公开(公告)号：US11652003B2

公开(公告)日：2023-05-16

申请号：US17682621

申请日：2022-02-28

Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Inventor： Chi-Sheng Lai ,  Wei-Chung Sun ,  Li-Ting Chen ,  Kuei-Yu Kao ,  Chih-Han Lin

IPC: H01L21/8234 ,  H01L21/308 ,  H01L21/3213 ,  H01L21/033

CPC classification number: H01L21/823431 ,  H01L21/0337 ,  H01L21/3086 ,  H01L21/32137 ,  H01L21/32139 ,  H01L21/823437

Abstract: Processes to form differently-pitched gate structures are provided. An example method includes providing a workpiece having a substrate and semiconductor fins spaced apart from one another by an isolation feature, depositing a gate material layer over the workpiece, forming a patterned hard mask over the gate material layer, the patterned hard mask including differently-pitched elongated features, performing a first etch process using the patterned hard mask as an etch mask through the gate material layer to form a trench, performing a second etch process using the patterned hard mask as an etch mask to extend the trench to a top surface of the isolation feature, and performing a third etch process using the patterned hard mask to extend the trench into the isolation feature. The first etch process includes use of carbon tetrafluoride and is free of use of oxygen gas.

公开(公告)号：US11557590B2

公开(公告)日：2023-01-17

申请号：US16899268

申请日：2020-06-11

Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Inventor： Chi-Sheng Lai ,  Wei-Chung Sun ,  Li-Ting Chen ,  Kuei-Yu Kao ,  Chih-Han Lin

IPC: H01L27/088 ,  H01L29/78 ,  H01L21/8234 ,  H01L29/66

Abstract: A device includes a plurality of fin structures that each protrude vertically upwards out of a substrate and each extend in a first direction in a top view. A gate structure is disposed over the fin structures. The gate structure extends in a second direction in the top view. The second direction is different from the first direction. The fin structures have a fin pitch equal to a sum of: a dimension of one of the fin structures in the second direction and a distance between an adjacent pair of the fin structures in the second direction. An end segment of the gate structure extends beyond an edge of a closest one of the fin structures in the second direction. The end segment has a tapered profile in the top view or is at least 4 times as long as the fin pitch in the second direction.

公开(公告)号：US20220328420A1

公开(公告)日：2022-10-13

申请号：US17852806

申请日：2022-06-29

Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Inventor： Chi-Sheng Lai ,  Wei-Chung Sun ,  Li-Ting Chen ,  Kuei-Yu Kao ,  Chih-Han Lin

IPC: H01L23/544 ,  H01L29/66 ,  H01L27/092 ,  H01L21/8238 ,  H01L29/78 ,  H01L21/8234

Abstract: An alignment structure for a semiconductor device and a method of forming same are provided. A method includes forming an isolation region over a substrate and forming an alignment structure over the isolation region. Forming the alignment structure includes forming a sacrificial gate electrode layer over the substrate and the isolation region. The sacrificial gate electrode layer is patterned to form a plurality of first sacrificial gates over the isolation region. At least one of the plurality of first sacrificial gates is reshaped. The at least one of the plurality of first sacrificial gates is disposed at an edge of the alignment structure in a plan view. A sidewall of the at least one of the plurality of first sacrificial gates comprises a notch at an interface between the at least one of the plurality of first sacrificial gates and the isolation region.

公开(公告)号：US11264282B2

公开(公告)日：2022-03-01

申请号：US16800871

申请日：2020-02-25

Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Inventor： Chi-Sheng Lai ,  Wei-Chung Sun ,  Li-Ting Chen ,  Kuei-Yu Kao ,  Chih-Han Lin

IPC: H01L21/8234 ,  H01L21/308 ,  H01L21/3213 ,  H01L21/033

Abstract: Processes to form differently-pitched gate structures are provided. An example method includes providing a workpiece having a substrate and semiconductor fins spaced apart from one another by an isolation feature, depositing a gate material layer over the workpiece, forming a patterned hard mask over the gate material layer, the patterned hard mask including differently-pitched elongated features, performing a first etch process using the patterned hard mask as an etch mask through the gate material layer to form a trench, performing a second etch process using the patterned hard mask as an etch mask to extend the trench to a top surface of the isolation feature, and performing a third etch process using the patterned hard mask to extend the trench into the isolation feature. The first etch process includes use of carbon tetrafluoride and is free of use of oxygen gas.

公开(公告)号：US20210257310A1

公开(公告)日：2021-08-19

申请号：US16869894

申请日：2020-05-08

Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Inventor： Chi-Sheng Lai ,  Wei-Chung Sun ,  Li-Ting Chen ,  Kuei-Yu Kao ,  Chih-Han Lin

IPC: H01L23/544 ,  H01L29/66 ,  H01L27/092 ,  H01L29/78 ,  H01L21/8238

Abstract: An alignment structure for a semiconductor device and a method of forming same are provided. A method includes forming an isolation region over a substrate and forming an alignment structure over the isolation region. Forming the alignment structure includes forming a sacrificial gate electrode layer over the substrate and the isolation region. The sacrificial gate electrode layer is patterned to form a plurality of first sacrificial gates over the isolation region. At least one of the plurality of first sacrificial gates is reshaped. The at least one of the plurality of first sacrificial gates is disposed at an edge of the alignment structure in a plan view. A sidewall of the at least one of the plurality of first sacrificial gates comprises a notch at an interface between the at least one of the plurality of first sacrificial gates and the isolation region.