Patents by Inventor Yi Kao

Yi Kao 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: 12288814
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing are presented in which inner spacers for nanostructures are manufactured. In embodiments a dielectric material is deposited for the inner spacer and then treated. The treatment may add material and cause an expansion in volume in order to close any seams that can interfere with subsequent processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Hung Cheng Lin, Che-Hao Chang, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20250126822
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices including fin-shaped isolation structures and methods of forming the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a fin extending from a semiconductor substrate; a shallow trench isolation (STI) region over the semiconductor substrate adjacent the fin; and a dielectric fin structure over the STI region, the dielectric fin structure extending in a direction parallel to the fin, the dielectric fin structure including a first liner layer in contact with the STI region; and a first fill material over the first liner layer, the first fill material including a seam disposed in a lower portion of the first fill material and separated from a top surface of the first fill material, a first carbon concentration in the lower portion of the first fill material being greater than a second carbon concentration in an upper portion of the first fill material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2024
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Fang-Yi Liao, Shu Ling Liao, Yen-Chun Huang, Che-Hao Chang, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 12266728
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacture are provided. In embodiments a first liner is deposited to line a recess between a first semiconductor fin and a second semiconductor fin, the first liner comprising a first material. The first liner is annealed to transform the first material to a second material. A second liner is deposited to line the recess, the second liner comprising a third material. The second liner is annealed to transform the third material to a fourth material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Yu-Cheng Shiau, Chunyao Wang, Chih-Tang Peng, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20250099031
    Abstract: There is provided a wearable device including at least one light source, a light sensor and a processor. The processor generates a peak interval plot according to one of at least two light detection signals detected by the light sensor when the at least one light source emits light, and generates an oxygen saturation plot according to two of the one of at least two light detection signals detected by the light sensor when the at least one emits light. The processor further determines an Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) score according to the peak interval plot, determines an Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI) score according to the oxygen saturation plot and fits an obstructive sleep apnea level index corresponding to the AHI score and the ODI score.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2024
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: Chih-Hao WANG, Shih-Jen LU, Chien-Yi KAO, Yang-Ming CHOU, Hsin-Yi LIN
  • Patent number: 12261042
    Abstract: A method includes forming a silicon layer on a wafer, forming an oxide layer in contact with the silicon layer, and, after the oxide layer is formed, annealing the wafer in an environment comprising ammonia (NH3) to form a dielectric barrier layer between, and in contact with, the silicon layer and the oxide layer. The dielectric barrier layer comprises silicon and nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Chung-Chi Ko
  • Patent number: 12255241
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method of forming a low-k dielectric material, for example, a low-k gate spacer layer in a FinFET device. The low-k dielectric material may be formed using a precursor having a general chemical structure comprising at least one carbon atom bonded between two silicon atoms. A target k-value of the dielectric material may be achieved by controlling carbon concentration in the dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Chung-Chi Ko
  • Patent number: 12251722
    Abstract: A sprayer includes: a container; a passage including a transparent window, a first opening, a second opening and a resonator, wherein when liquid in the container is passed through the resonator via the first opening, the liquid is emitted as a gas via the second opening; and a removable detection unit disposed outside of the passage. The removable detection unit includes: a light source for illuminating the gas in the passage; an optical sensor disposed to detect a parameter of light reflected by the gas; and a processor coupled to the optical sensor for stopping the resonator from generating the gas when the parameter is below a threshold. The passage further includes a cavity disposed on a bottom surface of the passage in front of the optical sensor, wherein when the gas in the passage contacts the bottom surface, resultant water vapour will enter the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Hao Wang, Yang-Ming Chou, Chien-Yi Kao, Shih-Jen Lu, Chih-Ming Sun, Hsin-Yi Lin
  • Publication number: 20250048726
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacture are provided. In embodiments a dielectric fin is formed in order to help isolate adjacent semiconductor fins. The dielectric fin is formed using a deposition process in which deposition times and temperatures are utilized to increase the resistance of the dielectric fin to subsequent etching processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2024
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Hung Cheng Lin, Chunyao Wang, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 12218221
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices including fin-shaped isolation structures and methods of forming the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a fin extending from a semiconductor substrate; a shallow trench isolation (STI) region over the semiconductor substrate adjacent the fin; and a dielectric fin structure over the STI region, the dielectric fin structure extending in a direction parallel to the fin, the dielectric fin structure including a first liner layer in contact with the STI region; and a first fill material over the first liner layer, the first fill material including a seam disposed in a lower portion of the first fill material and separated from a top surface of the first fill material, a first carbon concentration in the lower portion of the first fill material being greater than a second carbon concentration in an upper portion of the first fill material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Fang-Yi Liao, Shu Ling Liao, Yen-Chun Huang, Che-Hao Chang, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 12206013
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides embodiments of semiconductor structures and method of forming the same. An example semiconductor structure includes a first source/drain feature and a second source/drain feature and a hybrid fin disposed between the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature and extending lengthwise along a first direction. The hybrid fin includes an inner feature and an outer layer disposed around the inner feature. The outer layer includes silicon oxycarbonitride and the inner feature includes silicon carbonitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Yung-Cheng Lu, Che-Hao Chang, Chi On Chui, Hung Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 12176349
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacture are provided. In embodiments a dielectric fin is formed in order to help isolate adjacent semiconductor fins. The dielectric fin is formed using a deposition process in which deposition times and temperatures are utilized to increase the resistance of the dielectric fin to subsequent etching processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Hung Cheng Lin, Chunyao Wang, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 12176206
    Abstract: Semiconductor device structures having dielectric features and methods of forming dielectric features are described herein. In some examples, the dielectric features are formed by an ALD process followed by a varying temperature anneal process. The dielectric features can have high density, low carbon concentration, and lower k-value. The dielectric features formed according to the present disclosure has improved resistance against etching chemistry, plasma damage, and physical bombardment in subsequent processes while maintaining a lower k-value for target capacitance efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shu Ling Liao, Chung-Chi Ko, Wan-Yi Kao
  • Publication number: 20240387238
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a bulk semiconductor region, a first semiconductor strip over and connected to the bulk semiconductor region, and a dielectric layer including silicon oxide therein. Carbon atoms are doped in the silicon oxide. The dielectric layer includes a horizontal portion over and contacting a top surface of the bulk semiconductor region, and a vertical portion connected to an end of the horizontal portion. The vertical portion contacts a sidewall of a lower portion of the first semiconductor strip. A top portion of the first semiconductor strip protrudes higher than a top surface of the vertical portion to form a semiconductor fin. The horizontal portion and the vertical portion have a same thickness. A gate stack extends on a sidewall and a top surface of the semiconductor fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Chung-Chi Ko
  • Publication number: 20240387705
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides embodiments of semiconductor structures and method of forming the same. An example semiconductor structure includes a first source/drain feature and a second source/drain feature and a hybrid fin disposed between the first source/drain feature and the second source/drain feature and extending lengthwise along a first direction. The hybrid fin includes an inner feature and an outer layer disposed around the inner feature. The outer layer includes silicon oxycarbonitride and the inner feature includes silicon carbonitride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Yung-Cheng Lu, Che-Hao Chang, Chi On Chui, Hung Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 12148652
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a bulk semiconductor region, a first semiconductor strip over and connected to the bulk semiconductor region, and a dielectric layer including silicon oxide therein. Carbon atoms are doped in the silicon oxide. The dielectric layer includes a horizontal portion over and contacting a top surface of the bulk semiconductor region, and a vertical portion connected to an end of the horizontal portion. The vertical portion contacts a sidewall of a lower portion of the first semiconductor strip. A top portion of the first semiconductor strip protrudes higher than a top surface of the vertical portion to form a semiconductor fin. The horizontal portion and the vertical portion have a same thickness. A gate stack extends on a sidewall and a top surface of the semiconductor fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Chung-Chi Ko
  • Publication number: 20240379350
    Abstract: A method includes forming a silicon layer on a wafer, forming an oxide layer in contact with the silicon layer, and, after the oxide layer is formed, annealing the wafer in an environment comprising ammonia (NH3) to form a dielectric barrier layer between, and in contact with, the silicon layer and the oxide layer. The dielectric barrier layer comprises silicon and nitrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Chung-Chi Ko
  • Publication number: 20240371975
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor fin, an isolation layer, a dielectric fin structure, and a gate structure. The semiconductor fin is over a substrate. The isolation layer is over the substrate and adjacent the semiconductor fin. The dielectric fin structure is over the isolation layer and includes a bottom dielectric fin and a top dielectric fin. The isolation layer surrounds a bottom of the bottom dielectric fin. The top dielectric fin is over the bottom dielectric fin and is spaced apart from the isolation layer. The gate structure is across the semiconductor fin and the dielectric fin structure, wherein a portion of the gate structure in contact with the isolation layer has a first width, and another portion of the gate structure in contact with the top dielectric fin has a second width greater than the first width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi KAO, Fang-Yi LIAO, Che-Hao CHANG, Yung-Cheng LU, Chi On CHUI
  • Publication number: 20240304628
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: forming a first fin and a second fin extending from a semiconductor substrate; depositing a liner layer along a first sidewall of the first fin, a second sidewall of the second fin, and a top surface of the semiconductor substrate, the liner layer formed of silicon oxynitride having a nitrogen concentration; depositing a fill material on the liner layer, the fill material formed of silicon; annealing the liner layer and the fill material, the annealing converting the fill material to silicon oxide, the annealing decreasing the nitrogen concentration of the liner layer; and recessing the liner layer and the fill material to form an isolation region between the first fin and the second fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Szu-Ping Lee, Che-Hao Chang, Chun-Heng Chen, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 12087843
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor fin, an isolation layer, a dielectric fin structure, and a gate structure. The semiconductor fin is over a substrate. The isolation layer is over the substrate and adjacent the semiconductor fin. The dielectric fin structure is over the isolation layer and includes a bottom dielectric fin and a top dielectric fin. The isolation layer surrounds a bottom of the bottom dielectric fin. The top dielectric fin is over the bottom dielectric fin and is spaced apart from the isolation layer. The gate structure is across the semiconductor fin and the dielectric fin structure, wherein a portion of the gate structure in contact with the isolation layer has a first width, and another portion of the gate structure in contact with the top dielectric fin has a second width greater than the first width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Fang-Yi Liao, Che-Hao Chang, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui
  • Publication number: 20240204104
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of manufacture are provided. In embodiments a first liner is deposited to line a recess between a first semiconductor fin and a second semiconductor fin, the first liner comprising a first material. The first liner is annealed to transform the first material to a second material. A second liner is deposited to line the recess, the second liner comprising a third material. The second liner is annealed to transform the third material to a fourth material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2024
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventors: Wan-Yi Kao, Yu-Cheng Shiau, Chunyao Wang, Chih-Tang Peng, Yung-Cheng Lu, Chi On Chui