Patents by Inventor Ying Keung Leung

Ying Keung Leung 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: 10355137
    Abstract: A device includes isolation regions extending into a semiconductor substrate, with a substrate strip between opposite portions of the isolation regions having a first width. A source/drain region has a portion overlapping the substrate strip, wherein an upper portion of the source/drain region has a second width greater than the first width. The upper portion of the source/drain region has substantially vertical sidewalls. A source/drain silicide region has inner sidewalls contacting the vertical sidewalls of the source/drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ching-Wei Tsai, Chi-Wen Liu, Chih-Hao Wang, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Publication number: 20190148490
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first channel layers disposed over a substrate, a first source/drain region disposed over the substrate, a gate dielectric layer disposed on and wrapping each of the first channel layers, a gate electrode layer disposed on the gate dielectric layer and wrapping each of the first channel layers, and a liner semiconductor layer disposed between the first channel layers and the first source/drain region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Ka-Hing FUNG, Kuo-Cheng CHING, Ying-Keung LEUNG
  • Publication number: 20190148526
    Abstract: Devices and structures that include a gate spacer having a gap or void are described along with methods of forming such devices and structures. In accordance with some embodiments, a structure includes a substrate, a gate stack over the substrate, a contact over the substrate, and a spacer disposed laterally between the gate stack and the contact. The spacer includes a first dielectric sidewall portion and a second dielectric sidewall portion. A void is disposed between the first dielectric sidewall portion and the second dielectric sidewall portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ching-Wei Tsai, Chi-Wen Liu, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Publication number: 20190139829
    Abstract: A method includes forming a gate stack on a middle portion of s semiconductor fin, and forming a first gate spacer on a sidewall of the gate stack. After the first gate spacer is formed, a template dielectric region is formed to cover the semiconductor fin. The method further includes recessing the template dielectric region. After the recessing, a second gate spacer is formed on the sidewall of the gate stack. The end portion of the semiconductor fin is etched to form a recess in the template dielectric region. A source/drain region is epitaxially grown in the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Chi-Wen Liu, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Publication number: 20190140075
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first hard mask over a semiconductor substrate, etching the semiconductor substrate to form recesses, with a semiconductor strip located between two neighboring ones of the recesses, forming a second hard mask on sidewalls of the semiconductor strip, performing a first anisotropic etch on the second hard mask to remove horizontal portions of the second hard mask, and performing a second anisotropic etch on the semiconductor substrate using the first hard mask and vertical portions of the second hard mask as an etching mask to extend the recesses down. The method further includes removing the vertical portions of the second hard mask, and forming isolation regions in the recesses. The isolation regions are recessed, and a portion of the semiconductor strip between the isolation regions protrudes higher than the isolation regions to form a semiconductor fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Shi Ning Ju, Ching-Wei Tsai, Chih-Hao Wang, Ying-Keung Leung, Carlos H Diaz
  • Publication number: 20190081153
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a fin, a bottom capping structure and a top capping structure. The fin disposed on the substrate, the fin has a lower portion and an upper portion extending upwards from the lower portion. The bottom capping structure covers a sidewall of the lower portion of the fin. The top capping structure covers a sidewall of the upper portion of the fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Shi-Ning Ju, Chih-Hao Wang, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Patent number: 10170365
    Abstract: A method includes forming a gate stack on a middle portion of s semiconductor fin, and forming a first gate spacer on a sidewall of the gate stack. After the first gate spacer is formed, a template dielectric region is formed to cover the semiconductor fin. The method further includes recessing the template dielectric region. After the recessing, a second gate spacer is formed on the sidewall of the gate stack. The end portion of the semiconductor fin is etched to form a recess in the template dielectric region. A source/drain region is epitaxially grown in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Chi-Wen Liu, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Patent number: 10164069
    Abstract: Devices and structures that include a gate spacer having a gap or void are described along with methods of forming such devices and structures. In accordance with some embodiments, a structure includes a substrate, a gate stack over the substrate, a contact over the substrate, and a spacer disposed laterally between the gate stack and the contact. The spacer includes a first dielectric sidewall portion and a second dielectric sidewall portion. A void is disposed between the first dielectric sidewall portion and the second dielectric sidewall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ching-Wei Tsai, Chi-Wen Liu, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Patent number: 10164012
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first channel layers disposed over a substrate, a first source/drain region disposed over the substrate, a gate dielectric layer disposed on and wrapping each of the first channel layers, a gate electrode layer disposed on the gate dielectric layer and wrapping each of the first channel layers, and a liner semiconductor layer disposed between the first channel layers and the first source/drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ka-Hing Fung, Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Patent number: 10157799
    Abstract: A method of semiconductor device fabrication is described that includes forming a first fin extending from a substrate. The first fin has a source/drain region and a channel region and the first fin is formed of a first stack of epitaxial layers that includes first epitaxial layers having a first composition interposed by second epitaxial layers having a second composition. The method also includes removing the second epitaxial layers from the source/drain region of the first fin to form first gaps, covering a portion of the first epitaxial layers with a dielectric layer and filling the first gaps with the dielectric material and growing another epitaxial material on at least two surfaces of each of the first epitaxial layers to form a first source/drain feature while the dielectric material fills the first gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ching-Wei Tsai, Carlos H Diaz, Chih-Hao Wang, Wai-Yi Lien, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Patent number: 10157999
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first hard mask over a semiconductor substrate, etching the semiconductor substrate to form recesses, with a semiconductor strip located between two neighboring ones of the recesses, forming a second hard mask on sidewalls of the semiconductor strip, performing a first anisotropic etch on the second hard mask to remove horizontal portions of the second hard mask, and performing a second anisotropic etch on the semiconductor substrate using the first hard mask and vertical portions of the second hard mask as an etching mask to extend the recesses down. The method further includes removing the vertical portions of the second hard mask, and forming isolation regions in the recesses. The isolation regions are recessed, and a portion of the semiconductor strip between the isolation regions protrudes higher than the isolation regions to form a semiconductor fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Shi Ning Ju, Ching-Wei Tsai, Chih-Hao Wang, Ying-Keung Leung, Carlos H Diaz
  • Publication number: 20180350803
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a fin structure on a substrate; a first gate stack and a second gate stack formed on the fin structure; a dielectric material layer disposed on the first and second gate stacks, wherein the dielectric layer includes a first portion disposed on a sidewall of the first gate stack with a first thickness and a second portion disposed on a sidewall of the second gate stack with a second thickness greater than the first thickness; a first gate spacer disposed on the first portion of the dielectric material layer; and a second gate spacer disposed on the second portion of the dielectric material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ying-Keung Leung, Chi On Chui
  • Patent number: 10141419
    Abstract: A method includes forming isolation regions extending into a semiconductor substrate, and recessing the isolation regions. A portion of the semiconductor substrate between the isolation regions protrudes higher than the isolation regions to form a semiconductor fin. A dummy gate electrode is formed to cover a middle portion of the semiconductor fin, with an end portion of the semiconductor fin uncovered by the dummy gate electrode. The dummy gate electrode includes a lower dummy gate electrode portion, and an upper dummy gate electrode portion including polysilicon over the lower dummy gate electrode portion. The lower dummy gate electrode portion and the upper dummy gate electrode portion are formed of different materials. Source/drain regions are formed on opposite sides of the dummy gate electrode. The dummy gate electrode is replaced with a replacement gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Kuan-Ting Pan, Chih-Hao Wang, Ying-Keung Leung, Carlos H. Diaz
  • Patent number: 10134870
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a fin, a bottom capping structure and a top capping structure. The fin disposed on the substrate, the fin has a lower portion and an upper portion extending upwards from the lower portion. The bottom capping structure covers a sidewall of the lower portion of the fin. The top capping structure covers a sidewall of the upper portion of the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Shi-Ning Ju, Chih-Hao Wang, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Publication number: 20180301560
    Abstract: A multi-gate semiconductor device having a fin element, a gate structure over the fin element, an epitaxial source/drain feature adjacent the fin element; a dielectric spacer interposing the gate structure and the epitaxial source/drain feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Huan-Sheng WEI, Hung-Li CHIANG, Chia-Wen LIU, Yi-Ming SHEU, Zhiqiang WU, Chung-Cheng WU, Ying-Keung LEUNG
  • Patent number: 10096693
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a fin structure formed over a substrate and a gate structure formed across the fin structure. The semiconductor structure further includes a bottom spacer formed on a lower part of a sidewall of the gate structure and an upper spacer formed on an upper part of the sidewall of the gate structure. In addition, the upper spacer includes an air gap formed in a dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ching-Wei Tsai, Chih-Hao Wang, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Publication number: 20180269109
    Abstract: A semiconductor layer is etched into a plurality of fin structures. A first nitridation process is performed to side surfaces of the fin structures. The first nitridation process forms a first oxynitride layer at the side surfaces of the fin structures. A liner oxide layer is formed on the first oxynitride layer. An isolation structure is formed around the fin structures after the forming of the liner oxide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Shi Ning Ju, Chih-Hao Wang, Ying-Keung Leung, Carlos H. Diaz
  • Patent number: 10074668
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first FinFET device and a second FinFET device. The first FinFET device includes a first gate, a first source, and a first drain. The first FinFET device has a first source/drain proximity. The second FinFET device includes a second gate, a second source, and a second drain. The second FinFET device has a second source/drain proximity that is smaller than the first source/drain proximity. In some embodiments, \the first FinFET device is an Input/Output (I/O) device, and the second FinFET device is a non-I/O device such as a core device. In some embodiments, the greater source/drain proximity of the first FinFET device is due to an extra spacer of the first FinFET device that does not exist for the second FinFET device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ching-Wei Tsai, Chih-Hao Wang, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Publication number: 20180254348
    Abstract: A device includes a first semiconductor strip, a first gate dielectric encircling the first semiconductor strip, a second semiconductor strip overlapping the first semiconductor strip, and a second gate dielectric encircling the second semiconductor strip. The first gate dielectric contacts the first gate dielectric. A gate electrode has a portion over the second semiconductor strip, and additional portions on opposite sides of the first and the second semiconductor strips and the first and the second gate dielectrics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Chi-Wen Liu, Ying-Keung Leung
  • Publication number: 20180240712
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method, which includes forming a first fin structure and a second fin structure over a substrate, which has a first trench positioned between the first and second fin structures. The method also includes forming a first dielectric layer within the first trench, recessing the first dielectric layer to expose a portion of the first fin structure, forming a first capping layer over the exposed portion of the first fin structure and the recessed first dielectric layer in the first trench, forming a second dielectric layer over the first capping layer in the first trench while the first capping layer covers the exposed portion of the first fin feature and removing the first capping layer from the first fin structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Ching, Ying-Keung Leung