U.S. patent application number 11/674888 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-14 for dotted channel mosfet and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.. Invention is credited to Amitava Bose, Vishnu K. Khemka, Todd C. Roggenbauer, Ronghua Zhu.
Application Number | 20080191275 11/674888 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39643268 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080191275 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Khemka; Vishnu K. ; et
al. |
August 14, 2008 |
DOTTED CHANNEL MOSFET AND METHOD
Abstract
A improved MOSFET (50, 51, 75, 215) has a source (60) and drain
(62) in a semiconductor body (56), surmounted by an insulated
control gate (66) located over the body (56) between the source
(60) and drain (62) and adapted to control a conductive channel
(55) extending between the source (60) and drain (62). The
insulated gate (66) is perforated by a series of openings (61)
through which highly doped regions (69) in the form of a series of
(e.g., square) dots (69) of the same conductivity type as the body
(56) are provided, located in the channel (55), spaced apart from
each other and from the source (60) and drain (62). These channel
dots (69) are desirably electrically coupled to a highly doped
contact (64) to the body (56). The resulting device (50, 51, 75,
215) has a greater SOA, higher breakdown voltage and higher HBM
stress resistance than equivalent prior art devices (20) without
the dotted channel. Threshold voltage is not affected.
Inventors: |
Khemka; Vishnu K.; (Phoenix,
AZ) ; Bose; Amitava; (Tempe, AZ) ;
Roggenbauer; Todd C.; (Chandler, AZ) ; Zhu;
Ronghua; (Chandler, AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
INGRASSIA FISHER & LORENZ, P.C. (FS)
7010 E. COCHISE ROAD
SCOTTSDALE
AZ
85253
US
|
Assignee: |
FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR,
INC.
Austin
TX
|
Family ID: |
39643268 |
Appl. No.: |
11/674888 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
257/335 ;
257/E21.336; 257/E21.427; 257/E29.026; 257/E29.054; 257/E29.064;
257/E29.136; 257/E29.255; 257/E29.268; 438/276 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 29/1045 20130101;
H01L 29/0692 20130101; H01L 29/4238 20130101; H01L 29/7835
20130101; H01L 29/78 20130101; H01L 29/1087 20130101; H01L 29/66659
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
257/335 ;
438/276; 257/E29.255; 257/E21.336 |
International
Class: |
H01L 29/78 20060101
H01L029/78; H01L 21/336 20060101 H01L021/336 |
Claims
1. A field effect device, comprising: a semiconductor body having a
surface; a source located in the semiconductor body proximate the
surface; a drain located in the semiconductor body proximate the
surface and spaced apart from the source; an insulated control gate
located over the semiconductor body between the source and drain
and adapted to control a conductive channel extending between the
source and drain; multiple highly doped regions of the same
conductivity type as the semiconductor body located in the channel
between the source and drain; and one or more electrical
connections coupling at least some of the multiple highly doped
regions to the semiconductor body.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the multiple highly doped regions
are substantially square.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the multiple highly doped regions
are formed by doping the semiconductor body through corresponding
holes in the control gate.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device has a predetermined
channel length Lch and channel width and the multiple highly doped
regions are spaced apart along the width by a distance in the range
of 0.5 to 20 times the channel length Lch.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the multiple highly doped regions
are spaced apart by a distance in the range of 1 to 10 times the
channel length Lch.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the multiple highly doped regions
are spaced apart by a distance in the range of 1 to 5 times the
channel length Lch.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device has a predetermined
channel length Lch and the multiple highly doped regions have
lateral dimensions of about 10 to 50 percent of the channel length
Lch.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein the lateral dimensions are about
20 to 40 percent of the channel length Lch.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein the lateral dimensions are about
20 to 30 percent of the channel length Lch.
10. A method for forming a dotted channel field effect device,
comprising: providing a semiconductor substrate of a first
conductivity type and having a surface; forming a well region of a
second, opposite, conductivity type in a first part of the
substrate extending to the surface; forming a body region of the
first conductivity type in a second part of the substrate extending
to the surface and in contact with or spaced apart from the well
region; forming a control gate insulated from the surface over at
least a portion of the body region and having therein multiple
holes extending through the control gate and located over the
portion of the body region; forming multiple highly doped regions
of the first conductivity type in the body region through the
multiple holes; forming source and drain regions of the second,
opposite, conductivity type in the substrate on either side of the
control gate; and providing electrical terminals to the source,
drain, control gate and the multiple highly doped regions.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the control gate is adapted to
form a channel of length Lch extending from the source toward the
drain and a width W substantially parallel to the source and drain,
and wherein the multiple holes are spaced apart a predetermined
distance along the width W in the range of 0.50 to 20 times
Lch.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the predetermined distance is
in the range of 1 to 10 times Lch.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the predetermined distance is
in the range of 1 to 5 times Lch.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein the control gate is adapted to
form a channel of length Lch extending from the source toward the
drain and a width W substantially parallel to the source and drain,
and wherein the multiple holes have lateral dimensions in the range
of about 10 to 50 percent of Lch.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the lateral dimensions are in
the range of about 20 to 40 percent of Lch.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the lateral dimensions are in
the range of about 20 to 30 percent of Lch.
17. A dotted-channel MOSFET, comprising: a semiconductor body
having a surface and of a first conductivity type; a source of a
second, opposite, conductivity type located in the semiconductor
body proximate the surface; a drain of the second, opposite,
conductivity type located in the semiconductor body proximate the
surface and spaced apart from the source; an insulated control gate
located over the semiconductor body between the source and drain
and adapted to control a conductive channel extending from the
source toward the drain; and multiple highly doped spaced-apart
regions of the same conductivity type as the semiconductor body
located in the channel between the source and drain.
18. The MOSFET of claim 17, further comprising one or more
electrical connections coupling some or all of the multiple highly
doped spaced-apart regions to the source or the semiconductor
body.
19. The MOSFET of claim 17, further comprising a drift region of
the second, opposite, conductivity type, proximate the drain and
extending toward but not to the source, and wherein the multiple
highly doped spaced-apart regions are located between the source
and the drift region.
20. The MOSFET of claim 19, wherein the drift region is spaced a
predetermined distance from the source at the surface, and the
multiple highly doped spaced-apart regions are separated by 0.5 to
20 times said predetermined distance.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to semiconductor
devices and methods for fabricating semiconductor devices, and more
particularly relates to devices embodying a field controlled
conductive channel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs)
are well known in the art. They operate by virtue of a field
controlled channel established in a semiconductor body or surface.
They come in a wide variety of forms and employ other materials
besides simple metals and oxides. Persons of skill in the art
understand that the word "metal" in the term MOSFET refers to any
form of a electrically conductive material, as for examples and not
intended to be limiting, simple metals, metal alloys, semi-metals,
mixtures, semiconductors, conductive organics, conductive
silicides, conductive nitrides and other conductive materials.
Accordingly, the terms "metal" and "silicide" as used herein are
intended to include such variations as well as other suitable
conductors. A wide variety of semiconductors can be used in forming
MOSFETs, such as for example and not intended to be limiting, types
IV, III-V and II-VI semiconductors, organic semiconductors, and
layered structures such as for example and not intended to be
limiting, semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) structures. Accordingly,
the term "semiconductor" is intended to include these and other
materials and arrangements suitable for forming field controlled
devices. Persons of skill in the art further understand that the
word "oxide" in the label MOSFET stands for any of a large number
of insulating dielectrics and is not limited merely to oxides.
Thus, the terms metal, oxide, semiconductor and MOSFET are intended
to include these and other variations.
[0003] Further, MOSFETs can be formed with N or P type channels,
depending upon the conductivity type of the various semiconductor
regions and the polarity of the control voltage, and as enhancement
mode or depletion mode devices depending upon the threshold voltage
of the device. For convenience of explanation and not intended to
be limiting, the invention is described herein for the case of
N-channel devices. However, persons of skill in the art will
understand that P-channel devices may be obtained by interchanging
the various P and N regions of the device, that is, N-type regions
are replaced by P-type regions and vice-versa. Thus, the
description of N-channel devices herein serves to illustrate either
N or P channel devices and the identification of particular regions
of the device as being N or P conductivity type may be replaced by
the more general terms "first conductivity type" or "second,
opposite, conductivity type" where the "first conductivity type"
may be either N or P type and the "second, opposite, conductivity
type" will then be P or N type respectively, the choice depending
upon what type of device (N or P Channel) is desired.
[0004] Conventional MOSFETs can inherently include parasitic
bipolar devices. While such parasitic bipolar devices may not
interfere significantly with operation of the MOSFET under many
operating conditions, their existence can significantly degrade
device properties when the device is operated at extremes of
voltage and/or current. This can provide a device safe operating
area (SOA) that is smaller than desired and/or the device can be
more susceptible to transient stress failure than is desired. Thus,
such parasitic bipolar interaction can lead to MOSFETs that are
less robust than desired.
[0005] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a new type of MOSFET
with improved operating characteristics, and more particularly,
MOSFETs with enhanced safe operating area (SOA), and whose
parasitic bipolar operation is substantially defeated with little
adverse affect on the series ON-resistance of the device. In
addition, it is desirable to provide a structure and method for
fabricating MOSFETs suitable for use and co-fabrication with
complex devices and/or integrated circuits and especially with
state of the art Smart Power technologies. Furthermore, other
desirable features and characteristics of the present invention
will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of
the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The present invention will hereinafter be described in
conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like
numerals denote like elements, and wherein
[0007] FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic cross-sectional view
through a conventional N-channel MOSFET according to the prior
art;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic circuit diagram of the
device of FIG. 1, illustrating the parasitic bipolar device that
can exist in such structure;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic isometric and
cross-sectional view through a generalized MOSFET according to an
embodiment of the invention;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a simplified schematic isometric and
cross-sectional view through a generalized MOSFET according to a
further embodiment of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a simplified partially cut-away plan view of the
device of FIG. 3;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a plot of drain current in amps versus
source-drain voltage in volts for different gate voltages Vg, for a
device such as is illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a plot of drain current in amps versus
source-drain voltage in volts for different gate voltages Vg, for
an otherwise similar device to that used in connection with FIG. 6,
but including a dotted gate structure according to the embodiment
of the invention illustrated in FIG. 3;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a two-part plot: (a) of the current-voltage (IV)
characteristics (in amps versus volts), and (b) the log of the
leakage current in amps, for the device whose properties are
illustrated in FIG. 6 (labeled "OLD") compared to the device whose
properties are illustrated in FIG. 7 (labeled "NEW") when stressed
to failure, in order to determine the relative Human Body Model
(HBM) transient stress tolerance; and
[0015] FIGS. 9-16 illustrate schematically, in isometric and
cross-sectional view, method stages accordance with still further
embodiments of the invention for fabricating MOSFETS of the type
generally illustrated in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in
nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the
application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no
intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented
in the preceding technical field, background, or the following
detailed description.
[0017] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing
figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and
descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may
be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention.
Additionally, elements in the drawings figures are not necessarily
drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements
or regions in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other
elements or regions to help improve understanding of embodiments of
the invention.
[0018] The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth" and the like
in the description and the claims, if any, may be used for
distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for
describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to
be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under
appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the
invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation
in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described
herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprise," "include," "have" and
any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive
inclusions, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that
comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those
elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or
inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
[0019] The terms "left," right," "in," "out," "front," "back,"
"up," "down, "top," "bottom," "over," "under," "above," "below" and
the like in the description and the claims, if any, are used for
descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent
relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used
are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that
embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example,
capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated
or otherwise described herein. The term "coupled," as used herein,
is defined as directly or indirectly connected in an electrical or
non-electrical manner.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic cross-sectional view
through conventional N-channel MOSFET device 20 according to the
prior art. Device 20 comprises P-substrate 22 (e.g., silicon)
having surface 27. N-well 24 and P-well 26 are formed in substrate
22. Dielectric isolation regions 28, 29 (e.g., silicon oxide) are
formed in surface 27 of substrate 22. N+ source region 30 is formed
in P-well 26 and N+ drain region 32 is formed in N-well 24. Source
region 30 and drain region 32 are spaced apart in surface 27. Drain
region 32 is proximate dielectric isolation region 28 on the
opposite side thereof from source region 30. Gate dielectric (e.g.,
silicon oxide) 37 is formed on surface 27 and gate 36 (e.g., doped
polysilicon) is provided overlying gate dielectric 37. Gate 36 is
located so as to be above a portion of P-well 26 proximate source
30, and in this example also above portion 221 of P-substrate 22,
and also extend above a portion of N-well 24 to isolation region
28. In this example, portion 221 of substrate 22 extends to surface
27, but this is not essential, and P-well 26 and N-well 24 may
abut, that is, without portion 221 therebetween. Either arrangement
is useful. P+ ohmic body contact 34 is provided to P-well 26, which
in turn is in ohmic contact with P-substrate 22. Electrode 321 is
provided in ohmic electrical contact with drain region 32,
electrode 361 is provided in ohmic electrical contact with gate 36
and electrode 301 is provided in ohmic electrical contact with
source 30 and body contact 34. Body contact 34 and source 30 are
generally shorted together by electrode 301 although this is not
essential. When appropriately biased, source-drain current Id 33
flows from source 30 through channel 25 in P-well 26, (and
P-substrate 22 if a portion thereof extends to surface 27) into
N-well drift region 24 and under dielectric isolation region 28 to
drain region 32.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a simplified schematic diagram of equivalent
circuit 40 of device 20 of FIG. 1, illustrating parasitic bipolar
device 35 that exists in such structure. Like reference numbers are
used in FIG. 2 corresponding to the analogous regions in device 20
of FIG. 1. Referring again to FIG. 1, when device 20 of FIG. 1 is
operating under high-voltage and high-current condition, N-well
region 24 can be fully depleted of free carriers and with
assistance from current ld33 flowing through it, avalanche
electron-hole pair generation region 39 can exist near drain region
32 adjacent dielectric isolation region 28. This can give rise to
generation of minority carriers into N-well 24 from region 39,
which in turn provides parasitic current Ip 31 that flows from
region 39, passing under source region 30, to P+ body contact
region 34. The portion of P-well 26 beneath source 30 through which
parasitic current Ip 31 passes has a finite resistance 38, which
provides base-emitter bias to parasitic bipolar transistor 35 of
FIG. 2. Since Id 33 is an electron current and Ip 31 is a hole
current, they add so that the total current It between terminals
301 and 321 is the sum of the magnitude of the two currents, that
is, |It|=|Id|+|Ip|. Under certain operating conditions, positive
feedback can occur ands the total current It can increase rapidly
leading to premature device instability and/or failure. Thus, a
consequence of the existence of parasitic transistor 35 is that the
properties of device 20 are degraded, especially the safe operating
area (SOA) and the ability of the device to resist destructive
damage due to transients.
[0022] It has been discovered that the adverse consequences of the
parasitic bipolar device inherently associated with many MOSFETs
can be substantially defeated by adopting what is referred to
herein as a "dotted channel" structure. FIG. 3 is a simplified
schematic isometric and cross-sectional view through generalized
MOSFET 50 according to an embodiment of the invention. MOSFET 50
comprises P-body 56 with surface 57. N+ source 60 and N+ drain 62
are formed in P-body 56 at surface 57. Gate dielectric 67 is formed
on surface 57 and surmounted by conductive control gate 66. P+ body
contact region 64 is desirably provided adjacent to source region
60, but this is not essential. P+ body contact region 64 is in
ohmic contact with P-body 56. P-body 56 of device 50 is analogous
to P-well 26 and/or portion 221 of P-substrate 22 of device 20 of
FIG. 1, or a combination thereof. Gate 66 of device 50 is analogous
in function to gate 36 of device 20, that is, to control the flow
of source-drain current Id 63 in channel 55 (see also FIG. 5). For
simplicity of illustration, regions equivalent to N-well 24 and
P-well 26 of device 20 are omitted in FIG. 3, but can also be
included. When gate 66, source 60 and drain 62 are appropriately
biased, then source-drain current Id 63 flows from source 60
through channel 55 in P-body 56 to drain 62 around P+ islands 691,
692, 693, etc (see also FIG. 5). Device 50 of FIG. 3 differs from
device 20 of FIG. 1 in that device 50 has openings 611, 612, 613,
etc., (collectively 61) cut through gate 66 to expose regions 681,
682, 683, etc., (collectively surface portion 68) of surface 57 of
P-body 56. P+ doped regions 691, 692, etc., (collectively 69) are
provided in surface portions 68 underneath openings 61. This is
most easily accomplished by ion implantation using gate 66 with
openings 61 as a mask, but other doping means and methods may also
be used. P+ regions 69 are conveniently formed at the same time as
P+ body contact region 64, with about the same carrier
concentration and depth into P-body 56, but this is not essential.
Electrode 621 is provided in ohmic electrical contact with drain
region (D) 62, electrode 661 is provided in ohmic electrical
contact with gate (G) 66, and electrode 601 is provided in ohmic
electrical contact with N+ source region (S) 60 and P+ body contact
region (B) 64. Electrodes 701, 702, 703, etc., (collectively 70)
are provided in ohmic contact to P+ regions 69 and desirably
electrically coupled to source/body (S/B) electrode 601, for
example by leads 711, 712, 713, etc., (collectively 71).
Source-drain current Id 63 then flows around P+ regions 69 (see
FIG. 5). FIG. 4 is a simplified schematic isometric and
cross-sectional view through generalized MOSFET 51 according to a
further embodiment of the invention. Device 50 of FIG. 3 and device
51 of FIG. 4 differ only in that, in device 51, P+ body contact 64
is omitted and electrodes 71 are tied back to electrode 602 which
makes ohmic contact to N+ source 60. Accordingly, the discussion of
the various elements of device 50 is incorporated by reference in
the discussion of device 51. The arrangement of device 50 wherein
P+ body contact 64 is included is preferred.
[0023] FIG. 5 shows simplified partially cut-away plan view 75 of
the devices of FIGS. 3, 4 and 16, adding further details. For
simplicity of illustration, it is assumed in FIG. 5 that P body 56
extends to N-well 54, that is, no portion of substrate 52
intervenes, but this is not essential. The channel length Lch is
the distance between source 60 and edge 541 of N-well 54 (see also
FIG. 16). It will be noted that P+ implant regions 691, 692, 693,
etc. (collectively 69), are located in channel region 55 between
source 60 and drain 62, spaced apart like a series of dots by
distance Lcd along the width of channel region 55 and gate 66 (in
FIG. 5, the "width" of channel region 55 and gate 66 are in the
vertical direction and the channel "length" is in the horizontal
direction). The spacing Lcd of P+regions or dots 69 is usefully
about 0.5 to 20 times channel length Lch, more conveniently about 1
to 10 times channel length Lch, and preferably about 1 to 5 times
channel length Lch. While P+ channel dots 69 are shown as being
uniformly spaced in FIG. 5 and is preferred, this is not essential
and non-uniform spacing may also be used. It is desirable that each
P+ region or dot 69 have x and y dimensions that are usefully in
the range of about 10 to 50 percent of channel length Lch, more
conveniently in the range of about 20 to 40 percent of channel
length Lch, and preferably in the range of about 20 to 30 percent
of channel length Lch. While doped regions 69 and holes 61 in gate
66, through which doped regions 69 are preferably formed, are shown
as being approximately square in plan view, this is not essential
and other shapes may also be used. However, a substantially square
plan view shape is preferred for holes 61 and doped regions 69.
While it is preferred to form P+ doped regions 69 by ion
implantation through holes 61 in gate 66, this is not essential and
any convenient means of providing P+ doped regions or dots 69 may
also be used.
[0024] FIG. 6 shows plot 80 of drain current in amps versus
source-drain voltage in volts for different gate voltages Vg, for a
device such as is illustrated in FIG. 1. Trace 81 shows the data
for gate voltage Vg=2 volts, trace 82 for Vg=4 volts, trace 83 for
Vg=6 volts and trace 84 for Vg=8 volts. It will be noted in trace
84 that at condition 85 where the source-drain voltage is about
forty-four volts, the device becomes unstable and destructive
failure can occur if the current is not limited. At this point, the
safe operating area (SOA) of the device has been exceeded.
[0025] FIG. 7 shows plot 90 of drain current in amps versus
source-drain voltage in volts for different gate voltages Vg, for
an otherwise similar device to the device used in connection with
FIG. 6, but including the dotted gate structure according to the
embodiment of the invention illustrated, for example, in FIG. 16.
Trace 91 shows the data for gate voltage Vg=2 volts, trace 92 for
Vg=4 volts, trace 93 for Vg=6 volts, trace 94 for Vg=8 volts, trace
95 for Vg=10 volts, and trace 96 for Vg=12 volts. It will be noted
that the instability occurring at condition 85 of FIG. 6, is not
observed with this device incorporating the dotted channel
structure provided in an embodiment of the invention. Accordingly,
the SOA of device 50, 75, 214 is improved compared to prior art
device 20. The device tested for FIG. 7 has a slightly greater
channel length Lch than the device of FIG. 6, which accounts for
the somewhat lower current levels in FIG. 7.
[0026] FIG. 8 shows two-part plot 100: (a) plots 102, 106 of the
current-voltage (I-V) characteristics (in amps versus volts), and
(b) plots 105, 109 of the log of the leakage current in amps.
Traces 102, 105 are from the device whose properties are
illustrated in FIG. 6 (labeled "OLD") and traces 106, 109 are from
the device whose properties are illustrated in FIG. 7 (labeled
"NEW"). These devices were stressed to failure, in order to
determine the relative Human Body Model (HBM) transient stress
tolerance. The HBM stress tolerance is a well known measure giving
an estimate of the ability of a device to withstand, for example, a
static electricity discharge generated by a human touching the
device under conditions where the human has accumulated a static
charge, as for example, by walking across a carpet formed from a
non-conductive synthetic yarn or fiber material. The HBM value is
obtained by multiplying the current at which the device I-V
characteristics sharply depart from normal operation by a
predetermined impedance, e.g., 1500 Ohms. Such departure from
normal operation is observed in FIG. 8 at corner 103 of trace 102
and corner 107 of trace 106, wherein the voltage drops with further
increase in current, and when the log of the device leakage current
begins to change by order of magnitude as shown by traces 105, 109.
HBM value 104 for prior device 20 is about 1.6 (amps).times.1500
(Ohms)=2.4 kilo-Volts. HBM value 108 for invented device embodiment
60, 75, 214 is about 3.4 (amps) .times.1500 (Ohms)=5.1 kilo-Volts,
over twice that observed for prior art device 20. In addition to
the improved SOA, breakdown voltage of the invented device is at
least 10% greater than the prior art device and, as noted above,
the HBM values are over 100% improved. These are significant
advantages.
[0027] FIGS. 9-16 illustrate schematically, in isometric
cross-sectional view, manufacturing stages, evenly numbered from
200 to 214 according to still further embodiments of the invention
for fabricating MOSFETS of the type generally illustrated in FIGS.
3, 4 and 5, and providing additional detail. For brevity, many
conventional steps will only be mentioned briefly herein or will be
omitted entirely without providing the well known process details.
Structures, oddly numbered from 201 to 215, result from evenly
numbered manufacturing stages 200-214, respectively. The discussion
of the various regions that make up devices 50, 51 and 75 in FIGS.
3-5 and the relative doping types and doping concentration of such
regions are included herein by reference and FIGS. 9-16 should be
considered in conjunction with FIGS. 3-5. As noted earlier, the
manufacturing stages of FIGS. 9-16 are, for convenience of
explanation and not intended to be limiting, described for an
N-channel device, but persons of skill in the art will understand
that, for example, by substituting doping of opposite conductivity
type for the various regions, P-channel and other types of devices
may also be fabricated. Also, mask layers associated with the
various manufacturing stages are omitted. Rather, the results of
the masking operations are shown and described rather than the
masks themselves. Persons of skill in the art will understand based
on the description herein how to provide appropriate masks to
achieve the doped, etched and/or patterned regions described
herein.
[0028] Referring now to manufacturing stage 200 of FIG. 9,
supporting P-type substrate 52 is provided. Substrate 52 may be a
semiconductor of, for example and not intended to be limiting,
silicon or other type IV or Ill-V or II-VI or organic semiconductor
or combinations thereof, and may be in the form of a single crystal
or polycrystalline or of a layer that has been formed on another
substrate. Silicon-on-insulator (SOI) is a non-limiting example of
such an alternative structure. Substrate 52 is doped to a
concentration desirably in the range of about 5E14 to 5E17
cm.sup.-3, more conveniently in the range of about 1E15 to 1E16
cm.sup.3, and preferably in the range of about 2E15 to 5E15
cm.sup.-3. Persons of skill in the art will also understand that
various buried layers and isolation walls (not shown) may be
provided in connection with substrate 52. These are omitted here to
avoid cluttering the figures and obscuring the invention. Structure
201 corresponds to manufacturing stage 200.
[0029] In manufacturing stage 202 of FIG. 10, substrate 52 of stage
200 is masked and patterned to provide a mask opening (not shown)
corresponding to the location of N-well 54. N-well 54 is formed by
introducing N-type dopant through the opening in this mask. Ion
implantation and annealing is the preferred doping method for
forming N-well 54. N-well 54 is doped to a concentration desirably
in the range of about 1E15 to 1E17 cm.sup.-3, more conveniently in
the range of about 1E15 to 1E16 cm.sup.-3, and preferably in the
range of about 1E15 to 2E15 cm.sup.-3 N-well region 54 is typically
about 0.5 to 2.0 micro-meters deep, but shallower or deeper regions
can also be used. Structure 203 results.
[0030] Referring now to manufacturing stage 204 of FIG. 11, shallow
trench dielectric isolation region 58 is formed by, for example,
providing an oxidation resistant mask having the size an alignment
indicated for locating isolation region 58 within N-well 54.
Silicon nitride is an example of a suitable oxidation resistant
mask. Dielectric isolation region 58 can be formed by local
oxidation of the portion of substrate 52 exposed through the
oxidation mask or by etch and refill using deposited oxide or other
dielectric with or without a planarization step. Such procedures
are well known in the art. Dielectric isolation region 58 is
typically about 0.1 to 1.0 micrometers deep. Shallower or deeper
regions may also be used, but in any case less than the depth of
N-well 54. Structure 205 results.
[0031] In manufacturing stage 206 of FIG. 12, a mask (not shown) is
provided with an opening located to the left of N-well 54 whereby
P-body region 56 is formed by, for example, ion implant doping and
annealing of the exposed portion of substrate 52 or by other
convenient doping means. P-body region 56 is doped to a
concentration desirably in the range of about 1E16 to 1E18
cm.sup.-3, more conveniently in the range of about 5E16 to 1E18
cm.sup.-3, and preferably in the range of about 1E17 to 5E17
cm.sup.-3. P-body region 56 is typically in the range of about 0.5
to 2.0 micrometers deep, but shallower or deeper regions may also
be used. Structure 207 results.
[0032] In manufacturing stage 208 of FIG. 13, surface 57 of
substrate 52 is provided, at least locally where the channel region
is desired to be, with thin gate dielectric 67 (e.g., of silicon
oxide) surmounted by conductive gate 66 (e.g., of doped
polysilicon). Gate dielectric 67 is typically about 0.01 to 0.2
micrometers thick with about 0.01 to 0.05 micrometers being
preferred, but thinner or thicker layers may also be used. Gate 66
is typically about 0.05 to 0.5 micrometers thick with about 0.15 to
0.25 being preferred, but thinner or thicker layers may also be
used. While polysilicon is a useful material for gate 66, other
conductive materials, such as for example; and not intended to be
limiting, metals, metal alloys, semi-metals, conductive silicides
and nitrides, and mixtures thereof may also be used according to
the needs of the device designer. These layers are usually provided
in the form of substantially continuous layers that are then masked
using, for example, hard or soft masks (not shown), and etched to
define the lateral extent of gate 66. Underlying gate dielectric 67
may be patterned or not according to further process steps intended
to be used. At the same time as gate 66 is laterally delineated,
holes 611, 612, 613, etc., (collectively 61) are etched open to
expose regions or locations 681, 682, 683, etc., (collectively 68)
underlying gate 66, in the locations described in connection with
FIGS. 3-5. Holes 61 may extend only to dielectric layer 67 or
through dielectric layer 67 to surface 57 of substrate 52, as shown
in FIGS. 13-16. Either arrangement is useful, but leaving
dielectric (e.g., oxide) 67 in-place in openings 61 is preferred.
Structure 209 results.
[0033] In manufacturing stage 210 of FIG. 14, P+ regions 691, 692,
693, etc., (collectively 69) are formed through openings 61 in gate
66 in locations 681, 682, 683, etc. P+ body contact region 64 is
desirably also formed at the same time, e.g., during the same
implant and anneal step, using a mask (not shown) to limit the
extent of region 64 as indicated in FIG. 14. P+ body contact region
64 and P+ regions 69 are doped to a concentration desirably in the
range of about 1E18 to 1E21 cm.sup.-3, more conveniently in the
range of about 5E18 to 5E20 cm.sup.-3, and preferably in the range
of about 1E19 to 1E20 cm.sup.-3. Regions 64 and 69 are typically in
the range of about 0.05 to 0.3 micrometers deep, but shallower or
deeper regions may also be used and region 64 may have a different
doping concentration and/or depth than regions 69. Structure 211
results.
[0034] In manufacturing stage 212 of FIG. 15, N+ source region 60
and N+ drain region 62 are desirable formed, preferably by ion
implantation and annealing, although any convenient doping method
may be employed. In doing so, those regions where such N+ implants
are not desired are masked (not shown) using means well known in
the art. N+ regions 60, 62 are doped to a concentration desirably
in the range of about 1E18 to 1E21 cm.sup.-3, more conveniently in
the range of about 5E18 to 5E20 cm.sup.-3, and preferably in the
range of about 1E19 to 1E20 cm.sup.-3. Regions 60 and 62 are
typically in the range of about 0.05 to 0.3 micrometers deep, but
shallower or deeper regions may also be used and region 60 may have
a different doping concentration and/or depth than region 62. In
the preferred arrangement, regions 60 and 62 have the same doping
concentration and depth. Structure 213 results. Manufacturing
stages 210 and 212 may be performed in either order.
[0035] In manufacturing stage 214 of FIG. 16, conductive terminals
and/or interconnections 70 and 71 are provided along with drain
electrode 621, source/body electrode 601 and gate electrode 661. A
wide variety of conductive materials may be used suitable for
making ohmic connections to the various semiconductor regions, 60,
62, 64 and 69. Interconnections 71 (e.g., 711, 712, 713, etc.) are
provided to tie electrodes 70 (e.g., 701, 702, 703, etc.)
contacting P+ regions 69 to source/body electrode 601. When a
device of the general type illustrated in FIG. 4 is desired, then
region 64 formed in manufacturing stage 210 is omitted and
electrodes 70 and interconnections 71 can be tied to electrode 602
(see FIG. 4) coupled to source region 60 alone. Alternatively, a
body contact may be provided elsewhere than adjacent to source
contact region 60 and P+ region 69 coupled thereto. Either
arrangement is useful. Structure 215 results. It will be noted that
the manufacturing sequence illustrated in FIGS. 9-16 provides those
additional N and P wells shown in FIG. 1, thereby illustrating how
such regions may be incorporated in devices of the type illustrated
generally in FIGS. 3-5. A device of the type illustrate in FIG. 16
was used in obtaining the electrical data shown in FIGS. 7 and 8
(NEW).
[0036] According to a first embodiment, there is provided a field
effect device, comprising, a semiconductor body having a surface, a
source located in the semiconductor body proximate the surface, a
drain located in the semiconductor body proximate the surface and
spaced apart from the source, an insulated control gate located
over the semiconductor body between the source and drain and
adapted to control a conductive channel extending between the
source and drain, multiple highly doped regions of the same
conductivity type as the semiconductor body located in the channel
between the source and drain, and one or more electrical
connections coupling at least some of the multiple highly doped
regions to the semiconductor body. In a further embodiment, the
multiple highly doped regions are substantially square. In a still
further embodiment, the multiple highly doped regions are formed by
doping the semiconductor body through corresponding holes in the
control gate. In a yet further embodiment, the device has a
predetermined channel length Lch and channel width and the multiple
highly doped regions are spaced apart along the width by a distance
in the range of 0.5 to 20 times the channel length Lch. In a still
yet further embodiment, the multiple highly doped regions are
spaced apart by a distance in the range of 1 to 10 times the
channel length Lch. In a yet still further embodiment, the multiple
highly doped regions are spaced apart by a distance in the range of
1 to 5 times the channel length Lch. In an additional embodiment,
the device has a predetermined channel length Lch and the multiple
highly doped regions have lateral dimensions of about 10 to 50
percent of the channel length Lch. In a still additional
embodiment, the lateral dimensions are about 20 to 40 percent of
the channel length Lch. In a yet additional embodiment, the lateral
dimensions are about 20 to 30 percent of the channel length
Lch.
[0037] According to a second embodiment, there is provided a method
for forming a dotted channel field effect device, comprising,
providing a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type
and having a surface, forming a well region of a second, opposite,
conductivity type in a first part of the substrate extending to the
surface, forming a body region of the first conductivity type in a
second part of the substrate extending to the surface and in
contact with or spaced apart from the well region, forming a
control gate insulated from the surface over at least a portion of
the body region and having therein multiple holes extending through
the control gate and located over the portion of the body region,
forming multiple highly doped regions of the first conductivity
type in the body region through the multiple holes, forming source
and drain regions of the second, opposite, conductivity type in the
substrate on either side of the control gate, and providing
electrical terminals to the source, drain, control gate and the
multiple highly doped regions. In a further embodiment, the control
gate is adapted to form a channel of length Lch extending from the
source toward the drain and a width W substantially parallel to the
source and drain, and wherein the multiple holes are spaced apart a
predetermined distance along the width W in the range of 0.50 to 20
times Lch. In a still further embodiment, the predetermined
distance is in the range of 1 to 10 times Lch. In a yet further
embodiment, the predetermined distance is in the range of 1 to 5
times Lch. In a still yet further embodiment, the control gate is
adapted to form a channel of length Lch extending from the source
toward the drain and a width W substantially parallel to the source
and drain, and wherein the multiple holes have lateral dimensions
in the range of about 10 to 50 percent of Lch. In a yet still
further embodiment, the lateral dimensions are in the range of
about 20 to 40 percent of Lch. In an additional embodiment, the
lateral dimensions are in the range of about 20 to 30 percent of
Lch.
[0038] According to a third embodiment, there is provided a
dotted-channel MOSFET, comprising, a semiconductor body having a
surface and of a first conductivity type, a source of a second,
opposite, conductivity type located in the semiconductor body
proximate the surface, a drain of the second, opposite,
conductivity type located in the semiconductor body proximate the
surface and spaced apart from the source, an insulated control gate
located over the semiconductor body between the source and drain
and adapted to control a conductive channel extending from the
source toward the drain, and multiple highly doped spaced-apart
regions of the same conductivity type as the semiconductor body
located in the channel between the source and drain. In an
additional embodiment, the MOSFET further comprises, one or more
electrical connections coupling some or all of the multiple highly
doped spaced-apart regions to the source or the semiconductor body.
In a still additional embodiment, the MOSFET further comprises a
drift region of the second, opposite, conductivity type, proximate
the drain and extending toward but not to the source, and wherein
the multiple highly doped spaced-apart regions are located between
the source and the drift region. In a yet additional embodiment,
the drift region is spaced a predetermined distance from the source
at the surface, and the multiple highly doped spaced-apart regions
are separated by 0.5 to 20 times said distance.
[0039] While at least one exemplary embodiment and method of
fabrication has been presented in the foregoing detailed
description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast
number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the
exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples,
and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or
configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing
detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a
convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the
invention, it being understood that various changes may be made in
the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary
embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set
forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
* * * * *