IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,324,209
Granted Patent B2
US 12,324,209 · App. 18/309,433 · Granted Jun 3, 2025

Spacer structure for semiconductor device

Inventor: Yi-Chen Lo (Zhubei, TW)
Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
H10D64/021H10D30/024H10D30/6211H10D64/018H10D30/6219
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,324,209
App. No.
18/309,433
Granted
Jun 3, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure describes a semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same. The semiconductor structure can include a substrate, a fin structure over the substrate, a gate structure over the fin structure, a first inner spacer layer formed in the fin structure and adjacent to the gate structure, and a second inner spacer layer extending through the first inner spacer layer.

Claims (41)

1. A structure, comprising:

channel regions over a substrate;

a gate structure surrounding the channel regions;

a source/drain (S/D) structure adjacent to the channel regions; and

an inner spacer structure between the channel regions and separating the gate structure and the S/D structure, comprising:

a first inner spacer, wherein a front surface of the first inner spacer is in contact with the gate structure; and

a second inner spacer in contact with the gate structure and the front surface of the first inner spacer.

2. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the inner spacer structure further comprises a third inner spacer in contact with the S/D structure and the first inner spacer.

3. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the first inner spacer comprises a dielectric material free from carbon.

4. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the second inner spacer comprises a carbon-contained oxide material.

5. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the second inner spacer is in contact with a side surface of the first inner spacer.

6. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the second inner spacer is in contact with a curved portion of the front surface of the first inner spacer.

7. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the front surface of the first inner spacer comprises a flat portion and a curved portion.

8. A structure, comprising:

channel regions over a substrate;

a gate structure surrounding the channel regions;

a source/drain (S/D) structure adjacent to the channel regions; and

an inner spacer structure between the channel regions, comprising:

a first inner spacer comprising a first surface in contact with the gate structure and a second surface in contact with the S/D structure; and

a second inner spacer having dielectric surfaces in contact with the S/D structure and a third surface of the first inner spacer.

9. The structure of claim 8 , wherein oxide concentrations of the first and second inner spacers are different.

10. The structure of claim 8 , further comprising a gate spacer formed between the gate structure and the S/D structure, wherein the gate spacer is separated from the first inner spacer by the second inner spacer.

11. The structure of claim 8 , wherein the inner spacer structure further comprises a third inner spacer in contact with the gate structure and a curved portion of the first surface of the first inner spacer.

12. The structure of claim 11 , wherein a surface of the second inner spacer and a surface of the third inner spacer are coplanar.

13. The structure of claim 8 , wherein the third surface is perpendicular to the first and second surfaces.

14. The structure of claim 8 , wherein the first inner spacer comprises a dielectric material free from carbon.

15. A structure, comprising:

a vertical stack over a substrate, the vertical stack comprising:

a plurality of nano-sheet layers;

a gate structure surrounding the plurality of nano-sheet layers; and

an inner spacer structure adjacent to the gate structure and comprising:

a first inner spacer in contact with the gate structure on an interface; and

a second inner spacer surrounding the interface from a top view; and

a source/drain (S/D) structure adjacent to the plurality of nano-sheet layers and the inner spacer structure.

16. The structure of claim 15 , wherein:

the first inner spacer comprises a dielectric material free from carbon; and

the second inner spacer comprises a carbon-contained oxide material.

17. The structure of claim 15 , wherein the inner spacer structure further comprises a third inner spacer in contact with the S/D structure, the first inner spacer, and the second inner spacer.

18. The structure of claim 17 , wherein oxide concentrations of the first and third inner spacers are different.

19. The structure of claim 15 , wherein the inner spacer structure further comprises a gate spacer separating the gate structure and the S/D structure, wherein the gate spacer is separated from the first inner spacer by the second inner spacer.

20. The structure of claim 15 , wherein the interface comprises a curved surface.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2023
From: LO, YI-CHEN
To: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 063515/0888 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 17706339 · Mar 28, 2022
Continuation 16990865 · Aug 11, 2020
Related Publication 20230261091A1 · Aug 17, 2023
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