Abstract: The present invention provides a unique device structure and method that provides increased transistor performance in integrated bipolar circuit devices. The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides improved high speed performance by providing reduced base resistence. The preferred design forms the extrinsic base by diffusing dopants from a dopant source layer and into the extrinsic base region. This diffusion of dopants forms at least a portion of the extrinsic base. In particular, the portion adjacent to the intrinsic base region is formed by diffusion. This solution avoids the problems caused by traditional solutions that implanted the extrinsic base. Specifically, by forming at least a portion of the extrinsic base by diffusion, the problem of damage to base region is minimized. This reduced damage enhances dopant diffusion into the intrinsic base. Additionally, the formed extrinsic base can have improved resistence, resulting in an improved maximum frequency for the bipolar device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unique device structure and method that provides increased transistor performance in integrated bipolar circuit devices. The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides improved high speed performance by providing reduced base resistence. The preferred design forms the extrinsic base by diffusing dopants from a dopant source layer and into the extrinsic base region. This diffusion of dopants forms at least a portion of the extrinsic base. In particular, the portion adjacent to the intrinsic base region is formed by diffusion. This solution avoids the problems caused by traditional solutions that implanted the extrinsic base. Specifically, by forming at least a portion of the extrinsic base by diffusion, the problem of damage to base region is minimized. This reduced damage enhances dopant diffusion into the intrinsic base. Additionally, the formed extrinsic base can have improved resistence, resulting in an improved maximum frequency for the bipolar device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unique device structure and method that provides increased transistor performance in integrated bipolar circuit devices. The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides improved high speed performance by providing reduced base resistence. The preferred design forms the extrinsic base by diffusing dopants from a dopant source layer and into the extrinsic base region. This diffusion of dopants forms at least a portion of the extrinsic base. In particular, the portion adjacent to the intrinsic base region is formed by diffusion. This solution avoids the problems caused by traditional solutions that implanted the extrinsic base. Specifically, by forming at least a portion of the extrinsic base by diffusion, the problem of damage to base region is minimized. This reduced damage enhances dopant diffusion into the intrinsic base. Additionally, the formed extrinsic base can have improved resistence, resulting in an improved maximum frequency for the bipolar device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unique device structure and method that provides increased transistor performance in integrated bipolar circuit devices. The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides improved high speed performance by providing reduced base resistence. The preferred design forms the extrinsic base by diffusing dopants from a dopant source layer and into the extrinsic base region. This diffusion of dopants forms at least a portion of the extrinsic base. In particular, the portion adjacent to the intrinsic base region is formed by diffusion. This solution avoids the problems caused by traditional solutions that implanted the extrinsic base. Specifically, by forming at least a portion of the extrinsic base by diffusion, the problem of damage to base region is minimized. This reduced damage enhances dopant diffusion into the intrinsic base. Additionally, the formed extrinsic base can have improved resistence, resulting in an improved maximum frequency for the bipolar device.

Abstract: A process of forming a nitride film on a semiconductor substrate including exposing a surface of the substrate to a rapid thermal process to form the nitride film.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a buried layer that improves the latch up immunity of digital devices while providing isolation structures that provide noise isolation for both the digital and analog devices. The buried layer of the preferred embodiment is formed to reside within or below the subcollector region in the transistor. Additionally, in the preferred embodiment the subcollector is isolated from buried layer outside the transistor region by deep isolation trenches formed at the edges of the subcollector. Additionally, an array of deep isolation trenches provides increased isolation between devices where needed. Thus, the preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an integrated circuit structure and method that provides improved latchup immunity while also providing improved noise tolerance.

Abstract: A method for making a non-self-aligned, heterojunction bipolar transistor includes forming extrinsic base regions with a PFET source/drain implant aligned with the polysilicon in an emitter stack but which are not directly aligned with an emitter opening defined in that stack. This is achieved by making the emitter pedestal wider than the emitter opening. This advantageously removes the dependency of alignment between the extrinsic base regions and the emitter opening, thereby resulting in fewer process steps, reduced thermal cycles, and improved speed.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a buried layer that improves the latch up immunity of digital devices while providing isolation structures that provide noise isolation for both the digital and analog devices. The buried layer of the preferred embodiment is formed to reside within or below the subcollector region in the transistor. Additionally, in the preferred embodiment the subcollector is isolated from buried layer outside the transistor region by deep isolation trenches formed at the edges of the subcollector. Additionally, an array of deep isolation trenches provides increased isolation between devices where needed. Thus, the preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an integrated circuit structure and method that provides improved latchup immunity while also providing improved noise tolerance.