Patents by Inventor Keiji Wada

Keiji Wada 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: 20140073121
    Abstract: A MOSFET includes a semiconductor substrate having a trench formed in a main surface, a gate oxide film, a gate electrode, and a source interconnection. A semiconductor substrate includes an n-type drift layer and a p-type body layer. The trench is formed to penetrate the body layer and to reach the drift layer. The trench includes an outer peripheral trench arranged to surround an active region when viewed two-dimensionally. On the main surface opposite to the active region when viewed from the outer peripheral trench, a potential fixing region where the body layer is exposed is formed. The source interconnection is arranged to lie over the active region when viewed two-dimensionally. The potential fixing region is electrically connected to the source interconnection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeyoshi Masuda, Keiji Wada, Toru Hiyoshi
  • Publication number: 20140070233
    Abstract: A gate insulating film is provided on a trench. The gate insulating film has a trench insulating film and a bottom insulating film. The trench insulating film covers each of a side wall and a bottom portion. The bottom insulating film is provided on the bottom portion with a trench insulating film being interposed therebetween. The bottom insulating film has a carbon atom concentration lower than that of the trench insulating film. The gate electrode is in contact with a portion of the trench insulating film on the side wall. Accordingly, a low threshold voltage and a large breakdown voltage can be attained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeyoshi Masuda, Yu Saitoh, Hideki Hayashi, Toru Hiyoshi, Keiji Wada
  • Publication number: 20140061670
    Abstract: A wide gap semiconductor device has a substrate and a Schottky electrode. The substrate is made of a wide gap semiconductor material and has a first conductivity type. The Schottky electrode is arranged on the substrate to be in contact therewith and is made of a single material. The Schottky electrode includes a first region having a first barrier height and a second region having a second barrier height higher than the first barrier height. The second region includes an outer peripheral portion of the Schottky electrode. Thus, a wide gap semiconductor device capable of achieving less leakage current and a method for manufacturing the same can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Wada, Kenji Kanbara
  • Publication number: 20140061671
    Abstract: A wide gap semiconductor device includes a substrate and a Schottky electrode. The substrate formed of a wide gap semiconductor material has a main face, and includes a first-conductivity-type region and a second-conductivity-type region. The Schottky electrode is arranged adjoining the main face of the substrate. At the substrate, there is foamed a trench having a side face continuous with the main face and a bottom continuous with the side face. The Schottky electrode adjoins the first-conductivity-type region at the side face of the trench and the main face, and adjoins the second-conductivity-type region at the bottom of the trench. The side face of the trench is inclined relative to the main face of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Wada, Takeyoshi Masuda, Toru Hiyoshi
  • Publication number: 20140042460
    Abstract: A silicon carbide substrate has a first surface and a second surface, and includes a first region and a third region each having first conductivity type, as well as a second region and a fourth region each having second conductivity type. The third region surrounds the second region on the second surface. The fourth region has an impurity concentration higher than that of the second region, is in contact with the second region, and surrounds the third region on the second surface. A first main electrode is provided on the first surface. A second main electrode is in contact with each of the third and fourth regions. A gate insulating film is provided on the second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Takeyoshi Masuda, Keiji Wada, Toru Hiyoshi
  • Patent number: 8642476
    Abstract: There is provided a method for manufacturing a SiC semiconductor device achieving improved performance. The method for manufacturing the SiC semiconductor device includes the following steps. That is, a SiC semiconductor is prepared which has a first surface having at least a portion into which impurities are implanted. By cleaning the first surface of the SiC semiconductor, a second surface is formed. On the second surface, a Si-containing film is formed. By oxidizing the Si-containing film, an oxide film constituting the SiC semiconductor device is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satomi Itoh, Hiromu Shiomi, Yasuo Namikawa, Keiji Wada, Mitsuru Shimazu, Toru Hiyoshi
  • Publication number: 20140027784
    Abstract: A drift layer forms a first main surface of a silicon carbide layer and has a first conductivity type. A source region is provided to be spaced apart from the drift layer by a body region, forms a second main surface, and has the first conductivity type. A relaxing region is provided within the drift layer and has a distance Ld from the first main surface. The relaxing region has a second conductivity type and has an impurity dose amount Drx. The drift layer has an impurity concentration Nd between the first main surface and the relaxing region. Relation of Drx>Ld·Nd is satisfied. Thus, a silicon carbide semiconductor device having a high breakdown voltage is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Keiji Wada, Takeyoshi Masuda, Toru Hiyoshi
  • Patent number: 8609521
    Abstract: A silicon carbide substrate having a surface is prepared. An impurity region is formed by implanting ions from the surface into the silicon carbide substrate. Annealing for activating the impurity region is performed. The annealing includes the step of applying first laser light having a first wavelength to the surface of the silicon carbide substrate, and the step of applying second laser light having a second wavelength to the surface of the silicon carbide substrate. The silicon carbide substrate has first and second extinction coefficients at the first and second wavelengths, respectively. A ratio of the first extinction coefficient to the first wavelength is higher than 5×105/m. A ratio of the second extinction coefficient to the second wavelength is lower than 5×105/m. Consequently, damage to the surface of the silicon carbide substrate during laser annealing can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Kubota, Keiji Wada, Takeyoshi Masuda, Hiromu Shiomi
  • Patent number: 8610131
    Abstract: An IGBT includes a groove provided in a silicon carbide semiconductor layer, a body region of a first conductivity type provided in the silicon carbide semiconductor layer, and an insulating film covering at least a sidewall surface of the groove, the sidewall surface of the groove being a surface having an off angle of 50° or more and 65° or less with respect to a {0001} plane, the sidewall surface of the groove including a surface of the body region, the insulating film being in contact with at least the surface of the body region at the sidewall surface of the groove, and a first conductivity type impurity concentration in the body region being 5×1016 cm?3 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Wada, Takeyoshi Masuda, Misako Honaga, Toru Hiyoshi
  • Patent number: 8610132
    Abstract: A MOSFET includes a semiconductor substrate having a trench formed in a main surface, a gate oxide film, a gate electrode, and a source interconnection. A semiconductor substrate includes an n-type drift layer and a p-type body layer. The trench is formed to penetrate the body layer and to reach the drift layer. The trench includes an outer peripheral trench arranged to surround an active region when viewed two-dimensionally. On the main surface opposite to the active region when viewed from the outer peripheral trench, a potential fixing region where the body layer is exposed is formed. The source interconnection is arranged to lie over the active region when viewed two-dimensionally. The potential fixing region is electrically connected to the source interconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeyoshi Masuda, Keiji Wada, Toru Hiyoshi
  • Publication number: 20130307065
    Abstract: The substrate is made of a compound semiconductor and has a plurality of first recesses, each of which opens at one main surface thereof and has a first side wall surface. The gate insulating film is disposed on and in contact with the first side wall surface. The gate electrode is disposed on and in contact with the gate insulating film. The substrate include: a source region having first conductivity type and disposed to face itself with a first recess interposed therebetween, when viewed in a cross section along the thickness direction; and a body region having second conductivity type and disposed to face itself with the first recess interposed therebetween. Portions of the source region facing each other are connected to each other in a region interposed between the first recess and another first recess adjacent to the first recess, when viewed in a plan view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeyoshi MASUDA, Keiji WADA, Toru HIYOSHI
  • Publication number: 20130306986
    Abstract: A silicon carbide substrate includes a first layer of a first conductivity type, a second layer of a second conductivity type provided on the first layer, and a third layer provided on the second layer and doped with an impurity for providing the first conductivity type. The silicon carbide substrate has a trench formed through the third layer and the second layer to reach the first layer. The first layer has a concentration peak of the impurity in a position away from the trench in the first layer. As a result, a silicon carbide semiconductor device having an electric field relaxation structure that can be readily formed is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Wada, Toru Hiyoshi, Takeyoshi Masuda
  • Publication number: 20130307061
    Abstract: The substrate is made of a compound semiconductor, and has a recess, which opens at one main surface and has side wall surfaces when viewed in a cross section along a thickness direction. The gate insulating film is disposed on and in contact with each of the side wall surfaces. The substrate includes a source region having first conductivity type and disposed to be exposed at the side wall surface; and a body region having second conductivity type and disposed in contact with the source region at a side opposite to the one main surface so as to be exposed at the side wall surface, when viewed from the source region. The recess has a closed shape when viewed in a plan view. The side wall surfaces provide an outwardly projecting shape in every direction when viewed from an arbitrary location in the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeyoshi MASUDA, Toru HIYOSHI, Keiji WADA
  • Publication number: 20130306987
    Abstract: A first layer is of a first conductivity type. A second layer is provided on the first layer and is of a second conductivity type. A third layer is provided on the second layer and isolated from the first layer by the second layer, and is of the first conductivity type. A trench is formed through the third layer and the second layer to reach the first layer. The first layer includes a relaxation region sandwiching a gate insulating film between itself and a gate electrode. The relaxation region is doped with a first impurity for providing the first conductivity type. The relaxation region is also doped with a second impurity for providing the second conductivity type in a concentration lower than that of the first impurity. As a result, an electric field relaxation structure for improving the breakdown voltage can be readily formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Wada, Takeyoshi Masuda, Toru Hiyoshi
  • Patent number: 8564017
    Abstract: A drift layer has a thickness direction throughout which a current flows and has an impurity concentration N1d for a first conductivity type. A body region is provided on a portion of the drift layer, has a channel to be switched by a gate electrode, has an impurity concentration N1b for the first conductivity type, and has an impurity concentration N2b for the second conductivity type greater than the impurity concentration N1b. A JFET region is disposed adjacent to the body region on the drift layer, has an impurity concentration N1j for the first conductivity type, and has an impurity concentration N2j for the second conductivity type smaller than the impurity concentration N1j. N1j?N2j>N1d and N2j<N2b are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Misako Honaga, Takeyoshi Masuda, Keiji Wada, Toru Hiyoshi
  • Publication number: 20130270576
    Abstract: A silicon carbide semiconductor device has a planar layout configured by periodically arranging unit cells. The unit cells include valid cells and invalid cells. Each of the valid cells has a switchable channel surface. The invalid cells are to relax electric field in the valid cells. At least one of the valid cells is disposed between adjacent ones of the invalid cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeyoshi Masuda, Keiji Wada, Toru Hiyoshi
  • Patent number: 8536583
    Abstract: A MOSFET includes: a silicon carbide (SiC) substrate having a main surface having an off angle of not less than 50° and not more than 65° relative to a {0001} plane; a semiconductor layer formed on the main surface of the SiC substrate; and an insulating film formed in contact with a surface of the semiconductor layer. The MOSFET has a sub-threshold slope of not more than 0.4 V/Decade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Wada, Shin Harada, Takeyoshi Masuda, Misako Honaga
  • Patent number: 8525187
    Abstract: An IGBT, which is capable of reducing on resistance by reducing channel mobility, includes: an n type substrate made of SiC and having a main surface with an off angle of not less than 50° and not more than 65° relative to a plane orientation of {0001}; a p type reverse breakdown voltage holding layer made of SiC and formed on the main surface of the substrate; an n type well region formed to include a second main surface of the reverse breakdown voltage holding layer; an emitter region formed in the well region to include the second main surface and including a p type impurity at a concentration higher than that of the reverse breakdown voltage holding layer; a gate oxide film formed on the reverse breakdown voltage holding layer; and a gate electrode formed on the gate oxide film. In a region including an interface between the well region and the gate oxide film, a high-concentration nitrogen region is formed to have a nitrogen concentration higher than those of the well region and the gate oxide film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin Harada, Keiji Wada, Toru Hiyoshi
  • Patent number: 8513673
    Abstract: A MOSFET includes a silicon carbide (SiC) substrate having a main surface having an off angle of not less than 50° and not more than 65° relative to a {0001} plane; a semiconductor layer formed on the main surface of the SiC substrate; and an insulating film formed in contact with a surface of the semiconductor layer. When the insulating film has a thickness of not less than 30 nm and not more than 46 nm, the threshold voltage thereof is not more than 2.3V. When the insulating film has a thickness of more than 46 nm and not more than 100 nm, the threshold voltage thereof is more than 2.3 V and not more than 4.9 V.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Wada, Shin Harada, Takeyoshi Masuda, Misako Honaga
  • Patent number: 8513676
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a substrate made of silicon carbide and having a main surface having an off angle of not less than ?3° and not more than +5° relative to a (0-33-8) plane in a <01-10> direction; a p type layer made of silicon carbide and formed on the main surface of the substrate by means of epitaxial growth; and an oxide film formed in contact with a surface of the p type layer. A maximum value of nitrogen atom concentration is 1×1021 cm?3 or greater in a region within 10 nm from an interface between the p type layer and the oxide film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin Harada, Toru Hiyoshi, Keiji Wada, Takeyoshi Masuda