Patents by Inventor Hans-Juergen Thees

Hans-Juergen Thees has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240030323
    Abstract: A power semiconductor device and a method of producing a power semiconductor device are presented. The power semiconductor device is, for example, embodied as an IGBT and includes a deep cross trench which extends below trenches that include, e.g., control and source trench electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Alexander Philippou, Hans-Jürgen Thees, Thorsten Arnold
  • Patent number: 11742417
    Abstract: A power semiconductor device first trench structures extending from a first main surface into a semiconductor body up to a first depth. The first trench structures extend in parallel along a first lateral direction. Each first trench structure includes a first dielectric and a first electrode. The power semiconductor device further includes second trench structures extending from the first main surface into the semiconductor body up to a second depth that is smaller than the first depth. The second trench structures extend in parallel along a second lateral direction and intersect the first trenches at intersection positions. Each second trench structure includes a second dielectric and a second electrode. The second dielectric is arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode at the intersection positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Thorsten Arnold, Roman Baburske, Ilaria Imperiale, Alexander Philippou, Hans-Juergen Thees
  • Patent number: 11728420
    Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor body with a drift region; a plurality of trenches, wherein two adjacent trenches laterally confine a mesa of the semiconductor body. Each trench extends along a vertical direction and includes a trench electrode, and has a trench width along a first lateral direction and a trench length along a second lateral direction perpendicular to the first lateral direction, the trench length amounting to at least five times the trench width. The device further includes: a semiconductor body region of a second conductivity type in the mesa; a source region in the mesa; an insulation layer above and/or on the source region; a contact plug that extends at least from an upper surface of the insulation layer along the vertical direction so as to contact both the source region and the semiconductor body region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Anton Mauder, Hans-Juergen Thees
  • Publication number: 20220262935
    Abstract: A voltage-controlled switching device includes a drain/drift region of a first conductivity type formed in a semiconductor portion. A channel region and the drain/drift region are in direct contact with each other. A source region of a second conductivity type and the channel region are in direct contact with each other. A gate electrode and the channel region are capacitively coupled and configured such that, in a an on-state of the voltage-controlled switching device, a first enhancement region of charge carriers corresponding to the first conductivity type forms in the channel region and band-to-band tunneling is facilitated between the source region and the first enhancement region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Thees, Alim Karmous, Anton Mauder
  • Publication number: 20220231125
    Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes a control cell for controlling a load current and electrically connected to a load terminal structure on one side and to a drift region on another side. The drift region includes dopants of a first conductivity type. The control cell includes: a mesa extending along a vertical direction and including a contact region having dopants of the first or second conductivity type and electrically connected to the load terminal structure, and a channel region coupled to the drift region; a control electrode configured to control a conduction channel in the channel region; and a contact plug including at least one of a doped semiconductive material or metal, and arranged in contact with the contact region. An electrical connection between the contact region and load terminal structure is established by the contact plug, a portion of which horizontally projects beyond lateral boundaries of the mesa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Thees, Stefan Loesch, Marc Probst, Tom Richter, Olaf Storbeck
  • Patent number: 11322587
    Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes a control cell for controlling a load current. The control cell is electrically connected to a load terminal structure on one side and to a drift region on another side. The drift region includes dopants of a first conductivity type. The control cell includes: a mesa extending along a vertical direction and including: a contact region having dopants of the first conductivity type or of a second conductivity type and electrically connected to the load terminal structure, and a channel region coupled to the drift region; a control electrode configured to induce a conduction channel in the channel region; and a contact plug including a doped semiconductive material and arranged in contact with the contact region. An electrical connection between the contact region and load terminal structure is established by the contact plug, a portion of which projects beyond lateral boundaries of the mesa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Dresden GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Thees, Stefan Loesch, Marc Probst, Tom Richter, Olaf Storbeck
  • Publication number: 20220069079
    Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes: a first load terminal at a first side, a second load terminal, and a semiconductor body coupled to the load terminals and configured to conduct a load current between the load terminals; and trenches at the first side and extending into the semiconductor body along a vertical direction. Each trench includes a trench electrode insulated from the semiconductor body by a trench insulator. Two trenches spatially confine a mesa portion. A semiconductor source region and semiconductor body region are in the mesa portion. A contact plug extends from the first side into the mesa portion and is arranged: in contact with the source and body regions; in contact with the trench insulator of one of the two trenches that spatially confine the mesa portion; and spaced apart from the trench insulator of the other one of the two trenches that spatially confine the mesa portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Ute Queitsch, Roman Baburske, Ingo Dirnstorfer, Hans-Juergen Thees
  • Publication number: 20220052190
    Abstract: A power semiconductor device first trench structures extending from a first main surface into a semiconductor body up to a first depth. The first trench structures extend in parallel along a first lateral direction. Each first trench structure includes a first dielectric and a first electrode. The power semiconductor device further includes second trench structures extending from the first main surface into the semiconductor body up to a second depth that is smaller than the first depth. The second trench structures extend in parallel along a second lateral direction and intersect the first trenches at intersection positions. Each second trench structure includes a second dielectric and a second electrode. The second dielectric is arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode at the intersection positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Thorsten Arnold, Roman Baburske, Ilaria Imperiale, Alexander Philippou, Hans-Juergen Thees
  • Publication number: 20220020876
    Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor body with a drift region; a plurality of trenches, wherein two adjacent trenches laterally confine a mesa of the semiconductor body. Each trench extends along a vertical direction and includes a trench electrode, and has a trench width along a first lateral direction and a trench length along a second lateral direction perpendicular to the first lateral direction, the trench length amounting to at least five times the trench width. The device further includes: a semiconductor body region of a second conductivity type in the mesa; a source region in the mesa; an insulation layer above and/or on the source region; a contact plug that extends at least from an upper surface of the insulation layer along the vertical direction so as to contact both the source region and the semiconductor body region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Anton Mauder, Hans-Juergen Thees
  • Patent number: 11217678
    Abstract: A method of forming matched PFET/NFET spacers with differential widths for SG and EG structures and a method of forming differential width nitride spacers for SG NFET and SG PFET structures and PFET/NFET EG structures and respective resulting devices are provided. Embodiments include providing PFET SG and EG structures and NFET SG and EG structures; forming a first nitride layer over the substrate; forming an oxide liner; forming a second nitride layer on sidewalls of the PFET and NFET EG structures; removing horizontal portions of the first nitride layer and the oxide liner over the PFET SG and EG structures; forming RSD structures on opposite sides of each of the PFET SG and EG structures; removing horizontal portions of the first nitride layer and the oxide liner over the NFET SG and EG structures; and forming RSD structures on opposite sides of each of the NFET SG and EG structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: GlobalFoundries U.S. Inc.
    Inventors: George Robert Mulfinger, Ryan Sporer, Rick J. Carter, Peter Baars, Hans-Jürgen Thees, Jan Höntschel
  • Patent number: 11195942
    Abstract: An embodiment of a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor mesa in an active device area. The semiconductor mesa includes source regions arranged along a longitudinal direction of the semiconductor mesa and separated from one another along the longitudinal direction. The semiconductor device further includes an electrode trench structure including a dielectric and an electrode. The electrode trench structure adjoins a side of the semiconductor mesa. The semiconductor device further includes an isolation trench structure filled with one or more insulating materials. The isolation trench structure extends through the semiconductor mesa and into or through the electrode trench structure along a first lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Thees, Anton Mauder
  • Patent number: 11195935
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed including a gate electrode structure and raised drain and source regions that extend to a first height level and a sidewall spacer element positioned adjacent the sidewalls of the gate electrode structure between the raised drain and source regions and the gate electrode structure. The sidewall spacer element includes an upper portion that extends above the first height level wherein an inner part of the spacer element faces the gate electrode structure and extends to a second height level that is less than a third height level of an outer part of the upper portion of the spacer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: GlobalFoundries U.S. Inc.
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Thees, Peter Baars
  • Patent number: 10971599
    Abstract: An auxiliary layer is formed above a semiconductor body surface of a semiconductor body, the auxiliary layer being coupled to the semiconductor body and having an auxiliary layer surface. Trenches extend from the auxiliary layer surface along a vertical direction through the auxiliary layer into the semiconductor body, wherein two facing trench sidewalls of two adjacent trenches laterally confine a mesa region of the semiconductor body along a first lateral direction, each adjacent trench including a trench section protruding out of the semiconductor body surface. The trenches are filled with a trench filler material which is planarized to expose the auxiliary layer. The auxiliary layer is removed to least partially while maintaining the protruding trench sections. The mesa region is subjected to an implantation tilted by an angle of at least 10°, the protruding trench sections of the adjacent trenches serving at least partially as a mask during the implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Hans-Juergen Thees
  • Patent number: 10923579
    Abstract: A device including an SOI substrate and an isolation structure positioned at least partially in a trench that extends through a buried insulation layer and into a semiconductor bulk substrate of the SOI substrate is disclosed. The isolation structure includes a first dielectric layer positioned in a lower portion of the trench, a first material layer positioned above the first dielectric layer, the first material layer having a material different from a material of the first dielectric layer, and a second dielectric layer positioned above the first material layer, the second dielectric layer having a material different from the material of the first material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. INC.
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Thees, Peter Baars, Elliot John Smith
  • Publication number: 20200395443
    Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes a control cell for controlling a load current. The control cell is electrically connected to a load terminal structure on one side and to a drift region on another side. The drift region includes dopants of a first conductivity type. The control cell includes: a mesa extending along a vertical direction and including: a contact region having dopants of the first conductivity type or of a second conductivity type and electrically connected to the load terminal structure, and a channel region coupled to the drift region; a control electrode configured to induce a conduction channel in the channel region; and a contact plug including a doped semiconductive material and arranged in contact with the contact region. An electrical connection between the contact region and load terminal structure is established by the contact plug, a portion of which projects beyond lateral boundaries of the mesa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Thees, Stefan Loesch, Marc Probst, Tom Richter, Olaf Storbeck
  • Publication number: 20200303528
    Abstract: An embodiment of a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor mesa in an active device area. The semiconductor mesa includes source regions arranged along a longitudinal direction of the semiconductor mesa and separated from one another along the longitudinal direction. The semiconductor device further includes an electrode trench structure including a dielectric and an electrode. The electrode trench structure adjoins a side of the semiconductor mesa. The semiconductor device further includes an isolation trench structure filled with one or more insulating materials. The isolation trench structure extends through the semiconductor mesa and into or through the electrode trench structure along a first lateral direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Thees, Anton Mauder
  • Publication number: 20200251576
    Abstract: A device including an SOI substrate and an isolation structure positioned at least partially in a trench that extends through a buried insulation layer and into a semiconductor bulk substrate of the SOI substrate is disclosed. The isolation structure includes a first dielectric layer positioned in a lower portion of the trench, a first material layer positioned above the first dielectric layer, the first material layer having a material different from a material of the first dielectric layer, and a second dielectric layer positioned above the first material layer, the second dielectric layer having a material different from the material of the first material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Thees, Peter Baars, Elliot John Smith
  • Patent number: 10707330
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided including providing an SOI substrate comprising a semiconductor bulk substrate, a buried insulation layer and a semiconductor layer, forming a shallow trench isolation in the SOI substrate, forming a FET in and over the SOI substrate, and forming a contact to a source or drain region of the FET that is positioned adjacent to the source or drain region, wherein forming the shallow trench isolation includes forming a trench in the SOI substrate, filling a lower portion of the trench with a first dielectric layer, forming a buffer layer over the first dielectric material layer, the buffer layer having a material different from a material of the first dielectric layer, and forming a second dielectric layer over the buffer layer and of a material different from the material of the buffer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Thees, Peter Baars, Elliot John Smith
  • Publication number: 20200083346
    Abstract: A method of forming matched PFET/NFET spacers with differential widths for SG and EG structures and a method of forming differential width nitride spacers for SG NFET and SG PFET structures and PFET/NFET EG structures and respective resulting devices are provided. Embodiments include providing PFET SG and EG structures and NFET SG and EG structures; forming a first nitride layer over the substrate; forming an oxide liner; forming a second nitride layer on sidewalls of the PFET and NFET EG structures; removing horizontal portions of the first nitride layer and the oxide liner over the PFET SG and EG structures; forming RSD structures on opposite sides of each of the PFET SG and EG structures; removing horizontal portions of the first nitride layer and the oxide liner over the NFET SG and EG structures; and forming RSD structures on opposite sides of each of the NFET SG and EG structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: George Robert MULFINGER, Ryan SPORER, Rick J. CARTER, Peter BAARS, Hans-Jürgen THEES, Jan HÖNTSCHEL
  • Publication number: 20200066870
    Abstract: An auxiliary layer is formed above a semiconductor body surface of a semiconductor body, the auxiliary layer being coupled to the semiconductor body and having an auxiliary layer surface. Trenches extend from the auxiliary layer surface along a vertical direction through the auxiliary layer into the semiconductor body, wherein two facing trench sidewalls of two adjacent trenches laterally confine a mesa region of the semiconductor body along a first lateral direction, each adjacent trench including a trench section protruding out of the semiconductor body surface. The trenches are filled with a trench filler material which is planarized to expose the auxiliary layer. The auxiliary layer is removed to least partially while maintaining the protruding trench sections. The mesa region is subjected to an implantation tilted by an angle of at least 10°, the protruding trench sections of the adjacent trenches serving at least partially as a mask during the implantation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventor: Hans-Juergen Thees