Abstract: An ion implanted region is formed by implanting Mg ions into a predetermined region of the surface of the first p-type layer. Subsequently, a second n-type layer is formed on the first p-type layer and the ion implanted region. A trench is formed by dry etching a predetermined region of the surface of the second n-type layer until reaching the first n-type layer. Next, heat treatment is performed to diffuse Mg. Thus, a p-type impurity region is formed in a region with a predetermined depth from the surface of the first n-type layer below the ion implanted region. Since the trench is formed before the heat treatment, Mg is not diffused laterally beyond the trench. Therefore, the width of the p-type impurity region is almost the same as the width of the first p-type layer divided by the trench.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a semiconductor device in which the on-resistance can be reduced while increasing the threshold voltage. A first n-type layer, a first p-type layer, a second p-type layer, and a second n-type layer are sequentially deposited through MOCVD on a substrate. The second p-type layer has a Mg concentration higher than the Mg concentration of the first p-type layer and not less than 6×1018/cm3. By setting the Mg concentration in this way, the threshold voltage is almost determined by the Mg concentration of the second p-type layer, and the threshold voltage does not depend on the Mg concentration of the first p-type layer. Therefore, channel resistance, that is, on-resistance is reduced by setting the Mg concentration of the first p-type layer to less than 6×1018/cm3.

Abstract: An ion implanted region is formed by implanting Mg ions into a predetermined region of the surface of the first p-type layer. Subsequently, a second n-type layer is formed on the first p-type layer and the ion implanted region. A trench is formed by dry etching a predetermined region of the surface of the second n-type layer until reaching the first n-type layer. Next, heat treatment is performed to diffuse Mg. Thus, a p-type impurity region is formed in a region with a predetermined depth from the surface of the first n-type layer below the ion implanted region. Since the trench is formed before the heat treatment, Mg is not diffused laterally beyond the trench. Therefore, the width of the p-type impurity region is almost the same as the width of the first p-type layer divided by the trench.

Abstract: To restrain a side portion of a trench from being damaged by ion implantation. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises a stacking process, an ion implantation process, a heat treatment process, a groove forming process, and a first electrode forming process. In the stacking process, a p-type semiconductor layer is stacked on a first n-type semiconductor layer. In the ion implantation process, an n-type impurity or a p-type impurity is ion-implanted into a position on a surface of the p-type semiconductor layer. The position is away from a position where a groove is to be formed. In the heat treatment process, heat treatment is performed to activate the ion-implanted impurity so as to form an implanted region and to diffuse a p-type impurity in the p-type semiconductor layer into the first n-type semiconductor layer located below the implanted region so as to form a p-type impurity diffused region.

Abstract: An n-type GaN layer, a p-type diffusion region formed by ion implantation and annealing in a part of the n-type layer, and a Schottky electrode are formed on the n-type layer. A region without the p-type region is defined as region A, and a region with the p-type region is defined as region B. In region A, an average density of each electron trap level of the n-type layer in a region having a depth of 0.8 ?m to 1.6 ?m on the n-type layer side is set so as to satisfy the predetermined conditions. In region B, an average density of each carrier trap level of the n-type layer in a region having a depth of 0.8 ?m to 1.6 ?m on the n-type layer side from a boundary between the n-type layer and the p-type diffusion region is set so as to satisfy the predetermined conditions.

Abstract: An n-type GaN layer, a p-type diffusion region formed by ion implantation and annealing in a part of the n-type layer, and a Schottky electrode are formed on the n-type layer. A region without the p-type region is defined as region A, and a region with the p-type region is defined as region B. In region A, an average density of each electron trap level of the n-type layer in a region having a depth of 0.8 ?m to 1.6 ?m on the n-type layer side is set so as to satisfy the predetermined conditions. In region B, an average density of each carrier trap level of the n-type layer in a region having a depth of 0.8 ?m to 1.6 ?m on the n-type layer side from a boundary between the n-type layer and the p-type diffusion region is set so as to satisfy the predetermined conditions.

Abstract: To restrain a side portion of a trench from being damaged by ion implantation. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises a stacking process, an ion implantation process, a heat treatment process, a groove forming process, and a first electrode forming process. In the stacking process, a p-type semiconductor layer is stacked on a first n-type semiconductor layer. In the ion implantation process, an n-type impurity or a p-type impurity is ion-implanted into a position on a surface of the p-type semiconductor layer. The position is away from a position where a groove is to be formed. In the heat treatment process, heat treatment is performed to activate the ion-implanted impurity so as to form an implanted region and to diffuse a p-type impurity in the p-type semiconductor layer into the first n-type semiconductor layer located below the implanted region so as to form a p-type impurity diffused region.

Abstract: To provide a technique for alleviating electric field concentration at an end portion and the vicinity of the end portion of the bottom surface of a trench. In a non-active region, a semiconductor device comprises: an outer trench penetrating a third semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer to reach a first semiconductor layer, and surrounding an active region; a second insulating film covering the surface of the outer trench; a conductor formed in the outer trench covered by the second insulating film and electrically insulated from a control electrode and a contact electrode; and an outer electrode located outside the outer trench, contacting the second semiconductor layer, and being electrically connected to the contact electrode.

Abstract: To provide a technique for alleviating electric field concentration at an end portion and the vicinity of the end portion of the bottom surface of a trench. In a non-active region, a semiconductor device comprises: an outer trench penetrating a third semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer to reach a first semiconductor layer, and surrounding an active region; a second insulating film covering the surface of the outer trench; a conductor formed in the outer trench covered by the second insulating film and electrically insulated from a control electrode and a contact electrode; and an outer electrode located outside the outer trench, contacting the second semiconductor layer, and being electrically connected to the contact electrode.

Abstract: To improve the breakdown voltage of a semiconductor device. In a terminal region of the semiconductor device, a mesa groove, a recess groove, an electric field relaxation region, and a gradient distributed low concentration p-type layer region are formed. A recess groove is fromed between a device region and the mesa groove so as to surround the device region. A region where a p-type layer is thinned by the recess groove is the electric field relaxation region. The gradient distributed low concentration p-type layer region is formed on the surface of the electric field relaxation region. The average carrier concentration of the entire gradient distributed low concentration p-type layer region is lower than the carrier concentration of the p-type layer. By forming the gradient distributed low concentration p-type layer region, the electric field relaxation region is quickly completely depleted when a reverse voltage is applied, thereby improving the breakdown voltage.

Abstract: The method for manufacturing comprises an ion implantation process of implanting a p-type impurity into a semiconductor layer mainly made of a group III nitride by ion implantation; a first heating process of heating the semiconductor layer at a first temperature in a first atmospheric gas including ammonia (NH3) after the ion implantation process; and a second heating process of heating the semiconductor layer, after the first heating process, at a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature in a second atmospheric gas including oxygen (O2).

Abstract: To improve the breakdown voltage of a semiconductor device. In a terminal region of the semiconductor device, a mesa groove, a recess groove, an electric field relaxation region, and a gradient distributed low concentration p-type layer region are formed. A recess groove is fromed between a device region and the mesa groove so as to surround the device region. A region where a p-type layer is thinned by the recess groove is the electric field relaxation region. The gradient distributed low concentration p-type layer region is formed on the surface of the electric field relaxation region. The average carrier concentration of the entire gradient distributed low concentration p-type layer region is lower than the carrier concentration of the p-type layer. By forming the gradient distributed low concentration p-type layer region, the electric field relaxation region is quickly completely depleted when a reverse voltage is applied, thereby improving the breakdown voltage.

Abstract: An object is to provide a technique that suppresses decrease in the breakdown voltage of a protective element. There is provided a semiconductor device that comprises a vertical MOS transistor and a protective element. A first nitride semiconductor layer has a convex that is protruded toward a second nitride semiconductor layer. The convex has a top face placed at a position to overlap with at least part of an ohmic electrode of a second conductive type when viewed from a stacking direction of a stacked body. The thickness of the second nitride semiconductor layer in a portion which a bottom face of a trench is in contact with is greater than the thickness of the second nitride semiconductor layer in a portion which the top face of the convex is in contact with.

Abstract: An object is to provide a technique that suppresses decrease in the breakdown voltage of a protective element. There is provided a semiconductor device that comprises a vertical MOS transistor and a protective element. A first nitride semiconductor layer has a convex that is protruded toward a second nitride semiconductor layer. The convex has a top face placed at a position to overlap with at least part of an ohmic electrode of a second conductive type when viewed from a stacking direction of a stacked body. The thickness of the second nitride semiconductor layer in a portion which a bottom face of a trench is in contact with is greater than the thickness of the second nitride semiconductor layer in a portion which the top face of the convex is in contact with.

Abstract: The method for manufacturing comprises an ion implantation process of implanting a p-type impurity into a semiconductor layer mainly made of a group III nitride by ion implantation; a first heating process of heating the semiconductor layer at a first temperature in a first atmospheric gas including ammonia (NH3) after the ion implantation process; and a second heating process of heating the semiconductor layer, after the first heating process, at a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature in a second atmospheric gas including oxygen (O2).

Abstract: A device comprises a substrate, an n-layer and a p-layer, an n-electrode, and a p-electrode. A step is formed at an outer circumference of the device. A protective film is formed so as to continuously cover a side surface and a bottom surface of the step. A field plate electrode connected with the p-electrode is formed on the protective film. When a distance from the pn junction interface to the surface of the protective film on the bottom surface of the step is defined as h (?m), a dielectric constant of the protective film is defined as ?s, and a thickness of the protective film at the pn junction interface on the side surface of the step is defined as d (?m), (?s·h)/d is 4 or more, and ?s/d is 3 (1/?m) or more.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes; a semiconductor layer mainly made of GaN; a protective film provided to have electrical insulation property and configured to coat the semiconductor layer; and an electrode provided to have electrical conductivity and configured to form a Schottky junction with the semiconductor layer. The protective film includes: a first layer made of Al2O3 and arranged adjacent to the semiconductor layer; a second layer made of an electrical insulation material different from Al2O3 and formed on the first layer; and an opening structure formed to pass through the first layer and the second layer. The electrode is located inside of the opening structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a p-type semiconductor layer mainly made of GaN; an n-type semiconductor layer mainly made of GaN and joined with the p-type semiconductor layer; a protective film arranged to coat the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer; a gate insulating film arranged to coat the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer; and a gate electrode joined with the gate insulating film. The protective film includes: a first layer made of Al2O3 and arranged adjacent to the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer to coat an edge of a p-n junction surface; a second layer made of an electrical insulation material different from Al2O3 and formed on the first layer; and an opening structure formed to pass through the first layer and the second layer. The gate insulating film is placed inside of the opening structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes; a semiconductor layer mainly made of GaN; a protective film provided to have electrical insulation property and configured to coat the semiconductor layer; and an electrode provided to have electrical conductivity and configured to form a Schottky junction with the semiconductor layer. Tthe protective film includes: a first layer made of Al2O3 and arranged adjacent to the semiconductor layer; a second layer made of an electrical insulation material different from Al2O3 and formed on the first layer; and an opening structure formed to pass through the first layer and the second layer. The electrode is located inside of the opening structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a p-type semiconductor layer mainly made of GaN; an n-type semiconductor layer mainly made of GaN and joined with the p-type semiconductor layer; a protective film arranged to coat the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer; a gate insulating film arranged to coat the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer; and a gate electrode joined with the gate insulating film. The protective film includes: a first layer made of Al2O3 and arranged adjacent to the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer to coat an edge of a p-n junction surface; a second layer made of an electrical insulation material different from Al2O3 and formed on the first layer; and an opening structure formed to pass through the first layer and the second layer. The gate insulating film is placed inside of the opening structure.