Patents by Inventor Zoe Chen

Zoe Chen 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: 20250261435
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first transistor located in a first region and a second transistor located in a second region. The first transistor includes first and second channel members vertically stacked above the substrate, and a first gate dielectric layer having a first portion wrapping around the first channel member and a second portion wrapping around the second channel member. The second transistor includes third and fourth channel member vertically stacked above the substrate and a second gate dielectric layer having a first portion wrapping around the third channel member and a second portion wrapping around the fourth channel member. The first and second channel members are thicker than the third and fourth channel members. A vertical distance between the first and second portions of the first gate dielectric layer is larger than a vertical distance between the first and second portions of the second gate dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2025
    Publication date: August 14, 2025
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Lee, Wen-Hung Huang, Kuo-Feng Yu, Jian-Hao Chen, Hsueh-Ju Chen, Zoe Chen
  • Patent number: 12266575
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first transistor located in a first region of a substrate and a second transistor located in a second region of the substrate. The first transistor includes first channel members vertically stacked above the substrate and a first gate structure wrapping around each of the first channel members. The first gate structure includes a first interfacial layer. The second transistor includes second channel members vertically stacked above the substrate and a second gate structure wrapping around each of the second channel members. The second gate structure includes a second interfacial layer. The second interfacial layer has a first sub-layer and a second sub-layer over the first sub-layer. The first and second sub-layers include different material compositions. A total thickness of the first and second sub-layers is larger than a thickness of the first interfacial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Lee, Wen-Hung Huang, Kuo-Feng Yu, Jian-Hao Chen, Hsueh-Ju Chen, Zoe Chen
  • Publication number: 20240243016
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first transistor located in a first region of a substrate and a second transistor located in a second region of the substrate. The first transistor includes first channel members vertically stacked above the substrate and a first gate structure wrapping around each of the first channel members. The first gate structure includes a first interfacial layer. The second transistor includes second channel members vertically stacked above the substrate and a second gate structure wrapping around each of the second channel members. The second gate structure includes a second interfacial layer. The second interfacial layer has a first sub-layer and a second sub-layer over the first sub-layer. The first and second sub-layers include different material compositions. A total thickness of the first and second sub-layers is larger than a thickness of the first interfacial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2024
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Lee, Wen-Hung Huang, Kuo-Feng Yu, Jian-Hao Chen, Hsueh-Ju Chen, Zoe Chen
  • Patent number: 11894276
    Abstract: A method includes providing a structure having a first channel member and a second channel member over a substrate. The first channel member is located in a first region of the structure and the second channel member is located in a second region of the structure. The method also includes forming a first oxide layer over the first channel member and a second oxide layer over the second channel member, forming a first dielectric layer over the first oxide layer and a second dielectric layer over the second oxide layer, and forming a capping layer over the second dielectric layer but not over the first dielectric layer. The method further includes performing an annealing process to increase a thickness of the second oxide layer under the capping layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Lee, Wen-Hung Huang, Kuo-Feng Yu, Jian-Hao Chen, Hsueh-Ju Chen, Zoe Chen
  • Patent number: 11855098
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: forming a gate dielectric layer on an interface layer; forming a doping layer on the gate dielectric layer, the doping layer including a dipole-inducing element; annealing the doping layer to drive the dipole-inducing element through the gate dielectric layer to a first side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the interface layer; removing the doping layer; forming a sacrificial layer on the gate dielectric layer, a material of the sacrificial layer reacting with residual dipole-inducing elements at a second side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the sacrificial layer; removing the sacrificial layer; forming a capping layer on the gate dielectric layer; and forming a gate electrode layer on the capping layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Yen Tsai, Ming-Chi Huang, Zoe Chen, Wei-Chin Lee, Cheng-Lung Hung, Da-Yuan Lee, Weng Chang, Ching-Hwanq Su
  • Publication number: 20230073400
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: forming a gate dielectric layer on an interface layer; forming a doping layer on the gate dielectric layer, the doping layer including a dipole-inducing element; annealing the doping layer to drive the dipole-inducing element through the gate dielectric layer to a first side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the interface layer; removing the doping layer; forming a sacrificial layer on the gate dielectric layer, a material of the sacrificial layer reacting with residual dipole-inducing elements at a second side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the sacrificial layer; removing the sacrificial layer; forming a capping layer on the gate dielectric layer; and forming a gate electrode layer on the capping layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Cheng-Yen Tsai, Ming-Chi Huang, Zoe Chen, Wei-Chin Lee, Cheng-Lung Hung, Da-Yuan Lee, Weng Chang, Ching-Hwanq Su
  • Publication number: 20230061018
    Abstract: A method includes providing a structure having a first channel member and a second channel member over a substrate. The first channel member is located in a first region of the structure and the second channel member is located in a second region of the structure. The method also includes forming a first oxide layer over the first channel member and a second oxide layer over the second channel member, forming a first dielectric layer over the first oxide layer and a second dielectric layer over the second oxide layer, and forming a capping layer over the second dielectric layer but not over the first dielectric layer. The method further includes performing an annealing process to increase a thickness of the second oxide layer under the capping layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Lee, Wen-Hung Huang, Kuo-Feng Yu, Jian-Hao Chen, Hsueh-Ju Chen, Zoe Chen
  • Patent number: 11502080
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: forming a gate dielectric layer on an interface layer; forming a doping layer on the gate dielectric layer, the doping layer including a dipole-inducing element; annealing the doping layer to drive the dipole-inducing element through the gate dielectric layer to a first side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the interface layer; removing the doping layer; forming a sacrificial layer on the gate dielectric layer, a material of the sacrificial layer reacting with residual dipole-inducing elements at a second side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the sacrificial layer; removing the sacrificial layer; forming a capping layer on the gate dielectric layer; and forming a gate electrode layer on the capping layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Yen Tsai, Ming-Chi Huang, Zoe Chen, Wei-Chin Lee, Cheng-Lung Hung, Da-Yuan Lee, Weng Chang, Ching-Hwanq Su
  • Patent number: 11121041
    Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to tuning threshold voltages in transistor devices and the transistor devices formed thereby. Various examples implementing various mechanisms for tuning threshold voltages are described. In an example method, a gate dielectric layer is deposited over an active area in a device region of a substrate. A dipole layer is deposited over the gate dielectric layer in the device region. A dipole dopant species is diffused from the dipole layer into the gate dielectric layer in the device region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zoe Chen, Ching-Hwanq Su, Cheng-Lung Hung, Cheng-Yen Tsai, Da-Yuan Lee, Hsin-Yi Lee, Weng Chang, Wei-Chin Lee
  • Publication number: 20210134799
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: forming a gate dielectric layer on an interface layer; forming a doping layer on the gate dielectric layer, the doping layer including a dipole-inducing element; annealing the doping layer to drive the dipole-inducing element through the gate dielectric layer to a first side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the interface layer; removing the doping layer; forming a sacrificial layer on the gate dielectric layer, a material of the sacrificial layer reacting with residual dipole-inducing elements at a second side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the sacrificial layer; removing the sacrificial layer; forming a capping layer on the gate dielectric layer; and forming a gate electrode layer on the capping layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Cheng-Yen Tsai, Ming-Chi Huang, Zoe Chen, Wei-Chin Lee, Cheng-Lung Hung, Da-Yuan Lee, Weng Chang, Ching-Hwanq Su
  • Patent number: 10868013
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: forming a gate dielectric layer on an interface layer; forming a doping layer on the gate dielectric layer, the doping layer including a dipole-inducing element; annealing the doping layer to drive the dipole-inducing element through the gate dielectric layer to a first side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the interface layer; removing the doping layer; forming a sacrificial layer on the gate dielectric layer, a material of the sacrificial layer reacting with residual dipole-inducing elements at a second side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the sacrificial layer; removing the sacrificial layer; forming a capping layer on the gate dielectric layer; and forming a gate electrode layer on the capping layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Yen Tsai, Ming-Chi Huang, Zoe Chen, Wei-Chin Lee, Cheng-Lung Hung, Da-Yuan Lee, Weng Chang, Ching-Hwanq Su
  • Publication number: 20200119019
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: forming a gate dielectric layer on an interface layer; forming a doping layer on the gate dielectric layer, the doping layer including a dipole-inducing element; annealing the doping layer to drive the dipole-inducing element through the gate dielectric layer to a first side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the interface layer; removing the doping layer; forming a sacrificial layer on the gate dielectric layer, a material of the sacrificial layer reacting with residual dipole-inducing elements at a second side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the sacrificial layer; removing the sacrificial layer; forming a capping layer on the gate dielectric layer; and forming a gate electrode layer on the capping layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Cheng-Yen Tsai, Ming-Chi Huang, Zoe Chen, Wei-Chin Lee, Cheng-Lung Hung, Da-Yuan Lee, Weng Chang, Ching-Hwanq Su
  • Publication number: 20200083114
    Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to tuning threshold voltages in transistor devices and the transistor devices formed thereby. Various examples implementing various mechanisms for tuning threshold voltages are described. In an example method, a gate dielectric layer is deposited over an active area in a device region of a substrate. A dipole layer is deposited over the gate dielectric layer in the device region. A dipole dopant species is diffused from the dipole layer into the gate dielectric layer in the device region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Zoe Chen, Ching-Hwanq Su, Cheng-Lung Hung, Cheng-Yen Tsai, Da-Yuan Lee, Hsin-Yi Lee, Weng Chang, Wei-Chin Lee
  • Patent number: 10510756
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: forming a gate dielectric layer on an interface layer; forming a doping layer on the gate dielectric layer, the doping layer including a dipole-inducing element; annealing the doping layer to drive the dipole-inducing element through the gate dielectric layer to a first side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the interface layer; removing the doping layer; forming a sacrificial layer on the gate dielectric layer, a material of the sacrificial layer reacting with residual dipole-inducing elements at a second side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the sacrificial layer; removing the sacrificial layer; forming a capping layer on the gate dielectric layer; and forming a gate electrode layer on the capping layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Yen Tsai, Ming-Chi Huang, Zoe Chen, Wei-Chin Lee, Cheng-Lung Hung, Da-Yuan Lee, Weng Chang, Ching-Hwanq Su
  • Patent number: 10510621
    Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to tuning threshold voltages in transistor devices and the transistor devices formed thereby. Various examples implementing various mechanisms for tuning threshold voltages are described. In an example method, a gate dielectric layer is deposited over an active area in a device region of a substrate. A dipole layer is deposited over the gate dielectric layer in the device region. A dipole dopant species is diffused from the dipole layer into the gate dielectric layer in the device region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zoe Chen, Ching-Hwanq Su, Cheng-Lung Hung, Cheng-Yen Tsai, Da-Yuan Lee, Hsin-Yi Lee, Weng Chang, Wei-Chin Lee
  • Publication number: 20190318967
    Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides example embodiments relating to tuning threshold voltages in transistor devices and the transistor devices formed thereby. Various examples implementing various mechanisms for tuning threshold voltages are described. In an example method, a gate dielectric layer is deposited over an active area in a device region of a substrate. A dipole layer is deposited over the gate dielectric layer in the device region. A dipole dopant species is diffused from the dipole layer into the gate dielectric layer in the device region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zoe Chen, Ching-Hwanq Su, Cheng-Lung Hung, Cheng-Yen Tsai, Da-Yuan Lee, Hsin-Yi Lee, Weng Chang, Wei-Chin Lee
  • Patent number: 10304835
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: forming a gate dielectric layer on an interface layer; forming a doping layer on the gate dielectric layer, the doping layer including a dipole-inducing element; annealing the doping layer to drive the dipole-inducing element through the gate dielectric layer to a first side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the interface layer; removing the doping layer; forming a sacrificial layer on the gate dielectric layer, a material of the sacrificial layer reacting with residual dipole-inducing elements at a second side of the gate dielectric layer adjacent the sacrificial layer; removing the sacrificial layer; forming a capping layer on the gate dielectric layer; and forming a gate electrode layer on the capping layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Yen Tsai, Ming-Chi Huang, Zoe Chen, Wei-Chin Lee, Cheng-Lung Hung, Da-Yuan Lee, Weng Chang, Ching-Hwanq Su