Patents by Inventor Yi-Ying Liu

Yi-Ying Liu 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: 20250072027
    Abstract: In method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a source/drain epitaxial layer is formed, one or more dielectric layers are formed over the source/drain epitaxial layer, an opening is formed in the one or more dielectric layers to expose the source/drain epitaxial layer, a first silicide layer is formed on the exposed source/drain epitaxial layer, a second silicide layer different from the first silicide layer is formed on the first silicide layer, and a source/drain contact is formed over the second silicide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2024
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Wei CHANG, Shahaji B. MORE, Yi-Ying LIU, Yueh-Ching PAI
  • Publication number: 20250063758
    Abstract: A titanium precursor is used to selectively form a titanium silicide (TiSix) layer in a semiconductor device. A plasma-based deposition operation is performed in which the titanium precursor is provided into an opening, and a reactant gas and a plasma are used to cause silicon to diffuse to a top surface of a transistor structure. The diffusion of silicon results in the formation of a silicon-rich surface of the transistor structure, which increases the selectivity of the titanium silicide formation relative to other materials of the semiconductor device. The titanium precursor reacts with the silicon-rich surface to form the titanium silicide layer. The selective titanium silicide layer formation results in the formation of a titanium silicon nitride (TiSixNy) on the sidewalls in the opening, which enables a conductive structure such as a metal source/drain contact to be formed in the opening without the addition of another barrier layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2024
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Inventors: Cheng-Wei CHANG, Chia-Hung CHU, Hsu-Kai CHANG, Sung-Li WANG, Kuan-Kan HU, Shuen-Shin LIANG, Kao-Feng LIN, Hung Pin LU, Yi-Ying LIU, Chuan-Hui SHEN
  • Patent number: 12170331
    Abstract: A titanium precursor is used to selectively form a titanium silicide (TiSix) layer in a semiconductor device. A plasma-based deposition operation is performed in which the titanium precursor is provided into an opening, and a reactant gas and a plasma are used to cause silicon to diffuse to a top surface of a transistor structure. The diffusion of silicon results in the formation of a silicon-rich surface of the transistor structure, which increases the selectivity of the titanium silicide formation relative to other materials of the semiconductor device. The titanium precursor reacts with the silicon-rich surface to form the titanium silicide layer. The selective titanium silicide layer formation results in the formation of a titanium silicon nitride (TiSixNy) on the sidewalls in the opening, which enables a conductive structure such as a metal source/drain contact to be formed in the opening without the addition of another barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Wei Chang, Chia-Hung Chu, Hsu-Kai Chang, Sung-Li Wang, Kuan-Kan Hu, Shuen-Shin Liang, Kao-Feng Lin, Hung Pin Lu, Yi-Ying Liu, Chuan-Hui Shen
  • Patent number: 12170325
    Abstract: In method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a source/drain epitaxial layer is formed, one or more dielectric layers are formed over the source/drain epitaxial layer, an opening is formed in the one or more dielectric layers to expose the source/drain epitaxial layer, a first silicide layer is formed on the exposed source/drain epitaxial layer, a second silicide layer different from the first silicide layer is formed on the first silicide layer, and a source/drain contact is formed over the second silicide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Wei Chang, Shahaji B. More, Yi-Ying Liu, Yueh-Ching Pai
  • Publication number: 20240387655
    Abstract: A method according to the present disclosure includes receiving a workpiece including a gate structure, a first source/drain (S/D) feature, a second S/D feature, a first dielectric layer over the gate structure, the first S/D feature, the second S/D feature, a first S/D contact over the first S/D feature, a second S/D contact over the second S/D feature, a first etch stop layer (ESL) over the first dielectric layer, and a second dielectric layer over the first ESL, forming a S/D contact via through the second dielectric layer and the first ESL to couple to the first S/D contact, forming a gate contact opening through the second dielectric layer, the first ESL, and the first dielectric layer to expose the gate structure, and forming a common rail opening adjoining the gate contact opening to expose the second S/D contact, and forming a common rail contact in the common rail opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Cheng-Wei Chang, Hong-Ming Wu, Chen-Yuan Kao, Li-Hsiang Chao, Yi-Ying Liu
  • Publication number: 20240379797
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a first insulating fin; a second insulating fin; a nanostructure between the first insulating fin and the second insulating fin; and a gate structure wrapping around the nanostructure, a top surface of the gate structure disposed above a top surface of the first insulating fin, the top surface of the gate structure disposed below a top surface of the second insulating fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Cheng-Wei Chang, Shahaji B. More, Yi-Ying Liu, Shuen-Shin Liang, Sung-Li Wang
  • Publication number: 20240355742
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for the fabrication of ruthenium conductive structures over cobalt conductive structures. In some embodiments, the method includes forming a first opening in a dielectric layer to expose a first cobalt contact and filling the first opening with ruthenium metal to form a ruthenium contact on the first cobalt contact. The method also includes forming a second opening in the dielectric layer to expose a second cobalt contact and a gate structure and filling the second opening with tungsten to form a tungsten contact on the second cobalt contact and the gate structure. Further, the method includes forming a copper conductive structure on the ruthenium contact and the tungsten contact, where the copper from the copper conductive structure is in contact with the ruthenium metal from the ruthenium contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2024
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Wei Chang, Chien-Shun Liao, Sung-Li Wang, Shuen-Shin Liang, Shu-Lan Chang, Yi-Ying Liu, Chia-Hung Chu, Hsu-Kai Chang
  • Publication number: 20240339497
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with dual side source/drain (S/D) contact structures and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes first and second S/D regions, a nanostructured channel region disposed between the first and second S/D regions, a gate structure surrounding the nanostructured channel region, first and second contact structures disposed on first surfaces of the first and second S/D regions, a third contact structure disposed on a second surface of the first S/D region, and an etch stop layer disposed on a second surface of the second S/D region. The third contact structure includes a metal silicide layer, a silicide nitride layer disposed on the metal silicide layer, and a conductive layer disposed on the silicide nitride layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Wei Chang, Shuen-Shin Liang, Sung-Li Wang, Hsu-Kai Chang, Chia-Hung Chu, Chien-Shun Liao, Yi-Ying Liu
  • Publication number: 20240282698
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated circuit device. A transistor structure includes a gate electrode separated from a substrate by a gate dielectric and a pair of source/drain regions disposed within the substrate on opposite sides of the gate electrode. A lower conductive plug is disposed through a lower inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer and contacting a first source/drain region. A capping layer is disposed directly on the lower conductive plug. An upper inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer is disposed over the capping layer and the lower ILD layer. An upper conductive plug is disposed through the upper ILD layer and directly on the capping layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Inventors: Cheng-Wei Chang, Sung-Li Wang, Yi-Ying Liu, Chia-Hung Chu, Fang-Wei Lee
  • Patent number: 12068252
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for the fabrication of ruthenium conductive structures over cobalt conductive structures. In some embodiments, the method includes forming a first opening in a dielectric layer to expose a first cobalt contact and filling the first opening with ruthenium metal to form a ruthenium contact on the first cobalt contact. The method also includes forming a second opening in the dielectric layer to expose a second cobalt contact and a gate structure and filling the second opening with tungsten to form a tungsten contact on the second cobalt contact and the gate structure. Further, the method includes forming a copper conductive structure on the ruthenium contact and the tungsten contact, where the copper from the copper conductive structure is in contact with the ruthenium metal from the ruthenium contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Inventors: Cheng-Wei Chang, Chien-Shun Liao, Sung-Li Wang, Shuen-Shin Liang, Shu-Lan Chang, Yi-Ying Liu, Chia-Hung Chu, Hsu-Kai Chang
  • Patent number: 12046634
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with dual side source/drain (S/D) contact structures and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes first and second S/D regions, a nanostructured channel region disposed between the first and second S/D regions, a gate structure surrounding the nanostructured channel region, first and second contact structures disposed on first surfaces of the first and second S/D regions, a third contact structure disposed on a second surface of the first S/D region, and an etch stop layer disposed on a second surface of the second S/D region. The third contact structure includes a metal silicide layer, a silicide nitride layer disposed on the metal silicide layer, and a conductive layer disposed on the silicide nitride layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Wei Chang, Shuen-Shin Liang, Sung-Li Wang, Hsu-Kai Chang, Chia-Hung Chu, Chien-Shun Liao, Yi-Ying Liu
  • Publication number: 20240213016
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first conductive feature on a bottom surface of an opening through a dielectric layer. The forming the first conductive feature leaves seeds on sidewalls of the opening. A treatment process is performed on the seeds to form treated seeds. The treated seeds are removed with a cleaning process. The cleaning process may include a rinse with deionized water. A second conductive feature is formed to fill the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2024
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Cheng-Wei Chang, Min-Hsiu Hung, Chun-I Tsai, Ken-Yu Chang, Yi-Ying Liu
  • Patent number: 12009294
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated circuit device. A transistor structure includes a gate electrode separated from a substrate by a gate dielectric and a pair of source/drain regions disposed within the substrate on opposite sides of the gate electrode. A lower conductive plug is disposed through a lower inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer and contacting a first source/drain region. A capping layer is disposed directly on the lower conductive plug. An upper inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer is disposed over the capping layer and the lower ILD layer. An upper conductive plug is disposed through the upper ILD layer and directly on the capping layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Wei Chang, Sung-Li Wang, Yi-Ying Liu, Chia-Hung Chu, Fang-Wei Lee
  • Patent number: 11973124
    Abstract: In method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a source/drain epitaxial layer is formed, one or more dielectric layers are formed over the source/drain epitaxial layer, an opening is formed in the one or more dielectric layers to expose the source/drain epitaxial layer, a first silicide layer is formed on the exposed source/drain epitaxial layer, a second silicide layer different from the first silicide layer is formed on the first silicide layer, and a source/drain contact is formed over the second silicide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Wei Chang, Shahaji B. More, Yi-Ying Liu, Yueh-Ching Pai
  • Patent number: 11955329
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first conductive feature on a bottom surface of an opening through a dielectric layer. The forming the first conductive feature leaves seeds on sidewalls of the opening. A treatment process is performed on the seeds to form treated seeds. The treated seeds are removed with a cleaning process. The cleaning process may include a rinse with deionized water. A second conductive feature is formed to fill the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Wei Chang, Min-Hsiu Hung, Chun-I Tsai, Ken-Yu Chang, Yi-Ying Liu
  • Publication number: 20240096998
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for forming metallization layers that include a ruthenium metal liner and a cobalt metal fill. The method includes depositing a first dielectric on a substrate having a gate structure and source/drain (S/D) structures, forming an opening in the first dielectric to expose the S/D structures, and depositing a ruthenium metal on bottom and sidewall surfaces of the opening. The method further includes depositing a cobalt metal on the ruthenium metal to fill the opening, reflowing the cobalt metal, and planarizing the cobalt and ruthenium metals to form S/D conductive structures with a top surface coplanar with a top surface of the first dielectric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuen-Shin LIANG, Chij-chien CHI, Yi-Ying LIU, Chia-Hung CHU, Hsu-Kai CHANG, Cheng-Wei CHANG, Chein-Shun LIAO, Keng-chu LIN, KAi-Ting HUANG
  • Publication number: 20240055485
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a source/drain epitaxial feature disposed over a substrate, wherein the source/drain epitaxial feature comprises a first epitaxial layer, a second epitaxial layer in contact with the first epitaxial layer, wherein the second epitaxial layer has a first dopant concentration, and a third epitaxial layer having sidewalls enclosed by the second epitaxial layer, wherein the third epitaxial layer has a second dopant concentration higher than the first dopant concentration. The semiconductor device structure also includes a source/drain cap layer disposed above and in contact with the second epitaxial layer and the third epitaxial layer, wherein the source/drain cap layer has a third dopant concentration higher than the second dopant concentration, and a silicide layer disposed above and in contact with the source/drain cap layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Cheng-Wei CHANG, Shahaji B. MORE, Shuen-Shin LIANG, Sung-Li WANG, Yi-Ying LIU
  • Patent number: 11894437
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for forming metallization layers that include a ruthenium metal liner and a cobalt metal fill. The method includes depositing a first dielectric on a substrate having a gate structure and source/drain (S/D) structures, forming an opening in the first dielectric to expose the S/D structures, and depositing a ruthenium metal on bottom and sidewall surfaces of the opening. The method further includes depositing a cobalt metal on the ruthenium metal to fill the opening, reflowing the cobalt metal, and planarizing the cobalt and ruthenium metals to form S/D conductive structures with a top surface coplanar with a top surface of the first dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuen-Shin Liang, Chih-Chien Chi, Chien-Shun Liao, Keng-Chu Lin, Kai-Ting Huang, Sung-Li Wang, Yi-Ying Liu, Chia-Hung Chu, Hsu-Kai Chang, Cheng-Wei Chang
  • Publication number: 20240030136
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a substrate having a first side and a second side opposing the first side, a source/drain epitaxial feature disposed adjacent the first side of the substrate, wherein the source/drain epitaxial feature comprises a first epitaxial layer, a second epitaxial layer in contact with the first epitaxial layer, and a third epitaxial layer having sidewalls surrounded by and in contact with the second epitaxial layer. The device structure also includes a first silicide layer in contact with the substrate, the first, second, and third epitaxial layers, a first source/drain contact extending through the substrate from the first side to the second side, and a first metal capping layer disposed between the first silicide layer and the first source/drain contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Cheng-Wei CHANG, Shahaji B. MORE, Yi-Ying LIU, Yueh-Ching PAI
  • Publication number: 20230386913
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, two semiconductor fins protruding from the substrate, an epitaxial feature over the two semiconductor fins and connected to the two semiconductor fins, a silicide layer over the epitaxial feature, a barrier layer over the silicide layer, and a metal layer over the barrier layer. The barrier layer includes a metal nitride. Along a boundary between the barrier layer and the metal layer, an atomic ratio of oxygen to metal nitride is about 0.15 to about 1.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Cheng-Wei Chang, Yu-Ming Huang, Ethan Tseng, Ken-Yu Chang, Yi-Ying Liu