Vertical Channel Patents (Class 438/192)
  • Patent number: 8786130
    Abstract: A method of forming an electromechanical power switch for controlling power to integrated circuit (IC) devices and related devices. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising forming at least one IC device on a front surface of a semiconductor substrate. The at least one IC device includes at least one circuit block and at least one power switch circuit. A dielectric layer is deposited on the IC device, and first and second electromechanical power switches are formed on the dielectric layer. The first power switch gates a voltage to the circuit block and the second power switch gates the voltage to the IC device. The first power switch is actuated by the power switch circuit, and the voltage to the circuit block is switched off. Alternatively, the second power switch is actuated by the power switch circuit, and the voltage to the IC device is switched off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: INOSO, LLC
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Mori, Ziep Tran, Giang T. Dao, Michael E. Ramon
  • Patent number: 8754470
    Abstract: A tunneling field-effect transistor (TFET) device is disclosed. A frustoconical protrusion structure is disposed over the substrate and protrudes out of the plane of substrate. Isolation features are formed on the substrate. A drain region is disposed over the substrate adjacent to the frustoconical protrusion structure and extends to a bottom portion of the frustoconical protrusion structure as a raised drain region. A source region is formed as a top portion of the frustoconical protrusion structure. A series connection and a parallel connection are made among TFET devices units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang, Cheng-Cheng Kuo, Ming Zhu
  • Publication number: 20140159058
    Abstract: In a silicon carbide semiconductor device, a trench penetrates a source region and a first gate region and reaches a drift layer. On an inner wall of the trench, a channel layer of a first conductivity-type is formed by epitaxial growth. On the channel layer, a second gate region of a second conductivity-type is formed. A first depressed portion is formed at an end portion of the trench to a position deeper than a thickness of the source region so as to remove the source region at the end portion of the trench. A corner portion of the first depressed portion is covered by a second conductivity-type layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuichi Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20140159053
    Abstract: A SiC trench gate transistor with segmented field shielding region is provided. A drain region of a first conductivity type is located in a substrate. A first drift layer of the first conductivity type is located on the substrate and a second drift layer of the first conductivity type is located on the first drift layer. A base region of a second conductivity type is located on the second drift layer. A gate trench is located between the adjacent base regions. A plurality of segmented field shielding regions of the second conductivity type is placed under a bottom of the gate trench and the space between segmented field shielding regions is the first drift region. A gate dielectric layer is located on a bottom and at a sidewall of the gate trench and a trench gate is formed in the gate trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Young-Shying Chen, Chien-Chung Hung, Cheng-Tyng Yen, Chwan-Ying Lee
  • Publication number: 20140159051
    Abstract: An integrated device including a vertical III-nitride FET and a Schottky diode includes a drain comprising a first III-nitride material, a drift region comprising a second III-nitride material coupled to the drain and disposed adjacent to the drain along a vertical direction, and a channel region comprising a third III-nitride material coupled to the drift region. The integrated device also includes a gate region at least partially surrounding the channel region, a source coupled to the channel region, and a Schottky contact coupled to the drift region. The channel region is disposed between the drain and the source along the vertical direction such that current flow during operation of the vertical III-nitride FET and the Schottky diode is along the vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Linda Romano, David P. Bour, Richard J. Brown, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Patent number: 8729608
    Abstract: A semiconductor device (100) includes a substrate (1) having a semiconductor layer (102); a trench (12) in the semiconductor layer (102); a gate insulating film (11) covering a periphery and an inner surface of the trench (12); a gate electrode (8) including a portion filling the trench (12) and a portion around the trench (12), and provided on the gate insulating film (11); an interlayer insulating film (13) on the gate electrode (8); and a hollow (50) above and around the trench (12), and between the gate electrode (8) and the gate insulating film (11). Above the trench (12), the hollow (50) protrudes inside the trench (12) from a plane extending from an upper surface of the gate insulating film (11) at a portion covering the side surface of the trench (12) with a flat shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Chiaki Kudou
  • Patent number: 8729617
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes: a lower pillar protruding from a substrate in a vertical direction and extending in a first direction by a trench formed in the first direction; an upper pillar protruding on the lower pillar in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a buried bit line junction region disposed on one sidewall of the lower pillar; a buried bit line contacting the buried bit line junction region and filling a portion of the trench; an etch stop film disposed on an exposed surface of the buried bit line; a first interlayer dielectric film recessed to expose a portion of an outer side of at least the upper pillar disposed on the etch stop film; a second interlayer dielectric film disposed on the first interlayer dielectric film; and a gate surrounding the exposed outer side of the upper pillar and crossing the buried bit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Tae Kyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20140131721
    Abstract: A gallium nitride (GaN)-based junction field-effect transistor (JFET) can include a GaN drain region having a top surface extending in a lateral dimension, a source region, and a GaN channel region of a first conductivity type coupled between the source region and the GaN drain region and operable to conduct electrical current between the source region and the GaN drain region. The JFET can also include a blocking layer disposed between the source region and the GaN drain region such that the GaN channel region is operable to conduct the electrical current substantially along the lateral dimension in a laterally-conductive region of the GaN channel region, and a GaN gate region of a second conductivity type coupled to the GaN channel region such that the laterally-conductive region of the GaN channel region is disposed between at least a portion of the blocking layer and the GaN gate region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: AVOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Hui Nie, Andrew Edwards, Isik Kizilyalli, Dave Bour, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Patent number: 8716078
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a III-nitride substrate and a first III-nitride epitaxial layer coupled to the III-nitride substrate and comprising a drift region, a channel region, and an extension region. The channel region is separated from the III-nitride substrate by the drift region. The channel region is characterized by a first width. The extension region is separated from the drift region by the channel region. The extension region is characterized by a second width less than the first width. The semiconductor device also includes a second III-nitride epitaxial layer coupled to a top surface of the extension region, a III-nitride gate structure coupled to a sidewall of the channel region and laterally self-aligned with respect to the extension region, and a gate metal structure in electrical contact with the III-nitride gate structure and laterally self-aligned with respect to the extension region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Disney, Richard J. Brown, Hui Nie
  • Publication number: 20140117416
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a trench-gate MOSFET and a vertical JFET formed in a semiconductor layer. In the semiconductor device, a gate region of the vertical JFET may be electrically coupled to a source region of the trench-gate MOSFET, and a drain region of the vertical JFET and a drain region of the trench-gate MOSFET may share a common region in the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Lei Zhang, Tiesheng Li, Rongyao Ma, Daping Fu
  • Publication number: 20140106517
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with minimized current flow differences and method of fabricating same are disclosed. The method includes forming a semiconductor stack including a plurality of layers that include a first layer having a first conductivity type and a second layer having a first conductivity type, in which the second layer is on top of the first layer, forming a plurality of mesas in the semiconductor layer stack, and forming a plurality of gates in the semiconductor layer stack having a second conductivity type and situated partially at a periphery of the mesas, in which the plurality of gates are formed to minimize current flow differences between a current flowing from the first layer to the plurality of mesas at a first applied gate bias and a current flowing from the first layer to the plurality of mesas at a second applied gate bias when voltage is applied to the semiconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: John V. Veliadis
  • Patent number: 8679903
    Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a vertical insulated gate transistor. A horizontal isolation region is formed in a substrate to separate and electrically isolate upper and lower portions of the substrate. A vertical semiconductor pillar with one or more flanks and a cavity is formed so as to rest on the upper portion, and a dielectrically isolated gate is formed so as to include an internal portion within the cavity and an external portion resting on the flanks and on the upper portion. One or more internal walls of the cavity are coated with an isolating layer and the cavity is filled with a gate material so as to form the internal portion of the gate within the cavity and the external portion of the gate that rests on the flanks, and to form two connecting semiconductor regions extending between source and drain regions of the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Blanchard
  • Publication number: 20140062524
    Abstract: A junction field-effect transistor (JFET) includes a substrate having a first-type semiconductor surface including a topside surface, and a top gate of a second-type formed in the semiconductor surface. A first-type drain and a first-type source are formed on opposing sides of the top gate. A first deep trench isolation region has an inner first trench wall and an outer first trench wall surrounding the top gate, the drain and the source, and extends vertically to a deep trench depth from the topside surface. A second-type sinker formed in semiconductor surface extends laterally outside the outer first trench wall. The sinker extends vertically from the topside surface to a second-type deep portion which is both below the deep trench depth and laterally inside the inner first trench wall to provide a bottom gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: BINGHUA HU, PINGHAI HAO, SAMEER PENDHARKAR
  • Publication number: 20140045306
    Abstract: A method of regrowing material includes providing a III-nitride structure including a masking layer and patterning the masking layer to form an etch mask. The method also includes removing, using an in-situ etch, a portion of the III-nitride structure to expose a regrowth region and regrowing a III-nitride material in the regrowth region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: AVOGY, INC.
    Inventors: David P. Bour, Thomas R. Prunty, Hui Nie, Madhan M. Raj
  • Publication number: 20130292686
    Abstract: A vertical JFET includes a III-nitride substrate and a III-nitride epitaxial layer of a first conductivity type coupled to the III-nitride substrate. The first III-nitride epitaxial layer has a first dopant concentration. The vertical JFET also includes a III-nitride epitaxial structure coupled to the first III-nitride epitaxial layer. The III-nitride epitaxial structure includes a set of channels of the first conductivity type and having a second dopant concentration, a set of sources of the first conductivity type, having a third dopant concentration greater than the first dopant concentration, and each characterized by a contact surface, and a set of regrown gates interspersed between the set of channels. An upper surface of the set of regrown gates is substantially coplanar with the contact surfaces of the set of sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: AVOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Isik C. Kizilyalli, Linda Romano, David P. Bour
  • Patent number: 8575648
    Abstract: A silicon carbide semiconductor device having a JFET or a MOSFET includes a semiconductor substrate and a trench. The semiconductor substrate has a silicon carbide substrate, a drift layer on the silicon carbide substrate, a first gate region on the drift layer, and a source region on the first gate region. The trench has a strip shape with a longitudinal direction and reaches the drift layer by penetrating the source region and the first gate region. The trench is filled with a channel layer and a second gate region on the channel layer. The source region is not located at an end portion of the trench in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuuichi Takeuchi, Rajesh Kumar Malhan, Naohiro Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8569153
    Abstract: A method of growing an n-type III-nitride-based epitaxial layer includes providing a substrate in an epitaxial growth reactor, forming a masking material coupled to a portion of a surface of the substrate, and flowing a first gas into the epitaxial growth reactor. The first gas includes a group III element and carbon. The method further comprises flowing a second gas into the epitaxial growth reactor. The second gas includes a group V element, and a molar ratio of the group V element to the group III element is at least 5,000. The method also includes growing the n-type III-nitride-based epitaxial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Avogy, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Bour, Thomas R. Prunty, Linda Romano, Richard J. Brown, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie
  • Patent number: 8557663
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of pillars by etching a semiconductor substrate, forming a gate dielectric layer on sidewalls of the pillars and on surfaces of the semiconductor substrate between the pillars, forming an implant damage in a portion of the gate dielectric layer between two pillars by implanting ions into the portion of the gate dielectric layer, forming vertical gates to cover the sidewalls of the pillars, and removing the implant damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Heung-Jae Cho
  • Patent number: 8557646
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a vertical transistor comprises steps: forming a plurality of first trenches in a substrate; sequentially epitaxially growing a first polarity layer and a channel layer inside the first trenches, and forming a first retard layer on the channel layer; etching the first retard layer and the channel layer along the direction vertical to the first trenches to form a plurality of pillars; respectively forming a gate on a first sidewall and a second sidewall of each pillar; removing the first retard layer on the pillar; and epitaxially growing a second polarity layer on the pillar. The present invention is characterized by using an epitaxial method to form the first polarity layer, the channel layer and the second polarity layer and has the advantage of uniform ion concentration distribution. Therefore, the present invention can fabricate a high-quality vertical transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Rexchip Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Meng-Hsien Chen, Chung-Yung Ai, Chih-Wei Hsiung
  • Publication number: 20130264583
    Abstract: A first region is interposed between a drain electrode and a source electrode in a thickness direction, and has first conductivity type. The first region includes a drift layer and a channel layer. The drift layer faces the drain electrode. The channel layer is provided on the drift layer and faces the source electrode. The drift layer has an impurity concentration higher than that of the channel layer. A second region has second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type. The second region has a charge compensation portion and a gate portion. The drift layer is interposed in the charge compensation portion in an in-plane direction that crosses the thickness direction. The channel layer is interposed in the gate portion in the in-plane direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Hideki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8536004
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor power device includes the following steps. First, a substrate having at least a semiconductor layer and a pad layer thereon is provided. At least a trench is etched into the pad layer and the semiconductor layer. Then, a dopant source layer is deposited in the trench and on the pad layer followed by thermally driving in dopants of the dopant source layer into the semiconductor layer. A polishing process is performed to remove the dopant source layer from a surface of the pad layer and a thermal oxidation process is performed to eliminate micro-scratches formed during the polishing process. Finally, the pad layer is removed to expose the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Anpec Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Yung-Fa Lin, Shou-Yi Hsu, Yi-Lin Sun
  • Patent number: 8536003
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor power device includes the following steps. First, a substrate having thereon at least a semiconductor layer and a pad layer is provided. Then, at least a trench is etched into the pad layer and the semiconductor layer followed by depositing a dopant source layer in the trench and on the pad layer. A process is carried out thermally driving in dopants of the dopant source layer into the semiconductor layer. A rapid thermal process is performed to mend defects in the dopant source layer and defects between the dopant source layer and the semiconductor layer. Finally, a polishing process is performed to remove the dopant source layer from a surface of the pad layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Anpec Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Yung-Fa Lin, Shou-Yi Hsu, Yi-Lin Sun
  • Patent number: 8524552
    Abstract: In general, in a semiconductor active element such as a normally-off JFET based on SiC in which an impurity diffusion speed is significantly lower than in silicon, gate regions are formed through ion implantation into the side walls of trenches formed in source regions. However, to ensure the performance of the JFET, it is necessary to control the area between the gate regions thereof with high precision. Besides, there is such a problem that, since a heavily doped PN junction is formed by forming the gate regions in the source regions, an increase in junction current cannot be avoided. The present invention provides a normally-off power JFET and a manufacturing method thereof and forms the gate regions according to a multi-epitaxial method which repeats a process including epitaxial growth, ion implantation, and activation annealing a plurality of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Arai, Yasuaki Kagotoshi, Nobuo Machida, Natsuki Yokoyama, Haruka Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8513675
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of making the devices are described. The devices can be junction field-effect transistors (JFETs). The devices have raised regions with sloped sidewalls which taper inward. The sidewalls can form an angle of 5° or more from vertical to the substrate surface. The devices can have dual-sloped sidewalls in which a lower portion of the sidewalls forms an angle of 5° or more from vertical and an upper portion of the sidewalls forms an angle of <5° from vertical. The devices can be made using normal (i.e., 0°) or near normal incident ion implantation. The devices have relatively uniform sidewall doping and can be made without angled implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Sheridan, Andrew P. Ritenour
  • Patent number: 8507335
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices are described wherein current flow in the device is confined between the rectifying junctions (e.g., p-n junctions or metal-semiconductor junctions). The device provides non-punch-through behavior and enhanced current conduction capability. The devices can be power semiconductor devices as such as Junction Field-Effect Transistors (VJFETs), Static Induction Transistors (SITs), Junction Field Effect Thyristors, or JFET current limiters. The devices can be made in wide bandgap semiconductors such as silicon carbide (SiC). According to some embodiments, the device can be a normally-off SiC vertical junction field effect transistor. Methods of making the devices and circuits comprising the devices are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Sankin, David C. Sheridan, Joseph Neil Merrett
  • Publication number: 20130187160
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a junction field effect transistor (JFET) and a power metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) on a same substrate. The integrated circuit includes a drain sense terminal for sensing the drain of the power MOSFET through the JFET. The JFET protects a controller or other electrical circuit coupled to the drain sense terminal from high voltage that may be present on the drain of the power MOSFET. The JFET and the power MOSFET share a same drift region, which includes an epitaxial layer formed on the substrate. The integrated circuit may be packaged in a four terminal small outline integrated circuit (SOIC) package. The integrated circuit may be employed in a variety of applications including as an ideal diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventor: Tiesheng LI
  • Publication number: 20130164893
    Abstract: A method for fabricating edge termination structures in gallium nitride (GaN) materials includes providing a n-type GaN substrate having a first surface and a second surface, forming an n-type GaN epitaxial layer coupled to the first surface of the n-type GaN substrate, and forming a growth mask coupled to the n-type GaN epitaxial layer. The method further includes patterning the growth mask to expose at least a portion of the n-type GaN epitaxial layer, and forming at least one p-type GaN epitaxial structure coupled to the at least a portion of the n-type GaN epitaxial layer. The at least one p-type GaN epitaxial structure comprises at least one portion of an edge termination structure. The method additionally includes forming a first metal structure electrically coupled to the second surface of the n-type GaN substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: EPOWERSOFT, INC.
    Inventors: Linda Romano, David P. Bour, Andrew Edwards, Hui Nie, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Richard J. Brown, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Publication number: 20130161705
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a III-nitride substrate, a first III-nitride epitaxial layer coupled to the III-nitride substrate and having a mesa, and a second III-nitride epitaxial layer coupled to a top surface of the mesa. The semiconductor device further includes a III-nitride gate structure coupled to a side surface of the mesa, and a spacer configured to provide electrical insulation between the second III-nitride epitaxial layer and the III-nitride gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: EPOWERSOFT, INC.
    Inventors: Don Disney, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Ne, Linda Romano, Richard J. Brown, Madhan Raj
  • Patent number: 8466017
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of making the devices are described. The devices can be junction field-effect transistors (JFETs) or diodes such as junction barrier Schottky (JBS) diodes or PiN diodes. The devices are made using selective ion implantation using an implantation mask. The devices have implanted sidewalls formed by scattering of normal or near normal incident ions from the implantation mask. Vertical junction field-effect transistors with long channel length are also described. The devices can be made from a wide-bandgap semiconductor material such as silicon carbide (SiC) and can be used in high temperature and high power applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Sheridan, Andrew Ritenour
  • Patent number: 8461645
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a vertical power semiconductor chip including a semiconductor layer. A first terminal is at a first side of the semiconductor layer and a second terminal is at a second side of the semiconductor layer opposite the first side along a first direction. A drift zone is within the semiconductor layer between the first terminal and the second terminal. The drift zone has, in a central part, a compressive stress of at least 100 MPa along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The central part extends from 40% to 60% of an overall extension of the drift zone along the first direction and into a depth of the semiconductor layer of at least 10 ?m with respect to at least one of the first side and the second side of the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Ralf Otremba, Josef Hoeglauer, Roveendra Paul
  • Publication number: 20130137225
    Abstract: A method of growing an n-type III-nitride-based epitaxial layer includes providing a substrate in an epitaxial growth reactor, forming a masking material coupled to a portion of a surface of the substrate, and flowing a first gas into the epitaxial growth reactor. The first gas includes a group III element and carbon. The method further comprises flowing a second gas into the epitaxial growth reactor. The second gas includes a group V element, and a molar ratio of the group V element to the group III element is at least 5,000. The method also includes growing the n-type III-nitride-based epitaxial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: EPOWERSOFT, INC.
    Inventors: David P. Bour, Thomas R. Prunty, Linda Romano, Richard J. Brown, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie
  • Publication number: 20130087835
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a III-nitride substrate with a first side and a second side opposing the first side. The III-nitride substrate is characterized by a first conductivity type and a first dopant concentration. The semiconductor structure further includes a III-nitride epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type coupled to the first surface of the III-nitride substrate, a first metallic structure electrically coupled to the second surface of the III-nitride substrate, and a III-nitride epitaxial structure of a second conductivity type coupled to the III-nitride epitaxial layer. The III-nitride epitaxial structure comprises at least one edge termination structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: EPOWERSOFT, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Edwards, Hui Nie, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Richard J. Brown, David P. Bour, Linda Romano, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Patent number: 8404531
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a power transistor includes: (a) forming a trench in a substrate with a first electrical type; (b) diffusing second electrical type carriers into the substrate from the trench such that the substrate is formed into a first part and a second part that is diffused with the second electrical type carriers and that adjoins the trench, the first and second parts being crystal lattice continuous to each other; (c) forming a filling portion in the trench, the filling portion adjoining the second part; (d) performing a carrier-implanting process in the second part and the filling portion; and (e) forming over the substrate a gate structure that has a dielectric layer and a conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Anpec Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Yung-Fa Lin, Shou-Yi Hsu, Meng-Wei Wu, Yi-Chun Shih, Main-Gwo Chen
  • Patent number: 8395208
    Abstract: It is an object to provide an SGT production method capable of obtaining a structure for reducing a resistance of a gate, a desired gate length, desired source and drain configurations and a desired diameter of a pillar-shaped semiconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Unisantis Electronics Singapore Pte Ltd.
    Inventors: Fujio Masuoka, Shintaro Arai, Hiroki Nakamura, Tomohiko Kudo
  • Publication number: 20130032812
    Abstract: A vertical III-nitride field effect transistor includes a drain comprising a first III-nitride material, a drain contact electrically coupled to the drain, and a drift region comprising a second III-nitride material coupled to the drain. The field effect transistor also includes a channel region comprising a third III-nitride material coupled to the drain and disposed adjacent to the drain along a vertical direction, a gate region at least partially surrounding the channel region, having a first surface coupled to the drift region and a second surface on a side of the gate region opposing the first surface, and a gate contact electrically coupled to the gate region. The field effect transistor further includes a source coupled to the channel region and a source contact electrically coupled to the source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: EPOWERSOFT, INC.
    Inventors: Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Linda Romano, David P. Bour, Richard J. Brown, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Publication number: 20130032811
    Abstract: A vertical III-nitride field effect transistor includes a drain comprising a first III-nitride material, a drain contact electrically coupled to the drain, and a drift region comprising a second III-nitride material coupled to the drain and disposed adjacent to the drain along a vertical direction. The field effect transistor also includes a channel region comprising a third III-nitride material coupled to the drift region, a gate region at least partially surrounding the channel region, and a gate contact electrically coupled to the gate region. The field effect transistor further includes a source coupled to the channel region and a source contact electrically coupled to the source. The channel region is disposed between the drain and the source along the vertical direction such that current flow during operation of the vertical III-nitride field effect transistor is along the vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: EPOWERSOFT, INC.
    Inventors: Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie, Andrew P. Edwards, Linda Romano, David P. Bour, Richard J. Brown, Thomas R. Prunty
  • Publication number: 20130011979
    Abstract: A vertical junction field effect transistor (VJFET) having a self-aligned pin, a p+/n/n+ or a p+/p/n+ gate-source junction is described. The device gate can be self-aligned to within 0.5 ?m to the source in order to maintain good high voltage performance (i.e. low DIBL) while reducing gate-source junction leakage under reverse bias. The device can be a wide-bandgap semiconductor device such as a SiC vertical channel junction field effect. Methods of making the device are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: SS SC IP, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew RITENOUR, David C. SHERIDAN
  • Publication number: 20130009215
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an apparatus that exhibits vertical diode activity to occur between a semiconductive body and an epitaxial film that is disposed over a doping region of the semiconductive body. Some embodiments include an apparatus that causes both vertical and lateral diode activity. Some embodiments include a gated vertical diode for a finned semiconductor apparatus. Process embodiments include the formation of vertical-diode apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Christian Russ, Christian Pacha, Snezana Jenei, Klaus Schruefer
  • Patent number: 8349690
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a first conductive layer doped with an impurity for forming a cell junction over a semiconductor substrate, forming a second layer over the first conductive layer, forming a plurality of active regions by etching the second layer and the first conductive layer, the plurality of the active regions being separated from one another by trenches, forming a side contact connected to a sidewall of the first conductive layer, and forming a plurality of metal bit lines each connected to the side contact and filling a portion of each trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Jin-Ku Lee, Young-Ho Lee, Mi-Ri Lee
  • Patent number: 8309425
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device may include, but is not limited to the following processes. A semiconductor substrate is prepared. The semiconductor substrate has a first region and a second region other than the first region. A first mask is formed over the first region. The first mask has a first line-and-space pattern extending in a first direction. A first removing process is performed. The first removing process selectively removes the first region with the first mask to form a first groove extending in the first direction. The first removing process removes an upper part of the second region while a remaining part of the second region having a first surface facing upward. The bottom level of the first groove is higher than the level of the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiromitsu Oshima
  • Publication number: 20120261675
    Abstract: Vertical junction field effect transistors (VJFETs) having improved heat dissipation at high current flow while maintaining the desirable specific on-resistance and normalized saturated drain current properties characteristic of devices having small pitch lengths are described. The VJFETs comprise one or more electrically active source regions in electrical contact with the source metal of the device and one or more electrically inactive source regions not in electrical contact with the source metal of the device. The electrically inactive source regions dissipate heat generated by the electrically active source regions during current flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: SS SC IP, LLC
    Inventors: Janna CASADY, Jeffrey CASADY, Kiran CHATTY, David SHERIDAN, Andrew RITENOUR
  • Publication number: 20120244668
    Abstract: The present technology is directed generally to processes of forming semiconductor devices (e.g., JFET devices). The semiconductor device comprises a gate region, a source region, a drain region and a channel region having a channel size. The channel size is controlled by adjusting a layout width of the gate region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Jeesung Jung
  • Patent number: 8263450
    Abstract: A semiconductor component with charge compensation structure has a semiconductor body having a drift path between two electrodes. The drift path has drift zones of a first conduction type, which provide a current path between the electrodes in the drift path, while charge compensation zones of a complementary conduction type constrict the current path of the drift path. For this purpose, the drift path has two alternately arranged, epitaxially grown diffusion zone types, the first drift zone type having monocrystalline semiconductor material on a monocrystalline substrate, and a second drift zone type having monocrystalline semiconductor material in a trench structure, with complementarily doped walls, the complementarily doped walls forming the charge compensation zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Stefan Sedlmaier, Hans-Joachim Schulze, Anton Mauder, Helmut Strack, Armin Willmeroth, Frank Pfirsch
  • Patent number: 8264016
    Abstract: A semiconductor device as described herein includes a body region of a first conductivity type adjoining a channel region of a second conductivity at a first side of the channel region. A gate control region of the first conductivity type adjoins the channel region at a second side of the channel region opposed to the first side, the channel region being configured to be controlled in its conductivity by voltage application between the gate control region and the body region. A source zone of the second conductivity type is arranged within the body region and a channel stop zone of the second conductivity type is arranged at the first side, the channel stop zone being arranged at least partly within at least one of the body region and the channel region. The channel stop zone includes a maximum concentration of dopants lower than a maximum concentration of dopants of the source zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventor: Rudolf Elpelt
  • Publication number: 20120205670
    Abstract: A semiconductor device 100 includes: a first silicon carbide layer 120 arranged on the principal surface of a semiconductor substrate 101; a first impurity region 103 of a first conductivity type arranged in the first silicon carbide layer; a body region 104 of a second conductivity type; a contact region 131 of the second conductivity type which is arranged at a position in the body region that is deeper than the first impurity region 103 and which contains an impurity of the second conductivity type at a higher concentration than the body region; a drift region 102 of the first conductivity type; and a first ohmic electrode 122 in ohmic contact with the first impurity region 103 and the contact region 131, wherein: a contact trench 121, which penetrates through the first impurity region 103, is provided in the first silicon carbide layer 120; and the first ohmic electrode 122 is arranged in the contact trench 121 and is in contact with the contact region 131 on at least a portion of a side wall lower portio
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chiaki Kudou, Kenya Yamashita, Masahiko Niwayama
  • Publication number: 20120193641
    Abstract: In general, in a semiconductor active element such as a normally-off JFET based on SiC in which an impurity diffusion speed is significantly lower than in silicon, gate regions are formed through ion implantation into the side walls of trenches formed in source regions. However, to ensure the performance of the JFET, it is necessary to control the area between the gate regions thereof with high precision. Besides, there is such a problem that, since a heavily doped PN junction is formed by forming the gate regions in the source regions, an increase in junction current cannot be avoided. The present invention provides a normally-off power JFET and a manufacturing method thereof and forms the gate regions according to a multi-epitaxial method which repeats a process including epitaxial growth, ion implantation, and activation annealing a plurality of times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Koichi Arai, Yasuaki Kagotoshi, Nobuo Machida, Natsuki Yokoyama, Haruka Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8222110
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of first active pillars by etching a substrate using a hard mask layer as an etching barrier, forming a gate conductive layer surrounding sidewalls of the first active pillars and the hard mask layer, forming a word line conductive layer filling gaps defined by the gate conductive layer, forming word lines and vertical gates by simultaneously removing portions of the word line conductive layer and the gate conductive layer on the sidewalls of the hard mask layer, forming an inter-layer dielectric layer filling gaps formed by removing the word line conductive layer and the gate conductive layer, exposing surfaces of the first active pillars by removing the hard mask layer, and growing second active pillars over the first active pillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Eun-Jeong Kim, Sang-Tae Ahn
  • Patent number: 8211758
    Abstract: It is an object to provide an SGT production method capable of obtaining a structure for reducing a resistance of a gate, a desired gate length, desired source and drain configurations and a desired diameter of a pillar-shaped semiconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Unisantis Electronics Singapore PTE Ltd.
    Inventors: Fujio Masuoka, Shintaro Arai, Hiroki Nakamura, Tomohiko Kudo
  • Publication number: 20120161208
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with minimized current flow differences and method of fabricating same are disclosed. The method includes forming a semiconductor stack including a plurality of layers that include a first layer having a first conductivity type and a second layer having a first conductivity type, in which the second layer is on top of the first layer, forming a plurality of mesas in the semiconductor layer stack, and forming a plurality of gates in the semiconductor layer stack having a second conductivity type and situated partially at a periphery of the mesas, in which the plurality of gates are formed to minimize current flow differences between a current flowing from the first layer to the plurality of mesas at a first applied gate bias and a current flowing from the first layer to the plurality of mesas at a second applied gate bias when voltage is applied to the semiconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventor: John V. Veliadis
  • Patent number: 8207566
    Abstract: A vertical channel transistor includes a plurality of active pillar patterns extending perpendicularly from the top surface of the substrate toward an upper part. A gate insulating layer is deposited on the side wall of the active pillar pattern and serves as an ion diffusion barrier between the pillar patterns and surrounding lower gate electrodes. The resultant pillar pattern structure is encapsulated with a metal. The resultant pillar pattern is surrounded on all sides by a specified height by a sacrificial layer of Spin-On Dielectric (SOD). The metal layer is etched-back to the height of the sacrificial layer, thus forming the lower gate electrodes. A spacer layer of an insulating mater is deposited surrounding the upper part of the pillar patterns and the sacrificial layer is removed exposing a part of the lower gate electrodes. The exposed gate electrode is etched to facilitate semiconductor integration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Chun-Hee Lee