Abstract: A DMOS transistor having a trenched gate is formed in a substrate such that the P body region of the transistor may be formed heavier or deeper while still maintaining a "short" channel. This is accomplished by forming a portion of the N+ type source region within the P body region prior to forming the trench, followed by a second implantation and diffusion of a relatively shallow extension of the N+ source region formed overlying a part of the P body region. The increased depth or doping concentration of the P body region advantageously lowers the resistance of the P body region, while the short channel lowers the on-resistance of the transistor for improved performance.

Abstract: A trenched DMOS transistor has improved device performance and production yield. During fabrication the cell trench corners, i.e. the areas where two trenches intersect, are covered on the principal surface of the integrated circuit substrate with a blocking photoresist layer during the source region implant step in order to prevent (block) a channel from forming in these corner areas. Punch-through is thereby eliminated and reliability improved, while source/drain on-resistance is only slightly increased. The blocking of the trench corners creates a cutout structure at each trench corner, whereby the source region does not extend to the trench corner, but instead the underlying oppositely-doped body region extends to the trench corner.

Abstract: A submicron channel length is achieved in cells having sharp corners, such as square cells, by blunting the corners of the cells. In this way, the three dimensional diffusion effect is minimized, and punch through is avoided. Techniques are discussed for minimizing defects in the shallow junctions used for forming the short channel, including the use of a thin dry oxide rather than a thicker steam thermal over the body contact area, a field shaping p+ diffusion to enhance breakdown voltage, and TCA gathering. Gate-source leakage is reduced with extrinsic gathering on the poly backside, and intrinsic gathering due to the choice of starting material. Five masking step and six masking step processes are also disclosed for manufacturing a power MOSFET structure. This power MOSFET structure has an active region with a plurality of active cells as well as a termination region with a field ring or a row of inactive cells and a polysilicon field plate.

Abstract: A power MOSFET is created from a semiconductor body (2000 and 2001) having a main active area and a peripheral termination area. A first insulating layer (2002) of substantially uniform thickness lies over the active and termination areas. A main polycrystalline portion (2003A/2003B) lies over the first insulating layer largely above the active area. First and second peripheral polycrystalline segments (2003C1 and 2003C2) lie over the first insulating layer above the termination area.A gate electrode (2016) contacts the main polycrystalline portion. A source electrode (2015A/2015B) contacts the active area, the termination area, and the first polycrystalline segment. An optional additional metal portion (2019) contacts the second polycrystalline segment. The MOSFET is typically created by a five-mask process. A defreckle etch is performed subsequent to metal deposition and patterning to define the two peripheral polycrystalline segments.

Abstract: A DMOS transistor having a trenched gate is formed in a substrate such that the P body region of the transistor may be formed heavier or deeper while still maintaining a "short" channel. This is accomplished by forming a portion of the N+ type source region within the P body region prior to forming the trench, followed by a second implantation and diffusion of a relatively shallow extension of the N+ source region formed overlying a part of the P body region. The increased depth or doping concentration of the P body region advantageously lowers the resistance of the P body region, while the short channel lowers the on-resistance of the transistor for improved performance.

Abstract: A trenched DMOS transistor is fabricated using six masking steps. One masking step defines both the P+ regions and the active portions of the transistor which are masked using a LOCOS process. The LOCOS process also eliminates the poly stringer problem present in prior art structures by reducing the oxide step height. A transistor termination structure includes several field rings, each set of adjacent field rings separated by an insulated trench, thus allowing the field rings to be spaced very close together. The field rings and trenches are fabricated in the same steps as are corresponding portions of the active transistor.

Abstract: A submicron channel length is achieved in cells having sharp corners, such as square cells, by blunting the corners of the cells. In this way, the three dimensional diffusion effect is minimized, and punch through is avoided. Techniques are discussed for minimizing defects in the shallow junctions used for forming the short channel, including the use of a thin dry oxide rather than a thicker steam thermal over the body contact area, a field shaping p+ diffusion to enhance breakdown voltage, and TCA gathering. Gate-source leakage is reduced with extrinsic gathering on the poly backside, and intrinsic gathering due to the choice of starting material. Five masking step and six masking step processes are also disclosed for manufacturing a power MOSFET structure. This power MOSFET structure has an active region with a plurality of active cells as well as a termination region with a field ring or a row of inactive cells and a polysilicon field plate.

Abstract: An oxide sidewall spacer is formed on the sidewalls of a gate prior to forming the body region of a DMOS transistor. An ion implantation or diffusion process is then conducted to form the body region, where the gate and the oxide sidewall spacer together act as a mask for self-alignment of the body region. After a drive-in step to diffuse the impurities, the body region will extend only a relatively short distance under the gate due to its initial spacing from the edge of the gate. After the body region is formed, the oxide sidewall spacer is removed, and impurities to form the source region are implanted or diffused into the body region and driven in. Since the extension of the body region under the gate is limited by the oxide sidewall spacer, the channel region between the edge of the source region and the body region under the gate may be made shorter resulting in the channel on-resistance of the transistor being reduced.