Abstract: A high voltage diode in which the n-type cathode is surrounded by an uncontacted heavily doped n-type ring to reflect injected holes back into the cathode region for recombination or collection is disclosed. The dopant density in the heavily doped n-type ring is preferably 100 to 10,000 times the dopant density in the cathode. The heavily doped n-type region will typically connect to an n-type buried layer under the cathode. The heavily doped n-type ring is optimally positioned at least one hole diffusion length from cathode contacts. The disclosed high voltage diode may be integrated into an integrated circuit without adding process steps.

Abstract: A test structure for detecting void formation in semiconductor device layers includes a plurality of active device areas formed in a substrate, a plurality of shallow trench isolation (STI) regions separating the active device areas, a plurality of gate electrode structures formed across the active device areas and the STI regions, and a matrix of vias formed over the active device areas and between the gate electrode structures. At least one edge of each of a pair of vias at opposite ends of a given one of the STI regions extends at least out to an edge of the associated active device area.

Abstract: In a high breakdown voltage semiconductor element among elements integrated together on an SOI substrate in which its rated voltage is shared between an embedded oxide layer and a drain region formed by an element active layer, both high integration and high breakdown voltage are realized while also securing suitability for practical implementation and practical use. The high breakdown voltage is realized without hampering size reduction of the element by forming an electrically floating layer of a conductivity type opposite to that of the drain region at the surface of the drain region. Further, the thickness of the embedded oxide layer is reduced to a level suitable for the practical implementation and practical use by setting the thickness of the element active layer of the SOI substrate at 30 ?m or more.

Abstract: A dielectric isolation type semiconductor device includes a dielectric isolation type substrate in which a support substrate, an embedded dielectric layer, and a first conductive type semiconductor substrate of a low impurity concentration are laminated one over another. The semiconductor substrate includes a first semiconductor region of a first conductive type having a high impurity concentration, a second semiconductor region of a second conductive type having a high impurity concentration arranged so as to surround the first semiconductor region, a first main electrode joined to a surface of the first semiconductor region, and a second main electrode joined to a surface of the second semiconductor region. A first dielectric portion is arranged adjacent the embedded dielectric layer so as to surround a region of the support substrate superposed on the first semiconductor region in a direction of lamination thereof, and a wire connected with the first main electrode.

Abstract: Isolation of III-nitride devices may be performed with a dopant selective etch that provides a smooth profile with little crystal damage in comparison to previously used isolation techniques. The dopant selective etch may be an electro-chemical or photo-electro-chemical etch. The desired isolation area may be identified by changing the conductivity type of the semiconductor material to be etched. The etch process can remove a conductive layer to isolate a device atop the conductive layer. The etch process can be self stopping, where the process automatically terminates when the selectively doped semiconductor material is removed.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices with multiple floating guard ring edge termination structures and methods of fabricating same are disclosed. A method for fabricating guard rings in a semiconductor device that includes forming a mesa structure on a semiconductor layer stack, the semiconductor stack including two or more layers of semiconductor materials including a first layer and a second layer, said second layer being on top of said first layer, forming trenches for guard rings in the first layer outside a periphery of said mesa, and forming guard rings in the trenches. The top surfaces of said guard rings have a lower elevation than a top surface of said first layer.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a lower active region on a semiconductor substrate. A plurality of upper active regions protruding from a top surface of the lower active region and having a narrower width than the lower active region are provided. A lower isolation region surrounding a sidewall of the lower active region is provided. An upper isolation region formed on the lower isolation region, surrounding sidewalls of the upper active regions, and having a narrower width than the lower isolation region is provided. A first impurity region formed in the lower active region and extending into the upper active regions is provided. Second impurity regions formed in the upper active regions and constituting a diode together with the first impurity region are provided. A method of fabricating the same is provided as well.

Abstract: A power device includes a semiconductor substrate of first conductivity having an upper surface and a lower surface. An isolation diffusion region of second conductivity is provided at a periphery of the substrate and extends from the upper surface to the lower surface of the substrate. The isolation diffusion region has a first surface corresponding to the upper surface of the substrate and a second surface corresponding to the lower surface. A peripheral junction region of second conductivity is formed at least partly within the isolation diffusion region and formed proximate the first surface of the isolation diffusion region. First and second terminals are provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) integrated chip with cross-area interconnection, comprising: a substrate; a MEMS device area on the substrate; a microelectronic device area on the substrate; a guard ring separating the MEMS device area and the microelectronic device area; and a conductive layer on the surface of the substrate below the guard ring, or a well in the substrate below the guard ring, as a cross-area interconnection electrically connecting the MEMS device area and the microelectronic device area.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the ESD device uses highly doped P and N regions deep within the ESD device to form a zener diode that has a controlled breakdown voltage.

Abstract: An isolated diode comprises a floor isolation region, a dielectric-filled trench and a sidewall region extending from a bottom of the trench at least to the floor isolation region. The floor isolation region, dielectric-filled trench and a sidewall region are comprised in one terminal (anode or cathode) of the diode and together form an isolated pocket in which the other terminal of the diode is formed. In one embodiment the terminals of the diode are separated by a second dielectric-filled trench and sidewall region.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed to include a central area of the IC that is partitioned into a first section containing at least one digital circuit and a second section containing at least one analog circuit; and a guard strip (or shield) that is within the central area and that is positioned within between the digital circuit and the analog circuit. The shield or guard strip comprises of n-well and p-tap regions that separate digital and analog circuits.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device is formed having vertical localized charge-compensated trenches, trench control regions, and sub-surface doped layers. The vertical localized charge-compensated trenches include at least a pair of opposite conductivity type semiconductor layers. The trench control regions are configured to provide a generally vertical channel region electrically coupling source regions to the sub-surface doped layers. The sub-surface doped layers are further configured to electrically connect the drain-end of the channel to the vertical localized charge compensation trenches. Body regions are configured to isolate the sub-surface doped layers from the surface of the device.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating an oxide layer on a semiconductor substrate are provided herein. The oxide layer may be formed over an entire structure disposed on the substrate, or selectively formed on a non-metal containing layer with little or no oxidation of an exposed metal-containing layer. The methods disclosed herein may be performed in a variety of process chambers, including but not limited to decoupled plasma oxidation chambers, rapid and/or remote plasma oxidation chambers, and/or plasma immersion ion implantation chambers. In some embodiments, a method may include providing a substrate comprising a metal-containing layer and non-metal containing layer; and forming an oxide layer on an exposed surface of the non-metal containing layer by exposing the substrate to a plasma formed from a process gas comprising a hydrogen-containing gas, an oxygen-containing gas, and at least one of a supplemental oxygen-containing gas or a nitrogen-containing gas.

Abstract: An active barrier structure has a p-type region and an n-type region, each of which is in contact with a p-type impurity region and which are ohmic-connected to each other to attain a floating potential. A trench isolation structure is formed between an active barrier region and the other region (an output transistor formation region and a control circuit formation region). The trench isolation structure has a trench extending from the main surface of the semiconductor substrate through the n? epitaxial layer to reach the p-type impurity region. Therefore, a semiconductor device is obtained which allows the chip size to be reduced easily and is highly effective in preventing movement of electrons from the output transistor formation region to the other element formation region.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes at least one photodiode associated with a read transistor. The photodiode is formed from a stack of three semiconductor layers comprising a buried layer, an floating substrate layer and an upper layer. The drain region and/or the source region of the transistor are incorporated within the upper layer. The buried layer is electrically isolated from the upper layer so as to allow the buried layer to be biased independently of the upper layer.

Abstract: An embedded memory required for a high performance, multifunction SOC, and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The memory includes a bipolar transistor, a phase-change memory device and a MOS transistor, adjacent and electrically connected, on a substrate. The bipolar transistor includes a base composed of SiGe disposed on a collector. The phase-change memory device has a phase-change material layer which is changed from an amorphous state to a crystalline state by a current, and a heating layer composed of SiGe that contacts the lower surface of the phase-change material layer.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device formed to an SOI substrate including a MOS transistor in which a parasitic MOS transistor is suppressed. The semiconductor device formed on the SOI substrate by employing a LOCOS process is structured such that a part of a polysilicon layer to becomes a gate electrode includes: a first conductivity type polysilicon region corresponding to a region of the silicon active layer which has a constant thickness and is to become a channel; and second conductivity type polysilicon regions corresponding to LOCOS isolation edges in each of which a thickness of the silicon active layer decreases.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate formed of a first semiconductor material; two insulators on the substrate; and a semiconductor region having a portion between the two insulators and over the substrate. The semiconductor region has a bottom surface contacting the substrate and having sloped sidewalls. The semiconductor region is formed of a second semiconductor material different from the first semiconductor material.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a high-voltage MOS device. The high-voltage MOS device includes a substrate, a first well, a first field oxide layer enclosing a drain region, a second field oxide enclosing a source region, and a third field oxide layer encompassing the first and second field layers with a device isolation region in between. A channel region is situated between the first and second field oxide layers. A gate oxide layer is provided on the channel region. A gate is stacked on the gate oxide layer. A device isolation diffusion layer is provided in the device isolation region.

Abstract: An embodiment method for forming a MOS transistor for power applications in a substrate of semiconductor material, said method being integrated in a process for manufacturing integrated circuits which uses an STI technique for forming the insulating regions. The method includes the phases of forming an insulating element on a top surface of the substrate and forming a control electrode on a free surface of the insulating element. The insulating element insulates the control electrode from the substrate. Said insulating element comprises a first portion and a second portion. The extension of the first portion along a first direction perpendicular to the top surface is lower than the extension of the second portion along such first direction. The phase of forming the insulating element comprises generating said second portion by locally oxidizing the top surface.

Abstract: A wafer processing method having a step of reducing the thickness of a wafer in only a device forming area where semiconductor chips are formed by grinding and etching the back side of the wafer to thereby form a recess on the back side of the wafer. At the same time, an annular projection is formed around the recess to thereby ensure the rigidity of the wafer. Accordingly, handling in shifting the wafer from the back side recess forming step to a subsequent step of forming a back side rewiring layer can be performed safely and easily.

Abstract: On a semiconductor substrate, a well is formed. In the well, one MOS transistor including a gate electrode, a source region, a source field limiting layer and a source/drain region, and another MOS transistor including a gate electrode, a drain electrode, a drain field limiting layer and a source/drain region are formed. The one and another MOS transistors are connected in series through the source/drain region common to the two transistors. Accordingly, a semiconductor device can be provided in which increase in pattern layout area is suppressed when elements including a high-breakdown voltage MOS transistor are to be connected in series.

Abstract: This invention is directed to improve the electrostatic discharge strength and the latch-up strength of the semiconductor integrated circuit. To achieve the certain level of stable quality of the semiconductor integrated circuit by eliminating the variety in the electrostatic discharge strength and the latch-up strength is also aimed. The first NPN type bipolar transistor 3 and the second NPN type bipolar transistor 4 in the electrostatic discharge protection cell EC 1 are surrounded by the isolation region 6 made of the P+ type semiconductor layer and electronically isolated from other elements. The width WB1 of the isolating region 6 is larger than the width WB2 of the isolation region 7 that separates the elements comprising the internal circuit 50 from each other. This configuration can efficiently improve the electrostatic discharge strength and the latch-up strength.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a high voltage NPN bipolar transistor and a low voltage device. The NPN bipolar transistor includes a lightly doped p-well as the base region of the transistor while the low voltage devices are built using standard, more heavily doped p-wells. By using a process including a lightly doped p-well and a standard p-well, high and low voltage devices can be integrated onto the same integrated circuit. In one embodiment, the lightly doped p-well and the standard p-well are formed by performing ion implantation using a first dose to form the lightly doped p-well, masking the lightly doped p-well, and performing ion implantation using a second dose to form the standard p-well. The second dose is the difference of the dopant concentrations of the lightly doped p-well and the standard p-well. Other high voltage devices can also be built by incorporating the lightly doped p-well structure.

Abstract: An isolation insulating film (5) of partial-trench type is selectively formed in an upper surface of a silicon layer (4). A power supply line (21) is formed above the isolation insulating film (5). Below the power supply line (21), a complete isolation portion (23) reaching an upper surface of an insulating film (3) is formed in the isolation insulating film (5). In other words, a semiconductor device comprises a complete-isolation insulating film which is so formed as to extend from the upper surface of the silicon layer (4) and reach the upper surface of insulating film (3) below the power supply line (21). With this structure, it is possible to obtain the semiconductor device capable of suppressing variation in potential of a body region caused by variation in potential of the power supply line.

Abstract: A far subcollector, or a buried doped semiconductor layer located at a depth that exceeds the range of conventional ion implantation, is formed by ion implantation of dopants into a region of an initial semiconductor substrate followed by an epitaxial growth of semiconductor material. A reachthrough region to the far subcollector is formed by outdiffusing a dopant from a doped material layer deposited in the at least one deep trench that adjoins the far subcollector. The reachthrough region may be formed surrounding the at least one deep trench or only on one side of the at least one deep trench. If the inside of the at least one trench is electrically connected to the reachthrough region, a metal contact may be formed on the doped fill material within the at least one trench. If not, a metal contact is formed on a secondary reachthrough region that contacts the reachthrough region.

Abstract: An electronic device can include a transistor structure of a first conductivity type, a field isolation region, and a layer of a first stress type overlying the field isolation region. For example, the transistor structure may be a p-channel transistor structure and the first stress type may be tensile, or the transistor structure may be an n-channel transistor structure and the first stress type may be compressive. The transistor structure can include a channel region that lies within an active region. An edge of the active region includes the interface between the channel region and the field isolation region. From a top view, the layer can include an edge the lies near the edge of the active region. The positional relationship between the edges can affect carrier mobility within the channel region of the transistor structure.

Abstract: Device structure for active devices fabricated in a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate and design structures for a radiofrequency integrated circuit. The device structure includes a first isolation region in the semiconductor layer that extends from a top surface of a semiconductor layer to a first depth, a second isolation region in the semiconductor layer that extends from the top surface of the semiconductor layer to a second depth greater than the first depth, and a first doped region in the semiconductor layer. The first doped region is disposed vertically between the first isolation region and an insulating layer disposed between the semiconductor layer and a handle wafer of the SOI substrate. The device structure may be included in a design structure embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing an integrated circuit.

Abstract: A semiconductor device production method according to the present invention includes the steps of: forming a LOCOS oxide film in a surface of a silicon layer by a LOCOS method; forming an impurity region in the silicon layer by introducing an impurity into the silicon layer; and sequentially removing parts of the LOCOS oxide film and the silicon layer to form a trench for isolation of the impurity region after the formation of the LOCOS oxide film and the impurity region.

Abstract: An image sensor comprising an array of photoelectric conversion elements in a substrate, the photoelectric conversion elements being arranged in rows and columns extending in a first direction and a second direction respectively, a plurality of first junction isolation regions in the substrate that each isolate side portions of neighboring photoelectric conversion elements of a common row, and a plurality of second junction isolation regions in the substrate that each isolate side portions of neighboring photoelectric conversion elements of a common column, and a plurality of dielectric isolation regions in the substrate, that each isolate corner portions of neighboring photoelectric conversion elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for voltage distribution via epitaxial layers. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, an integrated circuit comprises an epitaxial layer of a connectivity type disposed upon a wafer substrate of an opposite connectivity type.

Abstract: A high voltage diode in which the n-type cathode is surrounded by an uncontacted heavily doped n-type ring to reflect injected holes back into the cathode region for recombination or collection is disclosed. The dopant density in the heavily doped n-type ring is preferably 100 to 10,000 times the dopant density in the cathode. The heavily doped n-type region will typically connect to an n-type buried layer under the cathode. The heavily doped n-type ring is optimally positioned at least one hole diffusion length from cathode contacts. The disclosed high voltage diode may be integrated into an integrated circuit without adding process steps.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device of the present invention, a MOS transistor is disposed in an elliptical shape. Linear regions in the elliptical shape are respectively used as the active regions, and round regions in the elliptical shape is used respectively as the inactive regions. In each of the inactive regions, a P type diffusion layer is formed to coincide with a round shape. Another P type diffusion layer is formed in a part of one of the inactive regions. These P type diffusion layers are formed as floating diffusion layers, are capacitively coupled to a metal layer on an insulating layer, and assume a state where predetermined potentials are respectively applied thereto. This structure makes it possible to maintain current performance of the active regions, while improving the withstand voltage characteristics in the inactive regions.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor mesa located upon an isolating substrate. The semiconductor mesa includes a first end that includes a first doped region separated from a second end that includes a second doped region by an isolating region interposed therebetween. The first doped region and the second doped region are of different polarity. The semiconductor structure also includes a channel stop dielectric layer located upon a horizontal surface of the semiconductor mesa over the second doped region. The semiconductor structure also includes a first device located using a sidewall and a top surface of the first end as a channel region, and a second device located using the sidewall and not the top surface of the second end as a channel. A related method derives from the foregoing semiconductor structure. Also included is a semiconductor circuit that includes the semiconductor structure.

Abstract: A seal ring structure for an integrated circuit includes a seal ring disposed along a periphery of the integrated circuit, wherein the seal ring is divided into at least a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the second portion is positioned facing and shielding an analog and/or RF circuit block from a noise. A P+ region is provided in a P substrate and positioned under the second portion. A shallow trench isolation (STI) structure surrounds the P+ region and laterally extends underneath a conductive rampart of the second portion.

Abstract: Electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection is provided for an integrated circuit. Snap back from a lower initial critical voltage and critical current is provided, as compared to contemporary designs. A dynamic region having doped regions is formed on a substrate, interconnects contacting the dynamic region. The dynamic region includes an Nwell region, a Pwell region and shallow diffusions, defining a PNP region, an NPN region and a voltage Breakdown region. In an aspect, the Nwell region includes a first N+ contact, a first P+ contact and an N+ doped enhancement, while the Pwell region includes a second N+ contact, a second P+ contact and a P+ doped enhancement. The N+ doped enhancement contacts the P+ doped enhancement forming the breakdown voltage region therebetween, in one case forming a buried breakdown voltage junction.

Abstract: In the specification and drawing a super junction semiconductor device is disclosed. The super junction semiconductor device comprises a P-type layer, a N+ substrate, a N-type layer, a silicon dioxide layer and a P+ layer. The N+ substrate is disposed under the P-type layer. The N-type layer is disposed on the N+ substrate. The silicon dioxide layer is disposed between the N-type layer and the P-type layer. The P+ layer is disposed on the P-type layer and the N-type layer.

Abstract: A cell includes a plurality of diffusion region pairs, each of the diffusion region pairs being formed by a first impurity diffusion region which is a constituent of a transistor and a second impurity diffusion region such that the first and second impurity diffusion regions are provided side-by-side in a gate length direction with a device isolation region interposed therebetween. In each of the diffusion region pairs, the first and second impurity diffusion regions have an equal length in the gate width direction and are provided at equal positions in the gate width direction, and a first isolation region portion, which is part of the device isolation region between the first and second impurity diffusion regions, has a constant separation length. In the diffusion region pairs, the first isolation region portions have an equal separation length.

Abstract: A trench isolation having a sidewall and bottom implanted region located within a substrate of a first conductivity type is disclosed. The sidewall and bottom implanted region is formed by an angled implant, a 90 degree implant, or a combination of an angled implant and a 90 degree implant, of dopants of the first conductivity type. The sidewall and bottom implanted region located adjacent the trench isolation reduces surface leakage and dark current.

Abstract: A heat generating component of a semiconductor device is located between two heavily doped semiconductor regions in a semiconductor substrate. The heat generating component may be a middle portion of a diode having a light doping, a lightly doped p-n junction between a cathode and anode of a silicon controlled rectifier, or a resistive portion of a doped semiconductor resistor. At least one thermally conductive via comprising a metal or a non-metallic conductive material is place directly on the heat generating component. Alternatively, a thin dielectric layer may be formed between the heat generating component and the at least one thermally conductive via. The at least one thermally conductive via may, or may not, be connected to a back-end-of-line metal wire, which may be connected to higher level of metal wiring or to a handle substrate through a buried insulator layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the ESD device uses highly doped P and N regions deep within the ESD device to form a zener diode that has a controlled breakdown voltage.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming an insulating pattern over a semiconductor substrate. An epitaxial growth layer is formed over the semiconductor substrate exposed by the insulating pattern to fill the insulating pattern with the epitaxial growth layer. A recess gate having a recess channel is formed. The recess channel is disposed between two neighboring insulating patterns.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure for isolating a first circuit and a second circuit of various operating voltages includes a first isolation ring surrounding the first and second circuits on a semiconductor substrate. A buried layer continuously extending underneath the first and second circuits is formed on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the buried layer interfaces with the first isolation ring for isolating the first and second circuits from a backside bias of the semiconductor substrate. An ion enhanced isolation layer is interposed between the buried layer and well regions on which devices of the first and second circuits are formed, wherein the ion enhanced isolation layer is doped with impurities of a polarity type different from that of the buried layer.

Abstract: A dielectric isolation type semiconductor device includes a dielectric isolation type substrate in which a support substrate, an embedded dielectric layer, and a first conductive type semiconductor substrate of a low impurity concentration are laminated one over another. The semiconductor substrate includes a first semiconductor region of a first conductive type having a high impurity concentration, a second semiconductor region of a second conductive type having a high impurity concentration arranged so as to surround the first semiconductor region, a first main electrode joined to a surface of the first semiconductor region, and a second main electrode joined to a surface of the second semiconductor region. A first dielectric portion is arranged adjacent the embedded dielectric layer so as to surround a region of the support substrate superposed on the first semiconductor region in a direction of lamination thereof, and a wire connected with the first main electrode.

Abstract: A barrier implanted region of a first conductivity type formed in lieu of an isolation region of a pixel sensor cell that provides physical and electrical isolation of photosensitive elements of adjacent pixel sensor cells of a CMOS imager. The barrier implanted region comprises a first region having a first width and a second region having a second width greater than the first width, the second region being located below the first region. The first region is laterally spaced from doped regions of a second conductivity type of adjacent photodiodes of pixel sensor cells of a CMOS imager.

Abstract: A process and system for estimating the occurrence of single event latch-up in an integrated circuit. The process involves determining the resistance between each junction and the closest appropriate tap in a regular shaped well. Each junction occurring in an irregular-shaped well is also identified. Finally, the method may make suggestions for lowering the probability that single event latch-up may occur in the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A trench type Schottky device has a guard ring diffusion of constant depth between the outermost of an active trench and an outer surrounding termination trench. The junction curvature of the guard ring diffusion is suppressed or cut out by the trenches.

Abstract: An isolation insulating film (5) of partial-trench type is selectively formed in an upper surface of a silicon layer (4). A power supply line (21) is formed above the isolation insulating film (5). Below the power supply line (21), a complete isolation portion (23) reaching an upper surface of an insulating film (3) is formed in the isolation insulating film (5). In other words, a semiconductor device comprises a complete-isolation insulating film which is so formed as to extend from the upper surface of the silicon layer (4) and reach the upper surface of insulating film (3) below the power supply line (21). With this structure, it is possible to obtain the semiconductor device capable of suppressing variation in potential of a body region caused by variation in potential of the power supply line.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first insulating isolation film provided on a main surface of a semiconductor substrate, an active region surrounded by the first insulating isolation film, and a second insulating isolation film provided on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate, having a thickness smaller than that of the first insulating isolation film and separating the active region into a first active region and a second active region.