, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Wen-Koi Lai, Keng-Hua Kuo, KuoPei Lu, Lester Chang, Ze-Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 11387322
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide semiconductor device structures having at least one T-shaped stacked nanosheet transistor to provide increased effective conductive area across the channel regions. In one embodiment, the semiconductor device structure includes a first channel layer formed of a first material, wherein the first channel layer has a first width, and a second channel layer formed of a second material different from the first material, wherein the second channel layer has a second width less than the first width, and the second channel layer is in contact with the first channel layer. The structure also includes a gate dielectric layer conformally disposed on the first channel layer and the second channel layer, and a gate electrode layer disposed on the gate dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Ching Wang, Wei-Yang Lee, Ming-Chang Wen, Jo-Tzu Hung, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Kuan-Lun Cheng
  • Publication number: 20220208989
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes channel members disposed over a substrate, a gate structure engaging the channel members, and an epitaxial feature adjacent the channel members. At least one of the channel members has an end portion in physical contact with an outer portion of the epitaxial feature. The end portion of the at least one of the channel members includes a first dopant of a first concentration. The outer portion of the epitaxial feature includes a second dopant of a second concentration. The first concentration is higher than the second concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Chih-Ching Wang, Chung-I Yang, Jon-Hsu Ho, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Kuan-Lun Cheng, Chung-Wei Wu, Zhiqiang Wu
  • Patent number: 11355611
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a source/drain feature disposed over a substrate. The source/drain feature includes a first nanowire, a second nanowire disposed over the first nanowire, a cladding layer disposed over the first nanowire and the second nanowire and a spacer layer extending from the first nanowire to the second nanowire. The device also includes a conductive feature disposed directly on the source/drain feature such that the conductive feature physically contacts the cladding layer and the spacer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ching-Fang Huang, Wen-Hsing Hsieh, Ying-Keung Leung, Chih-Hao Wang, Carlos H. Diaz