Patents by Inventor Yu-Wei Lu

Yu-Wei Lu 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: 12652999
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a supporting frame, a platform supported by the supporting frame and having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, and at least three robot fingers which are mounted to the supporting frame, and which are angularly displaced from each other. Each of the robot fingers has a fingertip configured to retain a substrate on the first side of the platform such that the substrate is spaced apart from the platform. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure using the apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2026
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Yun Cheng, Kenichi Sano, Yu-Wei Lu, Yi-Chen Lo
  • Publication number: 20260143982
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes forming a plurality of semiconductor stack portions spaced apart from each other by a plurality of recesses, each of which includes two sacrificial layer portions and a channel layer portion disposed therebetween, in which the channel layer portion has a plurality of crystal planes and is formed with a first straight lateral surface which is aligned with one of the crystal planes that has a lowest etching rate for an etchant to be used for laterally etching the channel layer portion among those of the crystal planes of the channel layer portion which are able to expose to the recesses; and laterally etching the channel layer portion using the etchant to permit the channel layer portion to be formed with a second straight lateral surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2026
    Publication date: May 21, 2026
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Wei LU, Kenichi SANO
  • Publication number: 20260107528
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming a stack portion including sacrificial features and channel features which are alternately stacked, so that lateral recesses are formed beside the sacrificial features; respectively forming semipermeable features in the lateral recesses, each of the semipermeable features laterally covering a corresponding one of the sacrificial features; forming sacrificial layer portions on the semipermeable features, each of the sacrificial layer portions being disposed on a corresponding one of the semipermeable features; forming inner spacers on the sacrificial layer portions, each of the inner spacers laterally covering a corresponding one of the sacrificial layer portions; removing the sacrificial features; treating the semipermeable features with an etching process; and removing the sacrificial layer portions through the semipermeable features to form air inner spacers, each of which is defined by a corresponding one of the semipermeable features and a
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2024
    Publication date: April 16, 2026
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tze-Chung LIN, Fang-Wei LEE, Yu-Wei LU, Chia-Hao YU, Wei-Ting YEH, Yu-Yun PENG, Keng-Chu LIN, Pinyen LIN
  • Publication number: 20260101684
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes: forming a first bonding layer on a device substrate, the first bonding layer including a first bonding sub-layer and a second bonding sub-layer, the first bonding sub-layer including a first metal oxide material in an amorphous state and a plurality of metal nanoparticles, the second bonding sub-layer including a second metal oxide material in an amorphous state; forming a second bonding layer on a carrier substrate, the second bonding layer including a third metal oxide material in an amorphous state; conducting a surface modification process on the first and second bonding layers; bonding the device and carrier substrates to each other through the first and second bonding layers; and annealing the first and second bonding layers to convert the first, second, and third metal oxide materials from the amorphous state to a crystalline state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2025
    Publication date: April 9, 2026
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Zheng-Yong LIANG, Yu-Yun PENG, Keng-Chu LIN, Wei-Ting YEH, Chia-Yun CHENG, Chen-Hao WU, Yu-Wei LU, Han-De CHEN, Hsu-Kai CHANG, Kuei-Lin CHAN, Kenichi SANO, Huang-Lin CHAO, Cheng-I CHU, Yi-Rui CHEN
  • Patent number: 12550649
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes forming a plurality of semiconductor stack portions spaced apart from each other by a plurality of recesses, each of which includes two sacrificial layer portions and a channel layer portion disposed therebetween, in which the channel layer portion has a plurality of crystal planes and is formed with a first straight lateral surface which is aligned with one of the crystal planes that has a lowest etching rate for an etchant to be used for laterally etching the channel layer portion among those of the crystal planes of the channel layer portion which are able to expose to the recesses; and laterally etching the channel layer portion using the etchant to permit the channel layer portion to be formed with a second straight lateral surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2026
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Wei Lu, Kenichi Sano
  • Patent number: 12489082
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes: forming a first bonding layer on a device substrate, the first bonding layer including a first bonding sub-layer and a second bonding sub-layer, the first bonding sub-layer including a first metal oxide material in an amorphous state and a plurality of metal nanoparticles, the second bonding sub-layer including a second metal oxide material in an amorphous state; forming a second bonding layer on a carrier substrate, the second bonding layer including a third metal oxide material in an amorphous state; conducting a surface modification process on the first and second bonding layers; bonding the device and carrier substrates to each other through the first and second bonding layers; and annealing the first and second bonding layers to convert the first, second, and third metal oxide materials from the amorphous state to a crystalline state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Zheng-Yong Liang, Yu-Yun Peng, Keng-Chu Lin, Wei-Ting Yeh, Chia-Yun Cheng, Chen-Hao Wu, Yu-Wei Lu, Han-De Chen, Hsu-Kai Chang, Kuei-Lin Chan, Kenichi Sano, Huang-Lin Chao, Cheng-I Chu, Yi-Rui Chen
  • Publication number: 20250344499
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: lower semiconductor nanostructures including a first semiconductor material; a lower epitaxial source/drain region adjacent the lower semiconductor nanostructures, the lower epitaxial source/drain region having a first conductivity type; upper semiconductor nanostructures including a second semiconductor material, the second semiconductor material different from the first semiconductor material; and an upper epitaxial source/drain region adjacent the upper semiconductor nanostructures, the upper epitaxial source/drain region having a second conductivity type, the second conductivity type being opposite the first conductivity type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2025
    Publication date: November 6, 2025
    Inventors: Yu-Wei Lu, Kenichi Sano, Tze-Chung Lin, Fang-Wei Lee, Chia-Chien Kuang, Yi-Chen Lo, Fo-Ju Lin, Li-Te Lin, Pinyen Lin
  • Publication number: 20250324733
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first fin structure and a second fin structure. A first gate electrode disposed over the first fin structure, and a second gate electrode disposed over the second fin structure. A dielectric layer disposed between the first fin structure and the first gate electrode, and between the second fin structure and the second gate electrode. A Ge concentration in an interface between the dielectric layer and the second fin structure is less than 25%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2025
    Publication date: October 16, 2025
    Inventors: I-MING CHANG, CHUNG-LIANG CHENG, HSIANG-PI CHANG, HUNG-CHANG SUN, YAO-SHENG HUANG, YU-WEI LU, FANG-WEI LEE, ZIWEI FANG, HUANG-LIN CHAO
  • Publication number: 20250301703
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides nanostructured channel structures of a semiconductor device and fabricating methods thereof. The method can include forming a superlattice structure with a first nanostructured layer and a second nanostructured layer on a fin base, forming a polysilicon structure on the superlattice structure, removing the second nanostructured layer to form a first gate opening, removing the polysilicon structure to form a second gate opening, forming a capping layer on the first nanostructured layer, modifying the first nanostructured layer to form a nanostructured channel layer having an undoped semiconductor region and a doped semiconductor region surrounding the undoped semiconductor region, and forming a gate structure in the first and second gate openings and surrounding the nanostructured channel layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2024
    Publication date: September 25, 2025
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Wei LU, Ding-Kang SHIH, Yi-Lun CHEN, Kenichi SANO
  • Patent number: 12402394
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first fin structure and a second fin structure, a first dielectric layer disposed over the first fin structure, a second dielectric layer disposed over the second fin structure, a first gate electrode disposed over the first dielectric layer, and a second gate electrode disposed over the second dielectric layer. A thickness of the first dielectric layer and a thickness of the second dielectric layer are equal. The second fin structure includes an outer region and an inner region, and a Ge concentration in the outer portion is less than Ge concentration in the inner portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: I-Ming Chang, Chung-Liang Cheng, Hsiang-Pi Chang, Hung-Chang Sun, Yao-Sheng Huang, Yu-Wei Lu, Fang-Wei Lee, Ziwei Fang, Huang-Lin Chao
  • Publication number: 20250226359
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes: forming a first bonding layer on a device substrate, the first bonding layer including a first bonding sub-layer and a second bonding sub-layer, the first bonding sub-layer including a first metal oxide material in an amorphous state and a plurality of metal nanoparticles, the second bonding sub-layer including a second metal oxide material in an amorphous state; forming a second bonding layer on a carrier substrate, the second bonding layer including a third metal oxide material in an amorphous state; conducting a surface modification process on the first and second bonding layers; bonding the device and carrier substrates to each other through the first and second bonding layers; and annealing the first and second bonding layers to convert the first, second, and third metal oxide materials from the amorphous state to a crystalline state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2024
    Publication date: July 10, 2025
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Zheng-Yong LIANG, Yu-Yun PENG, Keng-Chu LIN, Wei-Ting YEH, Chia-Yun CHENG, Chen-Hao WU, Yu-Wei LU, Han-De CHEN, Hsu-Kai CHANG, Kuei-Lin CHAN, Kenichi SANO, Huang-Lin CHAO, Cheng-I CHU, Yi-Rui CHEN
  • Publication number: 20250220942
    Abstract: A method is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of stacks of semiconductor layers. Each of the stacks includes a plurality of first semiconductor layers and a plurality of second layers alternately stacked with each other. A gate electrode structure is then formed on each of the stacks of semiconductor layers, each of the gate electrode structures including a gate spacer. An epitaxial layer is formed in an opening between each pair of neighboring stacks of semiconductor layers. After formation of the epitaxial layer, oxygen ion beams are applied to the gate spacer with a tilt angle to form oxidized materials on the gate spacers with a tilt angle. The oxidized materials are then removed by diluted HF solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2024
    Publication date: July 3, 2025
    Inventors: Yi-Chen LO, Ding-Kang SHIH, Chia-Yun CHENG, Yu-Wei LU
  • Publication number: 20250113604
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. The method includes forming first channel structures, second channel structures, and third channel structures. The method also includes forming gate dielectric layers surrounding the first channel structures, the second channel structures, and the third channel structures and forming dipole layers over the gate dielectric layers. The method also includes forming a dummy material in a first space between the first and the second channel structures and in a second space between the second and the third channel structures and removing first portions of the dummy material. The method also includes implanting first dopants in the dummy material in the first space and removing second portions of the dummy material in the first space and the second space. The method also includes removing the dipole layers in the top device region and completely removing the dummy material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi SANO, Chia-Yun CHENG, Yu-Wei LU, I-Ming CHANG, Pinyen LIN
  • Publication number: 20250040238
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: lower semiconductor nanostructures including a first semiconductor material; a lower epitaxial source/drain region adjacent the lower semiconductor nanostructures, the lower epitaxial source/drain region having a first conductivity type; upper semiconductor nanostructures including a second semiconductor material, the second semiconductor material different from the first semiconductor material; and an upper epitaxial source/drain region adjacent the upper semiconductor nanostructures, the upper epitaxial source/drain region having a second conductivity type, the second conductivity type being opposite the first conductivity type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Yu-Wei Lu, Kenichi Sano, Tze-Chung Lin, Fang-Wei Lee, Chia-Chien Kuang, Yi-Chen Lo, Fo-Ju Lin, Li-Te Lin, Pinyen Lin
  • Publication number: 20240395903
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes forming a plurality of semiconductor stack portions spaced apart from each other by a plurality of recesses, each of which includes two sacrificial layer portions and a channel layer portion disposed therebetween, in which the channel layer portion has a plurality of crystal planes and is formed with a first straight lateral surface which is aligned with one of the crystal planes that has a lowest etching rate for an etchant to be used for laterally etching the channel layer portion among those of the crystal planes of the channel layer portion which are able to expose to the recesses; and laterally etching the channel layer portion using the etchant to permit the channel layer portion to be formed with a second straight lateral surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Wei LU, Kenichi SANO
  • Publication number: 20240243001
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a supporting frame, a platform supported by the supporting frame and having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, and at least three robot fingers which are mounted to the supporting frame, and which are angularly displaced from each other. Each of the robot fingers has a fingertip configured to retain a substrate on the first side of the platform such that the substrate is spaced apart from the platform. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure using the apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2023
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Yun CHENG, Kenichi SANO, Yu-Wei LU, Yi-Chen LO
  • Publication number: 20240047272
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first fin structure and a second fin structure, a first dielectric layer disposed over the first fin structure, a second dielectric layer disposed over the second fin structure, a first gate electrode disposed over the first dielectric layer, and a second gate electrode disposed over the second dielectric layer. A thickness of the first dielectric layer and a thickness of the second dielectric layer are equal. The second fin structure includes an outer region and an inner region, and a Ge concentration in the outer portion is less than Ge concentration in the inner portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: I-MING CHANG, CHUNG-LIANG CHENG, HSIANG-PI CHANG, HUNG-CHANG SUN, YAO-SHENG HUANG, YU-WEI LU, FANG-WEI LEE, ZIWEI FANG, HUANG-LIN CHAO
  • Publication number: 20230402312
    Abstract: A method includes: applying a first solution to a semiconductor structure of a semiconductor device to form a first coating, the semiconductor structure including a feature and the trench, the first coating being formed in the trench and over the feature, the first solution containing a metal-containing solute; heating the first coating in a multi-step procedure to turn the first coating into a first film, the multi-step procedure including heating at a first temperature, followed by heating at a second temperature not lower than the first temperature; applying a second solution onto the first film to form a second coating, the second solution containing the metal-containing solute; and heating the second coating in a multi-step procedure to turn the second coating into a second film, the multi-step procedure including heating at a third temperature, followed by heating at a fourth temperature not lower than the third temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi SANO, Andrew Joseph KELLY, Yu-Wei LU, Chin-Hsiang LIN, Chia-Yun CHENG
  • Publication number: 20230402506
    Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of forming the same. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a substrate including a plurality of fins, a plurality of semiconductor nanosheets stacked on the plurality of fins, a plurality of gate stacks wrapping the plurality of semiconductor nanosheets, an isolation structure around the plurality of fins, and a separator structure on the isolation structure to separate the plurality of gate stacks from each other. The separator structure includes a body and a cap on the body. The cap includes a first portion and a second portion. Sidewalls and bottom of the second portion is wrapped by the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2022
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Ruei Jhan, Kuan-Ting Pan, Yu-Wei Lu, Shi-Ning Ju, Kuo-Cheng Chiang, Chih-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11842927
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate including a first region and a second region, a first channel layer disposed in the first region and a second channel layer disposed in the second region, a first dielectric layer disposed on the first channel layer and a second dielectric layer disposed on the second channel layer, and a first gate electrode disposed on the first dielectric layer and a second gate electrode disposed on the second dielectric layer. The first channel layer in the first region includes Ge compound of a first Ge concentration, the second channel layer in the second region includes Ge compound of a second Ge concentration. The first Ge concentration in the first channel layer is greater than the second Ge concentration in the second channel layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: I-Ming Chang, Chung-Liang Cheng, Hsiang-Pi Chang, Hung-Chang Sun, Yao-Sheng Huang, Yu-Wei Lu, Fang-Wei Lee, Ziwei Fang, Huang-Lin Chao