Abstract: Disclosed are semiconductor devices and methods of making semiconductor devices. An exemplary embodiment comprises a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type having a first surface, a second surface, and a graded net doping concentration of the first conductivity type within a portion of the semiconductor layer. The graded portion is located adjacent to the top surface of the semiconductor layer, and the graded net doping concentration therein decreasing in value with distance from the top surface of the semiconductor layer. The exemplary device also comprises an electrode disposed at the first surface of the semiconductor layer and adjacent to the graded portion.

Abstract: Disclosed are semiconductor devices and methods of making semiconductor devices. An exemplary embodiment comprises a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type having a first surface, a second surface, and a graded net doping concentration of the first conductivity type within a portion of the semiconductor layer. The graded portion is located adjacent to the top surface of the semiconductor layer, and the graded net doping concentration therein decreasing in value with distance from the top surface of the semiconductor layer. The exemplary device also comprises an electrode disposed at the first surface of the semiconductor layer and adjacent to the graded portion.

Abstract: Disclosed are semiconductor devices and methods of making semiconductor devices. An exemplary embodiment comprises a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type having a first surface, a second surface, and a graded net doping concentration of the first conductivity type within a portion of the semiconductor layer. The graded portion is located adjacent to the top surface of the semiconductor layer, and the graded net doping concentration therein decreasing in value with distance from the top surface of the semiconductor layer. The exemplary device also comprises an electrode disposed at the first surface of the semiconductor layer and adjacent to the graded portion.

Abstract: Disclosed are semiconductor devices and methods of making semiconductor devices. An exemplary embodiment comprises a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type having a first surface, a second surface, and a graded net doping concentration of the first conductivity type within a portion of the semiconductor layer. The graded portion is located adjacent to the top surface of the semiconductor layer, and the graded net doping concentration therein decreasing in value with distance from the top surface of the semiconductor layer. The exemplary device also comprises an electrode disposed at the first surface of the semiconductor layer and adjacent to the graded portion.

Abstract: A power semiconductor device having high avalanche capability comprises an N+ doped substrate and, in sequence, N? doped, P? doped, and P+ doped semiconductor layers, the P? and P+ doped layers having a combined thickness of about 5 ?m to about 12 ?m. Recombination centers comprising noble metal impurities are disposed substantially in the N? and P? doped layers. A process for forming a power semiconductor device with high avalanche capability comprises: forming an N? doped epitaxial layer on an N+ doped substrate, forming a P? doped layer in the N? doped epitaxial layer, forming a P+ doped layer in the P? doped layer, and forming in the P? and N? doped layers recombination centers comprising noble metal impurities. The P+ and P?doped layers have a combined thickness of about 5 ?m to about 12 ?m.

Abstract: A power semiconductor device having high avalanche capability comprises an N+ doped substrate and, in sequence, N? doped, P? doped, and P+ doped semiconductor layers, the P? and P+ doped layers having a combined thickness of about 5 ?m to about 12 ?m. Recombination centers comprising noble metal impurities are disposed substantially in the N? and P? doped layers. A process for forming a power semiconductor device with high avalanche capability comprises: forming an N? doped epitaxial layer on an N+ doped substrate, forming a P? doped layer in the N? doped epitaxial layer, forming a P+ doped layer in the P? doped layer, and forming in the P? and N? doped layers recombination centers comprising noble metal impurities. The P+ and P? doped layers have a combined thickness of about 5 ?m to about 12 ?m.

Abstract: A process for filling a trench having sidewalls and a floor in a semiconductor device or integrated circuit comprises: forming an insulating layer on the sidewalls and floor of a trench in a semiconductor substrate, substantially filling the trench with semiconductor material, removing semiconductor material from an upper portion of the trench, depositing a first layer of BPSG in the upper portion of the trench, heating the substrate to a first temperature greater than about 850° C. and up to about 1100° C., depositing a second layer of BPSG above the first layer of BPSG, and heating the substrate to a second temperature greater than about 850° C. and up to about 1100° C. The first and second BPSG layers each comprises boron and phosphorus in a weight ratio of boron: phosphorus of greater than 1:1.

Abstract: A process for filling a trench having sidewalls and a floor in a semiconductor device or integrated circuit comprises: forming an insulating layer on the sidewalls and floor of a trench in a semiconductor substrate, substantially filling the trench with semiconductor material, removing semiconductor material from an upper portion of the trench, depositing a first layer of BPSG in the upper portion of the trench, heating the substrate to a first temperature greater than about 850° C. and up to about 1100° C., depositing a second layer of BPSG above the first layer of BPSG, and heating the substrate to a second temperature greater than about 850° C. and up to about 1100° C. The first and second BPSG layers each comprises boron and phosphorus in a weight ratio of boron: phosphorus of greater than 1:1.

Abstract: In an improved process for controlling and improving minority carrier lifetime in a P-i-N diode, platinum is deposited on a surface of a silicon semiconductor substrate containing at least one PN junction. The substrate is heated to a temperature of about 800° C., and the platinum is diffused into the substrate as its temperature is increased at a rate of about 5° C./minute to a first selected temperature of about 850-950° C. Platinum diffusion is continued while the substrate is maintained at the first selected temperature for about 30-60 minutes. The substrate temperature is then increased at a rate of about 5° C./minute to a second selected temperature above 950° C. to about 1000° C., and the substrate is maintained at the second selected temperature for about 5-30 minutes before cooling.

Abstract: A process for depositing oxygen doped semi-insulating polycrystalline silicon (SIPOS) as a passivation layer over the junction of a semiconductor silicon substrate in which the substrate is subjected to an oxygen removal step immediately prior to the creation of the SIPOS layer to thereby prevent the creation of an oxide layer at the interface between the SIPOS and the substrate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a silicon wafer includes growing a layer of low-resistivity crystalline silicon upon a precision-ground slice of single-crystal, high-resistivity silicon. The slice of single-crystal silicon has a thickness sufficient to withstand handling during the initial part of the processing. The crystalline silicon is built up to a thickness which is sufficient to withstand handling and processing of the finished wafer. The layer of single-crystal silicon is thereupon precision ground to reduce its final thickness to a value required for the devices to be formed thereon. The crystalline layer performs gettering to remove impurities from the single-crystal silicon during normal heating attendant to the formation of the solid-state devices thereon. The present invention further includes a silicon wafer made by the process of the invention.