Patents by Inventor Yu-Hung Cheng
Yu-Hung Cheng 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).
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Publication number: 20200176306Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to a method for forming a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) device with an impurity competing layer to absorb potential contamination metal particles during an annealing process, and the SOI structure thereof. In some embodiments, an impurity competing layer is formed on the dummy substrate. An insulation layer is formed over a support substrate. A front side of the dummy wafer is bonded to the insulation layer. An annealing process is performed and the impurity competing layer absorbs metal from an upper portion of the dummy substrate. Then, a majority portion of the dummy substrate is removed including the impurity competing layer, leaving a device layer of the dummy substrate on the insulation layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2019Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: Yu-Hung Cheng, Pu-Fang Chen, Cheng-Ta Wu, Po-Jung Chiang, Ru-Liang Lee, Victor Y. Lu, Yen-Hsiu Chen, Yeur-Luen Tu, Yu-Lung Yeh, Shi-Chieh Lin
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Patent number: 10658474Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to a method for forming a thin semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate without implantation radiation and/or plasma damage. In some embodiments, a device layer is epitaxially formed on a sacrificial substrate and an insulator layer is formed on the device layer. The insulator layer may, for example, be formed with a net charge that is negative or neutral. The sacrificial substrate is bonded to a handle substrate, such that the device layer and the insulator layer are between the sacrificial and handle substrates. The sacrificial substrate is removed, and the device layer is cyclically thinned until the device layer has a target thickness. Each thinning cycle comprises oxidizing a portion of the device layer and removing oxide resulting from the oxidizing.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2018Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Cheng-Ta Wu, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Jiech-Fun Lu, Kuo-Hwa Tzeng, Shih-Pei Chou, Yu-Hung Cheng, Yeur-Luen Tu
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Patent number: 10658410Abstract: In some embodiments, a method is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of trenches in a semiconductor substrate, where the trenches extend into the semiconductor substrate from a back-side of the semiconductor substrate. An epitaxial layer comprising a dopant is formed on lower surfaces of the trenches, sidewalls of the trenches, and the back-side of the semiconductor substrate, where the dopant has a first doping type. The dopant is driven into the semiconductor substrate to form a first doped region having the first doping type along the epitaxial layer, where the first doped region separates a second doped region having a second doping type opposite the first doping type from the sidewalls of the trenches and from the back-side of the semiconductor substrate. A dielectric layer is formed over the back-side of the semiconductor substrate, where the dielectric layer fill the trenches to form back-side deep trench isolation structures.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2018Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yu-Hung Cheng, Shyh-Fann Ting, Yen-Ting Chiang, Yeur-Luen Tu, Min-Ying Tsai
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Publication number: 20200144401Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes: providing a substrate including a first semiconductive region of a first conductive type and gate structures over the first semiconductive region, wherein a gap between the gate structures exposes a portion of the first semiconductive region; and forming a second semiconductive region of a second conductive type in the gap starting from the exposed portion of the first semiconductive region. The forming of the second semiconductive region includes: growing, in a chamber, an epitaxial silicon-rich layer having a first sidewall adjacent to the gate structures and a first central portion; and, in the chamber, shaping the epitaxial silicon-rich layer to form a second sidewall adjacent to the gate structures and a second central portion, wherein a first height difference between the first sidewall and the first central portion is greater than a second height difference between the second sidewall and the second central portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: YU-HUNG CHENG, PO-JUNG CHIANG, YEN-HSIU CHEN, YEUR-LUEN TU
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Publication number: 20200135541Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a method for forming a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate with a thick device layer and a thick insulator layer. In some embodiments, the method includes forming an insulator layer covering a handle substrate, and epitaxially forming a device layer on a sacrificial substrate. The sacrificial substrate is bonded to a handle substrate, such that the device layer and the insulator layer are between the sacrificial and handle substrates, and the sacrificial substrate is removed. The removal includes performing an etch into the sacrificial substrate until the device layer is reached. Because the device layer is formed by epitaxy and transferred to the handle substrate, the device layer may be formed with a large thickness. Further, because the epitaxy is not affected by the thickness of the insulator layer, the insulator layer may be formed with a large thickness.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2020Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Cheng-Ta Wu, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Jiech-Fun Lu, Kuan-Liang Liu, Shih-Pei Chou, Yu-Hung Cheng, Yeur-Luen Tu
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Publication number: 20200126793Abstract: A method includes providing a semiconductor structure having an active region and an isolation structure adjacent to the active region, the active region having source and drain regions sandwiching a channel region for a transistor, the semiconductor structure further having a gate structure over the channel region. The method further includes etching a trench in one of the source and drain regions, wherein the trench exposes a portion of a sidewall of the isolation structure, epitaxially growing a first semiconductor layer in the trench, epitaxially growing a second semiconductor layer over the first semiconductor layer, changing a crystalline facet orientation of a portion of a top surface of the second semiconductor layer by an etching process, and epitaxially growing a third semiconductor layer over the second semiconductor layer after the changing of the crystalline facet orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Wen-Chin Chen, Cheng-Yi Wu, Yu-Hung Cheng, Ren-Hua Guo, Hsiang Liu, Chin-Szu Lee
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Publication number: 20200108592Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a debonding apparatus. In some embodiments, the debonding apparatus comprises a wafer chuck configured to hold a pair of bonded substrates on a chuck top surface. The debonding apparatus further comprises a pair of separating blades including a first separating blade and a second separating blade placed at edges of the pair of bonded substrates. The first separating blade has a first thickness that is smaller than a second thickness of the second separating blade. The debonding apparatus further comprises a flex wafer assembly configured to pull the pair of bonded substrates upwardly to separate a second substrate from a first substrate of the pair of bonded substrate. By providing unbalanced initial torques on opposite sides of the bonded substrate pair, edge defects and wafer breakage are reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2019Publication date: April 9, 2020Inventors: Chang-Chen Tsao, Kuo Liang Lu, Ru-Liang Lee, Sheng-Hsiang Chuang, Yu-Hung Cheng, Yeur-Luen Tu, Cheng-Kang Hu
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Publication number: 20200066768Abstract: In some embodiments, a method is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of trenches in a semiconductor substrate, where the trenches extend into the semiconductor substrate from a back-side of the semiconductor substrate. An epitaxial layer comprising a dopant is formed on lower surfaces of the trenches, sidewalls of the trenches, and the back-side of the semiconductor substrate, where the dopant has a first doping type. The dopant is driven into the semiconductor substrate to form a first doped region having the first doping type along the epitaxial layer, where the first doped region separates a second doped region having a second doping type opposite the first doping type from the sidewalls of the trenches and from the back-side of the semiconductor substrate. A dielectric layer is formed over the back-side of the semiconductor substrate, where the dielectric layer fill the trenches to form back-side deep trench isolation structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2018Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Yu-Hung Cheng, Shyh-Fann Ting, Yen-Ting Chiang, Yeur-Luen Tu, Min-Ying Tsai
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Patent number: 10569520Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a debonding apparatus. In some embodiments, the debonding apparatus comprises a wafer chuck configured to hold a pair of bonded substrates on a chuck top surface. The debonding apparatus further comprises a pair of separating blades including a first separating blade and a second separating blade placed at edges of the pair of bonded substrates diametrically opposite to each other. The first separating blade has a first thickness that is smaller than a second thickness of the second separating blade. The debonding apparatus further comprises a flex wafer assembly placed above the pair of bonded substrates and configured to pull the pair of bonded substrates upwardly to separate a second substrate from a first substrate of the pair of bonded substrate. By providing unbalanced initial torques on opposite sides of the bonded substrate pair, edge defects and wafer breakage are reduced.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chang-Chen Tsao, Kuo Liang Lu, Ru-Liang Lee, Sheng-Hsiang Chuang, Yu-Hung Cheng, Yeur-Luen Tu, Cheng-Kang Hu
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Publication number: 20200058746Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to a method for forming a thin semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate without implantation radiation and/or plasma damage. In some embodiments, a device layer is epitaxially formed on a sacrificial substrate and an insulator layer is formed on the device layer. The insulator layer may, for example, be formed with a net charge that is negative or neutral. The sacrificial substrate is bonded to a handle substrate, such that the device layer and the insulator layer are between the sacrificial and handle substrates. The sacrificial substrate is removed, and the device layer is cyclically thinned until the device layer has a target thickness. Each thinning cycle comprises oxidizing a portion of the device layer and removing oxide resulting from the oxidizing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2018Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventors: Cheng-Ta Wu, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Jiech-Fun Lu, Kuo-Hwa Tzeng, Shih-Pei Chou, Yu-Hung Cheng, Yeur-Luen Tu
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Publication number: 20200051871Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a first wafer comprising a substrate and a first semiconductor material layer, bonding the first wafer to a second wafer, the second wafer comprising a sacrificial layer and a second semiconductor material layer, removing the sacrificial layer, patterning the bonded wafers to create a first structure and a second structure, removing the second semiconductor material from the first structure, forming a first type of transistor in the first semiconductor material of the first structure, and forming a second type of transistor in the second semiconductor material of the second structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Yu-Hung CHENG, Ching-Wei TSAI, Yeur-Luen TU, Tung-I LIN, Wei-Li CHEN
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Patent number: 10553474Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a method for forming a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate with a thick device layer and a thick insulator layer. In some embodiments, the method includes forming an insulator layer covering a handle substrate, and epitaxially forming a device layer on a sacrificial substrate. The sacrificial substrate is bonded to a handle substrate, such that the device layer and the insulator layer are between the sacrificial and handle substrates, and the sacrificial substrate is removed. The removal includes performing an etch into the sacrificial substrate until the device layer is reached. Because the device layer is formed by epitaxy and transferred to the handle substrate, the device layer may be formed with a large thickness. Further, because the epitaxy is not affected by the thickness of the insulator layer, the insulator layer may be formed with a large thickness.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2018Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Cheng-Ta Wu, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Jiech-Fun Lu, Kuan-Liang Liu, Shih-Pei Chou, Yu-Hung Cheng, Yeur-Luen Tu
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Publication number: 20200006385Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a method for forming a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate comprising a trap-rich layer with small grain sizes, as well as the resulting SOI substrate. In some embodiments, an amorphous silicon layer is deposited on a high-resistivity substrate. A rapid thermal anneal (RTA) is performed to crystallize the amorphous silicon layer into a trap-rich layer of polysilicon in which a majority of grains are equiaxed. An insulating layer is formed over the trap-rich layer. A device layer is formed over the insulating layer and comprises a semiconductor material. Equiaxed grains are smaller than other grains (e.g., columnar grains). Since a majority of grains in the trap-rich layer are equiaxed, the trap-rich layer has a high grain boundary area and a high density of carrier traps. The high density of carrier traps may, for example, reduce the effects of parasitic surface conduction (PSC).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2018Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Yu-Hung Cheng, Cheng-Ta Wu, Yeur-Luen Tu, Min-Ying Tsai, Alex Usenko
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Patent number: 10522353Abstract: A method includes providing a semiconductor structure having an active region and an isolation structure adjacent to the active region, the active region having source and drain regions sandwiching a channel region for a transistor, the semiconductor structure further having a gate structure over the channel region. The method further includes etching a trench in one of the source and drain regions, wherein the trench exposes a portion of a sidewall of the isolation structure, epitaxially growing a first semiconductor layer in the trench, epitaxially growing a second semiconductor layer over the first semiconductor layer, changing a crystalline facet orientation of a portion of a top surface of the second semiconductor layer by an etching process, and epitaxially growing a third semiconductor layer over the second semiconductor layer after the changing of the crystalline facet orientation.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2018Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Wen-Chin Chen, Cheng-Yi Wu, Yu-Hung Cheng, Ren-Hua Guo, Hsiang Liu, Chin-Szu Lee
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Patent number: 10516040Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: providing a substrate including a first semiconductive region of a first conductive type and gate structures over the first semiconductive region, where a gap between the gate structures exposes a portion of the first semiconductive region; and forming a second semiconductive region of a second conductive type in the gap starting from the exposed portion of the first semiconductive region. The forming of the second semiconductive region includes: growing, in a chamber, an epitaxial silicon-rich layer with a first growth rate around a sidewall adjacent to the gate structures that is greater than a second growth rate at a central portion; and, in the chamber, partially removing the epitaxial silicon-rich layer with an etchant with a first etching rate around the sidewall adjacent to the gate structures that is greater than a second etching rate at the central portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2018Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.Inventors: Yu-Hung Cheng, Po-Jung Chiang, Yen-Hsiu Chen, Yeur-Luen Tu
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Patent number: 10453757Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a first wafer comprising a substrate and a first semiconductor material layer, bonding the first wafer to a second wafer, the second wafer comprising a sacrificial layer and a second semiconductor material layer, removing the sacrificial layer, patterning the bonded wafers to create a first structure and a second structure, removing the second semiconductor material from the first structure, forming a first type of transistor in the first semiconductor material of the first structure, and forming a second type of transistor in the second semiconductor material of the second structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2018Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yu-Hung Cheng, Ching-Wei Tsai, Yeur-Luen Tu, Tung-I Lin, Wei-Li Chen
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Publication number: 20190304829Abstract: A composite semiconductor substrate includes a semiconductor substrate, an oxygen-doped crystalline semiconductor layer and an insulative layer. The oxygen-doped crystalline semiconductor layer is over the semiconductor substrate, and the oxygen-doped crystalline semiconductor layer includes a crystalline semiconductor material and a plurality of oxygen dopants. The insulative layer is over the oxygen-doped crystalline semiconductor layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2018Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: MIN-YING TSAI, CHENG-TA WU, YU-HUNG CHENG, YEUR-LUEN TU
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Patent number: 10395974Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to a method for forming a thin semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate at low cost and with low total thickness variation (TTV). In some embodiments, an etch stop layer is epitaxially formed on a sacrificial substrate. A device layer is epitaxially formed on the etch stop layer and has a different crystalline lattice than the etch stop layer. The sacrificial substrate is bonded to a handle substrate, such that the device layer and the etch stop layer are between the sacrificial and handle substrates. The sacrificial substrate is removed. An etch is performed into the etch stop layer to remove the etch stop layer. The etch is performed using an etchant comprising hydrofluoric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and acetic acid.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2018Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shih-Pei Chou, Hung-Wen Hsu, Jiech-Fun Lu, Yu-Hung Cheng, Yung-Lung Lin, Min-Ying Tsai
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Publication number: 20190259655Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate. The SOI substrate includes a dielectric layer disposed over a first substrate. The dielectric layer has an outside edge aligned with an outside edge of the first substrate. An active layer covers a first annular portion of an upper surface of the dielectric layer. The upper surface of the dielectric layer has a second annular portion that surrounds the first annular portion and extends to the outside edge of the dielectric layer. The second annular portion is uncovered by the active layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventors: Yu-Hung Cheng, Cheng-Ta Wu, Ming-Che Yang, Wei-Kung Tsai, Yong-En Syu, Yeur-Luen Tu, Chris Chen
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Patent number: 10304723Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a method of forming an SOI substrate. The method may be performed by epitaxially forming a silicon-germanium (SiGe) layer over a sacrificial substrate and epitaxially forming a first active layer on the SiGe layer. The first active layer has a composition different than the SiGe layer. The sacrificial substrate and is flipped and the first active layer is bonded to an upper surface of a dielectric layer formed over a first substrate. The sacrificial substrate and the SiGe layer are removed and the first active layer is etched to define outermost sidewalls and to expose an outside edge of an upper surface of the dielectric layer. A contiguous active layer is formed by epitaxially forming a second active layer on the first active layer. The first active layer and the second active layer have a substantially same composition.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2018Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yu-Hung Cheng, Cheng-Ta Wu, Ming-Che Yang, Wei-Kung Tsai, Yong-En Syu, Yeur-Luen Tu, Chris Chen