Abstract: A metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) includes a substrate, the substrate being heavily doped and of a first conductivity type, a substrate cap region disposed on the substrate, the substrate cap region being heavily doped and of the first conductivity type and a body region disposed on the substrate cap region, the body region being lightly doped and of a second conductivity type. The MOSFET also includes a trench extending into the body region, a source region of the first conductivity type disposed in the body region and in contact with an upper portion of a sidewall of the trench and an out-diffusion region of the first conductivity type formed such that a spacing between the source region and the out-diffusion region defines a channel region of the MOSFET extending along the sidewall of the trench.

Abstract: A field effect transistor includes a plurality of trenches extending into a semiconductor region of a first conductivity type. The plurality of trenches includes a plurality of gated trenches and a plurality of non-gated trenches. A body region of a second conductivity extends in the semiconductor region between adjacent trenches. A dielectric material fills a bottom portion of each of the gated and non-gated trenches. A gate electrode is disposed in each gated trench. A conductive material of the second conductivity type is disposed in each non-gated trench such that the conductive material and contacts corresponding body regions along sidewalls of the non-gated trench.

Abstract: Exemplary power semiconductor devices with features providing increased breakdown voltage and other benefits are disclosed.

Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus can include a first trench oxide disposed within a first trench of an epitaxial layer and having a trench bottom oxide disposed below a gate portion of the first trench oxide. The apparatus can include a second trench disposed lateral to the first trench. The trench bottom oxide portion of the first oxide can have a thickness greater than a distance within the epitaxial layer from the first trench to the second trench.

Abstract: A field effect transistor includes a plurality of trenches extending into a semiconductor region of a first conductivity type. The plurality of trenches includes a plurality of gated trenches and a plurality of non-gated trenches. A body region of a second conductivity extends in the semiconductor region between adjacent trenches. A dielectric material fills a bottom portion of each of the gated and non-gated trenches. A gate electrode is disposed in each gated trench. A conductive material of the second conductivity type is disposed in each non-gated trench such that the conductive material and contacts corresponding body regions along sidewalls of the non-gated trench.

Abstract: Exemplary power semiconductor devices with features providing increased breakdown voltage and other benefits are disclosed.

Abstract: Exemplary power semiconductor devices with features providing increased breakdown voltage and other benefits are disclosed.

Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus can include a first trench oxide disposed within a first trench of an epitaxial layer and having a trench bottom oxide disposed below a gate portion of the first trench oxide. The apparatus can include a second trench disposed lateral to the first trench. The trench bottom oxide portion of the first oxide can have a thickness greater than a distance within the epitaxial layer from the first trench to the second trench.

Abstract: A method for forming thick oxide at the bottom of a trench formed in a semiconductor substrate includes forming a conformal oxide film by a sub-atmospheric chemical vapor deposition process that fills the trench and covers a top surface of the substrate. The method also includes etching the oxide film off the top surface of the substrate and inside the trench to leave a substantially flat layer of oxide having a target thickness at the bottom of the trench.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a substrate of a first conductivity type silicon is provided. A substrate cap region of the first conductivity type silicon is formed such that a junction is formed between the substrate cap region and the substrate. A body region of a second conductivity type silicon is formed such that a junction is formed between the body region and the substrate cap region. A trench extending through at least the body region is then formed. A source region of the first conductivity type is then formed in an upper portion of the body region. An out-diffusion region of the first conductivity type is formed in a lower portion of the body region as a result of one or more temperature cycles such that a spacing between the source region and the out-diffusion region defines a channel length of the field effect transistor.

Abstract: A synchronous buck converter includes a high-side switch and a low-side switch serially coupled to one another. The low-side switch includes a field effect transistor that comprises: a trench extending into a drift region of the field effect transistor; a shield electrode in a lower portion of the trench, wherein the shield electrode is insulated from the drift region by a shield dielectric; a gate electrode in the trench over the shield electrode, wherein the gate electrode is insulated from the shield electrode by an inter-electrode dielectric; source regions adjacent the trench; a source metal contacting the source regions; and a resistive element having one end contacting the shield electrode and another end contacting the source metal in the field effect transistor.

Abstract: Exemplary power semiconductor devices with features providing increased breakdown voltage and other benefits are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a charge control trench and an active control trench with a thick oxide bottom includes forming a drift region, a well region extending above the drift region, an active trench extending through the well region and into the drift region, a charge control trench extending deeper into the drift region than the active trench, an oxide film that fills the active trench, the charge control trench and covers a top surface of the substrate, an electrode in the active trench, and source regions. The method also includes etching the oxide film off the top surface of the substrate and inside the active trench to leave a substantially flat layer of thick oxide having a target thickness at the bottom of the active trench.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a substrate of a first conductivity type silicon is provided. A substrate cap region of the first conductivity type silicon is formed such that a junction is formed between the substrate cap region and the substrate. A body region of a second conductivity type silicon is formed such that a junction is formed between the body region and the substrate cap region. A trench extending through at least the body region is then formed. A source region of the first conductivity type is then formed in an upper portion of the body region. An out-diffusion region of the first conductivity type is formed in a lower portion of the body region as a result of one or more temperature cycles such that a spacing between the source region and the out-diffusion region defines a channel length of the field effect transistor.

Abstract: A field effect transistor includes a plurality of trenches extending into a semiconductor region of a first conductivity type. The plurality of trenches includes a plurality of gated trenches and a plurality of non-gated trenches. A body region of a second conductivity extends in the semiconductor region between adjacent trenches. A dielectric material fills a bottom portion of each of the gated and non-gated trenches. A gate electrode is disposed in each gated trench. A conductive material of the second conductivity type is disposed in each non-gated trench such that the conductive material and contacts corresponding body regions along sidewalls of the non-gated trench.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods for making such devices that contain a 3D channel architecture are described. The 3D channel architecture is formed using a dual trench structure containing with a plurality of lower trenches extending in an x and y directional channels and separated by a mesa and an upper trench extending in a y direction and located in an upper portion of the substrate proximate a source region. Thus, smaller pillar trenches are formed within the main line-shaped trench. Such an architecture generates additional channel regions which are aligned substantially perpendicular to the conventional line-shaped channels. The channel regions, both conventional and perpendicular, are electrically connected by their corner and top regions to produce higher current flow in all three dimensions. With such a configuration, higher channel density, a stronger inversion layer, and a more uniform threshold distribution can be obtained for the semiconductor device. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A method for forming a field effect transistor includes forming a trench in a semiconductor region and forming a dielectric layer lining lower sidewalls and bottom surface of the trench. After forming the dielectric layer, a lower portion of the trench is filled with a shield electrode. An inter-electrode dielectric (IED) is formed in the trench over the shield electrode by carrying out a steam ambient oxidation and carrying out a dry ambient oxidation. A gate electrode is formed in an upper portion of the trench. The gate electrode may be insulated from the shield electrode by the IED.

Abstract: A semiconductor power device includes a drift region of a first conductivity type, a well region extending above the drift region and having a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type, an active trench extending through the well region and into the drift region. The active trench, which includes sidewalls and bottom lined with dielectric material, is substantially filled with a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer. The second conductive layer forms a gate electrode and is disposed above the first conductive layer and is separated from the first conductive layer by an inter-electrode dielectric material. The device also includes source regions having the first conductivity type formed inside the well region and adjacent the active trench and a charge control trench that extends deeper into the drift region than the active trench and is substantially filled with material to allow for vertical charge control in the drift region.

Abstract: A synchronous buck converter includes a high-side switch and a low-side switch serially coupled to one another. The low-side switch includes a field effect transistor that comprises: a trench extending into a drift region of the field effect transistor; a shield electrode in a lower portion of the trench, wherein the shield electrode is insulated from the drift region by a shield dielectric; a gate electrode in the trench over the shield electrode, wherein the gate electrode is insulated from the shield electrode by an inter-electrode dielectric; source regions adjacent the trench; a source metal contacting the source regions; and a resistive element having one end contacting the shield electrode and another end contacting the source metal in the field effect transistor.

Abstract: A semiconductor power device includes a drift region of a first conductivity type, a well region extending above the drift region and having a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type, an active trench extending through the well region and into the drift region, source regions having the first conductivity type formed in the well region adjacent the active trench, and a first termination trench extending below the well region and disposed at an outer edge of an active region of the device. The sidewalls and bottom of the active trench are lined with dielectric material, and substantially filled with a first conductive layer forming an upper electrode and a second conductive layer forming a lower electrode, the upper electrode being disposed above the lower electrode and separated therefrom by inter-electrode dielectric material.