Abstract: A transistor includes a first layer over a substrate. The transistor also includes a second layer over the first layer. The transistor further includes a carrier channel layer at an interface of the first layer and the second layer. The transistor additionally includes a gate structure, a drain, and a source over the second layer. The transistor also includes a passivation material in the second layer between an edge of the gate structure and an edge of the drain in a top-side view. The carrier channel layer has a smaller surface area than the first layer between the edge of the gate structure and the edge of the drain in the top-side view.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method of dicing a semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer that includes a device structure that is formed within a device layer. The device layer is arranged within an upper surface the device layer. A crack stop is formed, which surrounds the device structure and reinforces the semiconductor wafer to prevent cracking during dicing. A laser is used to form a groove along a scribe line outside the crack stop. The groove extends completely through the device layer, and into an upper surface region of the semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer is then cut along the grooved scribe line with a cutting blade to singulate the semiconductor wafer into two or more die. By extending the groove completely through the device layer, the method avoids damage to the device layer caused by the blade saw, and thus avoids an associated performance degradation of the device structure.

Abstract: A method of forming a high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) that includes epitaxially growing a second III-V compound layer on a first III-V compound layer. A carrier channel is located between the first III-V compound layer and the second III-V compound layer. A source feature and a drain feature are formed on the second III-V compound layer. A p-type layer is deposited on a portion of the second III-V compound layer between the source feature and the drain feature. A gate electrode is formed on a portion of the p-type layer.

Abstract: A high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) includes a silicon substrate, an unintentionally doped gallium nitride (UID GaN) layer over the silicon substrate. The HEMT further includes a donor-supply layer over the UID GaN layer, a gate structure, a drain, and a source over the donor-supply layer. The HEMT further includes a dielectric layer having one or more dielectric plug portions in the donor-supply layer and top portions between the gate structure and the drain over the donor-supply layer. A method for making the HEMT is also provided.

Abstract: A circuit structure includes a substrate, a III-V semiconductor compound over the substrate, a AlxGa(1-x)N (AlGaN) layer over the III-V semiconductor compound, a gate over the AlGaN layer, a passivation film over the gate and over a portion of the AlGaN layer, a source structure, and a drain structure on an opposite side of the gate from the source structure, wherein X ranges from 0.1 to 1. The source structure has a source contact portion and an overhead portion. The overhead portion is over at least a portion of the passivation film between the source contact portion and the gate. A distance between the source contact portion and the gate is less than a distance between the gate and the drain structure.

Abstract: A high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) includes a first III-V compound layer. A second III-V compound layer is disposed on the first III-V compound layer and is different from the first III-V compound layer in composition. A salicide source feature and a salicide drain feature are in contact with the first III-V compound layer through the second III-V compound layer. A gate electrode is disposed over a portion of the second III-V compound layer between the salicide source feature and the salicide drain feature.

Abstract: A silicon substrate having a III-V compound layer disposed thereon is provided. A diode is formed in the silicon substrate through an ion implantation process. The diode is formed proximate to an interface between the silicon substrate and the III-V compound layer. An opening is etched through the III-V compound layer to expose the diode. The opening is filled with a conductive material. Thereby, a via is formed that is coupled to the diode. A High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) device is formed at least partially in the III-V compound layer.

Abstract: A method includes epitaxially growing a gallium nitride (GaN) layer over a silicon substrate. The method further includes epitaxially growing a donor-supply layer over the GaN layer. The method further includes forming a source and a drain on the donor-supply layer. The method further includes forming a gate structure between the source and the drain on the donor-supply layer. The method further includes plasma etching a portion of a drift region of the donor-supply layer to a depth of less than 60% of a donor-supply layer thickness. The method further includes depositing a dielectric layer over the donor-supply layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises a first layer. The first layer comprises a first III-V semiconductor material. The semiconductor structure also comprises a second layer over the first layer. The second layer comprises a second III-V semiconductor material different from the first III-V semiconductor material. The semiconductor structure further comprises an insulating layer over the second layer. The insulating layer is patterned to expose a portion of the first layer. The exposed portion of the first layer comprises electrons of the second layer. The semiconductor structure additionally comprises an intermetallic compound over the exposed portion of the first layer.

Abstract: A circuit structure includes a substrate, a III-V semiconductor compound over the substrate, a AlxGa(1?X)N (AlGaN) layer over the III-V semiconductor compound, a gate over the AlGaN layer, a passivation film over the gate and over a portion of the AlGaN layer, a source structure, and a drain structure on an opposite side of the gate from the source structure, wherein X ranges from 0.1 to 1. The source structure has a source contact portion and an overhead portion. The overhead portion is over at least a portion of the passivation film between the source contact portion and the gate. A distance between the source contact portion and the gate is less than a distance between the gate and the drain structure.

Abstract: A method of forming a high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) includes forming a second III-V compound layer on a first III-V compound layer, forming a source feature and a drain feature on the second III-v compound layer, depositing a p-type layer on a portion of the second III-V compound layer between the source feature and the drain feature, and forming a gate electrode on the p-type layer. A carrier channel is located between the first III-V compound layer and the second III-V compound layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first III-V compound layer. A second III-V compound layer is over the first III-V compound layer and is different from the first III-V compound layer in composition. A carrier channel is located at an interface of the first III-V compound layer and the second III-V compound layer. Slanted field plates are in an opening in a dielectric layer over the second III-V compound layer; the gate electrode is disposed in the opening.

Abstract: A channel layer is grown over a substrate, and an active layer is grown over the channel layer, wherein the active layer has a band gap discontinuity with the channel layer. A dielectric layer is deposited over the active layer, and the dielectric layer is patterned to expose a portion of the active layer. A metal diffusion barrier is formed over the exposed portion of the active layer, and a gate is deposited over the metal diffusion barrier.

Abstract: A method of forming a high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) includes epitaxially growing a second III-V compound layer on a first III-V compound layer. The method further includes partially etching the second III-V compound layer to form two through holes in the second III-V compound layer. Additionally, the method includes forming a silicon feature in each of two through holes. Furthermore, the method includes depositing a metal layer on each silicon feature. Moreover, the method includes annealing the metal layer and each silicon feature to form corresponding salicide source/drain features. The method also includes forming a gate electrode over the second III-V compound layer between the salicide source/drain features.

Abstract: A silicon substrate having a III-V compound layer disposed thereon is provided. A diode is formed in the silicon substrate through an ion implantation process. The diode is formed proximate to an interface between the silicon substrate and the III-V compound layer. An opening is etched through the III-V compound layer to expose the diode. The opening is filled with a conductive material. Thereby, a via is formed that is coupled to the diode. A High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) device is formed at least partially in the III-V compound layer.

Abstract: A method of making a circuit structure includes growing a bulk layer over a substrate, and growing a donor-supply layer over the bulk layer. The method further includes depositing a doped layer over the donor-supply layer, and patterning the doped layer to form a plurality of islands. The method further includes forming a gate structure over the donor-supply layer, wherein the gate structure is partially over a largest island of the plurality of islands. The method further includes forming a drain over the donor-supply layer, wherein at least one island of the plurality of islands is between the gate structure and the drain.

Abstract: A method of forming a high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) that includes epitaxially growing a second III-V compound layer on a first III-V compound layer. A carrier channel is located between the first III-V compound layer and the second III-V compound layer. A source feature and a drain feature are formed on the second III-V compound layer. A p-type layer is deposited on a portion of the second III-V compound layer between the source feature and the drain feature. A gate electrode is formed on a portion of the p-type layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a first III-V compound layer, a second III-V compound layer over the first III-V compound layer, a gate dielectric over the second III-V compound layer, and a gate electrode over the gate dielectric. An anode electrode and a cathode electrode are formed on opposite sides of the gate electrode. The anode electrode is electrically connected to the gate electrode. The anode electrode, the cathode electrode, and the gate electrode form portions of a rectifier.

Abstract: A transistor includes a substrate, a channel layer over the substrate, an active layer over the channel layer, a metal diffusion barrier over the active layer, and a gate over the metal diffusion barrier. The active layer has a band gap discontinuity with the channel layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first III-V compound layer. A second III-V compound layer is over the first III-V compound layer and is different from the first III-V compound layer in composition. A carrier channel is located at an interface of the first III-V compound layer and the second III-V compound layer. A dielectric cap layer is over the second III-V compound layer and a protection layer is over the dielectric cap layer. Slanted field plates are in a combined opening in the dielectric cap layer and protection layer.