Abstract: A multiple-zone junction termination extension region is formed adjacent a reverse-blocking junction in a semiconductor device to increase the breakdown voltage of such device. A single mask is used to form the multiple-zone JTE region, with the mask having different patterns of openings in the different zones of the mask. Adjacent openings are maintained with a center-to-center spacing of less than 25 percent of the depletion width of the reverse-blocking junction in a voltage-supporting semiconductor layer adjoining the reverse-blocking junction at the ideal breakdown voltage of the junction. As a consequence, the resulting non-uniformities in doping of the various zones of the JTE region are negligibly small. An alternative JTE region is finely-graduated in dopant level from one end of the region to the other, as opposed to having multiple zones of discrete doping levels.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 5, 1985
Date of Patent:
March 10, 1987
Assignee:
General Electric Company
Inventors:
Victor A. K. Temple, Wirojana Tantraporn