With Doping Profile To Adjust Barrier Height Patents (Class 257/475)
  • Patent number: 6921957
    Abstract: A new low forward voltage drop Schottky barrier diode and its manufacturing method are provided. The method includes steps of providing a substrate, forming plural trenches on the substrate, and forming a metal layer on the substrate having plural trenches thereon to form a barrier metal layer between the substrate and the surface metal layer for forming the Schottky barrier diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignees: Pyramis Corporation, Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Zeng, Ming-Jiang Zhou, Tzong-Shiann Wu
  • Patent number: 6846731
    Abstract: In the present invention, there is provided semiconductor devices such as a Schottky UV photodetector fabricated on n-type ZnO and MgxZn1-xO epitaxial films. The ZnO and MgxZn1-xO films are grown on R-plane sapphire substrates and the Schottky diodes are fabricated on the ZnO and MgxZn1-xO films using silver and aluminum as Schottky and ohmic contact metals, respectively. The Schottky diodes have circular patterns, where the inner circle is the Schottky contact, and the outside ring is the ohmic contact. Ag Schottky contact patterns are fabricated using standard liftoff techniques, while the Al ohmic contact patterns are formed using wet chemical etching. These detectors show low frequency photoresponsivity, high speed photoresponse, lower leakage current and low noise performance as compared to their photoconductive counterparts. This invention is also applicable to optical modulators, Metal Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors (MESFETs) and more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
    Inventors: Yicheng Lu, Haifeng Sheng, Sriram Muthukumar, Nuri William Emanetoglu, Jian Zhong
  • Patent number: 6787821
    Abstract: There is provided a compound semiconductor device that comprises a substrate formed of a first compound semiconductor, a graded channel layer formed on the substrate and formed of a second compound semiconductor layer, that lowers mostly an energy band gap in its inside by continuously changing a mixed-crystal ratio in a thickness direction such that a peak of the mixed-crystal ratio of one constituent element is positioned in its inside, and containing an impurity, a barrier layer formed on the graded channel layer, a gate electrode formed on the barrier layer, and source/drain electrodes for flowing a current into the graded channel layer. Accordingly, the compound semiconductor device having MESFET, that has the maximum mutual conductance and can make the change in the mutual conductance gentle in response to the gate voltage, can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Fujitsu Quantum Devices Limited
    Inventor: Keiji Minetani
  • Patent number: 6753588
    Abstract: A semiconductor rectifier includes an intermediate semiconductor region (29) extending between anode (9) and cathode (7) contacts. A trenched gate (19) with insulated sidewalls (15) and base (17) can deplete the intermediate region. However, a shield region (23) acts to shield the intermediate region (29) from the gate (19) to allow current to flow in dependence on the polarity of the voltage applied between anode and cathode contacts (9, 7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Eddie Huang, Steven T. Peake
  • Patent number: 6717229
    Abstract: A diode (20), having first and second conductive layers (24,26), a conductive pad (28), and a distributed reverse surge guard (22), provides increased protection from reverse current surges. The surge guard (22) includes an outer loop (42) of P+-type surge guard material and an inner grid (44) of linear sections (46, 48) which form a plurality of inner loops extending inside the outer loop (42). The surge guard (22) distributes any reverse current over the area of the conductive pad (28) to provide increased protection from transient threats such as electrostatic discharge (ESD) and during electrical testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Fabtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter R. Buchanan, Roman J. Hamerski, Wayne A. Smith
  • Patent number: 6710419
    Abstract: An improved Schottky device, having a low resistivity layer of semiconductor material, a high resistivity layer of semiconductor material and a buried dopant region positioned in the high resistivity layer utilized to reduce reverse leakage current. The low resistivity layer can be an N+ material while the high resistivity layer can be an N− layer. The buried dopant region can be of P+ material, thus forming a PN junction with an associated charge depletion zone in the N− layer and an associated low reverse leakage current. The location of the P+ material allows for a full Schottky barrier between the N− material and a barrier metal to be maintained, thus the device experiences a low forward voltage drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Fabtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter R. Buchanan, Roman J. Hamerski
  • Patent number: 6710418
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor rectifier includes an insulation-filled trench formed in a semiconductor region. Strips of resistive material extend along the trench sidewalls. The strips of resistive material have a conductivity type opposite that of the semiconductor region. A conductor extends over and in contact with the semiconductor region so that the conductor and the underlying semiconductor region form a Schottky contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Steven P. Sapp
  • Patent number: 6657273
    Abstract: A composite field ring for a Schottky diode has a low concentration deep portion to increase breakdown voltage withstand and a high concentration, shallow region to enable minority carrier injection during high forward current conduction. The composite ring permits a reduction in the thickness of the epitaxially formed layer which receives the Schottky barrier metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: International Rectifirer Corporation
    Inventor: Slawomir Skocki
  • Patent number: 6649995
    Abstract: A Schottky diode that achieves a predetermined reverse-direction breakdown voltage even if a state of a surface in a vicinity of a Schottky junction interface changes due to a welding of a bonding wire. The semiconductor device having the Schottky junction includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type. A well region of a second conductivity type is formed in a top surface of the semiconductor substrate. A Schottky electrode is formed on the top surface of the semiconductor substrate. A connecting conductive member is electrically connected to the Schottky electrode. The connecting conductive member is selectively connected to the Schottky electrode above the well region such that a connection surface between the connecting conductive member and the Schottky electrode is not extended above a Schottky junction between the Schottky electrode and the semiconductor substrate of the first conductivity type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeo Tooi, Katsumi Satoh
  • Patent number: 6580141
    Abstract: A Schottky rectifier is provided. The Schottky rectifier comprises: (a) a semiconductor region having first and second opposing faces, with the semiconductor region comprising a cathode region of first conductivity type adjacent the first face and a drift region of the first conductivity type adjacent the second face, and with the drift region having a lower net doping concentration than that of the cathode region; (b) one or more trenches extending from the second face into the semiconductor region and defining one or more mesas within the semiconductor region; (c) an insulating region adjacent the semiconductor region in lower portions of the trench; (d) and an anode electrode that is (i) adjacent to and forms a Schottky rectifying contact with the semiconductor at the second face, (ii) adjacent to and forms a Schottky rectifying contact with the semiconductor region within upper portions of the trench and (iii) adjacent to the insulating region within the lower portions of the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: General Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Fwu-Iuan Hshieh, Koon Chong So
  • Patent number: 6521961
    Abstract: An enhancement mode semiconductor device has a barrier layer disposed between the gate electrode of the device and the semiconductor substrate underlying the gate electrode. The barrier layer increases the Schottky barrier height of the gate electrode-barrier layer-substrate interface so that the portion of the substrate underlying the gate electrode operates in an enhancement mode. The barrier layer is particularly useful ill compound semiconductor field effect transistors, and preferred materials for the barrier layer include aluminum gallium arsenide and indium gallium arsenide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Julio Costa, Ernest Schirmann, Nyles W. Cody, Marino J. Martinez
  • Publication number: 20030006472
    Abstract: An improved Schottky device, having a low resistivity layer of semiconductor material, a high resistivity layer of semiconductor material and a buried dopant region positioned in the high resistivity layer utilized to reduce reverse leakage current. The low resistivity layer can be an N+ material while the high resistivity layer can be an N− layer. The buried dopant region can be of P+ material, thus forming a PN junction with an associated charge depletion zone in the N− layer and an associated low reverse leakage current. The location of the P+ material allows for a full Schottky barrier between the N− material and a barrier metal to be maintained, thus the device experiences a low forward voltage drop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Walter R. Buchanan, Roman J. Hamerski
  • Patent number: 6501146
    Abstract: A plurality of p anode regions are formed at one surface of an n− substrate. A trench is formed in each p anode region. An ohmic junction region is formed between an anode metallic electrode and the p anode region. The p anode region has a minimum impurity concentration at a portion near the ohmic junction region which enables ohmic contact. A cathode metallic electrode is formed at the other surface of the n− substrate with an n+ cathode region interposed. Accordingly, a semiconductor device which has an improved withstand voltage and in which the reverse recovery current is reduced can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masana Harada
  • Patent number: 6501145
    Abstract: The invention relates to a semiconductor component with adjacent Schottky (5) and pn (9) junctions positioned in a drift area (2, 10) of a semiconductor material. The invention also relates to a method for producing said semiconductor component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Nando Kaminski, Raban Held
  • Patent number: 6465874
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has improved reverse recovery characteristics and has greatly reduced the leakage current caused during application of a reverse bias voltage. The semiconductor device according to the invention includes a semiconductor chip having a first major surface and a second major surface facing opposite to the first major surface; an anode electrode on the first major surface; and a cathode electrode on the second major surface. The semiconductor chip includes a first laminate structure, a second laminate structure and a third laminate structure arranged in parallel to each other, the second laminate structure being interposed between the first laminate structure and the third laminate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michio Nemoto
  • Patent number: 6462393
    Abstract: An improved Schottky device, having a low resistivity layer of semiconductor material, a high resistivity layer of semiconductor material and a buried dopant region positioned in the high resistivity layer utilized to reduce reverse leakage current. The low resistivity layer can be an N+ material while the high resistivity layer can be an N− layer. The buried dopant region can be of P+ material, thus forming a PN junction with an associated charge depletion zone in the N− layer and an associated low reverse leakage current. The location of the P+ material allows for a full Schottky barrier between the N− material and a barrier metal to be maintained, thus the device experiences a low forward voltage drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: FabTech, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter R. Buchanan, Roman J. Hamerski
  • Publication number: 20020135038
    Abstract: An improved Schottky device, having a low resistivity layer of semiconductor material, a high resistivity layer of semiconductor material and a buried dopant region positioned in the high resistivity layer utilized to reduce reverse leakage current. The low resistivity layer can be an N+ material while the high resistivity layer can be an N− layer. The buried dopant region can be of P+ material, thus forming a PN junction with an associated charge depletion zone in the N− layer and an associated low reverse leakage current. The location of the P+ material allows for a full Schottky barrier between the N− material and a barrier metal to be maintained, thus the device experiences a low forward voltage drop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Walter R. Buchanan, Roman J. Hamerski
  • Patent number: 6441454
    Abstract: Inner trenches (11) of a trenched Schottky rectifier (1a; 1b; 1c; 1d) bound a plurality of rectifier areas (43a) where the Schottky electrode (3) forms a Schottky barrier 43 with a drift region (4). A perimeter trench (18) extends around the outer perimeter of the plurality of rectifier areas (43a). These trenches (11, 18) accommodate respective inner field-electrodes (31) and a perimeter field-electrode (38) that are connected to the Schottky electrode (3). The inner field-electrodes (11) are capacitively coupled to the drift region (4) via dielectric material (21) that lines the inner trenches (11). The perimeter field-electrode (38) is capacitively coupled across dielectric material (28) on the inside wall (18a) of the perimeter trench 18, without acting on any outside wall (18b). Furthermore, the inner and perimeter trenches (11, 18) are closely spaced and the intermediate areas (4a, 4b) of the drift region (4) are lowly doped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Erwin A. Hijzen, Raymond J. E. Hueting
  • Patent number: 6426541
    Abstract: A Schottky diode comprises a semiconductor body of one conductivity type, the semiconductor body having a grooved surface, a metal layer on the grooved surface and forming a Schottky junction with sidewalls of the grooved surface and ohmic contacts with top portions of the grooved surface. The semiconductor body preferably includes a silicon substrate with the grooved surface being on a device region defined by a guard ring of a conductivity type opposite to the conductivity type of the semiconductor body, and a plurality of doped regions at the bottom of grooves and forming P-N junctions with the semiconductor body. The P-N junctions of the doped regions form carrier depletion regions across and spaced from the grooves to increase the reverse bias breakdown voltage and reduce the reverse bias leakage current. The ohmic contacts of the metal layer increase forward current and reduce forward voltage of the Schottky diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: APD Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Chang, Geeng-Chuan Chern, Wayne Y. W. Hsueh, Vladimir Rodov
  • Patent number: 6396084
    Abstract: A semiconductor rectifier includes a substrate of a first conductivity type; a current path layer of the first conductivity type formed near the surface of the substrate; a current block layer of a second conductivity type laterally enclosing the current path layer and extending to a depth deeper than the current path layer; and first and second metal layers formed respectively contacting upper and lower surfaces of the substrate. The current path layer has an impurity concentration higher than that of the substrate, and the current block layer has an impurity concentration higher than that of the current path layer. The current path layer is small enough for the portion below the current path layer to be completely blocked by the depletion region formed around the current block layer when a reverse bias or no is applied to the rectifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Fairchild Korea Semiconductor LTD
    Inventors: Hyi-jeong Park, Hyun-soon Kang
  • Publication number: 20010035560
    Abstract: A diode is provided which includes a first-conductivity-type cathode layer, a first-conductivity-type drift layer placed on the cathode region and having a lower concentration than the cathode layer, a generally ring-like second-conductivity-type ring region formed in the drift layer, second-conductivity-type anode region formed in the drift layer located inside the ring region, a cathode electrode formed in contact with the cathode layer, and an anode electrode formed in contact with the anode region, wherein the lowest resistivity of the second-conductivity-type anode region is at least {fraction (1/100)} of the resistivity of the drift layer, and the thickness of the anode region is smaller than the diffusion depth of the ring region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Fujihira, Yasushi Miyasaka
  • Publication number: 20010017393
    Abstract: A diode is provided which includes a first-conductivity-type cathode layer, a first-conductivity-type drift layer placed on the cathode region and having a lower concentration than the cathode layer, a generally ring-like second-conductivity-type ring region formed in the drift layer, second-conductivity-type anode region formed in the drift layer located inside the ring region, a cathode electrode formed in contact with the cathode layer, and an anode electrode formed in contact with the anode region, wherein the lowest resistivity of the second-conductivity-type anode region is at least {fraction (1/100)} of the resistivity of the drift layer, and the thickness of the anode region is smaller than the diffusion depth of the ring region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Applicant: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Fujihira, Yasushi Miyasaka
  • Patent number: 6252288
    Abstract: A high power rectifier device has an N− drift layer on an N+ layer. A number of trench structures are recessed into the drift layer opposite the N+ layer; respective mesa regions separate each pair of trenches. Each trench structure includes oxide side-walls, a shallow P+ region at the bottom of the trench, and a conductive material between the top of the trench and its shallow P+ region. A metal layer contacts the trench structures and mesa regions, forming Schottky contacts. Forward conduction through both Schottky and P+ regions occurs when the device is forward-biased, with the Schottky contact's low barrier height providing a low forward voltage drop. When reversed-biased, depletion regions around the shallow P+ regions and the side-walls provide a potential barrier which shields the Schottky contacts, providing a high reverse blocking voltage and reducing reverse leakage current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Rockwell Science Center, LLC
    Inventor: Hsueh-Rong Chang
  • Patent number: 6225200
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has an improved schottky barrier junction. The device includes: a substrate; an epitaxial layer covering the substrate and lightly doped with a dopant selected from a group consisting of a rare earth element and an oxidant of a rare earth element; and a metal layer covering the epitaxial layer and forming said schottky barrier junction with said epitaxial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: National Science Council
    Inventors: Liann-Be Chang, Hang-Thung Wang
  • Patent number: 6191447
    Abstract: Power semiconductor devices having tapered insulating regions include a drift region of first conductivity type therein and first and second trenches in the substrate. The first and second trenches have first and second opposing sidewalls, respectively, that define a mesa therebetween into which the drift region extends. An electrically insulating region having tapered sidewalls is also provided in each of the trenches. The tapered thickness of each of the electrically insulating regions enhances the degree of uniformity of the electric field along the sidewalls of the trenches and in the mesa and allows the power device to support higher blocking voltages despite a high concentration of dopants in the drift region. In particular, an electrically insulating region lines the first sidewall of the first trench and has a nonuniform thickness Tins(y) in a range between about 0.5 and 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Micro-Ohm Corporation
    Inventor: Bantval Jayant Baliga
  • Patent number: 6184563
    Abstract: This invention discloses a Schottky barrier rectifier formed in a semiconductor chip of a first conductivity type having a cathode electrode connected thereto near a bottom surface of the semiconductor chip. The Schottky rectifier further includes an epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type of a reduced doping concentration than the semiconductor chip near a top surface of the semiconductor chip. The Schottky rectifier further includes a high resistivity region disposed near peripheral edges of the semiconductor chip containing a reduced dopant concentration than the epitaxial layer. The Schottky rectifier further includes an anode electrode defined by a conductive layer disposed on top over the epitaxial layer wherein the conductive layer having all peripheral edges disposed on top of the high resistivity region. In a preferred embodiment, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Ho-Yuan Yu
  • Patent number: 6184545
    Abstract: The semiconductor component, such as a Schottky diode with a low leakage current, has a metal-semiconductor junction between a first metal electrode and the semiconductor. The semiconductor, which is of a first conductivity type, has a defined drift path and a plurality of supplementary zones of a second conductivity type extending from the semiconductor surface into the drift path. A number of foreign atoms in the supplementary zones is substantially equal to a number of foreign atoms in intermediate zones surrounding the supplementary zones and the number of foreign atoms does not exceed a number corresponding to a breakdown charge of the semiconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Werner, Jenoe Tihanyi
  • Patent number: 6087704
    Abstract: Group III-V composites, which is used to manufacture Schottky contacts having the characteristics of higher energy gap, higher carriers mobility, etc., are applied for manufacturing high-speed devices. Therefore, in there years, Group III-V composite Schottky contacts are continuously being developed. In the invention, the surface treatment of composite semiconductor is used for reduce a surface state and oxidation, thereby increased the Schottky barriers of the Group III-V composite (such as, GaAs, InP, InAs and InSb) Schottky contacts. During experiments, a phosphorus sulphide/ammonia sulphide solution and hydrogen fluoride solution are used for the surface treatment to increase the amount of sulphur contained on the surfaces of substrates, reduce the surface state and remove various oxides. Furthermore, ultra-thin and really stable sulphur fluoride/phosphorus fluoride layers having high energy gaps are formed on various substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: National Science Council
    Inventors: Liann-Be Chang, Hung-Tsung Wang
  • Patent number: 5914500
    Abstract: A semiconductor diode structure with a Schottky junction, wherein a metal contact and a silicon carbide semiconductor layer of a first conducting type form the junction and wherein the edge of the junction exhibits a junction termination divided into a transition belt (TB) having gradually increasing total charge or effective sheet charge density closest to the metal contact and a Junction Termination Extension (JTE) outside the transition belt, the JTE having a charge profile with a stepwise or uniformly deceasing total charge or effective sheet charge density from an initial value to a zero or almost zero total charge at the outermost edge of the termination following a radial direction from the center part of the JTE towards the outermost edge of the termination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Mietek Bakowski, Ulf Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 5907179
    Abstract: A Schottky diode assembly includes a Schottky contact formed on a semiconductor substrate and having a semiconductor region of a first conduction type, a metal layer disposed adjacently on the semiconductor region, a protective structure constructed on a peripheral region of the Schottky contact and a doped region in the semiconductor substrate having a second conduction type of opposite polarity from the first conduction type. The doped region extends from a main surface of the semiconductor substrate to a predetermined depth into the semiconductor substrate. The doped region of the protective structure has at least two different first and second doped portions located one below the other relative to the main surface of the semiconductor substrate. The first doped portion is at a greater depth and has a comparatively lesser doping, and the second doped portion has a comparatively higher doping and a slight depth adjacent the main surface of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Reinhard Losehand, Hubert Werthmann
  • Patent number: 5847437
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has an improved schottky barrier junction. The device includes: a substrate; an epitaxial layer covering the substrate and lightly doped with a dopant selected from a group consisting of a rare earth element and an oxide of a rare earth element; and a metal layer covering the epitaxial layer and forming said schottky barrier junction with said epitaxial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: National Science Council
    Inventors: Liann-Be Chang, Hang-Thung Wang
  • Patent number: 5814873
    Abstract: A solid-state infrared sensor using a Schottky barrier diode. The sensor has a first layer of a semiconductor of a first conductivity type and a second layer of a metal or a metal silicide and the first and second layer are joined to each other to form the Schottky barrier diode. Further, the sensor includes a third layer disposed in the depletion layer formed in the first layer out of contact with the Schottky junction interface. The third layer contains an impurity which is introduced for positioning an effective barrier formed in the depletion layer under an image force, closely to the junction interface. Intensity of an infrared radiation is detected using a multiple reflection effect of hot carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Konuma
  • Patent number: 5814874
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a semiconductor substrate and an epitaxial layer deposited thereon which supports a patterned insulating layer on which a metal layer is provided. To achieve a lower capacitance of the semiconductor device with unchanged forward voltage, the epitaxial layer consists of first and second epitaxial layers, the first epitaxial layer which adjoins the semiconductor substrate having a higher dopant concentration than and being of the same conductivity type as the second epitaxial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: General Semiconductor Ireland
    Inventor: Guenter Igel
  • Patent number: 5612567
    Abstract: A Schottky rectifier includes MOS-filled trenches and an anode electrode at a face of a semiconductor substrate and an optimally nonuniformly doped drift region therein which in combination provide high blocking voltage capability with low reverse-biased leakage current and low forward voltage drop. The nonuniformly doped drift region contains a concentration of first conductivity type dopants therein which increases monotonically in a direction away from a Schottky rectifying junction formed between the anode electrode and the drift region. A profile of the doping concentration in the drift region is preferably a linear or step graded profile with a concentration of less than about 5.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3 (e.g., 1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3) at the Schottky rectifying junction and a concentration of about ten times greater (e.g., 3.times.10.sup.17 cm.sup.-3) at a junction between the drift region and a cathode region. The thickness of the insulating regions (e.g., SiO.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventor: Bantval J. Baliga
  • Patent number: 5543634
    Abstract: In a gaseous glow-discharge process for coating a substrate with semiconductor material, a variable electric field in the region of the substrate and the pressure of the gaseous material are controlled to produce a uniform coating having useful semiconducting properties. Electrodes having concave and cylindrical configurations are used to produce a spacially varying electric field. Twin electrodes are used to enable the use of an AC power supply and collect a substantial part of the coating on the substrate. Solid semiconductor material is evaporated and sputtered into the glow discharge to control the discharge and improve the coating. Schottky barrier and solar cell structures are fabricated from the semiconductor coating. Activated nitrogen species is used to increase the barrier height of Schottky barriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Plasma Physics Corp.
    Inventor: John H. Coleman
  • Patent number: 5536966
    Abstract: An improved Schottky transistor structure (6), including a bipolar transistor structure (7) and a Schottky diode structure (8), is formed by retrograde diffusing relatively fast diffusing atoms to form a localized retrograde diode well (9) as the substrate for the Schottky diode structure. An expanded buried collector layer (11) formed of relatively slow diffusing atoms underlies the base and collector regions of the bipolar transistor structure (7) and the retrograde diode well (9). A diode junction (10) is formed by expanding the base contact of the bipolar transistor structure to include the surface of the retrograde diode well. Preferably, the diode junction is a Platinum-Silicide junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Murray J. Robinson, Christopher C. Joyce, Timwah Luk
  • Patent number: 5418376
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a static induction semiconductor device with a distributed main electrode structure and a static induction semiconductor device with a static induction main electrode shorted structure where the main electrode region is composed of regions of higher and lower impurity densities relative to each other and formed partly in contact with the lower impurity density region as well, and alternatively a static induction short-circuit region opposite in conductivity type to the main electrode region is formed in the lower impurity density region surrounded by the higher impurity density region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Toyo Denki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kimihiro Muraoka, Naohiro Shimizu, Takashige Tamamushi
  • Patent number: 5414272
    Abstract: A semiconductor element emission element having a Schottky junction in a surface region of a semiconductor, comprises a first region having a first carrier concentration, a second region having a second carrier concentration, and a third region having a third carrier concentration. All of the regions are located below an electrode forming the Schottky junction. The first, second, and third carrier concentrations satisfy a condition that the first carrier concentration of the first region is higher than the second carrier concentration of the second region and that the second carrier concentration of the second region is higher than the third carrier concentration of the third region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuo Watanabe, Masahiko Okunuki, Takeo Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 5389815
    Abstract: A high speed soft recovery diode having a large breakdown voltage is disclosed. Anode P layers (3) are selectively formed in a top portion of an N.sup.- body (2). A P.sup.- layer (4a) is disposed in the top portion of the N.sup.- body (2) so as to be spacewise complementary to the anode P layers (3). In the N.sup.- body (2), P regions (5) are selectively formed below the P.sup.- layer (4a). On the N.sup.- body (2), an anode electrode (6) is disposed in contact with both the P.sup.- layer (4a) and the anode P layers (3). A cathode electrode (7) is disposed under the N.sup.- body (2) through a cathode layer (1). When the diode is reverse-biased, a depletion layer does not have a sharply curved configuration due to the P regions (5). Hence, concentration of electric field is avoided and a breakdown voltage would not deteriorate. During forward-bias state of the diode, injection of excessive holes from the anode P layers (3) into the N.sup.- body (2) is prevented, thereby reducing a recovery current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5365102
    Abstract: A trench MOS Schottky barrier rectifier includes a semiconductor substrate having first and second faces, a cathode region of first conductivity type at the first face and a drift region of first conductivity type on the cathode region, extending to the second face. First and second trenches are formed in the drift region at the second face and define a mesa of first conductivity type therebetween. The mesa can be rectangular or circular in shape or of stripe geometry. Insulating regions are defined on the sidewalls of the trenches, adjacent the mesa, and an anode electrode is formed on the insulating regions, and on the top of the mesa at the second face. The anode electrode forms a Schottky rectifying contact with the mesa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Manoj Mehrotra, Bantval J. Baliga
  • Patent number: 5350936
    Abstract: In one form of the invention, a field effect transistor is disclosed, the transistor comprising: a channel between a source and a drain, the channel comprising: a first region 22 of a first semiconductor material having a first doping concentration; a second region 20 of a second semiconductor material having a second doping concentration, the second region 20 lying above the first region 22; a third region 18 of the first semiconductor material having a third doping concentration, the third region lying above the second region 20, wherein the first doping concentration is higher than the second and third doping concentrations; and a gate electrode 12 lying above the third region 18, whereby an electrical current flows in the channel primarily in the first region 22 or primarily in the second region 20 by varying a voltage on the gate electrode 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Pertti K. Ikalainen, Larry C. Witkowski
  • Patent number: 5345100
    Abstract: A semiconductor rectifier having a high breakdown voltage and a high speed operation is provided, which comprises a semiconductor substrate including a first semiconductor layer of one conductivity type and a second semiconductor layer of one conductivity type provided on the first semiconductor layer, a third semiconductor layer of an opposite conductivity type having a depth D and formed in the second semiconductor layer to provide a pn junction therebetween, the third semiconductor layer defining a plurality of exposed regions of the second semiconductor layer, each of the plurality of exposed regions of the second semiconductor layer having a width W, a relation between the depth D and the width W being given by D.gtoreq.0.5W, and a metal electrode provided on the substrate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Shindengen Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kan, Masaru Wakatabe, Mitsugu Tanaka, Shinji Kunori, Akira Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 5285084
    Abstract: Schottky diodes and gas sensors include a diamond layer having a Schottky contact thereon and an ohmic contact thereon, wherein the diamond layer includes a highly doped region adjacent the ohmic contact to provide a low resistance ohmic contact. Dramatically reduced frequency dependence of the capacitance/voltage characteristic of Schottky diodes and gas sensors formed thereby, compared to Schottky diodes and gas sensors which do not include the highly doped region adjacent the ohmic contact, is provided. The highly doped region is preferably boron doped at a concentration of at least 10.sup.20 atoms per cubic centimeter to form an ohmic contact with a contact resistance of less than 10.sup.-3 .OMEGA.-cm.sup.2. The ohmic contact is preferably a back contact on the face of the diamond layer opposite the Schottky contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Kobe Steel USA
    Inventors: Jesko von Windheim, Vasudev Venkatesan
  • Patent number: 5278443
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a diode having a Schottky barrier and a MOS transistor integrally formed in one and the same semiconductor substrate in which the diode and MOS transistor have their main electrode in common use. The diode has a first diode portion having a pn junction in a current-passing direction and a second diode portion having a combination of the Schottky barrier and another pn junction in the current passing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Haramachi Semiconductor, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mutsuhiro Mori, Yasumiti Yasuda, Naoki Sakurai, Hidetoshi Arakawa, Hiroshi Owada
  • Patent number: 5262668
    Abstract: A Schottky barrier rectifier includes regions of different Schottky barrier heights. Preferably, alternating regions of relatively high and relative low barrier heights are provided on a semiconductor substrate and are electrically connected in parallel to form a single Schottky barrier rectifier. The alternating regions may be provided by laterally spaced apart regions of a first metal on the semiconductor substrate and a layer of a second metal on the regions of the first metal and on the semiconductor substrate between the regions of first metal. Alternatively, a plurality of spaced apart barrier altering regions, such as a plurality of shallow implants, are formed in the semiconductor substrate, and a continuous metal layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate. In yet another embodiment, plurality of laterally spaced apart trenches are formed in the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: North Carolina State University at Raleigh
    Inventors: Shang-hui L. Tu, Bantval J. Baliga
  • Patent number: 5229637
    Abstract: In a semiconductor device constituting a GaAs MESFET, a GaAs substrate is prepared from a base material containing boron ions as a dopant impurity having a total impurity concentration of 2.times.10.sup.17 atoms/cm.sup.3 or more. The boron ions are introduced into the GaAs substrate during crystal growth so that a uniform distribution of boron ions in the substrate results. Electrode layers are formed at predetermined portions on the GaAs substrate, and an active layer is formed to be adjacent to the electrode layers by ion implantation. Source and drain electrodes are formed on the electrode layers respectively, and a gate electrode is formed on the active layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Toru Suga, Kazuhiko Inoue
  • Patent number: 5166760
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided wherein a first diode having a pn junction and a second diode having a combination of a Schottky barrier and a pn junction in a current-passing direction are provided side by side in a direction perpendicular to the current-passing direction. When a forward current with a current density J.sub.F is passed into the second diode, the relation ##EQU1## is established in a forward voltage V.sub.F range of 0.1 (V) to 0.3 (V), where k represents the Boltzmann constant (.apprxeq.1.38.times.10.sup.-23 J/K), T represents the absolute temperature, and q represents the quantity of electron charges (.apprxeq.1.6.times.10.sup.-19 C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Haramachi Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Mutsuhiro Mori, Yasumiti Yasuda, Naoki Sakurai, Hidetoshi Arakawa, Hiroshi Owada