Patents by Inventor Wen Kai Lin

Wen Kai Lin 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: 11682711
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture are presented in which spacers are manufactured on sidewalls of gates for semiconductor devices. In embodiments the spacers comprise a first seal, a second seal, and a contact etch stop layer, in which the first seal comprises a first shell along with a first bulk material, the second seal comprises a second shell along with a second bulk material, and the contact etch stop layer comprises a third bulk material and a second dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Kai Lin, Che-Hao Chang, Chi On Chui, Yung-Cheng Lu
  • Patent number: 11664441
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes: forming a dummy gate structure over a nanostructure, where the nanostructure overlies a fin that protrudes above a substrate, where the nanostructure comprises alternating layers of a first semiconductor material and a second semiconductor material; forming openings in the nanostructure on opposing sides of the dummy gate structure, the openings exposing end portions of the first semiconductor material and end portions of the second semiconductor material; recessing the exposed end portions of the first semiconductor material to form first sidewall recesses; filling the first sidewall recesses with a multi-layer spacer film; removing at least one sublayer of the multi-layer spacer film to form second sidewall recesses; and forming source/drain regions in the openings after removing at least one sublayer, where the source/drain regions seal the second sidewall recesses to form sealed air gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Kai Lin, Che-Hao Chang, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20230144899
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a multi-layer stack of alternating first layers of a first semiconductor material and second layers of a second semiconductor material on a semiconductor substrate, forming a first recess through the multi-layer stack, and laterally recessing sidewalls of the second layers of the multi-layer stack. The sidewalls are adjacent to the first recess. The method further includes forming inner spacers with respective seams adjacent to the recessed second layers of the multi-layer stack and performing an anneal treatment on the inner spacers to close the respective seams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Yoh-Rong Liu, Wen-Kai Lin, Che-Hao Chang, Chi On Chui, Yung-Cheng Lu, Li-Chi Yu, Sen-Hong Syue
  • Publication number: 20230117574
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method of forming is provided. The semiconductor structure includes nanostructures separated from one another and stacked over a substrate, a gate stack wrapping around the nanostructures, and a dielectric fin structure laterally spaced apart from the nanostructures by the gate stack. The dielectric fin structure include a lining layer and a fill layer nested within the lining layer. The lining layer is made of a carbon-containing dielectric material, and a carbon concentration of the lining layer varies in a direction from the gate stack to the lining layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Wei-Jin Li, Che-Hao Chang, Chi On Chui, Yung-Cheng Lu, Wen-Kai Lin
  • Publication number: 20230081533
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory structure includes a substrate having thereon a transistor forming region and a capacitor forming region. A transistor is disposed on the substrate within the transistor forming region. A capacitor is disposed within the capacitor forming region and electrically coupled to the transistor. A first inter-layer dielectric layer covers the transistor forming region and the capacitor forming region. The first inter-layer dielectric layer surrounds a metal gate of the transistor and a bottom plate of the capacitor. A cap layer is disposed on the first inter-layer dielectric layer. The cap layer has a first thickness within the transistor forming region and a second thickness within the capacitor forming region. The first thickness is greater than the second thickness. The cap layer within the capacitor forming region acts as a capacitor dielectric layer of the capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Kuo-Hsing Lee, Chien-Liang Wu, Wen-Kai Lin, Te-Wei Yeh, Sheng-Yuan Hsueh, Chi-Horn Pai
  • 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: 20230045665
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes: forming a dummy gate structure over a fin structure that protrudes above a substrate, where the fin structure includes a fin and a layer stack over the fin, where the layer stack comprises alternating layers of a first semiconductor material and a second semiconductor material; forming openings in the fin structure on opposing sides of the dummy gate structure, where the openings exposes first portions of the first semiconductor material and second portions of the second semiconductor material; recessing the exposed first portions of the first semiconductor material to form sidewall recesses in the first semiconductor material; lining the sidewall recesses with a first dielectric material; depositing a second dielectric material in the sidewall recesses on the first dielectric material; after depositing the second dielectric material, annealing the second dielectric material; and after the annealing, forming source/drain regions in the openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Wen-Kai Lin, Te-En Cheng, Che-Hao Chang, Chi On Chui, Yung-Cheng Lu
  • Patent number: 11545559
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a multi-layer stack of alternating first layers of a first semiconductor material and second layers of a second semiconductor material on a semiconductor substrate, forming a first recess through the multi-layer stack, and laterally recessing sidewalls of the second layers of the multi-layer stack. The sidewalls are adjacent to the first recess. The method further includes forming inner spacers with respective seams adjacent to the recessed second layers of the multi-layer stack and performing an anneal treatment on the inner spacers to close the respective seams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoh-Rong Liu, Wen-Kai Lin, Che-Hao Chang, Chi On Chui, Yung-Cheng Lu, Li-Chi Yu, Sen-Hong Syue
  • Publication number: 20220376088
    Abstract: Improved inner spacers for semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Wen-Kai Lin, Che-Hao Chang, Chi On Chui, Yung-Cheng Lu
  • Publication number: 20220336636
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a multi-layer stack of alternating first layers of a first semiconductor material and second layers of a second semiconductor material on a semiconductor substrate, forming a first recess through the multi-layer stack, and laterally recessing sidewalls of the second layers of the multi-layer stack. The sidewalls are adjacent to the first recess. The method further includes forming inner spacers with respective seams adjacent to the recessed second layers of the multi-layer stack and performing an anneal treatment on the inner spacers to close the respective seams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Yoh-Rong Liu, Wen-Kai Lin, Che-Hao Chang, Chi On Chui, Yung-Cheng Lu, Li-Chi Yu, Sen-Hong Syue
  • Patent number: 11444177
    Abstract: Improved inner spacers for semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Kai Lin, Che-Hao Chang, Chi On Chui, Yung-Cheng Lu
  • Publication number: 20220262925
    Abstract: Embodiments include nanostructure devices and methods of forming nanostructure devices which include a treatment process to expand a sidewall spacer material to close a seam in the sidewall spacer material after deposition. The treatment process includes oxidation anneal and heat anneal to expand the sidewall spacer material and crosslink the open seam to form a closed seam, lower k-value, and decrease density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Li-Chi Yu, Cheng-I Chu, Chen-Fong Tsai, Yi-Rui Chen, Sen-Hong Syue, Wen-Kai Lin, Yoh-Rong Liu, Huicheng Chang, Yee-Chia Yeo
  • Publication number: 20220238697
    Abstract: A method includes performing an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process to form a dielectric layer on a wafer. The ALD process comprises an ALD cycle includes pulsing calypso ((SiCl3)2CH2), purging the calypso, pulsing ammonia, and purging the ammonia. The method further includes performing a wet anneal process on the dielectric layer, and performing a dry anneal process on the dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Wen-Kai Lin, Che-Hao Chang, Chi On Chui, Yung-Cheng Lu, Szu-Ying Chen
  • Publication number: 20220123126
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a structure includes: a semiconductor substrate; a fin extending from the semiconductor substrate; a gate stack over the fin; an epitaxial source/drain region in the fin adjacent the gate stack; and a gate spacer disposed between the epitaxial source/drain region and the gate stack, the gate spacer including a plurality of silicon oxycarbonitride layers, each of the plurality of silicon oxycarbonitride layers having a different concentration of silicon, a different concentration of oxygen, a different concentration of carbon, and a different concentration of nitrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Chien-Chih Lin, Yen-Ting Chen, Wen-Kai Lin, Szu-Chi Yang, Shih-Hao Lin, Tsung-Hung Lee, Ming-Lung Cheng
  • Publication number: 20220052181
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes: forming a dummy gate structure over a nanostructure, where the nanostructure overlies a fin that protrudes above a substrate, where the nanostructure comprises alternating layers of a first semiconductor material and a second semiconductor material; forming openings in the nanostructure on opposing sides of the dummy gate structure, the openings exposing end portions of the first semiconductor material and end portions of the second semiconductor material; recessing the exposed end portions of the first semiconductor material to form first sidewall recesses; filling the first sidewall recesses with a multi-layer spacer film; removing at least one sublayer of the multi-layer spacer film to form second sidewall recesses; and forming source/drain regions in the openings after removing at least one sublayer, where the source/drain regions seal the second sidewall recesses to form sealed air gaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Wen-Kai Lin, Che-Hao Chang, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 11217679
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a structure includes: a semiconductor substrate; a fin extending from the semiconductor substrate; a gate stack over the fin; an epitaxial source/drain region in the fin adjacent the gate stack; and a gate spacer disposed between the epitaxial source/drain region and the gate stack, the gate spacer including a plurality of silicon oxycarbonitride layers, each of the plurality of silicon oxycarbonitride layers having a different concentration of silicon, a different concentration of oxygen, a different concentration of carbon, and a different concentration of nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Chih Lin, Yen-Ting Chen, Wen-Kai Lin, Szu-Chi Yang, Shih-Hao Lin, Tsung-Hung Lee, Ming-Lung Cheng
  • Publication number: 20210376105
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture are presented in which spacers are manufactured on sidewalls of gates for semiconductor devices. In embodiments the spacers comprise a first seal, a second seal, and a contact etch stop layer, in which the first seal comprises a first shell along with a first bulk material, the second seal comprises a second shell with a second bulk material, and the contact etch stop layer comprises a third bulk material and a second dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Wen-Kai Lin, Che-Hao Chang, Chi On Chui, Yung-Cheng Lu
  • Publication number: 20210313441
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a structure includes: a semiconductor substrate; a fin extending from the semiconductor substrate; a gate stack over the fin; an epitaxial source/drain region in the fin adjacent the gate stack; and a gate spacer disposed between the epitaxial source/drain region and the gate stack, the gate spacer including a plurality of silicon oxycarbonitride layers, each of the plurality of silicon oxycarbonitride layers having a different concentration of silicon, a different concentration of oxygen, a different concentration of carbon, and a different concentration of nitrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Chien-Chih Lin, Yen-Ting Chen, Wen-Kai Lin, Szu-Chi Yang, Shih-Hao Lin, Tsung-Hung Lee, Ming-Lung Cheng
  • Publication number: 20210242327
    Abstract: Improved inner spacers for semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Wen-Kai Lin, Che-Hao Chang, Chi On Chui, Yung-Cheng Lu
  • Publication number: 20210057546
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a FinFET device having gate spacers with reduced capacitance and methods for forming the FinFET device. Particularly, the FinFET device according to the present disclosure includes gate spacers formed by two or more depositions. The gate spacers are formed by depositing first and second materials at different times of processing to reduce parasitic capacitance between gate structures and contacts introduced after epitaxy growth of source/drain regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Wen-Kai Lin, Bo-Yu Lai, Li Chun Te, Kai-Hsuan Lee, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Tien-I Bao, Wei-Ken Lin