Abstract: A method for forming a transistor with an emitter, intrinsic base, and collector. The base includes a semiconductor layer doped with a conductivity dopant to provide for a lower resistivity path to the intrinsic base. After the formation of a layer over a substrate, an emitter window opening is formed in the layer. The semiconductor layer is formed through the opening by a deposition process. A portion of the semiconductor layer is then removed. An emitter electrode is formed that includes at least a portion located in the opening. A remaining portion of the semiconductor layer is in a conductive path to the intrinsic base.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, such as a heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT), may include an extrinsic base region that is connected to a collector region via semiconductor material formed in an opening in one or more dielectric layers interposed between the extrinsic base region and the collector region. The extrinsic base region may be formed from monocrystalline semiconductor material, such as silicon or silicon germanium, via selective epitaxial growth. An intrinsic base region may be formed adjacent to the extrinsic base region and may be interposed directly between the collector region and an intrinsic emitter region. A HBT with such an arrangement may have reduced base-collector capacitance and reduced base resistance compared to some conventional HBTs.

Abstract: A semiconductor die includes a transistor with an emitter, base, and collector. The base includes an intrinsic base that is located in monocrystalline semiconductor material grown in an opening of a first semiconductor layer. A second semiconductor layer is located above the first semiconductor layer and includes a monocrystalline portion. In some embodiments, an opening was formed in the second semiconductor layer wherein a portion of the underlying first semiconductor layer was etched to form a cavity in which a monocrystalline intrinsic base was grown.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and fabrication method are described for manufacturing a heterojunction bipolar transistor by forming a silicon collector region in a substrate which includes a lower collector layer, a dopant diffusion barrier layer, and an upper collector layer, where the formation of the dopant diffusion barrier layer reduces diffusion of dopants from the lower collector layer into the upper collector layer during one or more subsequent manufacturing steps which are used to form a trench isolation region in the substrate along with a heterogeneous base region and a silicon emitter region.

Abstract: A semiconductor die includes a transistor with an emitter, base, and collector. The base includes an intrinsic base that is located in monocrystalline semiconductor material grown in an opening of a first semiconductor layer. A second semiconductor layer is located above the first semiconductor layer and includes a monocrystalline portion. In some embodiments, an opening was formed in the second semiconductor layer wherein a portion of the underlying first semiconductor layer was etched to form a cavity in which a monocrystalline intrinsic base was grown.

Abstract: A semiconductor device (100, 100?, 100?) and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device (100, 100?, 100?). The semiconductor device (100, 100?, 100?) includes a substrate (104, 106), a GaN layer (112), and an AlGaN layer (114). The GaN layer (112) is located between the substrate (104, 106) and the AlGaN layer (114). The device further includes at least one contact (130, 132, 134), comprising a central portion (150) and an edge portion (152), and a passivation layer (160) located at least between the edge portion (152) of the contact (130, 132, 134) and the AlGaN layer (114). The edge portion (152) is spaced apart from an upper surface of the passivation layer (160). The edge portion (152) may be spaced apart from the passivation layer (160) by a further layer (170) or by an air gap (172).

Abstract: An embodiment of a semiconductor device may include a semiconductor substrate, a first semiconductor region comprising a first material with a first polarity formed within the semiconductor substrate and a second semiconductor region comprising the first material with a second polarity formed within the semiconductor substrate and coupled to the first semiconductor region. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device may also include a first electrode coupled to the first semiconductor region, a second electrode coupled to the second semiconductor region, and a depletion region formed between the first semiconductor region and the second semiconductor region. The depletion region may include a mixed crystal region that includes a mixed crystal alloy of the first material and a second material, wherein the mixed crystal region has a lower bandgap energy than a bandgap energy of the first material.

Abstract: This specification discloses methods for integrating a SiGe-based HBT (heterojunction bipolar transistor) and a Si-based BJT (bipolar junction transistor) together in a single manufacturing process that does not add a lot of process complexity, and an integrated circuit that can be fabricated utilizing such a streamlined manufacturing process. In some embodiments, such an integrated circuit can enjoy both the benefits of a higher RF (radio frequency) performance for the SiGe HBT and a lower leakage current for the Si-based BJT. In some embodiments, such an integrated circuit can be applied to an ESD (electrostatic discharge) clamp circuit, in order to achieve a lower, or no, yield-loss.

Abstract: This specification discloses methods for integrating a SiGe-based HBT (heterojunction bipolar transistor) and a Si-based BJT (bipolar junction transistor) together in a single manufacturing process that does not add a lot of process complexity, and an integrated circuit that can be fabricated utilizing such a streamlined manufacturing process. In some embodiments, such an integrated circuit can enjoy both the benefits of a higher RF (radio frequency) performance for the SiGe HBT and a lower leakage current for the Si-based BJT. In some embodiments, such an integrated circuit can be applied to an ESD (electrostatic discharge) clamp circuit, in order to achieve a lower, or no, yield-loss.

Abstract: A semiconductor switch device for switching an RF signal and a method of making the same. The device includes a first semiconductor region having a first conductivity type. The device also includes a source region and a drain region located in the first semiconductor region. The source region and the drain region have a second conductivity type. The second conductivity type is different to the first conductivity type. The device further includes a gate separating the source region from the drain region. The device also includes at least one sinker region having the second conductivity type. Each sinker region is connectable to an external potential for drawing minority carriers away from the source and drain regions to reduce a leakage current at junctions between the source and drain regions and the first semiconductor region.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor switch device. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a major surface and a first semiconductor region having a first conductivity type located adjacent the major surface. The method also includes depositing a gate dielectric on the major surface. The method further includes implanting ions into the first semiconductor region through a mask positioned over the first semiconductor region, thereby to form a well region located in the first semiconductor region. The well region has a second conductivity type different to the first conductivity type. The method also includes depositing and patterning a gate electrode material on the gate dielectric to form a gate electrode located directly above the well region. The method further includes implanting ions into the first semiconductor region to form a source region and a drain region of the semiconductor switch device on either side of the gate electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of making the same is disclosed. The device includes a substrate having an AlGaN layer located on a GaN layer for forming a two dimensional electron gas at an interface between the AlGaN layer and the GaN layer. The device also includes a plurality of contacts. At least one of the contacts includes an ohmic contact portion located on a major surface of the substrate. The ohmic contact portion comprises a first electrically conductive material. The at least one of the contacts also includes a trench extending down into the substrate from the major surface. The trench passes through the AlGaN layer and into the GaN layer. The trench is at least partially filled with a second electrically conductive material. The second electrically conductive material is a different electrically conductive material to the first electrically conductive material.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of making the same are disclosed. The device includes a substrate including an AlGaN layer located on a GaN layer for forming a two dimensional electron gas at an interface between the AlGaN layer and the GaN layer. The device also includes a plurality of electrical contacts located on a major surface of the substrate. The device further includes a plurality of passivation layers located on the major surface of the substrate. The plurality of passivation layers includes a first passivation layer of a first passivation material contacting a first area of the major surface and a second passivation layer of a second passivation material contacting a second area of the major surface. The first and second passivation materials are different passivation materials. The different passivation materials may be compositions of silicon nitride that include different proportions of silicon.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor switch device. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a major surface and a first semiconductor region having a first conductivity type located adjacent the major surface. The method also includes depositing a gate dielectric on the major surface. The method further includes implanting ions into the first semiconductor region through a mask positioned over the first semiconductor region, thereby to form a well region located in the first semiconductor region. The well region has a second conductivity type different to the first conductivity type. The method also includes depositing and patterning a gate electrode material on the gate dielectric to form a gate electrode located directly above the well region. The method further includes implanting ions into the first semiconductor region to form a source region and a drain region of the semiconductor switch device on either side of the gate electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of making the same. The device includes a substrate having an AlGaN layer located on one or more GaN layers, for forming a two dimensional electron gas at an interface between the AlGaN layer and the GaN layer. The device also includes a source contact. The device further includes a drain contact. The device also includes a gate contact located between the source contact and the drain contact. The gate contact includes a gate electrode. The gate contact also includes an electrically insulating layer located between the gate electrode and the AlGaN layer. The insulating layer includes at least one aperture for allowing holes generated during an off-state of the device to exit the device through the gate electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising at least one active layer on a substrate and a first contact to the at least one active layer, the first contact comprising a metal in contact with the at least one active layer and a capping layer on the metal, the capping layer comprising a diffusion barrier, wherein the capping layer is patterned to form a pattern comprising regions of the contact covered by the capping layer and regions of the contact that are uncovered.

Abstract: A semiconductor switch device for switching an RF signal and a method of making the same. The device includes a first semiconductor region having a first conductivity type. The device also includes a source region and a drain region located in the first semiconductor region. The source region and the drain region have a second conductivity type. The second conductivity type is different to the first conductivity type. The device further includes a gate separating the source region from the drain region. The device also includes at least one sinker region having the second conductivity type. Each sinker region is connectable to an external potential for drawing minority carriers away from the source and drain regions to reduce a leakage current at junctions between the source and drain regions and the first semiconductor region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of making the same. The device includes a substrate having an AlGaN layer located on one or more GaN layers, for forming a two dimensional electron gas at an interface between the AlGaN layer and the GaN layer. The device also includes a source contact. The device further includes a drain contact. The device also includes a gate contact located between the source contact and the drain contact. The gate contact includes a gate electrode. The gate contact also includes an electrically insulating layer located between the gate electrode and the AlGaN layer. The insulating layer includes at least one aperture for allowing holes generated during an off-state of the device to exit the device through the gate electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of making the same are disclosed. The device includes a substrate including an AlGaN layer located on a GaN layer for forming a two dimensional electron gas at an interface between the AlGaN layer and the GaN layer. The device also includes a plurality of electrical contacts located on a major surface of the substrate. The device further includes a plurality of passivation layers located on the major surface of the substrate. The plurality of passivation layers includes a first passivation layer of a first passivation material contacting a first area of the major surface and a second passivation layer of a second passivation material contacting a second area of the major surface. The first and second passivation materials are different passivation materials.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of making the same is disclosed. The device includes a substrate having an AlGaN layer located on a GaN layer for forming a two dimensional electron gas at an interface between the AlGaN layer and the GaN layer. The device also includes a plurality of contacts. At least one of the contacts includes an ohmic contact portion located on a major surface of the substrate. The ohmic contact portion comprises a first electrically conductive material. The at least one of the contacts also includes a trench extending down into the substrate from the major surface. The trench passes through the AlGaN layer and into the GaN layer. The trench is at least partially filled with a second electrically conductive material. The second electrically conductive material is a different electrically conductive material to the first electrically conductive material.