Patents by Inventor Yong Tian Hou

Yong Tian Hou 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: 7871915
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device that includes providing a substrate having a first region and a second region, forming first and second gate stacks in the first and second regions, respectively, the first gate stack including a first dummy gate and the second gate stack including a second dummy gate, removing the first dummy gate in the first gate stack thereby forming a first trench and removing the second dummy gate in the second gate stack thereby forming a second trench, forming a first metal layer in the first trench and in the second trench, removing at least a portion of the first metal layer in the first trench, forming a second metal layer in the remainder of the first trench and in the remainder of the second trench, reflowing the second metal layer, and performing a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Peng-Soon Lim, Yong-Tian Hou, Chien-Hao Chen, Chi-Chun Chen
  • Publication number: 20110001194
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and methods for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a first MOS device of a first conductivity type and a second MOS device of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type. The first MOS device includes a first gate dielectric on a semiconductor substrate; a first metal-containing gate electrode layer over the first gate dielectric; and a silicide layer over the first metal-containing gate electrode layer. The second MOS device includes a second gate dielectric on the semiconductor substrate; a second metal-containing gate electrode layer over the second gate dielectric; and a contact etch stop layer having a portion over the second metal-containing gate electrode layer, wherein a region between the portion of the contact etch stop layer and the second metal-containing gate electrode layer is substantially free from silicon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-Tian Hou, Peng-Fu Hsu, Jin Ying, Kang-Cheng Lin, K. T. Huang, Tze-Liang Lee
  • Patent number: 7812414
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and methods for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a first MOS device of a first conductivity type and a second MOS device of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type. The first MOS device includes a first gate dielectric on a semiconductor substrate; a first metal-containing gate electrode layer over the first gate dielectric; and a silicide layer over the first metal-containing gate electrode layer. The second MOS device includes a second gate dielectric on the semiconductor substrate; a second metal-containing gate electrode layer over the second gate dielectric; and a contact etch stop layer having a portion over the second metal-containing gate electrode layer, wherein a region between the portion of the contact etch stop layer and the second metal-containing gate electrode layer is substantially free from silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-Tian Hou, Peng-Fu Hsu, Jin Ying, Kang-Cheng Lin, Kuo-Tai Huang, Tze-Liang Lee
  • Publication number: 20100096705
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a high-k dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate, forming a capping layer over the high-k dielectric layer, forming a metal layer over the capping layer, forming a semiconductor layer over the metal layer, performing an implantation process on the semiconductor layer, the implantation process using a species including F, and forming a gate structure from the plurality of layers including the high-k dielectric layer, capping layer, metal layer, and semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Lung Hung, Yong-Tian Hou, Keh-Chiang Ku, Chien-Hao Huang
  • Publication number: 20100081262
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device that includes providing a substrate having a first region and a second region, forming first and second gate stacks in the first and second regions, respectively, the first gate stack including a first dummy gate and the second gate stack including a second dummy gate, removing the first dummy gate in the first gate stack thereby forming a first trench and removing the second dummy gate in the second gate stack thereby forming a second trench, forming a first metal layer in the first trench and in the second trench, removing at least a portion of the first metal layer in the first trench, forming a second metal layer in the remainder of the first trench and in the remainder of the second trench, reflowing the second metal layer, and performing a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Peng-Soon Lim, Yong-Tian Hou, Chien-Hao Chen, Chi-Chun Chen
  • Publication number: 20100052063
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first active region and a second active region, providing a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region, forming a high-k dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate, forming a first capping layer and a second capping layer over the high-k dielectric layer, the first capping layer overlying the first region and the second capping layer overlying the second region, forming a layer containing silicon (Si) over the first and second capping layers, forming a metal layer over the layer containing Si, and forming a first gate stack over the first region and a second gate stack over the second active region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuri Masuoka, Peng-Fu Hsu, Huan-Tsung Huang, Kuo-Tai Huang, Carlos H. Diaz, Yong-Tian Hou
  • Publication number: 20100044806
    Abstract: A method of forming a gate structure is provided. The method includes providing a metal layer in the gate structure, the metal layer includes an oxygen-gettering composition. The metal layer getters oxygen from the interface layer, which may decrease the thickness of the interface layer. The gettered oxygen converts the metal layer to a metal oxide, which may act as a gate dielectric for the gate structure. A multi-layer metal gate structure is also provided including a oxygen-gettering metal layer, an oxygen-containing metal layer, and a polysilicon interface metal layer overlying a high-k gate dielectric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yong-Tian Hou, Chien-Hao Chen, Donald Y. Chao, Cheng-Lung Hung
  • Publication number: 20100044804
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device that includes a semiconductor substrate, a transistor formed in the substrate, the transistor including a high-k gate dielectric formed over the substrate, the high-k gate dielectric having a first length measured from one sidewall to the other sidewall of the high-k gate dielectric, and a metal gate formed over the high-k gate dielectric, the metal gate having a second length measured from one sidewall to the other sidewall of the metal gate, the second length being smaller than the first length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chien-Hao Chen, Yong-Tian Hou, Kang-Cheng Lin, Kuo-Tai Huang
  • Publication number: 20100048010
    Abstract: A method is provided that allows for maintaining a desired equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) by reducing the thickness of an interfacial layer in a gate structure. An interfacial layer is formed on a substrate, a gate dielectric layer such as, a high-k gate dielectric, is formed on the interfacial layer. A gettering layer is formed on the substrate overlying the interfacial layer. The gettering layer may function to getter oxygen from the interfacial layer such that the interfacial layer thickness is decreased and/or restricted from growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chien-Hao Chen, Yong-Tian Hou, Peng-Fu Hsu, Kuo-Tai Huang, Donald Y. Chao, Cheng-Lung Hung
  • Publication number: 20090315125
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed that includes: a substrate; a first dielectric layer formed over the substrate and formed of a first high-k material, the first high-k material selected from the group consisting of HfO2, HfSiO, HfSiON, HfTaO, HfTiO, HfTiTaO, HfAlON, and HfZrO; a second dielectric layer formed over the first dielectric layer and formed of a second high-k material, the second high-k material being different than the first high-k material and selected from the group consisting of HfO2, HfSiO, HfSiON, HfTaO, HfTiO, HfTiTaO, HfAlON, and HfZrO; and a metal gate formed over the second dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer includes ions selected from the group consisting of N, O, and Si.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Fong-Yu YEN, Cheng-Lung HUNG, Peng-Fu HSU, Vencent S. CHANG, Yong-Tian HOU, Jin YING, Hun-Jan TAO
  • Publication number: 20090230479
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first MOS device including a first gate, and a second MOS device including a second gate. The first gate includes a first high-k dielectric over a semiconductor substrate; a second high-k dielectric over the first high-k dielectric; a first metal layer over the second high-k dielectric, wherein the first metal layer dominates a work-function of the first MOS device; and a second metal layer over the first metal layer. The second gate includes a third high-k dielectric over the semiconductor substrate, wherein the first and the third high-k dielectrics are formed of same materials, and have substantially a same thickness; a third metal layer over the third high-k dielectric, wherein the third metal layer and the second metal layer are formed of same materials, and have substantially a same thickness; and a fourth metal layer over the third metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Peng-Fu Hsu, Yong-Tian Hou, Ssu-Yi Li, Kuo-Tai Huang, Mong Song Liang
  • Patent number: 7531399
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed that includes: a substrate; a first high-k dielectric layer; a second high-k dielectric layer formed of a different high-k material; and a metal gate. In another form, a method of forming a semiconductor device is disclosed that includes: providing a substrate; forming a first high-k dielectric layer above the substrate; forming a second dielectric layer of a different high-k material above the first dielectric layer; and forming a gate structure above the second dielectric layer. In yet another form, a method of forming a semiconductor device is disclosed that includes: providing a substrate; forming an interfacial layer above the substrate; forming a first high-k dielectric layer above the interfacial layer; performing a nitridation technique; performing an anneal; forming a second high-k dielectric layer of a different high-k material above the first dielectric layer; and forming a metal gate structure above the second dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Fong-Yu Yen, Cheng-Lung Hung, Peng-Fu Hsu, Vencent S. Chang, Yong-Tian Hou, Jin Ying, Hun-Jan Tao
  • Patent number: 7465634
    Abstract: An n-FET and a p-FET each have elevated source/drain structures. Optionally, the p-FET elevated-SOURCE/DRAIN structure is epitaxially grown from a p-FET recess formed in the substrate. Optionally, the n-FET elevated-SOURCE/DRAIN structure is epitaxially grown from an n-FET recess formed in the substrate. The n-FET and p-FET elevated-source/drain structures are both silicided, even though the structures may have different materials and/or different structure heights. At least a thermal treatment portion of the source/drain structure siliciding is performed simultaneously for the n-FET and p-FET elevated source/drain structures. Also, the p-FET gate electrode, the n-FET gate electrode, or both, may optionally be silicided simultaneously (same metal and/or same thermal treatment step) with the n-FET and p-FET elevated-source/drain structures, respectively; even though the gate electrodes may have different materials, different silicide metal, and/or different electrode heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Peng-Soon Lim, Yong-Tian Hou, Jin Ying, Hun-Jan Tao
  • Publication number: 20080173947
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and methods for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a first MOS device of a first conductivity type and a second MOS device of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type. The first MOS device includes a first gate dielectric on a semiconductor substrate; a first metal-containing gate electrode layer over the first gate dielectric; and a silicide layer over the first metal-containing gate electrode layer. The second MOS device includes a second gate dielectric on the semiconductor substrate; a second metal-containing gate electrode layer over the second gate dielectric; and a contact etch stop layer having a portion over the second metal-containing gate electrode layer, wherein a region between the portion of the contact etch stop layer and the second metal-containing gate electrode layer is substantially free from silicon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Yong-Tian Hou, Peng-Fu Hsu, Jin Ying, Kang-Cheng Lin, K. T. Huang, Tze-Liang Lee
  • Publication number: 20080146012
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a gate dielectric on a substrate; introducing metal dopants into the gate dielectric; annealing the gate dielectric; and forming a gate electrode on the gate dielectric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wenli Lin, Yong-Tian Hou, Kang-Cheng Lin, Kuo-Tai Huang, Tze-Liang Lee, Mong-Song Liang
  • Publication number: 20080096336
    Abstract: An n-FET and a p-FET each have elevated source/drain structures. Optionally, the p-FET elevated-SOURCE/DRAIN structure is epitaxially grown from a p-FET recess formed in the substrate. Optionally, the n-FET elevated-SOURCE/DRAIN structure is epitaxially grown from an n-FET recess formed in the substrate. The n-FET and p-FET elevated-source/drain structures are both silicided, even though the structures may have different materials and/or different structure heights. At least a thermal treatment portion of the source/drain structure siliciding is performed simultaneously for the n-FET and p-FET elevated source/drain structures. Also, the p-FET gate electrode, the n-FET gate electrode, or both, may optionally be silicided simultaneously (same metal and/or same thermal treatment step) with the n-FET and p-FET elevated-source/drain structures, respectively; even though the gate electrodes may have different materials, different silicide metal, and/or different electrode heights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Peng-Soon Lim, Yong-Tian Hou, Jin Ying, Hun-Jan Tao
  • Publication number: 20080070395
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed that includes: a substrate; a first high-k dielectric layer; a second high-k dielectric layer formed of a different high-k material; and a metal gate. In another form, a method of forming a semiconductor device is disclosed that includes: providing a substrate; forming a first high-k dielectric layer above the substrate; forming a second dielectric layer of a different high-k material above the first dielectric layer; and forming a gate structure above the second dielectric layer. In yet another form, a method of forming a semiconductor device is disclosed that includes: providing a substrate; forming an interfacial layer above the substrate; forming a first high-k dielectric layer above the interfacial layer; performing a nitridation technique; performing an anneal; forming a second high-k dielectric layer of a different high-k material above the first dielectric layer; and forming a metal gate structure above the second dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Fong-Yu Yen, Cheng-Lung Hung, Peng-Fu Hsu, Vencent S. Chang, Yong-Tian Hou, Jin Ying, Hun-Jan Tao
  • Publication number: 20080001237
    Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device having a substrate, an interfacial layer formed on said substrate, a nitrogen-containing high dielectric constant (high-k) layer formed on said interfacial layer, and a metal electrode on said nitrogen-containing high-k layer. Also disclosed is a method of forming a transistor including forming on a substrate an interfacial layer comprising silicon and oxygen, depositing on the interfacial layer a high-k dielectric material, nitriding the high-k dielectric material, depositing a metal layer on the high-k dielectric material, and patterning the metal layer, the high-k dielectric material, and the interfacial layer to form a gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Vincent S. Chang, Peng-Fu Hsu, Fong-Yu Yen, Yong-Tian Hou, Jin Ying, Hun-Jan Tao
  • Patent number: 7002175
    Abstract: A double barrier resonant tunneling diode (RTD) is formed and integrated with a level of CMOS/BJT/SiGe devices and circuits through processes such as metal-to-metal thermocompressional bonding, anodic bonding, eutectic bonding, plasma bonding, silicon-to-silicon bonding, silicon dioxide bonding, silicon nitride bonding and polymer bonding or plasma bonding. The electrical connections are made using conducting interconnects aligned during the bonding process. The resulting circuitry has a three-dimensional architecture. The tunneling barrier layers of the RTD are formed of high-K dielectric materials such as SiO2, Si3N4, Al2O3, Y2O3, Ta2O5, TiO2, HfO2, Pr2O3, ZrO2, or their alloys and laminates, having higher band-gaps than the material forming the quantum well, which includes Si, Ge or SiGe. The inherently fast operational speed of the RTD, combined with the 3-D integrated architecture that reduces interconnect delays, will produce ultra-fast circuits with low noise characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Jagar Singh, Yong Tian Hou, Ming Fu Li