Patents by Inventor Ya-Yi Tsai

Ya-Yi Tsai 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: 20240113166
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor devices includes forming channel regions over a substrate. The channel regions, in parallel with one another, extend along a first lateral direction. Each channel region includes at least a respective pair of epitaxial structures. The method includes forming a gate structure over the channel regions, wherein the gate structure extends along a second lateral direction. The method includes removing, through a first etching process, a portion of the gate structure that was disposed over a first one of the channel regions. The method includes removing, through a second etching process, a portion of the first channel region. The second etching process includes one silicon etching process and one silicon oxide deposition process. The method includes removing, through a third etching process controlled based on a pulse signal, a portion of the substrate that was disposed below the removed portion of the first channel region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzu-Ging Lin, Chun-Liang Lai, Yun-Chen Wu, Ya-Yi Tsai, Shu-Yuan Ku, Shun-Hui Yang
  • Publication number: 20240097007
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is described. An isolation region is disposed on the substrate. A plurality of channels extend through the isolation region from the substrate. The channels including an active channel and an inactive channel. A dummy fin is disposed on the isolation region and between the active channel and the inactive channel. An active gate is disposed over the active channel and the inactive channel, and contacts the isolation region. A dielectric material extends through the active gate and contacts a top of the dummy fin. The inactive channel is a closest inactive channel to the dielectric material. A long axis of the active channel extends in a first direction. A long axis of the active gate extends in a second direction. The active channel extends in a third direction from the substrate. The dielectric material is closer to the inactive channel than to the active channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Ya-Yi Tsai, Shu-Uei Jang, Chih-Han Lin, Shu-Yuan Ku
  • Publication number: 20240081081
    Abstract: A ferroelectric memory device and a semiconductor die are provided. The ferroelectric memory device includes a gate electrode; a channel layer, overlapped with the gate electrode; source/drain contacts, in contact with separate ends of the channel layer; a ferroelectric layer, lying between the gate electrode and the channel layer; and a first insertion layer, extending in between the ferroelectric layer and the channel layer, and comprising a metal carbonitride or a metal nitride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ya-Ling Lee, Chung-Te Lin, Han-Ting Tsai, Wei-Gang Chiu, Yen-Chieh Huang, Ming-Yi Yang
  • Patent number: 11915980
    Abstract: Metal gate cutting techniques for fin-like field effect transistors (FinFETs) are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes receiving an integrated circuit (IC) device structure that includes a substrate, one or more fins disposed over the substrate, a plurality of gate structures disposed over the fins, a dielectric layer disposed between and adjacent to the gate structures, and a patterning layer disposed over the gate structures. The gate structures traverses the fins and includes first and second gate structures. The method further includes: forming an opening in the patterning layer to expose a portion of the first gate structure, a portion of the second gate structure, and a portion of the dielectric layer; and removing the exposed portion of the first gate structure, the exposed portion of the second gate structure, and the exposed portion of the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ya-Yi Tsai, Yi-Hsuan Hsiao, Shu-Yuan Ku, Ryan Chia-Jen Chen, Ming-Ching Chang
  • Patent number: 11917923
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) structure, including a substrate and multiple MRAM cells on the substrate, wherein the MRAM cells are arranged in a memory region adjacent to a logic region. An ultra low-k (ULK) layer covers the MRAM cells, wherein the surface portion of ultra low-k layer is doped with fluorine, and dents are formed on the surface of ultra low-k layer at the boundaries between the memory region and the logic region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Hui-Lin Wang, Ching-Hua Hsu, Si-Han Tsai, Shun-Yu Huang, Chen-Yi Weng, Ju-Chun Fan, Che-Wei Chang, Yi-Yu Lin, Po-Kai Hsu, Jing-Yin Jhang, Ya-Jyuan Hung
  • Patent number: 11894277
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate and a first gate stack over the semiconductor substrate, the first gate stack being between a first gate spacer and a second gate spacer. The device further includes a second gate stack over the semiconductor substrate between the first gate spacer and the second gate spacer and a dielectric material separating the first gate stack from the second gate stack. The dielectric material is at least partially between the first gate spacer and the second gate spacer, a first width of an upper portion of the dielectric material is greater than a second width of a lower portion of the dielectric material, and a third width of an upper portion of the first gate spacer is less than a fourth width of a lower portion of the first gate spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chih-Han Lin, Shu-Uei Jang, Ya-Yi Tsai, Shu-Yuan Ku
  • Publication number: 20240038892
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a transistor disposed in an active region. The transistor comprises a source/drain feature, a fin channel and a gate structure wrapping over the fin channel. The transistor also includes an insulation region disposed at an active edge. The active edge is at a boundary of the active region. The insulation region includes a trench. The trench has a tapered portion. A width of the tapered portion of the trench at a top of the fin channel is greater than a width of the tapered portion of the trench at a bottom of the gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ya-Yi Tsai, Sheng-Yi Hsiao, Shu-Yuan Ku, Ryan Chia-Jen Chen
  • Patent number: 11855179
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is described. An isolation region is disposed on the substrate. A plurality of channels extend through the isolation region from the substrate. The channels including an active channel and an inactive channel. A dummy fin is disposed on the isolation region and between the active channel and the inactive channel. An active gate is disposed over the active channel and the inactive channel, and contacts the isolation region. A dielectric material extends through the active gate and contacts a top of the dummy fin. The inactive channel is a closest inactive channel to the dielectric material. A long axis of the active channel extends in a first direction. A long axis of the active gate extends in a second direction. The active channel extends in a third direction from the substrate. The dielectric material is closer to the inactive channel than to the active channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Hsiao Wen Lee, Ya-Yi Tsai, Shu-Uei Jang, Chih-Han Lin, Shu-Yuan Ku
  • Publication number: 20230402455
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure, along with methods of forming such, are described. The structure includes a fin disposed over a semiconductor substrate, and the fin has a first width. The structure further includes an isolation region disposed around the fin, a gate electrode disposed over the fin and the isolation region, and a fill material disposed in the gate electrode. The fill material is in contact with a top surface of a portion of the semiconductor substrate, the top surface has at least a portion having a substantially flat cross-section, and the portion of the top surface has a second width substantially greater than the first width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Ya-Yi TSAI, Sheng-Yi Hsiao, Shu-Yuan KU, Ryan Chia-Jen CHEN, Tzu-Ging LIN, Jih-Jse LIN, Yih-Ann LIN
  • Publication number: 20230402544
    Abstract: A FinFET includes a semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor fin, a gate structure, and an isolation structure. The semiconductor fin protrudes from the semiconductor substrate. The gate structure is disposed across a first segment of the semiconductor fin. The isolation structure interrupts a continuity of a second segment of the semiconductor fin. The isolation structure has a first portion and a second portion stacked on the first portion. Sidewalls of the first portion are inclined and sidewalls of the second portion are straight. A top surface of the first portion is coplanar with a top surface of the gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ya-Yi Tsai, Sheng-Yi Hsiao, Chao-Hsuan Chen, Yun-Ting Chiang, Shu-Yuan Ku
  • Publication number: 20230387271
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is described. A plurality of semiconductor fins is formed in a first region on a substrate. An isolation region is formed around the plurality of semiconductor fins. Dummy fins are formed extending above the isolation region and laterally adjacent the plurality of semiconductor fins. A first etch is performed to etch the plurality of semiconductor fins such that a top surface of the plurality of semiconductor fins has a same height as a top surface of the isolation region. A second etch is performed selectively etching the isolation region to form a first recess in the isolation region laterally adjacent the semiconductor fins. A third etch is performed selectively etching the plurality of semiconductor fins to remove the plurality of semiconductor fins and to etch a second recess through the isolation region into the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Ya-Yi Tsai, Yi-Chun Chen, Wei-Han Chen, Wei-Ting Guo, Shu-Yuan Ku
  • Publication number: 20230361197
    Abstract: A method includes forming a dummy gate stack, etching the dummy gate stack to form an opening, depositing a first dielectric layer extending into the opening, and depositing a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer and extending into the opening. A planarization process is then performed to form a gate isolation region including the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer. The dummy gate stack is then removed to form trenches on opposing sides of the gate isolation region. The method further includes performing a first etching process to remove sidewall portions of the first dielectric layer, performing a second etching process to thin the second dielectric layer, and forming replacement gates in the trenches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chih-Han Lin, Shu-Uei Jang, Ya-Yi Tsai, Shu-Yuan Ku
  • Publication number: 20230343783
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor fin and a second semiconductor fin extending along a first direction. The semiconductor device includes a dielectric fin, extending along the first direction, that is disposed between the first and second semiconductor fins. The semiconductor device includes a gate isolation structure vertically disposed above the dielectric fin. The semiconductor device includes a metal gate layer extending along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the metal gate layer includes a first portion straddling the first semiconductor fin and a second portion straddling the second semiconductor fin. The gate isolation structure has a central portion and one or more side portions, the central portion extends toward the dielectric fin a further distance than at least one of the one or more side portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ya-Yi Tsai, Wen-Shuo Hsieh, Shu-Yuan Ku, Chieh-Ning Feng
  • Patent number: 11791403
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is described. A plurality of semiconductor fins is formed in a first region on a substrate. An isolation region is formed around the plurality of semiconductor fins. Dummy fins are formed extending above the isolation region and laterally adjacent the plurality of semiconductor fins. A first etch is performed to etch the plurality of semiconductor fins such that a top surface of the plurality of semiconductor fins has a same height as a top surface of the isolation region. A second etch is performed selectively etching the isolation region to form a first recess in the isolation region laterally adjacent the semiconductor fins. A third etch is performed selectively etching the plurality of semiconductor fins to remove the plurality of semiconductor fins and to etch a second recess through the isolation region into the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ya-Yi Tsai, Yi-Chun Chen, Wei-Han Chen, Wei-Ting Guo, Shu-Yuan Ku
  • Patent number: 11757019
    Abstract: A method includes forming a dummy gate stack, etching the dummy gate stack to form an opening, depositing a first dielectric layer extending into the opening, and depositing a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer and extending into the opening. A planarization process is then performed to form a gate isolation region including the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer. The dummy gate stack is then removed to form trenches on opposing sides of the gate isolation region. The method further includes performing a first etching process to remove sidewall portions of the first dielectric layer, performing a second etching process to thin the second dielectric layer, and forming replacement gates in the trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chih-Han Lin, Shu-Uei Jang, Ya-Yi Tsai, Shu-Yuan Ku
  • Publication number: 20230253263
    Abstract: An anchored cut-metal gate (CMG) plug, a semiconductor device including the anchored CMG plug and methods of forming the semiconductor device are disclosed herein. The method includes performing a series of etching processes to form a trench through a metal gate electrode, through an isolation region, and into a semiconductor substrate. The trench cuts-through and separates the metal gate electrode into a first metal gate and a second metal gate and forms a recess in the semiconductor substrate. Once the trench has been formed, a dielectric plug material is deposited into the trench to form a CMG plug that is anchored within the recess of the semiconductor substrate and separates the first and second metal gates. As such, the anchored CMG plug provides high levels of resistance to reduce leakage current within the semiconductor device during operation and allowing for improved V-trigger performance of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Yi-Chun Chen, Ya-Yi Tsai, I-Wei Yang, Ryan Chia-Jen Chen, Shu-Yuan Ku
  • Patent number: 11715736
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor fin and a second semiconductor fin extending along a first direction. The semiconductor device includes a dielectric fin, extending along the first direction, that is disposed between the first and second semiconductor fins. The semiconductor device includes a gate isolation structure vertically disposed above the dielectric fin. The semiconductor device includes a metal gate layer extending along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the metal gate layer includes a first portion straddling the first semiconductor fin and a second portion straddling the second semiconductor fin. The gate isolation structure has a central portion and one or more side portions, the central portion extends toward the dielectric fin a further distance than at least one of the one or more side portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ya-Yi Tsai, Wen-Shuo Hsieh, Shu-Yuan Ku, Chieh-Ning Feng
  • Publication number: 20230231038
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first fin and a second fin over a substrate. The method includes forming a first dummy gate structure that straddles the first fin and the second fin. The first dummy gate structure includes a first dummy gate dielectric and a first dummy gate disposed over the first dummy gate dielectric. The method includes replacing a portion of the first dummy gate with a gate isolation structure. The portion of the first dummy gate is disposed over the second fin. The method includes removing the first dummy gate. The method includes removing a first portion of the first dummy gate dielectric around the first fin, while leaving a second portion of the first dummy gate dielectric around the second fin intact. The method includes forming a gate feature straddling the first fin and the second fin, wherein the gate isolation structure intersects the gate feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Shih-Yao Lin, Chih-Han Lin, Shu-Uei Jang, Ya-Yi Tsai, Chi-Hsiang Chang, Tzu-Chung Wang, Shu-Yuan Ku
  • Publication number: 20230187542
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of fabricating a semiconductor device involves formation of a trench above a fin (e.g. a fin of a FinFET device) of the semiconductor device and formation of a multi-layer dielectric structure within the trench. The profile of the multi-layer dielectric structure can be controlled depending on the application to reduce shadowing effects and reduce cut failure risk, among other possible benefits. The multi-layer dielectric structure can include two layers, three layers, or any number of layers and can have a stepped profile, a linear profile, or any other type of profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Ya-Yi Tsai, Chi-Hsiang Chang, Shih-Yao LIN, Tzu-Chung Wang, Shu-Yuan Ku
  • Patent number: 11652005
    Abstract: An anchored cut-metal gate (CMG) plug, a semiconductor device including the anchored CMG plug and methods of forming the semiconductor device are disclosed herein. The method includes performing a series of etching processes to form a trench through a metal gate electrode, through an isolation region, and into a semiconductor substrate. The trench cuts-through and separates the metal gate electrode into a first metal gate and a second metal gate and forms a recess in the semiconductor substrate. Once the trench has been formed, a dielectric plug material is deposited into the trench to form a CMG plug that is anchored within the recess of the semiconductor substrate and separates the first and second metal gates. As such, the anchored CMG plug provides high levels of resistance to reduce leakage current within the semiconductor device during operation and allowing for improved V-trigger performance of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Chun Chen, Ryan Chia-Jen Chen, Shu-Yuan Ku, Ya-Yi Tsai, I-Wei Yang