With Multiple Parallel Current Paths (e.g., Grid Gate) Patents (Class 257/266)
  • Patent number: 7230275
    Abstract: A silicon carbide semiconductor device includes a substrate and a junction field effect transistor. The transistor includes: a first semiconductor layer disposed on the substrate; a first gate layer disposed on a surface of the first semiconductor layer; a first channel layer adjacent to the first gate layer on the substrate; a first source layer connecting to the first channel layer electrically; a second gate layer adjacent to the first channel layer to sandwich the first channel layer; a second channel layer adjacent to the second gate layer to sandwich the second gate layer; a third gate layer adjacent to the second channel layer to sandwich the second channel layer; and a second source layer connecting to the second channel layer electrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Rajesh Kumar, Andrei Mihaila, Florin Udrea
  • Patent number: 7141856
    Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor fin construction useful in FinFET devices that incorporates an upper region and a lower region with wherein the upper region is formed with substantially vertical sidewalls and the lower region is formed with inclined sidewalls to produce a wider base portion. The disclosed semiconductor fin construction will also typically include a horizontal step region at the interface between the upper region and the lower region. Also disclosed are a series of methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices incorporating semiconductor fins having this dual construction and incorporating various combinations of insulating materials such as silicon dioxide and/or silicon nitride for forming shallow trench isolation (STI) structures between adjacent semiconductor fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Deok Hyung Lee, Byeong Chan Lee, In Soo Jung, Yong Hoon Son, Siyoung Choi, Taek Jung Kim
  • Patent number: 7026668
    Abstract: A high-breakdown-voltage semiconductor device comprises a high-resistance semiconductor layer, trenches formed on the surface thereof in a longitudinal plane shape and in parallel, first regions formed on the semiconductor layer to be sandwiched between adjacent ones of the trenches and having an impurity concentration higher than that of the semiconductor layer, a second region having opposite conductivity to the first regions and continuously disposed in a trench sidewall and bottom portion, a sidewall insulating film disposed on the second region of the trench sidewall, a third region disposed on the second region of the trench bottom portion and having the same conductivity as and the higher impurity concentration than the second region, a fourth region disposed on the back surface of the semiconductor layer, a first electrode formed on each first region, a second electrode connected to the third region, and a third electrode formed on the fourth region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tetsuo Hatakeyama, Takashi Shinohe
  • Patent number: 7023033
    Abstract: A lateral JFET has a basic structure including an n-type semiconductor layer (3) formed of an n-type impurity region and a p-type semiconductor layer formed of a p-type impurity region on the n-type semiconductor layer (3). Moreover, in the p-type semiconductor layer, there are provided a p+-type gate region layer (7) extending into the n-type semiconductor layer (3) and containing p-type impurities of an impurity concentration higher than that of the n-type semiconductor layer (3) and an n+-type drain region layer (9) spaced from the p+-type gate region layer (7) by a predetermined distance and containing n-type impurities of an impurity concentration higher than that of the n-type semiconductor layer (3). With this structure, the lateral JFET can be provided that has an ON resistance further decreased while maintaining a high breakdown voltage performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin Harada, Kenichi Hirotsu, Hiroyuki Matsunami, Tsunenobu Kimoto
  • Patent number: 6972444
    Abstract: A wafer is formed with metal traces that extend a distance across the wafer on opposite sides of a saw street. The resistances of the metal traces, which can each be formed from one or more layers of metal, are measured before the saw street is cut. During and after the saw street is cut, the resistances of the metal traces are again measured, even continuously. The pre-cut, during-cut, and post-cut resistances are compared to determine if the wafer has been cut without damage to the wafer due to misalignment or a worn cutting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Alin Theodor Iacob
  • Patent number: 6936874
    Abstract: In a semiconductor apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of circuit components are provided. A first bus interconnects the circuit components. A second bus interconnects the circuit components. A switching unit outputs a select signal that causes each circuit component to select one of the first bus and the second bus when transmitting a signal from one of the circuit components to another. The second bus has a size larger than a size of the first bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Yasurou Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 6894346
    Abstract: A structure is provided that ensures a low on-resistance and a better blocking effect. In a lateral type SIT (Static Induction Transistor) in which a first region is used as a p+ gate and a gate electrode is formed on the bottom of the first region, the structure is built such that the p+ gate and an n+ source are contiguous. An insulating film is formed on the surface of an n? channel, and an auxiliary gate electrode is formed on the insulating film. In addition, the auxiliary gate electrode and the source electrode are shorted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekatsu Onose, Atsuo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6885110
    Abstract: TFT array substrates used for liquid crystal display panels are disclosed of which the fabrication processes are simplified and the manufacturing costs are reduced by reducing the number of masks used in fabricating the TFT array substrates. A gate wiring line metal film, a gate insulating film, a semiconductor film, and a contact electrode metal film are formed on a substrate surface. The contact electrode metal film, the semiconductor film, the gate insulating film, and the gate wiring line metal film are sequentially etched, by photolithography, using a first pattern, and the side surfaces of a gate wiring line metal film pattern, which is formed into portions of gate wiring lines and gate electrodes, are oxidized. A transparent conductive film is formed, and part of the transparent conductive film, the contact electrode metal film, and the semiconductor film are sequentially etched, by photolithography, using a second pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazufumi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6870189
    Abstract: A junction field effect transistor (JFET) is provided that is capable of a high voltage resistance, high current switching operation, that operates with a low loss, and that has little variation. This JFET is provided with a gate region (2) of a second conductivity type provided on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, a source region (1) of a first conductivity type, a channel region (10) of the first conductivity type that adjoins the source region, a confining region (5) of the second conductivity type that adjoins the gate region and confines the channel region, a drain region (3) of the first conductivity type provided on a reverse face, and a drift region (4) of the first conductivity type that continuously lies in a direction of thickness of the substrate from a channel to a drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin Harada, Kenichi Hirotsu, Hiroyuki Matsunami, Tsunenobu Kimoto
  • Patent number: 6855970
    Abstract: A high-breakdown-voltage semiconductor device comprises a high-resistance semiconductor layer, trenches formed on the surface thereof in a longitudinal plane shape and in parallel, first regions formed on the semiconductor layer to be sandwiched between adjacent ones of the trenches and having an impurity concentration higher than that of the semiconductor layer, a second region having opposite conductivity to the first regions and continuously disposed in a trench sidewall and bottom portion, a sidewall insulating film disposed on the second region of the trench sidewall, a third region disposed on the second region of the trench bottom portion and having the same conductivity as and the higher impurity concentration than the second region, a fourth region disposed on the back surface of the semiconductor layer, a first electrode formed on each first region, a second electrode connected to the third region, and a third electrode formed on the fourth region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tetsuo Hatakeyama, Takashi Shinohe
  • Patent number: 6831328
    Abstract: The invention concerns an anode voltage sensor of a vertical power component selected from the group consisting of components called thyristor, MOS, IGBT, PMCT, EST, BRT transistor, MOS thyristor, turn-off MOS thyristor, formed by a lightly doped N-type substrate (1) whereof the rear surface (2) having a metallizing coat corresponds to the component anode. Said sensor comprises, on the front surface side, a substrate zone (12) surrounded at least partly by a P-type region with low potential in front of an anode potential, said zone (12) being coated with a metallizing coat (M) in ohmic contact with it, whereon is provided an image of the anode voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Patrick Austin, Jean-Pierre Laur, Olivier Causse, Marie Breil, Jean-Louis Sanchez, Jean Jalade
  • Patent number: 6759693
    Abstract: A permeable base transistor (PBT) having a base layer including metallic nanotubes embedded in a semiconductor crystal material is disclosed. The nanotube base layer separates emitter and collector layers of the semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Nantero, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernhard Vögeli, Thomas Rueckes, Brent M. Segal
  • Patent number: 6750477
    Abstract: In a static induction transistor, in addition to a first gate layer (4), a plurality of second gate layers (41) having a shallower depth and a narrower gap therebetween than those of the first gate layer (4) are provided in an area surrounded by the first gate layer (4), thereby an SiC static induction transistor with an excellent off characteristic is realized, while ensuring a required processing accuracy during production thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Yatsuo, Toshiyuki Ohno, Hidekatsu Onose, Saburo Oikawa
  • Patent number: 6737677
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wide bandgap semiconductor device encompassing: (a) a drift layer of a first conductivity type made of a wide bandgap semiconductor material; (b) a body region of a second conductivity type made of the wide bandgap semiconductor material, disposed at the top surface of and in the drift layer; (c) a source region of the first conductivity type disposed in the body region; (d) a channel layer of the first conductivity type, disposed in the body region neighboring to the source region and further disposed in the drift layer; and (e) a gate electrode including semiconductor layer at the bottom so that the semiconductor layer directly contact with the top surface of the channel layer, the semiconductor layer made of a semiconductor material having a different bandgap energy from that of the wide bandgap semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Shimoida, Saichirou Kaneko, Hideaki Tanaka, Masakatsu Hoshi
  • Patent number: 6727533
    Abstract: In a semiconductor apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of circuit components are provided. A first bus interconnects the circuit components. A second bus interconnects the circuit components. A switching unit outputs a select signal that causes each circuit component to select one of the first bus and the second bus when transmitting a signal from one of the circuit components to another. The second bus has a size larger than a size of the first bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Yasurou Matsuzaki, Yasuharu Sato, Tadao Aikawa, Masafumi Yamazaki, Takaaki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6727559
    Abstract: A local oscillation FET has a source connecting pad, a drain connecting pad and a gate connecting pad. The source connecting pad occupies one corner of a substrate, and the drain and gate connecting pads are placed at the neighboring corners so that the three connecting pads form an L shape on the substrate. As a modification to this configuration, another source connecting pad is placed at the remaining corner of the substrate so that the drain and gate connecting pads are shielded from each other by the two source connecting pads. These device configurations contribute to size reduction of the local oscillation FET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Asano, Masahiro Uekawa, Koichi Hirata, Mikito Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 6720615
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a drift region in which a drift current flows if it is in the ON mode and which is depleted if it is in the OFF mode. The drift region is formed as a structure having a plurality of first conductive type divided drift regions and a plurality of second conductive type compartment regions in which each of the compartment regions is positioned among the adjacent drift regions in parallel to make p-n junctions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuhiko Fujihira
  • Publication number: 20040046189
    Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor device having an etch stopper formed of a nitride film by low temperature atomic layer deposition which can prevent damage to a semiconductor substrate and a method for fabricating the semiconductor device. Damage to the semiconductor substrate under the etch stopper composed of a second nitride film can be prevented by forming a first nitride film using high temperature LPCVD on the semiconductor substrate, forming the etch stopper including the second nitride film by low temperature ALD on the first nitride film, and removing the second nitride film by dry etching, thus taking advantage of the different etch selectivities of the first nitride film and the second nitride film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kang-Soo Chu, Joo-Won Lee, Jae-Eun Park, Jong-Ho Yang
  • Patent number: 6677626
    Abstract: This invention achieves a high inverse voltage of a super-junction semiconductor device, which has a drift layer composed of a parallel pn layer that conducts electricity in the ON state and is depleted in the OFF state. An n− high resistance region is formed at the periphery of a drift layer composed of a parallel pn layer of n drift regions and p partition regions. The impurity density ND of the n− high resistance region is 5.62×1017×VDSS−1.36(cm−3) or less. VDSS denotes the withstand voltage (V). An n low resistance region is arranged adjacent to the n− high resistance region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youichi Shindou, Yasushi Miyasaka, Tatsuhiko Fujihira, Manabu Takei
  • Patent number: 6674107
    Abstract: A normally “off” enhancement mode junction field effect transistor (JFET) is disclose. The JFET has a low threshold voltage in the range of 0.2 to 0.3 volts and a low on resistance. The Drain-to-Source voltage drop is less than 0.1 volt at a drain current of 100 amperes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Lovoltech, Inc.
    Inventor: Ho-Yuan Yu
  • Patent number: 6639272
    Abstract: Charge balancing is achieved in a compensation component by creating compensation regions having different thickness. In this manner, the ripple of the electric field can be chosen to have approximately the same magnitude in all of the compensation regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Dirk Ahlers, Armin Willmeroth, Hans Weber
  • Patent number: 6566709
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a drift region in which a drift current flows if it is in the ON mode and which is depleted if it is in the OFF mode. The drift region is formed as a structure having a plurality of first conductive type divided drift regions and a plurality of second conductive type compartment regions in which each of the compartment regions is positioned among the adjacent drift regions in parallel to make p-n junctions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuhiko Fujihira
  • Patent number: 6563210
    Abstract: A microelectronic substrate having a plurality of alternating substantially planar layers of dielectric material and conductive material, and further having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the dielectric material and the conductive material layers extend substantially perpendicularly between the first and second surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Sankman
  • Patent number: 6541819
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor device and a method of manufacture therefor. The semiconductor device includes a non-power enhanced metal oxide semiconductor (non-PEMOS) device having first source/drain regions located in a semiconductor substrate, wherein the first source/drain regions include a first dopant profile. The semiconductor device further includes a power enhanced metal oxide semiconductor (PEMOS) device located adjacent the non-PEMOS device and having second source/drain regions located in the semiconductor substrate, wherein the second source/drain regions include the first dopant profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Ashraf W. Lotfi, Jian Tan
  • Patent number: 6459108
    Abstract: The semiconductor configuration is formed with a lateral channel region and an adjoining vertical channel region in an n-conductive first semiconductor region. When a predetermined saturation current is exceeded, the lateral channel region is pinched off and the current is limited to a value below the saturation current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bartsch, Heinz Mitlehner, Dietrich Stephani
  • Patent number: 6365919
    Abstract: A lateral silicon carbide junction field effect transistor has p-conductive and n-conductive silicon carbide layers. The layers are provided in pairs in lateral direction in a silicon carbide body. Trenches for a source, a drain and a gate extend from a principal surface of the silicon carbide body and penetrate the layers. The source and drain trenches are filled with silicon carbide of one conductivity type, whereas the trench for the gate is filled with silicon carbide of a conductivity type that is different from the source and the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Jenoe Tihanyi, Heinz Mitlehner, Wolfgang Bartsch
  • Patent number: 6344379
    Abstract: A transistor (30) uses a single continuous base region (40) with an undulating structure. The semiconductor device is an insulated gate field effect transistor having a semiconductor substrate with a plurality of doped base branches, which extend into the semiconductor substrate, form into a single base region for the entire transistor. Each of the plurality of base branches (82) is undulating and of substantially constant width, and each of the base branches undulates in-phase with the immediately adjacent base branches. A continuous gate layer (34) overlies the semiconductor substrate and is self-aligned to the plurality of base branches. The undulating structure of the base region improves channel density, and thus lowers on-resistance, and the use of a single base region ensures that all portions of the base region throughout the device will be at a substantially constant electric potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries LLC
    Inventors: Prasad Venkatraman, Ali Salih
  • Patent number: 6313482
    Abstract: Silicon carbide power devices having trench-based charge coupling regions include a silicon carbide substrate having a silicon carbide drift region of first conductivity type (e.g., N-type) and a trench therein at a first face thereof. A uniformly doped silicon carbide charge coupling region of second conductivity type (e.g., an in-situ doped epitaxial P-type region) is also provided in the trench. This charge coupling region forms a P-N rectifying junction with the drift region that extends along a sidewall of the trench. The drift region and charge coupling region are both uniformly doped at equivalent and relatively high net majority carrier doping concentrations (e.g., 1×1017 cm−3) so that both the drift region and charge coupling region can be depleted substantially uniformly when blocking reverse voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventor: Bantval Jayant Baliga
  • Patent number: 6232625
    Abstract: A semiconductor configuration, in particular based on silicon carbide, is specified which rapidly limits a short-circuit current to an acceptable current value. For this purpose, when a predetermined saturation current is exceeded, a lateral channel region is pinched off, and the current is limited to a value below the saturation current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: SiCED Electronics Development GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bartsch, Heinz Mitlehner, Dietrich Stephani
  • Patent number: 6172381
    Abstract: An integrated circuit fabrication process is provided in which an elevated doped polysilicon structure may be formed and isolated from another polysilicon structure lying in the same elevated plane. The elevated structure may serve as a junction area of a transistor formed entirely within and upon the elevated polysilicon. The elevated structure frees up space within the lower level substrate for additional transistors and/or lateral interconnect, a benefit of which is to promote higher packing density within the integrated circuit. A first transistor is provided which is disposed upon and within a silicon-based substrate. A primary interlevel dielectric is deposited across the transistor and the substrate. Polysilicon may then be deposited across the primary interlevel dielectric and doped using ion implantation. A second transistor may be formed upon and within a portion of the polysilicon layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark I. Gardner, Daniel Kadosh
  • Patent number: 6140680
    Abstract: The present invention relates to semiconductor integrated transistors comprising a conduction section and a sense section for the current flowing through the conduction section both sections being located within a region. To ensure that sensing is accurate and takes into account that the surface of the power transistor reach in operation a non-uniform temperature, the conduction section and sense section are located in such a manner that, in operation, the temperature distributions of the two sections are substantially equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Thomson Microelectronics, S.R.L.
    Inventor: Francesco Pulvirenti
  • Patent number: 6097046
    Abstract: A vertical field effect transistor (1400) and diode (1450) formed on a single III-V substrate. The diode cathode and the transistor drain or collector may be formed in a common layer (1408).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Donald L. Plumton
  • Patent number: 6084277
    Abstract: A lateral power metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) having a gate design in which the gate structure is coupled to the gate electrode through contacts at a plurality of locations. The gate electrode is disposed over the gate structure along the length of a MOSFET finger. In one embodiment, the gate electrode is coupled to the gate structure through contacts at the ends of the MOSFET finger such that there is a contact-free portion of the gate region between the contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Disney, Alex B. Djenguerian
  • Patent number: 6034385
    Abstract: A semiconductor configuration includes a first semiconductor region which has a predetermined conductivity type and a first surface. There is a contact region disposed on the first surface of the first semiconductor region. There is a second semiconductor region disposed within the first semiconductor region underneath the contact region which has a conductivity type opposite the predetermined conductivity type of the first semiconductor region. A first p-n junction having a first depletion zone is formed between the first semiconductor region and the second semiconductor region. The second semiconductor region extends further than the contact region in all directions parallel to the first surface of the first semiconductor region to form at least one lateral channel region with a bottom in the first semiconductor region. The at least one lateral channel region is bounded toward its bottom by the first depletion zone of the first p-n junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dietrich Stephani, Heinz Mitlehner, Ulrich Weinert
  • Patent number: 6020607
    Abstract: An N.sup.- type epitaxial layer is formed on a P type semiconductor substrate, and a P.sup.+ type insulative isolating layer is so formed as to reach the semiconductor substrate from the surface of the N.sup.- type epitaxial layer to define a device forming region in the N.sup.- type epitaxial layer. An N.sup.+ type source diffusion layer and an N.sup.+ type drain diffusion layer are formed on the N.sup.- type epitaxial layer in the device forming region, apart from each other in one direction. A plurality of P.sup.+ type gate diffusion layers are formed between the N.sup.+ type source diffusion layer and N.sup.+ type drain diffusion layer, apart from one another in a direction perpendicular to the one direction. Channel regions for controlling the source-drain current are formed between the P.sup.+ type insulative isolating layer and the gate diffusion layer and between adjoining gate diffusion layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Nobutaka Nagai
  • Patent number: 6008519
    Abstract: A vertical transistor (70) comprising a first semiconductor layer (14) of a first conductive type. A gate structure (32) of a second conductive type disposed on the first semiconductor layer (14). The gate structure (32) may include a plurality of gates (38) separated by channels (40). A second semiconductor layer (50) of the first conductive type may be disposed over the gate structure (32) and in the channels (40). An arresting element (36) may be disposed between and upper surface of the gates (38) and the second semiconductor layer (50). A void (52) may be formed in the second semiconductor layer (50) over the gate (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Han-Tzong Yuan, Donald L. Plumpton, Jau-Yuann Yang, Tae S. Kim
  • Patent number: 5962893
    Abstract: An n-semiconductor layer is arranged on a low-resistance n-substrate. A drain electrode is in ohmic contact with the n-substrate. A source electrode forms a Schottky junction with the n-semiconductor layer. A gate electrode is arranged adjacent to the source electrode on the n-semiconductor layer through a gate insulating film. When a voltage is applied to the gate electrode to lower the Schottky barrier height at the interface between the source electrode and the n-semiconductor layer, electrons are injected from the source electrode into the n-semiconductor layer, and a current flows in the semiconductor device. A diffusion layer which prevents a decrease in manufacturing time is not required to form in the n-semiconductor layer, and a channel which causes an increase in ON state voltage is not present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Ichiro Omura, Takashi Shinohe
  • Patent number: 5945701
    Abstract: A static induction transistor having source, drain and gate regions. Channel regions are defined between adjacent gates and a drift region is defined from the ends of the channel regions to the drain. The channel and drift regions have predetermined doping concentrations with the doping concentration of the channel regions being greater than the doping concentration of the drift region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Richard R. Siergiej, Anant K. Agarwal, Rowland C. Clarke, Charles D. Brandt
  • Patent number: 5903020
    Abstract: A static induction transistor having a silicon carbide substrate upon which is deposited a silicon carbide layer arrangement. The layer arrangement has a plurality of spaced gate regions for controlling current flow from a source region to a drain region vertically spaced from the source region by a drift layer. The pitch distance p between gate regions is 1 to 5 microns and the drift layer thickness d is also 1 to 5 microns.In one embodiment the source regions are positioned alternatively with the gate regions and are formed in a top layer of high doping concentration. In another embodiment the gate regions are ion implanted in the layer arrangement.In another embodiment the structure includes a dual oxide layer covering gate and source or drain regions, and in yet another embodiment contacts for the drain, source and gate regions are located on the same side of the substrate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Richard R. Siergiej, Anant K. Agarwal, Rowland C. Clarke, Charles D. Brandt
  • Patent number: 5889298
    Abstract: A vertical field effect transistor (700) and fabrication method with buried gates (704) having gate sidewall crystal orientation the same as the substrate surface and a low index substrate crystal orientation without tilt to a higher index direction. The gate (704) may have modulated doping along the channel (706), and the drain (708) may have a lighter doping level than the channel which may be accomplished by an epitaxial overgrowth of the gates (704) to form the channels (706).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Donald Lynn Plumton, Han-Tzong Yuan
  • Patent number: 5883399
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for manufacturing a this film transistor which comprised the steps of providing an oxide layer; etching a portion of the oxide layer so that a recess is formed; forming a first channel layer on the resulting structure; forming a first gate oxide layer on the first channel layer in a portion including the recess region; forming a polysilicon layer on the resulting structure, filling in the recess region; etching back the polysilicon layer until the surface of a portion of the first gate oxide layer, leaving the residual layer on the first channel layer, which is exposed by the first gate oxide layer, wherein the surface of the resulting structure has uniform topology by the etching process; forming a second gate oxide layer on the polysilicon layer; forming a second channel layer on the resulting structure; and implanting impurity ions for forming source/drain regions, whereby the source/drain region consists of multi-layers, the first channel layer, the second polysilicon laye
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Wook Yin, Yun Ki Kim
  • Patent number: 5877538
    Abstract: A trench power MOSFET includes a body region which is not shorted to the source region and which is entirely covered by the source region within each cell of the MOSFET. The body region within each MOSFET cell is brought to the surface of the substrate (or epitaxial layer overlying the substrate) in an area outside of the MOSFET cell, and is connected to a body contact bus which is electrically insulated from the source bus. A deep diffusion of the same conductivity type as the body region may be formed adjacent the trench gate but outside of a MOSFET cell to protect the gate oxide from excessive field potentials at the corners of the gate. The deep diffusion is also connected to the body contact bus, which may include a metal layer, a submerged region of the second conductivity, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Silixonix incorporated
    Inventor: Richard K. Williams
  • Patent number: 5821560
    Abstract: A thin film transistor which includes an insulation base, first and second gate electrodes, first and second insulation layers, an active layer of semiconductor material, a source electrode and a drain electrode, in which a lateral length of the first gate electrode is narrower than a lateral length of the second gate electrode. Also, the first gate is electrically insulated from the active layer of semiconductor material by the first insulation layer so that the drain current saturates in a high drain voltage region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignees: TKD Corporation, Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Arai, Kazushi Sugiura, Ichiro Takayama, Yukio Yamauchi, Isamu Kobori, Mitsufumi Codama, Naoya Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 5804848
    Abstract: A field effect transistor comprising source and drain regions, a channel region composed of a semiconductor layer formed between the source and drain regions and gate electrodes disposed to at least three surfaces surrounding the channel region. The structure can increase the number of carriers induced in the channel region and enhance the current driving performance and mutual conductance as compared with the single gate structure or double gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Mikio Mukai
  • Patent number: 5789791
    Abstract: The gate resistance of a high-frequency multi-finger MOS transistor is reduced by shorting together the ends of each of the gates by utilizing gate contacts, metal regions, vias, and a metal layer. Alternately, the gate resistance is reduced by utilizing a metal line that shorts all of the gate contacts together, and overlies each of the gates. By reducing the gate resistance, the maximum frequency f.sub.MAX of the multi-finger transistor can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Albert M. Bergemont
  • Patent number: 5747842
    Abstract: A vertical field effect transistor (100) and fabrication method with buried gates; (104) having spaced apart gate fingers and connecting structure and overgrown with source and channel epilayer followed by a doping connection of the gate fingers and connecting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Donald L. Plumton
  • Patent number: 5747841
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for comparatively high powers, for example, for gas discharge lamps is protected against high currents, which may be caused inter alia by inrush effects or transients, by a semiconductor current limiter element V. The current limiter element comprises a semiconductor body of substantially a given conductivity type, for example the n-type. The main electrodes are provided at the upper and the lower surface of the semiconductor body and comprise two metal electrodes which are connected to the semiconductor body via highly doped contact zones. The doping of the interposed region is such that current saturation occurs from a certain voltage upon a rise in voltage between the main electrodes. In a first embodiment, buried floating p-type zones are formed in the interposed region, so that the element is a junction field effect transistor with floating gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Adrianus W. Ludikhuize
  • Patent number: 5703389
    Abstract: A vertical IGFET configuration includes a stripe arrangement having a non-linear shape. In one example, a stripe arrangement (30) has contact cut-out portions (41) and elongated portions (42). The elongated portions (42) have a width (44) that less than the width (43) of the contact cut-out portions (41). The stripe arrangement (30) increases channel density compared to typical individual cell configurations (10) and straight stripe configurations (20) thereby lowering on-resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynnita K. Knoch, Pak Tam
  • Patent number: 5663582
    Abstract: A recess-gate type static induction transistor having a high breakdown voltage is provided, which includes an n-type channel region provided over an n.sup.+ -type drain region, p.sup.+ -type elongated gate regions provided in grooves of the channel region, n.sup.+ -type elongated regions formed on the channel region so as to be arranged in parallel with the gate regions, each of which is disposed between the gate regions, and a p.sup.+ -type guard ring region provided in the channel region and arranged to surround the gate regions. The elongated gate regions are coupled to the guard ring region at both edges. In addition, the outer-most elongated gate regions are coupled to the guard ring region along the longitudinal direction, respectively, thereby increasing the breakdown voltage of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Zaidan Hojin Handotai Kenkyu Shinkokai
    Inventors: Junichi Nishizawa, Kaoru Motoya, Akira Ito
  • Patent number: 5612547
    Abstract: A static induction transistor fabricated of silicon carbide, preferably 6H polytype, although any silicon carbide polytype may be used. The preferred static induction transistor is the recessed Schottky barrier gate type. Thus, a silicon carbide substrate is provided. Then, a silicon carbide drift layer is provided upon the substrate, wherein the drift layer has two spaced-apart protrusions or fingers which extend away from the substrate. Each protrusion of the drift layer has a source region of silicon carbide provided thereon. A gate material is then provided along the drift layer between the two protrusions. A conductive gate contact is provided upon the gate material and a conductive source contact is provided upon each source region. A conductive drain contact is provided along the substrate. Other gate types for the static induction transistor are contemplated. For example, a planar Schottky barrier gate may be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Rowland C. Clarke, Richard R. Siergiej, Saptharishi Sriram