Abstract: A method can include forming a drift region, forming a well region above the drift region, and forming an active trench extending through the well region and into the drift region. The method can include forming a first source region in contact with a first sidewall of the active trench and a second source region in contact with a second sidewall of the active trench. The method also includes forming a charge control trench where the charge control trench is aligned parallel to the active trench and laterally separated from the active trench by a mesa region, and where the portion of the well region is in contact with the charge control trench and excludes any source region. The method also includes forming an oxide along a bottom of the active trench having a thickness greater than a thickness of an oxide along the first sidewall of the active trench.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment a structure can include a monolithically integrated trench field-effect transistor (FET) and Schottky diode. The structure can include a first gate trench extending into a semiconductor region, a second gate trench extending into the semiconductor region, and a source region flanking a side of the first gate trench. The source region can have a substantially triangular shape, and a contact opening extending into the semiconductor region between the first gate trench and the second gate trench. The structure can include a conductor layer disposed in the contact opening to electrically contact the source region along at least a portion of a slanted sidewall of the source region, and the semiconductor region along a bottom portion of the contact opening. The conductor layer can form a Schottky contact with the semiconductor region.

Abstract: A field effect transistor (FET) includes a plurality of trenches extending into a silicon layer, each trench having upper sidewalls that fan out. Contact openings extend into the silicon layer between adjacent trenches such that each trench and an adjacent contact opening form a common upper sidewall portion. Body regions extend between adjacent trenches. Source regions that are self-aligned to corresponding trenches extend in the body regions adjacent opposing sidewalls of each trench, and have a conductivity type opposite that of the body regions.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment a structure can include a monolithically integrated trench field-effect transistor (FET) and Schottky diode. The structure can include a first gate trench extending into a semiconductor region, a second gate trench extending into the semiconductor region, and a source region flanking a side of the first gate trench. The source region can have a substantially triangular shape, and a contact opening extending into the semiconductor region between the first gate trench and the second gate trench. The structure can include a conductor layer disposed in the contact opening to electrically contact the source region along at least a portion of a slanted sidewall of the source region, and the semiconductor region along a bottom portion of the contact opening. The conductor layer can form a Schottky contact with the semiconductor region.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment a structure can include a monolithically integrated trench field-effect transistor (FET) and Schottky diode. The structure can include a first gate trench extending into a semiconductor region, a second gate trench extending into the semiconductor region, and a source region flanking a side of the first gate trench. The source region can have a substantially triangular shape, and a contact opening extending into the semiconductor region between the first gate trench and the second gate trench. The structure can include a conductor layer disposed in the contact opening to electrically contact the source region along at least a portion of a slanted sidewall of the source region, and the semiconductor region along a bottom portion of the contact opening. The conductor layer can form a Schottky contact with the semiconductor region.

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: A method for forming a field effect transistor and Schottky diode includes forming a well region in a first portion of a silicon region where the field effect transistor is to be formed but not in a second portion of the silicon region where the Schottky diode is to be formed. Gate trenches are formed extending into the silicon region. A recessed gate is formed in each gate trench. A dielectric cap is formed over each recessed gate. Exposed surfaces of the well region are recessed to form a recess between every two adjacent trenches. Without masking any portion of the active area, a zero-degree blanket implant is performed to form a heavy body region of the second conductivity type in the well region between every two adjacent trenches.

Abstract: A field effect transistor (FET) includes a plurality of trenches extending into a silicon layer, each trench having upper sidewalls that fan out. Contact openings extend into the silicon layer between adjacent trenches such that each trench and an adjacent contact opening form a common upper sidewall portion. Body regions extend between adjacent trenches. Source regions that are self-aligned to corresponding trenches extend in the body regions adjacent opposing sidewalls of each trench, and have a conductivity type opposite that of the body regions.

Abstract: A method for forming power semiconductor devices having an inter-electrode dielectric (IPD) layer inside a trench includes providing a semiconductor substrate with a trench, lining the sidewalls and bottom of the trench with a first layer of dielectric material, filling the trench with a first layer of conductive material to form a first electrode, recessing the first layer of dielectric material and the first layer of conductive material to a first depth inside the trench, forming a layer of polysilicon material on a top surface of the dielectric material and conductive material inside the trench, oxidizing the layer of polysilicon material, and forming a second electrode inside the trench atop the oxidized layer and isolated from trench sidewalls by a second dielectric layer. The oxidation step can be enhanced by either chemically or physically altering the top portion polysilicon such as by implanting impurities.

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: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes the following. Removing portions of a silicon layer such that a trench having sidewalls which fan out near the top of the trench to extend directly over a portion of the silicon layer is formed in the silicon layer; and forming source regions in the silicon layer adjacent the trench sidewall such that the source regions extend into the portions of the silicon layer directly over which the trench sidewalls extend.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes the following. Removing portions of a silicon layer such that a trench having sidewalls which fan out near the top of the trench to extend directly over a portion of the silicon layer is formed in the silicon layer; and forming source regions in the silicon layer adjacent the trench sidewall such that the source regions extend into the portions of the silicon layer directly over which the trench sidewalls extend.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes the following. A masking layer with opening is formed over a silicon layer. The silicon layer is isotropically etched through the masking layer openings so as to remove bowl-shaped portions of the silicon layer, each of which includes a middle portion and outer portions extending directly underneath the masking layer. The outer portions form outer sections of corresponding trenches. Additional portions of the silicon layer are removed through the masking layer openings so as to form a middle section of the trenches which extends deeper into the silicon layer than the outer sections of the trenches. A first doped region of a first conductivity type is formed in an upper portion of the silicon layer. An insulating layer is formed within each trench, and extends directly over a portion of the first doped region adjacent each trench sidewall.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes the following. A masking layer with opening is formed over a silicon layer. The silicon layer is isotropically etched through the masking layer openings so as to remove bowl-shaped portions of the silicon layer, each of which includes a middle portion and outer portions extending directly underneath the masking layer. The outer portions form outer sections of corresponding trenches. Additional portions of the silicon layer are removed through the masking layer openings so as to form a middle section of the trenches which extends deeper into the silicon layer than the outer sections of the trenches. A first doped region of a first conductivity type is formed in an upper portion of the silicon layer. An insulating layer is formed within each trench, and extends directly over a portion of the first doped region adjacent each trench sidewall.

Abstract: A field effect transistor includes a plurality of trenches extending into a silicon layer. Each trench has upper sidewalls that fan out. Contact openings extend into the silicon layer between adjacent trenches such that each trench and an adjacent contact opening form a common upper sidewall portion. Body regions extend between adjacent trenches, and source regions extend in the body regions adjacent opposing sidewalls of each trench. The source regions have a conductivity type opposite that of the body regions.

Abstract: A method for forming a field effect transistor with an active area and a termination region surrounding the active area includes forming a well region in a first silicon region, where the well region and the first silicon region are of opposite conductivity type. Gate trenches extending through the well region and terminating within the first silicon region are formed. A recessed gate is formed in each gate trench. A dielectric cap is formed over each recessed gate. The well region is recessed between adjacent trenches to expose upper sidewalls of each dielectric cap. A blanket source implant is carried out to form a second silicon region in an upper portion of the recessed well region between every two adjacent trenches. A dielectric spacer is formed along each exposed upper sidewall of the dielectric cap, with every two adjacent dielectric spacers located between every two adjacent gate trenches forming an opening over the second silicon region.

Abstract: A method for forming power semiconductor devices having an inter-electrode dielectric (IPD) layer inside a trench includes providing a semiconductor substrate with a trench, lining the sidewalls and bottom of the trench with a first layer of dielectric material, filling the trench with a first layer of conductive material to form a first electrode, recessing the first layer of dielectric material and the first layer of conductive material to a first depth inside the trench, forming a layer of polysilicon material on a top surface of the dielectric material and conductive material inside the trench, oxidizing the layer of polysilicon material, and forming a second electrode inside the trench atop the oxidized layer and isolated from trench sidewalls by a second dielectric layer. The oxidation step can be enhanced by either chemically or physically altering the top portion polysilicon such as by implanting impurities.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a FET is formed as follows. An exposed surface area of a silicon layer where silicon can be removed is defined. A portion of the silicon layer is removed to form a middle section of a trench extending into the silicon layer from the exposed surface area of the silicon layer. Additional exposed surface areas of the silicon layer where silicon can be removed are defined. Additional portions of the silicon layer are removed to form outer sections of the trench such that the outer sections of the trench extend into the silicon layer from the additional exposed surface areas of the silicon layer. The middle section of the trench extends deeper into the silicon layer than the outer sections of the trench.

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 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.