Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods, including metal oxide silicon field effect transistor (MOSFET) devices and methods. The semiconductor device, such as a MOSFET, includes two source regions; a drain region; two body regions, and a buffer region. Each of the two body regions contacts a different one of the two source regions. The buffer region is located between the two body regions, and contacts the two body regions. A doping concentration of the buffer region is less than a doping concentration of the two body regions.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided including two or more termination units. Each termination unit can include a via channel, a connection via, floating field rings, a metal plate, and a floating field plate. The floating field rings may include a first floating field ring having a first width and a second floating field ring having a second width. The first width may be different than the second width. The metal plate is coupled to the first floating field ring through the via channel. The floating field plate is coupled to the metal plate through the connection via. The termination units provide an adaptive electric field distribution configured to dissipate a voltage passing from a drain of the semiconductor device to a source of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) device, and methods for manufacturing and using the same. In some implementations, the MOSFET device includes a plurality of gate structures which are parallel to each other and separated from each other, and a termination structure having a first edge adjacent to the plurality of gate structures and a second edge on a side of the termination structure opposite the first edge. Each of the plurality of gate structures has a curved edge adjacent to the first edge of the termination structure, and the second edge of the termination structure is curved concave to the curved edges of the plurality of gate structures.

Abstract: Semiconductor device with multiple independent gates. A gate-controlled semiconductor device includes a first plurality of cells of the semiconductor device configured to be controlled by a primary gate, and a second plurality of cells of the semiconductor device configured to be controlled by an auxiliary gate. The primary gate is electrically isolated from the auxiliary gate, and sources and drains of the semiconductor device are electrically coupled in parallel. The first and second pluralities of cells may be substantially identical in structure.

Abstract: A vertical trench shield device can include a plurality of gate structures and a termination structure surrounding the plurality of gate structures. The plurality of gate structures can include a plurality of gate regions and a corresponding plurality of gate shield regions. The plurality of gate structures can be disposed between the plurality of source regions, and extending through the plurality of body regions to the drift region. The plurality of gate structures can be separated from each other by a first predetermined spacing in a core area. A first set of the plurality of gate structures can extend fully to the termination structure. The ends of a second set of the plurality of gate structures can be separated from the termination structure by a second predetermined spacing. The first and second spacings can be configured to balance charge in the core area and the termination area in a reverse bias condition.

Abstract: Semiconductor device with multiple independent gates. A gate-controlled semiconductor device includes a first plurality of cells of the semiconductor device configured to be controlled by a primary gate, and a second plurality of cells of the semiconductor device configured to be controlled by an auxiliary gate. The primary gate is electrically isolated from the auxiliary gate, and sources and drains of the semiconductor device are electrically coupled in parallel. The first and second pluralities of cells may be substantially identical in structure.

Abstract: A method of fabricating semiconductor devices including epitaxially depositing a heavily doped substrate layer that is substantially free of crystalline defects on a lightly doped virtual substrate. The device regions of the semiconductor devices can be fabricated about the heavily doped substrate layer before the lightly doped virtual substrate is removed.

Abstract: Semiconductor device with multiple independent gates. A gate-controlled semiconductor device includes a first plurality of cells of the semiconductor device configured to be controlled by a primary gate, and a second plurality of cells of the semiconductor device configured to be controlled by an auxiliary gate. The primary gate is electrically isolated from the auxiliary gate, and sources and drains of the semiconductor device are electrically coupled in parallel. The first and second pluralities of cells may be substantially identical in structure.

Abstract: A transistor and method of manufacturing an electrically active chip seal ring surrounding the gate, gate insulator and source structure of the active core area of the transistor. The chip seal ring can be electrically coupled to the gate to seal the active core area from intrusions of contaminants, impurities, defects and or the like.

Abstract: Split gate semiconductor with non-uniform trench oxide. A metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) comprises a plurality of parallel trenches. Each such trench comprises a first electrode coupled to a gate terminal of the MOSFET and a second electrode, physically and electrically isolated from the first electrode. The second electrode is beneath the first electrode in the trench. The second electrode includes at least two different widths at different depths below a primary surface of the MOSFET. The trenches may be formed in an epitaxial layer. The epitaxial layer may have a non-uniform doping profile with respect to depth below a primary surface of the MOSFET. The second electrode may be electrically coupled to a source terminal of the MOSFET.

Abstract: Vertical sense devices in vertical trench MOSFET. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic circuit includes a vertical trench metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor configured for switching currents of at least one amp and a current sensing field effect transistor configured to provide an indication of drain to source current of the MOSFET. A current sense ratio of the current sensing FET is at least 15 thousand and may be greater than 29 thousand.

Abstract: A vertical trench shield device can include a plurality of gate structures and a termination structure surrounding the plurality of gate structures. The plurality of gate structures can include a plurality of gate regions and a corresponding plurality of gate shield regions. The plurality of gate structures can be disposed between the plurality of source regions, and extending through the plurality of body regions to the drift region. The plurality of gate structures can be separated from each other by a first predetermined spacing in a core area. A first set of the plurality of gate structures can extend fully to the termination structure. The ends of a second set of the plurality of gate structures can be separated from the termination structure by a second predetermined spacing. The first and second spacings can be configured to balance charge in the core area and the termination area in a reverse bias condition.

Abstract: Disclosed are semiconductor devices that include additional gate pads, and methods of fabricating and testing such devices. A device may include a first gate pad, a second gate pad, and a third gate pad. The first gate pad is connected to a gate including a gate oxide layer. The second and third gate pads are part of an electro-static discharge (ESD) protection network for the device. The ESD protection network is initially isolated from the first gate pad and hence from the gate and gate oxide layer. Accordingly, gate oxide integrity (GOI) testing can be effectively performed and the reliability and quality of the gate oxide layer can be checked. The second gate pad can be subsequently connected to the first gate pad to enable the ESD protection network, and the third gate pad can be subsequently connected to an external terminal when the device is packaged.

Abstract: Semiconductor device with multiple independent gates. A gate-controlled semiconductor device includes a first plurality of cells of the semiconductor device configured to be controlled by a primary gate, and a second plurality of cells of the semiconductor device configured to be controlled by an auxiliary gate. The primary gate is electrically isolated from the auxiliary gate, and sources and drains of the semiconductor device are electrically coupled in parallel. The first and second pluralities of cells may be substantially identical in structure.

Abstract: A vertical trench shield device can include a plurality of gate structures and a termination structure surrounding the plurality of gate structures. The plurality of gate structures can include a plurality of gate regions and a corresponding plurality of gate shield regions. The plurality of gate structures can be disposed between the plurality of source regions, and extending through the plurality of body regions to the drift region. The plurality of gate structures can be separated from each other by a first predetermined spacing in a core area. A first set of the plurality of gate structures can extend fully to the termination structure. The ends of a second set of the plurality of gate structures can be separated from the termination structure by a second predetermined spacing. The first and second spacings can be configured to balance charge in the core area and the termination area in a reverse bias condition.

Abstract: A vertical trench shield device can include a plurality of gate structures and a termination structure surrounding the plurality of gate structures. The plurality of gate structures can include a plurality of gate regions and a corresponding plurality of gate shield regions. The plurality of gate structures can be disposed between the plurality of source regions, and extending through the plurality of body regions to the drift region. The plurality of gate structures can be separated from each other by a first predetermined spacing in a core area. A first set of the plurality of gate structures can extend fully to the termination structure. The ends of a second set of the plurality of gate structures can be separated from the termination structure by a second predetermined spacing. The first and second spacings can be configured to balance charge in the core area and the termination area in a reverse bias condition.

Abstract: A transistor and method of manufacturing an electrically active chip seal ring surrounding the gate, gate insulator and source structure of the active core area of the transistor. The chip seal ring can be electrically coupled to the gate to seal the active core area from intrusions of contaminants, impurities, defects and or the like.

Abstract: A multi-gate High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) can include a Two-Dimension Electron Gas (2DEG) channel between the drain and the source. A first gate can be disposed proximate the 2DEG channel between the drain and source. The first gate can be configured to deplete majority carriers in the 2DEG channel proximate the first gate when a potential applied between the first gate and the source is less than a threshold voltage associated with the first gate. A second gate can be disposed proximate the 2DEC channel, between the drain and the first gate. The second gate can be electrically coupled to the drain. The second gate can be configured to deplete majority carriers in the 2DEG channel proximate the second gate when a potential applied between the second gate and the 2DEG channel between the second gate and the first gate is less than a threshold voltage associated with the second gate.

Abstract: A method of fabricating semiconductor devices including epitaxially depositing a heavily doped substrate layer that is substantially free of crystalline defects on a lightly doped virtual substrate. The device regions of the semiconductor devices can be fabricated about the heavily doped substrate layer before the lightly doped virtual substrate is removed.

Abstract: Split gate semiconductor with non-uniform trench oxide. A metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) comprises a plurality of parallel trenches. Each such trench comprises a first electrode coupled to a gate terminal of the MOSFET and a second electrode, physically and electrically isolated from the first electrode. The second electrode is beneath the first electrode in the trench. The second electrode includes at least two different widths at different depths below a primary surface of the MOSFET. The trenches may be formed in an epitaxial layer. The epitaxial layer may have a non-uniform doping profile with respect to depth below a primary surface of the MOSFET. The second electrode may be electrically coupled to a source terminal of the MOSFET.