U.S. patent application number 13/393002 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-09 for semiconductor device and field effect transistor.
This patent application is currently assigned to NEC CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Yuji ANDO, Kazuomi ENDO, Takashi INOUE, Hironobu MIYAMOTO, Tatsuo NAKAYAMA, Yasuhiro OKAMOTO, Kazuki OTA. Invention is credited to Yuji ANDO, Kazuomi ENDO, Takashi INOUE, Hironobu MIYAMOTO, Tatsuo NAKAYAMA, Yasuhiro OKAMOTO, Kazuki OTA.
Application Number | 20130113028 13/393002 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43627661 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130113028 |
Kind Code |
A2 |
MIYAMOTO; Hironobu ; et
al. |
May 9, 2013 |
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTOR
Abstract
A semiconductor device comprises a substrate 1, a first n-type
semiconductor layer 21', a second n-type semiconductor layer 23, a
p-type semiconductor layer 24, and a third n-type semiconductor
layer 25', wherein the first n-type semiconductor layer 21', the
second n-type semiconductor layer 23, the p-type semiconductor
layer 24, and the third n-type semiconductor layer 25' are
laminated at the upper side of the substrate 1 in this order. The
drain electrode 13 is in ohmic-contact with the first n-type
semiconductor layer 21' and the source electrode 12 is in
ohmic-contact with the third n-type semiconductor layer 25'. A gate
electrode 14 is arranged so as to fill an opening portion to be
filled that extends from the third n-type semiconductor layer 25'
to the second n-type semiconductor layer 23, and the gate electrode
14 is in contact with the upper surface of the second n-type
semiconductor layer 23, the side surfaces of the p-type
semiconductor layer 24, and the side surfaces of the third n-type
semiconductor layer 25'. The second n-type semiconductor layer 23
has composition that changes from the drain electrode 13 side
toward the source electrode 12 side in the direction perpendicular
to the plane of the substrate 1 and contains donor impurity.
Inventors: |
MIYAMOTO; Hironobu; (Tokyo,
JP) ; OKAMOTO; Yasuhiro; (Tokyo, JP) ; ANDO;
Yuji; (Tokyo, JP) ; NAKAYAMA; Tatsuo; (Tokyo,
JP) ; INOUE; Takashi; (Tokyo, JP) ; OTA;
Kazuki; (Tokyo, JP) ; ENDO; Kazuomi; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MIYAMOTO; Hironobu
OKAMOTO; Yasuhiro
ANDO; Yuji
NAKAYAMA; Tatsuo
INOUE; Takashi
OTA; Kazuki
ENDO; Kazuomi |
Tokyo
Tokyo
Tokyo
Tokyo
Tokyo
Tokyo
Tokyo |
|
JP
JP
JP
JP
JP
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
NEC CORPORATION
Minato-ku, Tokyo
JP
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20120199889 A1 |
August 9, 2012 |
|
|
Family ID: |
43627661 |
Appl. No.: |
13/393002 |
Filed: |
June 23, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
June 23, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2010/060637 PCKC 00 |
371 Date: |
April 19, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
257/288;
257/E29.255 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 29/41741 20130101;
H01L 29/41766 20130101; H01L 29/2003 20130101; H01L 29/7812
20130101; H01L 29/7809 20130101; H01L 29/7813 20130101; H01L
29/4236 20130101; H01L 29/8122 20130101; H01L 29/0657 20130101;
H01L 29/8128 20130101; H01L 29/205 20130101; H01L 29/201
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
257/288;
257/E29.255 |
International
Class: |
H01L 29/78 20060101
H01L029/78 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 31, 2009 |
JP |
2009-201140 |
Claims
1. A semiconductor device comprises: a substrate; a first n-type
semiconductor layer; a second n-type semiconductor layer; a p-type
semiconductor layer; a third n-type semiconductor layer; a drain
electrode; a source electrode; and a gate electrode, wherein the
first n-type semiconductor layer, the second n-type semiconductor
layer, the p-type semiconductor layer, and the third n-type
semiconductor layer are laminated at the upper side of the
substrate in this order, the drain electrode is in ohmic-contact
with the first n-type semiconductor layer directly or via the
substrate, the source electrode is in ohmic-contact with the third
n-type semiconductor layer, an opening portion to be filled that
extends from an upper surface of the third n-type semiconductor
layer to an upper part of the second n-type semiconductor layer is
formed at a part of the p-type semiconductor layer and a part of
the third n-type semiconductor layer, the gate electrode is
arranged so as to fill the opening portion to be filled and is in
contact with an upper surface of the second n-type semiconductor
layer, side surfaces of the p-type semiconductor layer, and side
surfaces of the third n-type semiconductor layer at inner surfaces
of the opening portion to be filled, and the second n-type
semiconductor layer has composition that changes from a drain
electrode side toward a source electrode side in a direction
perpendicular to a plane of the substrate and contains donor
impurity.
2. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, further
comprising a gate insulation film, wherein the gate insulation film
is formed so as to cover the opening portion to be filled, and the
gate electrode is in contact with the upper surface of the second
n-type semiconductor layer, the side surfaces of the p-type
semiconductor layer, and the side surfaces of the third n-type
semiconductor layer via the gate insulation film.
3. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein at least
one of the first n-type semiconductor layer, the second n-type
semiconductor layer, the p-type semiconductor layer, and the third
n-type semiconductor layer is formed of a nitride
semiconductor.
4. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the
second n-type semiconductor layer has composition represented by
Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN (0.ltoreq.x<1), and a relationship between
an Al composition ratio at an interface at a first n-type
semiconductor layer side x.sub.0 (x.sub.0>0) and an Al
composition ratio at an interface at a p-type semiconductor layer
side x.sub.A (x.sub.A.gtoreq.0) satisfies the following equation:
x.sub.0>x.sub.A.
5. The semiconductor device according to claim 4, wherein an Al
composition ratio x of the second n-type semiconductor layer
decreases continuously from x.sub.0 to x.sub.A from the drain
electrode side toward the source electrode side in the direction
perpendicular to the plane of the substrate.
6. The semiconductor device according to claim 4, wherein an Al
composition ratio x of the second n-type semiconductor layer
decreases in a stepwise manner from x.sub.0 to x.sub.A from the
drain electrode side toward the source electrode side in the
direction perpendicular to the plane of the substrate.
7. The semiconductor device according to claim 5, wherein a
decreasing gradient of the Al composition ratio of the second
n-type semiconductor layer is a steep gradient from the drain
electrode side toward the source electrode side.
8. The semiconductor device according to claim 7, wherein a volume
density of a polarization charge that is generated in the second
n-type semiconductor layer is uniform over the entire second n-type
semiconductor layer.
9. The semiconductor device according to claim 8, wherein a donor
impurity concentration (m.sup.-3) of the second n-type
semiconductor layer is equal to a maximum value N.sub.POL.sup.MAX
(m.sup.-3) of a volume density of a polarization charge that can be
generated in the second n-type semiconductor layer.
10. The semiconductor device according to claim 8, wherein a donor
impurity concentration (m.sup.-3) of the second n-type
semiconductor layer is not more than 5 times a maximum value
N.sub.POL.sup.MAX (m.sup.-3) of a volume density of a polarization
charge that can be generated in the second n-type semiconductor
layer.
11. The semiconductor device according to claim 8, wherein a donor
impurity concentration (m.sup.-3) of the second n-type
semiconductor layer is not more than 2.5 times a maximum value
N.sub.POL.sup.MAX (m.sup.-3) of a volume density of a polarization
charge that can be generated in the second n-type semiconductor
layer.
12. The semiconductor device according to claim 5, wherein a volume
density of a polarization charge that is generated in the second
n-type semiconductor layer decreases from the drain electrode side
toward the source electrode side in the direction perpendicular to
the plane of the substrate.
13. The semiconductor device according to claim 12, wherein a donor
impurity concentration of the second n-type semiconductor layer
decreases from the drain electrode side toward the source electrode
side in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the
substrate.
14. The semiconductor device according to claim 12, wherein the
donor impurity concentration of the second n-type semiconductor
layer is uniform over the entire second n-type semiconductor
layer.
15. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the
first n-type semiconductor layer and the third n-type semiconductor
layer are each formed of plural n-type semiconductor layers.
16. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the
opening portion to be filled is formed by removing a part of the
p-type semiconductor layer and a part of the third n-type
semiconductor layer.
17. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the
semiconductor device is a field effect transistor.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a National Stage of International
Application No. PCT/JP2010/060637 filed Jun. 23, 2010, claiming
priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-201140 filed
Aug. 31, 2009, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein
by reference in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to semiconductor devices and
field effect transistors.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Among semiconductor devices, field effect transistors are
applied widely to various electronic devices, and various
researches have been conducted into the field effect transistors
(for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). From the viewpoint of the
performance increase and the cost reduction of various electronic
devices, various researches have been conducted into properties of
semiconductor devices such as field effect transistors and the like
from the aspects of both theory and practical use.
RELATED ART DOCUMENT
Patent Document
[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-289005 A [0005] [Patent Document
2] JP 2008-78604 A [0006] [Patent Document 3] JP 2008-205199 A
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Problem to be Solved by the Invention
[0007] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view schematically showing an
example of the structure of a field effect transistor. As shown in
FIG. 8, in this field effect transistor, an n-type buffer layer 20
is laminated on the upper surface of a sapphire substrate 1.
Further, on the upper surface of the n-type buffer layer 20, an
AlGaN buffer layer 21 and a high concentration n-type AlGaN layer
22 are laminated in this order. On a part of the upper surface of
the high concentration n-type AlGaN layer 22, an n-type AlGaN layer
23, a p-type GaN layer 24, an n-type GaN layer 25, and a high
concentration n-type GaN layer 26 are laminated in this order. On
parts of the upper surface of the high concentration n-type AlGaN
layer 22 where the aforementioned layers are not laminated, drain
electrodes 13 that are in ohmic-contact with the high concentration
n-type AlGaN layer 22 are formed. A part of the n-type AlGaN layer
23, a part of the p-type GaN layer 24, a part of the n-type GaN
layer 25, and a part of the high concentration n-type GaN layer 26
are removed by etching or the like to form an opening portion to be
filled that extends from the upper surface of the high
concentration n-type GaN layer 26 to the upper part of the n-type
AlGaN layer 23. The opening portion to be filled is filled with the
gate electrode 14 via a gate insulation film 15. The gate electrode
14 forms a metal/insulation film/semiconductor (MIS) structure with
the n-type AlGaN layer 23, the p-type GaN layer 24, and the n-type
GaN layer 25 via the gate insulation film 15. On the parts of the
upper surface of the high concentration n-type GaN layer 26 where
the gate insulation film 15 and the gate electrode 14 are not
formed, source electrodes 12 that are in ohmic-contact with the
high concentration n-type GaN layer 26 are formed. This field
effect transistor is a vertical transistor in which current passes
from bottom to top in FIG. 8.
[0008] Among semiconductor device properties, a withstand voltage
and an on-resistance are important properties. Hereinafter, the
relationship between the withstand voltage and the on-resistance of
a semiconductor device will be described with theoretical equations
with reference to the field effect transistor shown in FIG. 8 as an
example.
[0009] First, in the field effect transistor of FIG. 8, a maximum
value E.sub.max (V/m) of the electric field intensity at the
interface between the n-type semiconductor layer 23 and the p-type
semiconductor layer 24 is expressed by the following Equation
(1).
[ Equation 1 ] E m ax = 2 ( V bi - V - kT / q ) W ( 1 )
##EQU00001##
[0010] In the Equation (1), the meanings of the symbols are as
follows: [0011] Vbi: built-in-potential (V) [0012] k: Boltzmann
constant (J/K) [0013] T: temperature (K) [0014] q: elementary
charge (elementary electric charge) (C) [0015] W: depletion layer
width (m) at n-type semiconductor layer side
[0016] Further, the depletion layer width W at the n-type
semiconductor layer side in the Equation (1) can be expressed by
the following Equation (2).
[ Equation 2 ] W = 2 s qN D ( V bi - V - kT q ) ( 2 )
##EQU00002##
[0017] In the Equation (2), the meanings of the symbols are as
follows: [0018] .epsilon..sub.s: permittivity (F/m) [0019] N.sub.D:
donor concentration (m.sup.-3)
[0020] The following Equation (3) can be derived from the Equations
(1) and (2).
[ Equation 3 ] V = s E m ax 2 2 qN D - V bi + kT q ( 3 )
##EQU00003##
[0021] When a maximum value E.sub.max of the electric field
intensity reaches the insulation breakdown electric field
E.sub.crit (V/m) of the semiconductor, a breakdown is caused.
Therefore, the withstand voltage V.sub.B (V) of a vertical
transistor is expressed by the following Equation (4).
[ Equation 4 ] V B = s E crit 2 2 qN D - V bi + kT q ( 4 )
##EQU00004##
[0022] In other words, the withstand voltage V.sub.B of the
vertical transistor shown in FIG. 8 depends on the impurity
concentration N.sub.D of the n-type AlGaN layer. It is to be noted
that the aforementioned relationship holds for the condition in
which a depletion layer is sufficiently stretched in a
semiconductor layer (i.e., the condition in which the semiconductor
has the thickness where a neutral region can be present). When the
thickness of the semiconductor at this time is defined as d.sub.min
(m), since d.sub.min is equal to the depletion layer width of the
n-type semiconductor layer in the condition where the semiconductor
reaches the insulation breakdown electric field, the following
Equation (5) can be derived from the Equations (1) and (2).
[ Equation 5 ] d m i n = s E crit qN D ( 5 ) ##EQU00005##
[0023] On the other hand, the on-resistance R.sub.on
(.OMEGA.m.sup.2), which is an important indicator of performance of
the vertical transistor along with the withstand voltage, is
expressed by the following Equation (6).
[ Equation 6 ] R on = d qn .mu. ( 6 ) ##EQU00006##
[0024] In the Equation (6), the meanings of the symbols are as
follows: [0025] .mu.: mobility (m.sup.2/Vs) [0026] n: carrier
concentration (m.sup.-3)
[0027] Since it can be considered that the carrier concentration n
is subequal to the impurity concentration N.sub.D, on the basis of
the Equations (5) and (6), a minimum value of the on-resistance is
expressed by the following Equation (7).
[ Equation 7 ] R on = s E crit q 2 N D 2 .mu. ( 7 )
##EQU00007##
[0028] Here, when the approximation of
V.sub.B>>|V.sub.bi-kT/q| is used, the relationship of the
following Equation (8) can be derived from the Equations (4) and
(7) between the withstand voltage and the on-state resistance.
[ Equation 8 ] R on = 4 V B 2 s .mu. E crit 3 ( 8 )
##EQU00008##
[0029] As indicated by the Equation (8), there is the trade-off
between the withstand voltage and the on-resistance such that the
on-resistance R.sub.on also increases to achieve the vertical
transistor having a high withstand voltage V.sub.B. Further, since
the foregoing relationship depends on the physical properties such
as the permittivity, the mobility, and the insulation breakdown
electric field of the semiconductor layer (Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN in
FIG. 8), the increase in performance by the improvement of the
trade-off is very difficult. Further, the Equations (1) to (8)
apply not only to the transistor but also to the semiconductor
devices in general. Therefore, the foregoing problem is a common
problem among the semiconductor devices in general.
[0030] Hence, the present invention is intended to provide a
semiconductor device in which the trade-off between the withstand
voltage and the on-resistance is improved and the performance is
increased.
Means for Solving Problem
[0031] In order to achieve the aforementioned object, the
semiconductor device of the present invention comprises:
[0032] a substrate;
[0033] a first n-type semiconductor layer;
[0034] a second n-type semiconductor layer;
[0035] a p-type semiconductor layer;
[0036] a third n-type semiconductor layer;
[0037] a drain electrode;
[0038] a source electrode; and
[0039] a gate electrode, wherein [0040] the first n-type
semiconductor layer, the second n-type semiconductor layer, the
p-type semiconductor layer, and the third n-type semiconductor
layer are laminated at the upper side of the substrate in this
order, [0041] the drain electrode is in ohmic-contact with the
first n-type semiconductor layer directly or via the substrate,
[0042] the source electrode is in ohmic-contact with the third
n-type semiconductor layer, [0043] an opening portion to be filled
that extends from an upper surface of the third n-type
semiconductor layer to an upper part of the second n-type
semiconductor layer is formed at a part of the p-type semiconductor
layer and a part of the third n-type semiconductor layer, [0044]
the gate electrode is arranged so as to fill the opening portion to
be filled and is in contact with an upper surface of the second
n-type semiconductor layer, side surfaces of the p-type
semiconductor layer, and side surfaces of the third n-type
semiconductor layer at inner surfaces of the opening portion to be
filled, and [0045] the second n-type semiconductor layer has
composition that changes from a drain electrode side toward a
source electrode side in a direction perpendicular to a plane of
the substrate and contains donor impurity.
Effects of the Invention
[0046] According to the present invention, a semiconductor device
in which the trade-off between the withstand voltage and the
on-resistance is improved and the performance is increased can be
provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0047] FIG. 1A is a cross sectional view showing an example of the
structure of the vertical transistor of Embodiment 1.
[0048] FIG. 1B is a graph showing the distribution of the
polarization charge density in the graded composition AlGaN of the
vertical transistor of Embodiment 1.
[0049] FIG. 1C is a graph schematically showing the electric field
distribution in the vertical transistor of Embodiment 1 and the
vertical transistor of Reference Example.
[0050] FIG. 1D is a graph showing the relationship between the
onresistance and the withstand voltage in the vertical transistor
of Embodiment 1 and the vertical transistor of Reference
Example.
[0051] FIG. 1E is a cross sectional view showing another example of
the structure of the vertical transistor of Embodiment 1.
[0052] FIG. 2A is a cross sectional view showing an example of the
structure of the vertical transistor of Embodiment 2.
[0053] FIG. 2B is a cross sectional view showing another example of
the structure of the vertical transistor of Embodiment 2.
[0054] FIG. 2C is a cross sectional view showing yet another
example of the structure of the vertical transistor of Embodiment
2.
[0055] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view showing the structure of
the vertical transistor of Embodiment 3.
[0056] FIG. 4A is a cross sectional view showing the structure of
the vertical transistor of Embodiment 4.
[0057] FIG. 4B is a graph schematically showing the charge
distribution in Embodiment 4.
[0058] FIG. 4C is a graph showing the relationship between the
onresistance and the withstand voltage in the vertical transistor
of Embodiment 4 and the vertical transistor of Reference
Example.
[0059] FIG. 5A is a cross sectional view showing the structure of
the vertical transistor of Embodiment 5.
[0060] FIG. 5B is a graph schematically showing the charge
distribution in Embodiment 5.
[0061] FIG. 6A is a cross sectional view showing the structure of
the vertical transistor of Embodiment 6.
[0062] FIG. 6B is a graph showing the relationship between the
onresistance and the withstand voltage in the vertical transistor
of Embodiment 6 and the vertical transistor of Reference
Example.
[0063] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view showing the structure of
the vertical transistor of Embodiment 7.
[0064] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view showing the structure of
the vertical transistor of Reference Example.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0065] According to the semiconductor device of the present
invention, at the time of application of a voltage between the
source electrode and the drain electrode, the electric field
concentration can be relieved by neutralizing (cancelling) a
positive charge that is generated in the second n-type
semiconductor layer due to donor impurity by a negative
polarization charge that is generated in the second n-type
semiconductor layer. Thereby, the trade-off between the withstand
voltage and the on-resistance can be improved.
[0066] Hereinafter, the semiconductor device of the present
invention will be described in detail. However, the present
invention is not limited to the following embodiments.
Embodiment 1
[0067] FIG. 1A is a cross sectional view showing an example of the
structure of the semiconductor device of the present embodiment.
This semiconductor device is a vertical field effect transistor (in
the present invention, this may be simply referred to as a
"vertical transistor") that has semiconductor layers each formed of
a III-nitride semiconductor and allows a current to be passed in
the direction perpendicular to the semiconductor layers. As shown
in FIG. 1A, this vertical transistor is formed at the upper side of
a substrate 1 such as sapphire. On the upper surface of the
substrate 1, a buffer layer 20 is formed. Further, on the upper
surface of the buffer layer 20, an AlGaN buffer layer 21 and a high
concentration n-type AlGaN layer 22 grown on Ga-face are laminated
in this order. On a part of the upper surface of the high
concentration n-type AlGaN layer 22, an n-type Al.sub.yGa.sub.1-yN
layer 23, a p-type GaN layer 24, an n-type GaN layer 25, and a high
concentration n-type GaN layer 26 are laminated in this order. On
the parts of the upper surface of the high concentration n-type
AlGaN layer 22 where the aforementioned layers are not laminated,
drain electrodes 13 that are in ohmic-contact with the high
concentration n-type AlGaN layer 22 are formed. A part of the
n-type Al.sub.yGa.sub.1-yN layer 23, a part of the p-type GaN layer
24, a part of the n-type GaN layer 25, and a part of the high
concentration n-type GaN layer 26 are removed by etching or the
like to form an opening portion to be filled that extends from the
upper surface of the high concentration n-type GaN layer 26 to the
upper part of the n-type Al.sub.yGa.sub.1-yN layer 23. The opening
portion to be filled is filled with the gate electrode 14 via a
gate insulation film 15. The gate electrode 14 is in contact with
the upper surface of the n-type Al.sub.yGa.sub.1-yN layer 23, the
side surfaces of the p-type GaN layer 24, the side surfaces of the
n-type GaN layer 25, and the side surfaces of the high
concentration n-type GaN layer 26 at the inner surfaces of the
opening portion to be filled via the gate insulation film 15, and
thereby forms a so-called MIS electrode structure. On the parts of
the upper surface of the high concentration n-type GaN layer 26
where the gate insulation film 15 and the gate electrode 14 are not
formed, source electrodes 12 that are in ohmic-contact with the
high concentration n-type GaN layer 26 are formed. The Al
composition ratio x of the Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23 decreases
from the drain electrode side toward the source electrode side.
Here, the AlGaN buffer layer 21 and the high concentration n-type
AlGaN layer 22 grown on Ga-face each correspond to the "first
n-type semiconductor layer". The Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23
corresponds to the "second n-type semiconductor layer". The p-type
GaN layer 24 corresponds to the "p-type semiconductor layer". The
n-type GaN layer 25 and the high concentration n-type GaN layer 26
each correspond to the "third n-type semiconductor layer".
[0068] Note here that in the present invention, unless otherwise
noted, "at the upper side" is not limited to a state where a first
component is directly in contact with the upper surface of a second
component (on) but may include a state where another component is
present between two components, i.e., a state where the first
component is not directly in contact with the upper surface of the
second component (above). Similarly, unless otherwise noted, "at
the lower side" may include a state where a first component is
directly in contact with the lower surface of a second component
(on) or a state where another component is present between two
components, i.e., a state where the first component is not directly
in contact with the lower surface of the second component (below).
Further, "on the upper surface" indicates a state where a first
component is directly in contact with the upper surface of a second
component. Similarly, "on the lower surface" indicates a state
where a first component is directly in contact with the lower
surface of a second component. Unless otherwise noted, "at the one
side" may include a state where a first component is directly in
contact with the one side of a second component or a state where
another component is present between two components, i.e., a state
where the first component is not directly in contact with the one
side of the second component. The same applies to "at the both
sides". "On the one side" indicates a state where a first component
is directly in contact with the one side of a second component. The
same applies to "on the both sides".
[0069] Hereinafter, the withstand voltage and the on-resistance of
the vertical field effect transistor of the foregoing configuration
will be described. However, the following descriptions, numerical
values, and the like are merely illustrative and do not limit the
present invention. Further, in the present invention, in the case
where the present invention is specified by numerical limitations,
it may be strictly specified by the numerical value or may be
roughly specified by the numerical value. Further, the Equations
are just theoretical equations and actual behaviors of the
semiconductor device of the present invention may not fully agree
with the Equations.
[0070] First, in the vertical field effect transistor of FIG. 1A,
the Al composition ratios of the AlGaN buffer layer 21, the high
concentration n-type AlGaN layer 22, and the lowest part of the
n-type AlGaN layer 23 agree with one another, and the value thereof
is defined as x.sub.0. Here, the Al composition ratio of the
uppermost part of the n-type Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23 is
defined as x.sub.A, and it is assumed that composition changes from
the lowest part toward the uppermost part in K stages (K is an
integer more than 2). When the value K is sufficiently large, it
can be considered that the composition change is continuous.
Hereinafter, the Al composition ratio of the layer at the k.sup.th
in the n-type Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23 is defined as x.sub.k (k
is an integer from 0 to K, k=0 represents the interface between the
n-type Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23 and the n-type AlGaN layer 22).
Here, in the present invention, the "composition" represents the
quantitative relationship of the number of atoms of elements that
configure a semiconductor layer or the like. The "composition
ratio" represents the relative ratio between the number of atoms of
specific elements that configure the semiconductor layer or the
like and the number of atoms of other elements. For example, in the
Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN, the numerical value of x is referred to as a
"Al composition ratio".
[0071] According to O. Ambacher, et al., "Pyroelectric properties
of Al(In)GaN/GaN hetero- and quantum well structures," Journal of
Physics: Condensed Matter, Vol. 14, pp. 3399-3434 (2002), the
spontaneous polarization charge P.sub.SP that is generated in the
AlGaN having an Al composition ratio x.sub.k is expressed by the
following Equation (9).
[Equation 9]
P.sub.SP.sup.AlGaN(x.sub.k)=-0.090x.sub.k-0.034(1-x.sub.k)+0.021x.sub.k(-
1-x.sub.k)[Cm.sup.-2] (9)
[0072] Here, the distortion .epsilon..sub.k of the layer at the
k.sup.th in the n-type Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23 is defined as
the following Equation (10).
[ Equation 10 ] k = a 0 - a k a k ( 10 ) ##EQU00009##
[0073] In the Equation (10), the meanings of the symbols are as
follows: [0074] a.sub.0: lattice constant at interface between
n-type Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23 and n-type AlGaN layer 22
[0075] a.sub.k: lattice constant of layer at k.sup.th from bottom
in n-type Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23 (Al composition ratio
x.sub.k)
[0076] In the present embodiment, the Al composition ratio
decreases as it goes toward the upper part of the semiconductor
device. Therefore, the lattice constant is greater at the upper
part, which can be expressed as .epsilon.<0. At this time, the
piezoelectric polarization charge P.sub.PZ that is generated in
AlGaN is expressed by the following Equation (11).
[Equation 11]
P.sub.PZ.sup.AlGaN(x.sub.k)=-0.918.epsilon..sub.k+9.541.epsilon..sub.k.s-
up.2-(0.89.epsilon..sub.k+3.915.epsilon..sub.k.sup.2)x.sub.k[Cm.sup.-2]
(11)
[0077] The polarization charge P.sub.POL of the AlGaN layer at the
k.sup.th from the bottom in the n-type Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23
is expressed by the following Equation (12).
[Equation 12]
P.sub.POL.sup.AlGaN(x.sub.k)=P.sub.SP.sup.AlGaN(x.sub.k)+P.sub.PZ.sup.Al-
GaN(x.sub.k) (12)
[0078] There is the difference in the polarization charge between
the layer at the k-1.sup.th from the bottom and the layer at the
k.sup.th from the bottom, and the negative charge
.DELTA..sigma..sub.k corresponding to the difference is present at
the interface between the both layers. The negative charge
.DELTA..sigma..sub.k is expressed by the following Equation
(13).
[Equation 13]
.DELTA..sigma..sub.k=P.sub.POL.sup.AlGaN(x.sub.k)-P.sub.POL.sup.AlGaN(x.-
sub.k-1) (13)
[0079] When the volume density of the negative charge at the
interface is defined as N.sub.POL and the thickness of the AlGaN
layer at the k.sup.th from the bottom is defined as t.sub.k, the
following Equation (14) is given.
[ Equation 14 ] N POL = .DELTA..sigma. k t k ( 14 )
##EQU00010##
[0080] FIG. 1B is a graph showing the relationship between x and
the charge density in the n-type Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer that is
calculated with the following conditions: x.sub.0=0.3, x.sub.A=0
(i.e., GaN), and K=100. In FIG. 1B, the horizontal axis shows the
Al composition ratio and the vertical axis shows the negative
charge density (q/cm.sup.3). It is to be noted that, in FIG. 1B,
the description of the "q (elementary charge)" of the unit of the
negative charge density is omitted. Hereinafter, in the present
invention, with respect to the charge density, the density or the
concentration that is obtained by converting the multiples of the
"q (elementary charge)" to the absolute value is described unless
otherwise noted. For example, when the unit of the charge density
is simply represented by "m.sup.-3", it shall indicate the absolute
value of the value that is obtained by dividing a charge that is
present in 1 m.sup.-3 by q (elementary charge). Further, in the
present invention, with respect to the impurity concentration, the
density or the concentration that is obtained by converting a
maximum value of the charge that can be generated due to the
impurity to the absolute value of the multiples of the "q
(elementary charge)" is described unless otherwise noted. For
example, when the unit of the impurity concentration is simply
represented by "m.sup.-3", it shall indicate the absolute value of
the value that is obtained by dividing a maximum value of the
charge that can be generated due to the impurity that is present in
1 m.sup.-3 by q (elementary charge). A maximum value of the charge
that can be generated due to the impurity is equal to the charge
that is generated due to the impurity in the case where the
activation rate (ionization rate) of the impurity is 100%. Further,
the units of the charge density and the impurity concentration are
cm.sup.-3 unless otherwise noted. In FIG. 1B, calculation was made
on the premise that the total thickness t.sub.AlGaN of the AlGaN
layer (n-type Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer) having composition that
changes continuously (hereinafter this may be referred to as the
"graded composition") was 1 .mu.m. In FIG. 1B, the solid line
indicated with "Constant step" shows the result of the case where
t.sub.k was constant (10 nm). As can be seen from FIG. 1B, the
negative charge density decreases approximately linearly from the
drain side toward the source side. In this case, the change of
about .+-.17% relative to the average negative charge density is
generated. Also in such a charge distribution density, sufficient
effects such as the cancellation of the positive charge due to the
donor impurity and the improvement of the trade-off between the
withstand voltage and the on-resistance can be obtained.
Hereinafter, to make the negative charge density constant will be
considered.
[0081] That is, as shown in FIG. 1B, since the surface density of
the negative charge at the source side is high when t.sub.k is
constant (10 nm), the volume density can be made constant by
thinning t.sub.k in accordance with the decrease in the surface
density. In other words, when the thickness of the 1.sup.st layer
is defined as t.sub.1, the following Equation (15) can be
given.
[Equation 15]
t.sub.k=t.sub.1-(k-1).DELTA.t (15)
[0082] In this manner, on the basis of the premise that the second
n-type semiconductor layer includes plural layers, if the thickness
of the layer at the side where the Al composition ratio is high
(the drain electrode side) is designed large and the thickness of
the layer at the side where the Al composition ratio is low (the
source electrode side) is designed small, the configuration in
which the decreasing gradient of the Al composition ratio of the
second n-type semiconductor layer is a steep gradient from the
drain electrode side toward the source electrode side can be
achieved. This makes it possible to make the negative charge
density of the second n-type semiconductor layer uniform from the
drain electrode side to the source electrode side as shown by the
dashed line that is indicated with "Corrected step" in FIG. 1B, for
example. This can be applied not only to the case where the
thicknesses of the plural layers are sufficiently small and the
composition change of the second n-type semiconductor layer can be
regarded as continuous but also to the case where the thicknesses
of the plural layers are large and the composition change of the
second n-type semiconductor layer is stepwise.
[0083] Here, when the average of the negative charge density
(m.sup.-3) is defined as N.sub.POL.sup.AVG and the difference is
defined as .DELTA.N.sub.POL, the following Equation (16) is
given.
[ Equation 16 ] .DELTA. t = t AlGaN K .DELTA. N POL N POL AVG ( 16
) ##EQU00011##
[0084] When the graded composition AlGaN layer that has such a
negative charge density distribution is doped with donor impurity
of N.sub.D=N.sub.POL, the electric field at the time of application
of a reverse bias is at a constant value as in the case of an
intrinsic semiconductor. The graph of FIG. 1C schematically shows
this relationship. In FIG. 1C, the horizontal axis shows the
electric field intensity and the vertical axis shows a position in
the n-type Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23 of FIG. 1A or the n-type
AlGaN layer 23 of FIG. 8 from the drain electrode side toward the
source electrode side in the direction perpendicular to the plane
of the substrate. In FIG. 1C, "Present Embodiment" indicates the
n-type Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23 of FIG. 1 and "Reference
Example" indicates the n-type AlGaN layer 23 of FIG. 8 having no
composition gradient (change). As shown in FIG. 1C, in the vertical
transistor of FIG. 8 having the n-type AlGaN layer 23 that has no
composition gradient (change), the electric field intensity is the
linear function and the electric field intensity shows its maximum
value directly below the interface at the source side of the n-type
AlGaN layer 23. The thickness of the n-type AlGaN layer 23 is
designed so that a maximum value of the electric field intensity
does not exceed the insulation breakdown electric field. On the
other hand, when the vertical transistor of FIG. 1A (the present
embodiment) is activated with the same semiconductor film thickness
and the same reverse bias, the electric field intensity becomes
uniform as shown in FIG. 1C, and its maximum value is decreased. In
other words, with respect to the vertical transistor of FIG. 1A
that satisfies the Equation (16), the reverse bias can further be
applied, which means that the withstand voltage is increased.
Hereinafter, this effect will be described in detail.
[0085] Since the electric field intensity is uniform in the
vertical transistor of FIG. 1A that satisfies the Equation (16),
the thickness d.sub.B (m) of the semiconductor layer required for
achieving the withstand voltage V.sub.B is expressed by the
following Equation (17).
[ Equation 17 ] d B = V B E crit ( 17 ) ##EQU00012##
[0086] The surface density of the polarization charge that can be
generated in the vertical transistor of the present embodiment is
expressed by the following Equation (18) based on the Equation
(13). In other words, the surface density of the polarization
charge is equal to the surface density in the case where the AlGaN
layer having an Al composition ratio x.sub.A is formed at the upper
side of the AlGaN buffer layer having an Al composition ratio
x.sub.0.
[ Equation 18 ] k = 1 K .DELTA. .sigma. k = k = 1 K ( P POL AlGaN (
x k ) - P POL AlGaN ( x k - 1 ) ) = P POL AlGaN ( x K ) - P POL
AlGaN ( x 0 ) = P POL AlGaN ( x A ) ( 18 ) ##EQU00013##
[0087] On the basis of the Equations (17) and (18), the volume
density N.sub.POL.sup.MAX (Cm.sup.-3) of the polarization charge
that can be generated in the case where the withstand voltage of
the vertical transistor of FIG. 1A that satisfies the Equation (16)
is V.sub.B is expressed by the following Equation (19).
[ Equation 19 ] N POL MAX = P POL AlGaN ( x A ) d B ( 19 )
##EQU00014##
[0088] Since doping of the donor impurity having the same
concentration as this value N.sub.POL.sup.MAX can be performed in
the present embodiment, on the basis of the Equation (6), the
on-resistance R.sub.on (.OMEGA.m.sup.2) is expressed by the
following Equation (20).
[ Equation 20 ] R on = d B qN POL MAX .mu. ( 20 ) ##EQU00015##
[0089] The following Equation (21) is derived from the Equations
(17), (19), and (20).
[ Equation 21 ] R on = V B 2 q .mu. P POL AlGaN ( x A ) E crit 2 (
21 ) ##EQU00016##
[0090] FIG. 1D is a graph plotting the relationship between the
on-resistance R.sub.on and the withstand voltage V.sub.B on the
basis of the Equations (8) and (21). In FIG. 1D, the vertical axis
shows the on-resistance R.sub.on and the horizontal axis shows the
withstand voltage V.sub.B. The solid line shows the plot in the
case where the composition ratio is constant at x=0 (i.e., the GaN
layer). Three dashed lines show plots of the Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN
layer in the cases where x is continuously decreased from the
values of x.sub.0 shown in FIG. 1D to x.sub.A=0. As shown in FIG.
1D, compared with the GaN layer indicated by the solid line, the
Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23 in which composition is changed from
x.sub.0=0.3 to x.sub.A=0 can decrease the on-resistance to a third
at the same withstand voltage. The on-resistance at the same
withstand voltage can be decreased to 15% of the GaN layer by
further increasing a polarization charge with x.sub.0=0.62 and the
on-resistance can be decreased to 8% of the GaN layer by generating
a maximum polarization charge in this system with x.sub.0=1.0. This
tells that the vertical transistor of the present embodiment can
greatly decrease the on-resistance as compared to a conventional
vertical transistor at the same withstand voltage.
[0091] As described above, according to the present embodiment, by
designing the n-type semiconductor layer as AlGaN having graded
composition, the charge due to polarization can be distributed and
cancelled by the charge due to impurity. Thereby, the charge
density at the time of reverse bias can be set lower than the
carrier density at the time of forward bias, and the improvement of
the trade-off between the on-resistance and the withstand voltage
beyond the physical limit that has been described can be achieved.
More specifically, by decreasing the Al composition ratio of AlGaN
from the drain side toward the source side, the negative charge can
be distributed in the semiconductor layer formed of the AlGaN. This
negative charge has the function of cancelling the positive charge
due to donor impurity when the transistor is in the off-state.
Therefore, the vertical transistor of the present embodiment can
achieve a withstand voltage higher than a conventional vertical
transistor if they have the semiconductor layers of the same
thickness. On the other hand, since this negative charge does not
affect the carrier concentration when the transistor is in the
on-state, the on-resistance does not change. That is, according to
the present embodiment, the trade-off between the on-resistance and
the withstand voltage can be improved beyond the physical limit
[0092] The method of producing the vertical transistor of FIG. 1A
is not particularly limited and is, for example, as follows. First,
a semiconductor is grown at the upper side of a sapphire substrate
1, for example, by the molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth method.
The semiconductor layer formed in this manner has an undoped AlN
buffer layer 20 (thickness: 20 nm), an undoped AlGaN buffer layer
21 (thickness: 2 .mu.m), a high concentration n-type AlGaN layer 22
(thickness: 500 nm, doping concentration: 3.times.10.sup.18
cm.sup.-3, and Al composition ratio: 0.3), a graded composition
n-type AlGaN layer 23 (thickness: 1.8 .mu.m, doping concentration:
7.1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3, and Al composition ratio:
0.3.fwdarw.0), a p-type GaN layer 24 (thickness: 0.2 .mu.m and
doping concentration: 1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3), an n-type GaN
layer 25 (thickness: 0.5 .mu.m and doping concentration:
1.times.10.sup.17 cm.sup.-3), and a high concentration n-type GaN
layer 26 (thickness: 0.2 .mu.m and doping concentration:
1.times.10.sup.18 cm.sup.-3) from the substrate side in this order.
Next, parts of the epitaxial structure are removed by etching until
the high concentration n-type AlGaN layer 22 is exposed, drain
electrodes 13 are formed by vapor deposition of metal such as
Ti/Al, for example, at the upper side of the high concentration
n-type AlGaN layer 22, and the drain electrodes 13 are brought into
ohmic-contact with the high concentration n-type AlGaN layer 22 by
annealing at 650.degree. C. Then, source electrodes 12 are formed
by vapor deposition of metal such as Ni/Au, for example, at the
upper side of the high concentration n-type GaN layer 26.
Thereafter, parts of the semiconductor layers between the source
electrodes 12 are removed by etching until the upper layer of the
graded composition n-type AlGaN layer 23 (thickness: 1.8 .mu.m,
doping concentration: 7.1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3, and Al
composition ratio: 0.3.fwdarw.0) is exposed, and the gate
insulation film 15 and the gate electrode 14 are formed
sequentially. In this manner, the vertical transistor shown in FIG.
1A is produced. The vertical transistor produced in this manner can
decrease the on-state resistance, for example, to
1.6.times.10.sup.-5 .OMEGA.m.sup.2, which is a third of a
conventional art, with respect to the withstand voltage at 600
V.
[0093] The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned
description. For example, the semiconductor device of the present
invention is not limited to the field effect transistor and can be
any semiconductor device as long as it satisfies the requirements
of the present invention. Further, for example, the first n-type
semiconductor layer, the second n-type semiconductor layer, the
p-type semiconductor layer, and the third n-type semiconductor
layer are each preferably a nitride semiconductor layer. As
described above, each of these layers is more preferably a
III-nitride semiconductor layer. However, the present invention is
not limited thereto and any semiconductor layer can be employed.
Further, the first n-type semiconductor layer, the second n-type
semiconductor layer, the p-type semiconductor layer, and the third
n-type semiconductor layer may be laminated at the upper side of
the substrate via other layer(s) such as a buffer layer as shown in
FIG. 1A or the first n-type semiconductor layer, the second n-type
semiconductor layer, the p-type semiconductor layer, and the third
n-type semiconductor layer may be laminated directly on the
substrate as shown in FIG. 1E. The first n-type semiconductor layer
and the third n-type semiconductor layer are each preferably formed
of plural layers as shown in FIG. 1A from the viewpoint of smooth
contact with other layers, electrical properties of semiconductor
devices, and the like. However, the first n-type semiconductor
layer and the third n-type semiconductor layer may each have a
monolayer structure. For example, in place of the AlGaN buffer
layer 21 and the high concentration n-type AlGaN layer 22 shown in
FIG. 1A, a first n-type semiconductor layer 21', which is a
monolayer, may be arranged as shown in FIG. 1E. Further, for
example, in place of the n-type GaN layer 25 and the high
concentration n-type GaN layer 26 shown in FIG. 1A, a third n-type
semiconductor layer 25', which is a monolayer, may be arranged as
shown in FIG. 1E. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the gate
electrode 14 preferably has a so-called MIS structure in which an
electrode is in contact with semiconductor layers via a gate
insulation film. However, for example, as shown in FIG. 1E, the
gate electrode 14 may directly be in Schottky-contact with the
second n-type semiconductor layer, the p-type semiconductor layer,
and the third n-type semiconductor layer without involving a gate
insulation film. In the present invention, "contact" may represent
the state in which components are directly in contact with each
other or the state in which components are in contact with each
other via other component(s). For example, the state in which the
gate electrode is in contact with the second n-type semiconductor
layer, the p-type semiconductor layer, and the third n-type
semiconductor layer may be the state in which the gate electrode is
directly in contact with the second n-type semiconductor layer, the
p-type semiconductor layer, and the third n-type semiconductor
layer. Alternatively, the state in which the gate electrode is in
contact with the second n-type semiconductor layer, the p-type
semiconductor layer, and the third n-type semiconductor layer may
be the state in which the gate electrode is in contact with the
second n-type semiconductor layer, the p-type semiconductor layer,
and the third n-type semiconductor layer via a gate insulation
film. Further, preferably, the second n-type semiconductor layer
has composition represented by Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN
(0.ltoreq.x<1) as shown in FIG. 1A, and the relationship between
the Al composition ratio at the interface at the first n-type
semiconductor layer side x.sub.0 (x.sub.0>0) and the Al
composition ratio at the interface at the p-type semiconductor
layer side x.sub.A (x.sub.A.gtoreq.0) satisfies the following
equation: x.sub.0>x.sub.A. However, the present invention is not
limited thereto. For example, the first n-type semiconductor may be
GaN and the second n-type semiconductor layer may be a III-nitride
semiconductor other than AlGaN such as InGaN, InAlGaN, or the like.
More specifically, for example, the second n-type semiconductor
layer may have composition represented by In.sub.yGa.sub.1-yN
(0.ltoreq.y<1), and the composition ratio y may increase from
the drain electrode side toward the source electrode side. In this
case, the relationship between the composition ratio of InGaN at
the interface at the first n-type semiconductor layer side y.sub.0
(y.sub.0.gtoreq.0) and the composition ratio of InGaN at the
interface at the p-type semiconductor layer side y.sub.A
(y.sub.A>0) satisfies the following equation:
y.sub.A>y.sub.0. Also, for example, the second n-type
semiconductor layer may have composition represented by
In.sub.xAl.sub.yGa.sub.1-x-yN (0.ltoreq.x<1, 0.ltoreq.y<1)
and may satisfy at least one of the condition in which the
composition ratio x increases from the drain electrode side toward
the source electrode side and the condition in which the
composition ratio y decreases from the drain electrode side toward
the source electrode side. In the case where the composition ratio
x increases from the drain electrode side toward the source
electrode side, the relationship between the composition ratio at
the interface at the first n-type semiconductor layer side x.sub.0
(x.sub.0.gtoreq.0) and the composition ratio at the interface at
the p-type semiconductor layer side x.sub.A (x.sub.A>0)
satisfies the following equation: x.sub.A>x.sub.0. In the case
where the composition ratio y decreases from the drain electrode
side toward the source electrode side, the relationship between the
composition ratio at the interface at the first n-type
semiconductor layer side y.sub.0 (y.sub.0.gtoreq.0) and the
composition ratio at the interface at the p-type semiconductor
layer side y.sub.A (y.sub.A>0) satisfies the following equation:
y.sub.0>y.sub.A. Further, the positions of the source electrodes
and the drain electrodes are not limited to those shown in FIG. 1A.
Furthermore, sapphire is employed as the material of the substrate
in the present embodiment. However, the present invention is not
limited thereto and any material such as SiC, Si, GaN, or the like
can be employed. Moreover, the substrate is not limited to a single
material and a substrate composed of plural materials such as SOI
may be employed. The same applies to the following embodiments.
Embodiment 2
[0094] Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be
described.
[0095] FIG. 2A is a cross sectional view showing the structure of
the semiconductor device of the present embodiment. This vertical
transistor is formed at the upper side of a substrate 2 such as
SiC. On the upper surface of the substrate 2, a buffer layer 20, an
AlGaN buffer layer 21, and a high concentration n-type AlGaN layer
22 grown on Ga-face are laminated in this order. Further, on the
upper surface of the high concentration n-type AlGaN layer 22, an
n-type Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23, a p-type GaN layer 24, an
n-type GaN layer 25, and a high concentration n-type GaN layer 26
are laminated in this order. At the upper side of the high
concentration n-type GaN layer 26, source electrodes 12 that are in
ohmic-contact with the high concentration n-type GaN layer 26 are
arranged. On the lower surface of the SiC substrate 2, a drain
electrode 13 that is in contact with the high concentration n-type
AlGaN layer 22 via a via hole (an opening portion to be filled that
extends through the substrate 2, the buffer layer 20, and the AlGaN
buffer layer 21 to the lower part of the high concentration n-type
AlGaN layer 22 grown on Ga-face) is arranged. Arrangement of the
gate electrode is the same as that shown in FIG. 1A. The Al
composition ratio x of the Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23 decreases
from the drain side toward the source side. Here, the AlGaN buffer
layer 21 and the high concentration n-type AlGaN layer 22 grown on
Ga-face each correspond to the "first n-type semiconductor layer".
The Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23 corresponds to the "second
semiconductor layer". The p-type GaN layer 24 corresponds to the
"p-type semiconductor layer". The n-type GaN layer 25 and the high
concentration n-type GaN layer 26 each correspond to the "third
n-type semiconductor layer".
[0096] The vertical transistor of FIG. 2A can be produced, for
example, as follows. The aforementioned semiconductor layers are
grown at the upper side of the SiC substrate 2, for example, by the
molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth method. The semiconductor layer
formed in this manner has, for example, an undoped AlN buffer layer
20 (thickness: 20 nm), an undoped AlGaN buffer layer 21 (thickness:
2 .mu.m), a high concentration n-type AlGaN layer 22 (thickness:
500 nm, doping concentration: 3.times.10.sup.18 cm.sup.-3, and Al
composition ratio: 0.3), a graded composition n-type AlGaN layer 23
(thickness: 1.8 .mu.m, doping concentration: 7.1.times.10.sup.16
cm.sup.-3, and Al composition ratio: 0.3.fwdarw.0), a p-type GaN
layer 24 (thickness: 0.2 .mu.m and doping concentration:
1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3), an n-type GaN layer 25 (thickness:
0.5 .mu.m and doping concentration: 1.times.10.sup.17 cm.sup.-3),
and a high concentration n-type GaN layer 26 (thickness: 0.2 .mu.m
and doping concentration: 1.times.10.sup.18 cm.sup.-3) from the
substrate side in this order.
[0097] Then, source electrodes 12 are formed by vapor deposition of
metal such as Ni/Au, for example, at the upper side of the high
concentration n-type GaN layer 26. Thereafter, parts of the
semiconductor layers between the source electrodes 12 are removed
by etching until the upper layer of the graded composition n-type
AlGaN layer 23 (thickness: 1.8 .mu.m, doping concentration:
7.1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3, and Al composition ratio:
0.3.fwdarw.0) is exposed, and a gate insulation film 15 and a gate
electrode 14 are formed sequentially. Further, a part of the SiC
substrate 2, a part of the undoped AlN buffer layer 20, and a part
of the undoped AlGaN buffer layer 21 are removed by etching until
the high concentration n-type AlGaN layer 22 is exposed to form a
via hole (opening portion to be filled), and a drain electrode 13
is formed by vapor deposition of metal such as Ti/Al, for example,
so that it is in contact with the high concentration n-type AlGaN
layer 22. In this manner, the vertical transistor shown in FIG. 2A
is produced. Since the vertical transistor produced in this manner
has a semiconductor layer structure similar to that of Embodiment
1, for example, the on-resistance can be decreased, for example, to
1.6.times.10.sup.-5 .OMEGA.m.sup.2, which is a third of a
conventional art, with respect to the withstand voltage at 600 V.
Further, since the drain electrode is formed on the back surface
(lower surface), a substantial chip area can further be
reduced.
[0098] For example, in the case where a high concentration n-type
conductive substrate is used as the substrate, as shown in FIG. 2B
or FIG. 2C, without forming a via hole (opening portion to be
filled) in the substrate 2, the undoped AlN buffer layer 20, and
the undoped AlGaN buffer layer 21, a drain electrode 13 formed on
the lower surface of the n-type conductive substrate 29 can be
electrically connected to the high concentration n-type GaN layer
28 and the high concentration n-type AlGaN layer 22 (first n-type
semiconductor layer) via the n-type conductive substrate 29. The
vertical transistors shown in FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C each have a
structure similar to that of the vertical transistor shown in FIG.
2A except that each of the vertical transistors shown in FIG. 2B
and FIG. 2C uses the n-type conductive substrate 29 in place of the
SiC substrate 2, is not provided with the buffer layer 20, is
provided with the high concentration n-type GaN layer 28 in place
of the AlGaN buffer layer 21, and, as described above, has no via
hole (opening portion to be filled) formed in the SiC substrate 2,
the undoped AlN buffer layer 20, and the undoped AlGaN buffer layer
21. The shape of the gate electrode may be a rectangle (FIG. 2B) as
in the case of the electrodes shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 2A, a
V-shape (FIG. 2C), a trapezoid having a short base, or the
like.
[0099] Further, in the case where the drain electrode is formed
from the lower surface side of the first n-type semiconductor layer
as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, for example, the first n-type
semiconductor layer may have composition that changes continuously
or in a stepwise manner from the drain electrode side toward the
source electrode side in the direction perpendicular to the plane
of the substrate. In this case, for example, the first n-type
semiconductor layer and the second n-type semiconductor layer may
have no boundary therebetween and they may form one layer having
composition that changes continuously or in a stepwise manner from
the drain electrode side of the first n-type semiconductor layer to
the source electrode side of the second n-type semiconductor
layer.
[0100] Further, the positions of the source electrodes and the
drain electrode are not limited to those shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and
2C. Furthermore, SiC is employed as the material of the substrate
in the present embodiment. However, the present invention is not
limited thereto and any material such as sapphire, Si, GaN, or the
like can be employed. Moreover, the substrate is not limited to a
single material and a substrate composed of plural materials such
as SOI may be employed.
Embodiment 3
[0101] Next, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be
described.
[0102] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view showing the structure of
the vertical transistor of the present embodiment. This vertical
transistor has a structure similar to that of the vertical
transistor of Embodiment 1 except that the way of change of the
composition of the n-type Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23 is
different. In FIG. 3, although the Al composition ratio x of the
Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23 decreases from the drain side toward
the source side, the vertical transistor of the present embodiment
is different from that of Embodiment 1 in the following points.
[0103] In the n-type Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23 of Embodiment 1,
the volume density of a negative charge due to polarization is kept
constant by changing the amount of increase of the thickness with
respect to the Al composition ratio. In contrast, in the present
embodiment, the change of the thickness is kept constant with
respect to the change of the Al composition ratio. In this case,
the volume density of a negative charge due to polarization is high
at the drain side (N.sub.POL1) and is low at the source side
(N.sub.POL2) as shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, by giving the same
distribution as the volume density of the negative charge to the
donor impurity concentration, i.e., by setting the donor impurity
concentration at the drain electrode side N.sub.D1 high and setting
the donor impurity concentration at the source electrode side
N.sub.D2 low, both of the volume density of the negative charge and
the donor impurity concentration are cancelled. Since the present
embodiment can also achieve the state in which the charge is
cancelled at the time of reverse bias, the same performance as
Embodiment 1 can be obtained.
[0104] The method of producing the vertical transistor of FIG. 3 is
not particularly limited and is, for example, as follows. First, a
semiconductor is grown at the upper side of the sapphire substrate
1, for example, by the molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth method.
The semiconductor layer formed in this manner has, for example, an
undoped AlN buffer layer 20 (thickness: 20 nm), an undoped AlGaN
buffer layer 21 (thickness: 2 .mu.m), a high concentration n-type
AlGaN layer 22 (thickness: 500 nm, doping concentration:
3.times.10.sup.18 cm.sup.-3, and Al composition ratio: 0.3), a
graded composition n-type AlGaN layer 23 (thickness: 1.8 .mu.m,
doping concentration 7.1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3, and Al
composition ratio 0.3.fwdarw.0), a p-type GaN layer 24 (thickness:
0.2 .mu.m and doping concentration: 1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3),
an n-type GaN layer 25 (thickness: 0.5 .mu.m and doping
concentration: 1.times.10.sup.17 cm.sup.-3), and a high
concentration n-type GaN layer 26 (thickness: 0.2 .mu.m and doping
concentration: 1.times.10.sup.18 cm.sup.-3) from the substrate side
in this order.
[0105] Next, parts of the epitaxial structure are removed by
etching until the n-type AlGaN layer 22 is exposed, drain
electrodes 13 are formed by vapor deposition of metal such as
Ti/Al, for example, at the upper side of the high concentration
n-type AlGaN layer 22, and the drain electrodes 13 are brought into
ohmic-contact with the high concentration n-type AlGaN layer 22 by
annealing at 650.degree. C. The gate electrode is produced in the
same manner as in Embodiments 1 and 2. In this manner, the vertical
transistor shown in FIG. 3 is produced. The vertical transistor
produced in this manner can decrease the on-state resistance, for
example, to 1.6.times.10.sup.-5 .OMEGA.cm.sup.2, which is a third
of a conventional art, with respect to the withstand voltage at 600
V.
[0106] In FIG. 3, the drain electrodes are arranged on the upper
surface of the first n-type semiconductor layer in the same manner
as in Embodiment 1. However, the drain electrode may be arranged at
the lower surface side of the first n-type semiconductor layer in
the same manner as in Embodiment 2. Further, the positions of the
source electrodes and the drain electrodes are not limited to those
shown in FIG. 3. Furthermore, the material of the substrate is not
limited to SiC and sapphire and may be Si, GaN, or the like.
Moreover, the substrate is not limited to a single material and a
substrate composed of plural materials such as SOI may be
employed.
Embodiment 4
[0107] Next, Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be
described.
[0108] FIG. 4A is a cross sectional view showing the structure of
the vertical transistor of the present embodiment. This vertical
transistor has a structure similar to that of the vertical
transistors of Embodiments 1 and 3 except that the way of change of
the composition of the n-type Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23 is
different. In FIG. 4A, although the Al composition ratio x of the
Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23 decreases from the drain side toward
the source side, the vertical transistor of the present embodiment
is different from the vertical transistors of Embodiments 1 and 3
in the following points.
[0109] In Embodiment 1, the volume density of a negative charge due
to polarization is kept constant by changing the amount of increase
of the thickness with respect to the Al composition ratio. In
contrast, in the present embodiment, the change of the thickness is
kept constant with respect to the change of the Al composition
ratio. In this case, the volume density of a negative charge due to
polarization is high at the drain side and is low at the source
side. In Embodiment 3, the same distribution as this distribution
is given to the donor impurity concentration. In contrast, in the
present embodiment, the donor impurity concentration has a
distribution that is uniform over the entire structure. In FIG. 4B,
shown is the distribution of the volume density of the negative
charge (negative charge density) of the n-type Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN
layer 23 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 4B, the vertical axis
shows the negative charge density and the positive charge (total
positive charge) density and the horizontal axis shows a position
from the source electrode side to the drain electrode side in the
direction perpendicular to the plane of the substrate. As shown in
FIG. 4B, when the negative charge density at the drain side is
defined as N.sub.POL1 and the negative charge density at the source
side is defined as N.sub.POL2, the following equations are
satisfied: N.sub.D=N.sub.POL1 and N.sub.POL1>N.sub.POL2. The
total positive charge shows the highest value N.sub.max at the
source side and shows 0 at the drain side. When the change of the
composition with respect to u is constant (.beta.), the
distribution of the polarization charge density is expressed by the
following Equation (22).
[ Equation 22 ] .sigma. ( u ) q = N max - .beta. .mu. ( 22 )
##EQU00017##
[0110] Since the charge at the depletion layer end is 0, the
depletion layer width W (m) is expressed by the following Equation
(23).
[ Equation 23 ] W = N max .beta. ( 23 ) ##EQU00018##
[0111] Further, since the electric field at the depletion layer end
is 0, when the Equation (22) is integrated with respect to u, the
following Equation (24) can be derived.
[ Equation 24 ] E = - q .beta. 2 s u 2 + qN max s u - qN max 2 2 s
( 24 ) ##EQU00019##
[0112] Since the electric field intensity shows a maximum value at
u=0, the following Equation (25) is given.
[ Equation 25 ] E max = qN max 2 2 s ( 25 ) ##EQU00020##
[0113] The following Equation (26) is given by integrating the
Equation (24) with respect to u on the assumption that the
following conditions are satisfied: V=0 at the depletion layer end
and V=V.sub.B with u=0.
[ Equation 26 ] V B = 10 s E crit 2 3 qN max ( 26 )
##EQU00021##
[0114] On the basis of the Equations (6), (23), and (25), the
following Equation (27) is given.
[ Equation 27 ] R on = 2 s E crit qN max N D .mu. ( 27 )
##EQU00022##
[0115] In the graph of FIG. 4C, the relationship between the
on-resistance and the withstand voltage of the Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN
layer 23 is plotted on the basis of the Equations (26) and (27). In
FIG. 4C, the vertical axis shows the on-resistance R.sub.on and the
horizontal axis shows the withstand voltage V.sub.B. The solid line
shows the plot in the case where the composition ratio is constant
at x=0 (i.e., the GaN layer). Three dashed lines show plots of the
Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer in the cases where x is continuously
decreased from the values of x.sub.0 shown in FIG. 4C to x.sub.A=0.
As shown in FIG. 4C, in the vertical transistor of the present
embodiment in which the composition is changed from x.sub.0=0.35 to
x.sub.A=0, compared with the GaN layer, the on-resistance at the
same withstand voltage is slightly decreased. The on-resistance at
the same withstand voltage can be decreased to a half of the GaN
layer by further increasing a polarization charge with x.sub.0=0.62
and can be decreased to a quarter of the GaN layer by generating a
maximum polarization charge in this system with x.sub.0=1.0. This
tells that the vertical transistor of the present embodiment can
greatly decrease the on-resistance as compared to a conventional
vertical transistor at the same withstand voltage.
[0116] The method of producing the vertical transistor of FIG. 4A
is not particularly limited and is, for example, as follows. First,
a semiconductor is grown at the upper side of a sapphire substrate
1, for example, by the molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth method.
The semiconductor layer formed in this manner has, for example, an
undoped AlN buffer layer 20 (thickness: 20 nm), an undoped AlGaN
buffer layer 21 (thickness: 2 .mu.m), a high concentration n-type
AlGaN layer 22 (thickness: 500 nm, doping concentration:
3.times.10.sup.18 cm.sup.-3, and Al composition ratio: 0.3), a
graded composition n-type AlGaN layer 23 (thickness: 3.6 .mu.m,
doping concentration: 1.1.times.10.sup.17 cm.sup.-3, and Al
composition ratio: 0.62.fwdarw.0), a p-type GaN layer 24
(thickness: 0.2 .mu.m and doping concentration: 1.times.10.sup.19
cm.sup.-3), an n-type GaN layer 25 (thickness: 0.5 .mu.m and doping
concentration: 1.times.10.sup.17 cm.sup.-3), and a high
concentration n-type GaN layer 26 (thickness: 0.2 .mu.m and doping
concentration: 1.times.10.sup.18 cm.sup.-3) from the substrate side
in this order. Next, parts of the epitaxial structure are removed
by etching until the high concentration n-type AlGaN layer 22 is
exposed, drain electrodes 13 are formed by vapor deposition of
metal such as Ti/Al, for example, at the upper side of the high
concentration n-type AlGaN layer 22, and the drain electrodes 13
are brought into ohmic-contact with the high concentration n-type
AlGaN layer 22 by annealing at 650.degree. C. The gate electrode
can be formed in the same manner as in Embodiments 1 and 3. In this
manner, the vertical transistor shown in FIG. 4A is produced. The
vertical transistor produced in this manner can decrease the
on-state resistance, for example, to 2.1.times.10.sup.-5
.OMEGA.m.sup.2, which is a half of a conventional art, with respect
to the withstand voltage at 600 V.
[0117] In FIG. 4A, the drain electrodes are arranged on the upper
surface of the first n-type semiconductor layer in the same manner
as in Embodiment 1. However, the drain electrode may be arranged at
the lower surface side of the first n-type semiconductor layer in
the same manner as in Embodiment 2. Further, the positions of the
source electrodes and the drain electrodes are not limited to those
shown in FIG. 4A. Furthermore, the material of the substrate is not
limited to SiC and sapphire and may be Si, GaN, or the like.
Moreover, the substrate is not limited to a single material and a
substrate composed of plural materials such as SOI may be
employed.
Embodiment 5
[0118] Next, Embodiment 5 of the present invention will be
described.
[0119] FIG. 5A is a cross sectional view showing the structure of
the vertical transistor of the present embodiment. This vertical
transistor has a structure similar to that of the vertical
transistors of Embodiments 1, 3 and 4 except that the way of change
of the composition of the n-type Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23 is
different. In FIG. 5A, although the Al composition ratio x of the
Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23 decreases from the drain side toward
the source side, the vertical transistor of the present embodiment
is different from the vertical transistors of the aforementioned
embodiments in the following points.
[0120] In Embodiment 4, the donor impurity concentration of the
n-type Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23 is set equal to that at the
drain side. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the donor
impurity concentration of the n-type Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23
is set equal to that at the source side. In other words, the donor
impurity concentration in Embodiment 4 is set equal to a maximum
value of the polarization charge density that is generated due to
the composition change of Al whereas the donor impurity
concentration in the present embodiment is set equal to a minimum
value of the polarization charge density. FIG. 5B shows this
relationship. In FIG. 5B, the vertical axis shows the negative
charge density and the positive charge (total positive charge)
density of the n-type Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23 and the
horizontal axis shows a position from the source electrode side to
the drain electrode side in the direction perpendicular to the
plane of the substrate. As shown in FIG. 5B, when the negative
charge density at the drain side is defined as N.sub.POL1 and the
negative charge density of the source side is defined as
N.sub.POL2, the following equations are satisfied:
N.sub.D=N.sub.POL2 and N.sub.POL1>N.sub.POL2. The total positive
charge shows the highest value N.sub.max (N.sub.max=0) at the
source (pGaN) side and shows minus at the drain side. Although the
negative charge due to polarization remains, since the present
embodiment is the same as Embodiment 4 except that the positive and
the negative of the charge are inverted, the relationship between
the on-resistance and the withstand voltage in the present
embodiment is nearly the same as that in Embodiment 4. The present
embodiment is different from Embodiment 4 in that the electric
field shows its peak at the drain side and the doping concentration
is equal to that at the source side and therefore is lower than
Embodiment 4. Further, Embodiments 4 and 5 show examples in which
the donor impurity concentration agrees with a maximum value or a
minimum value of the polarization negative charge density. However,
similar performances can be obtained with arbitrary composition
between the maximum value and the minimum value.
[0121] The method of producing the vertical transistor of FIG. 5A
is not particularly limited and is, for example, as follows. First,
a semiconductor is grown at the upper side of a sapphire substrate
1, for example, by the molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth method.
The semiconductor layer formed in this manner has, for example, an
undoped AlN buffer layer 20 (thickness: 20 nm), an undoped AlGaN
buffer layer 21 (thickness: 2 .mu.m), a high concentration n-type
AlGaN layer 22 (thickness: 500 nm, doping concentration:
3.times.10.sup.18 cm.sup.-3, and Al composition ratio: 0.3), a
graded composition n-type AlGaN layer 23 (thickness: 3.6 .mu.m,
doping concentration: 9.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3, and Al
composition ratio: 0.62.fwdarw.0), a p-type GaN layer 24
(thickness: 0.2 .mu.m and doping concentration: 1.times.10.sup.19
cm.sup.-3), an n-type GaN layer 25 (thickness: 0.5 .mu.m and doping
concentration: 1.times.10.sup.17 cm.sup.-3), and a high
concentration n-type GaN layer 26 (thickness: 0.2 .mu.m and doping
concentration: 1.times.10.sup.18 cm.sup.-3) from the substrate side
in this order. Next, parts of the epitaxial structure are removed
by etching until the high concentration n-type AlGaN layer 22 is
exposed, drain electrodes 13 are formed by vapor deposition of
metal such as Ti/Al, for example, at the upper side of the high
concentration n-type AlGaN layer 22, and the drain electrodes 13
are brought into ohmic-contact with the high concentration n-type
AlGaN layer 22 by annealing at 650.degree. C. Then, source
electrodes 12 are formed by vapor deposition of metal such as
Ni/Au, for example, at the upper side of the high concentration
n-type GaN layer 26. The gate electrode can be formed in the same
manner as in Embodiments 1, 3, and 4. In this manner, the vertical
transistor shown in FIG. 5A is produced. The vertical transistor
produced in this manner can decrease the on-state resistance, for
example, to 2.2.times.10.sup.-5 .OMEGA.m.sup.2, which is a half of
a conventional art, with respect to the withstand voltage at 600
V.
[0122] In the present embodiment, the drain electrodes are arranged
on the upper surface of the first n-type semiconductor layer in the
same manner as in Embodiment 1. However, the drain electrode may be
arranged at the lower surface side of the first n-type
semiconductor layer in the same manner as in Embodiment 2. Further,
the positions of the source electrodes and the drain electrodes are
not limited to those shown in FIG. 5A. Furthermore, the material of
the substrate is not limited to SiC and sapphire and may be Si,
GaN, or the like. Moreover, the substrate is not limited to a
single material and a substrate composed of plural materials such
as SOI may be employed.
Embodiment 6
[0123] Next, Embodiment 6 of the present invention will be
described.
[0124] FIG. 6A is a cross sectional view showing the structure of
the vertical transistor of the present embodiment. This vertical
transistor has a structure similar to that of the vertical
transistors of Embodiments 1, 3, 4 and 5 except that the way of
change of the composition of the n-type Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer
23 is different. In FIG. 6A, although the Al composition ratio x of
the Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23 decreases from the drain side
toward the source side, the vertical transistor of the present
embodiment is different from the vertical transistors of the
aforementioned embodiments in the following points.
[0125] In the vertical transistors shown in Embodiments 1 and 2,
the positive charge due to donor impurity is completely cancelled
by the negative charge due to polarization charge. Although this
configuration is most effective for improving the trade-off between
the on-resistance and the withstand voltage, in order to perform
the crystal growth by controlling the donor impurity concentration,
the Al composition ratio, and the growth rate at the same time, a
high level of the control technique is required. Even when the
donor impurity concentration does not fully agree with the
polarization charge density, if the positive charge at the time
where the transistor is in the off-state is decreased by the
negative charge due to polarization, the effect of increasing the
withstand voltage can be achieved. In the present embodiment,
V.sub.B (V) can be expressed by the following Equation (28) as a
modification of the Equation (4).
[ Equation 28 ] V B = s E crit 2 2 q ( N D - N POL ) - V bi + kT q
( 28 ) ##EQU00023##
[0126] The on-resistance (.OMEGA.m.sup.2) at this time can be
expressed by the following Equation (29) based on the Equation
(6).
[ Equation 29 ] R on = d min qN D .mu. ( 29 ) ##EQU00024##
[0127] Here, the thickness d.sub.min (m) of the n-type
Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23 is given by the following Equation
(30).
[ Equation 30 ] d min = s E crit q ( N D - N POL ) ( 30 )
##EQU00025##
[0128] FIG. 6B is a graph showing results obtained by plotting the
relationship between the on-resistance and the withstand voltage on
the basis of the Equations (28), (29), and (30). In FIG. 6B, the
vertical axis shows the on-resistance R.sub.on (.OMEGA.cm.sup.-2)
and the horizontal axis shows the withstand voltage V.sub.B (V).
The solid line shows the plot in the case where the composition
ratio is constant at x=0 (i.e., the GaN layer). Three dashed lines
show plots of the Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer in the cases where x is
continuously decreased from the values of x.sub.0 shown in FIG. 6B
to x.sub.A=0. As shown in FIG. 6B, in the vertical transistor of
the present embodiment in which the composition is changed from
x.sub.0=0.3 to x.sub.A=0, compared with the GaN layer shown by the
solid line, the on-resistance at the same withstand voltage can be
decreased to about 60%. The on-resistance at the same withstand
voltage can be decreased to 40% of the GaN layer by further
increasing a polarization charge with x.sub.0=0.62 and can be
decreased to a quarter of the GaN layer by generating a maximum
polarization charge in this system with x.sub.0=1.0. On the basis
of the Equations (28), (29), and (30), the ratio of the donor
impurity concentration to the volume density of the polarization
charge with which the on-resistance shows the lowest value can be
obtained. In other words, according to the Equations (28), (29),
and (30), as compared to a conventional art, the on-resistance can
be decreased, for example, by 20% if the donor impurity
concentration is about 5 times the polarization charge density, and
the on-resistance can be decreased, for example, by 40% if the
donor impurity concentration is about 2.5 times the polarization
charge density. From this reason, in the present invention, it is
preferable that the donor impurity concentration (m.sup.-3) of the
second n-type semiconductor layer is not more than 5 times a
maximum value N.sub.POL.sup.MAX (m.sup.-3) of the volume density of
the polarization charge that can be generated in the second n-type
semiconductor layer. Further, it is more preferable that the donor
impurity concentration (m.sup.-3) of the second n-type
semiconductor layer is not more than 2.5 times a maximum value
N.sub.POL.sup.MAX (m.sup.-3) of the volume density of the
polarization charge that can be generated in the second n-type
semiconductor layer. Ideally, the donor impurity concentration
(m.sup.-3) of the second n-type semiconductor layer is equal to a
maximum value N.sub.POL.sup.MAX (m.sup.-3) of the volume density of
the polarization charge that can be generated in the second n-type
semiconductor layer.
[0129] The method of producing the vertical transistor of FIG. 6A
is not limited and is, for example, as follows. First, a
semiconductor is grown at the upper side of a sapphire substrate 1,
for example, by the molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth method. The
semiconductor layer formed in this manner has, for example, an
undoped AlN buffer layer 20 (thickness: 20 nm), an undoped AlGaN
buffer layer 21 (thickness: 2 .mu.m), a high concentration n-type
AlGaN layer 22 (thickness: 500 nm, doping concentration:
3.times.10.sup.18 cm.sup.-3, and Al composition ratio: 0.3), a
graded composition n-type AlGaN layer 23 (thickness: 3.6 .mu.m,
doping concentration: 8.5.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3, and Al
composition ratio: 0.3.fwdarw.0), a p-type GaN layer 24 (thickness:
0.2 .mu.m and doping concentration: 1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3),
an n-type GaN layer 25 (thickness: 0.5 .mu.m and doping
concentration: 1.times.10.sup.17 cm.sup.-3), and a high
concentration n-type GaN layer 26 (thickness: 0.2 .mu.m and doping
concentration: 1.times.10.sup.18 cm.sup.-3) from the substrate side
in this order. Next, parts of the epitaxial structure are removed
by etching until the n-type AlGaN layer 22 is exposed, drain
electrodes 13 are formed by vapor deposition of metal such as
Ti/Al, for example, at the upper side of the high concentration
n-type AlGaN layer 22, and the drain electrodes 13 are brought into
ohmic-contact with the high concentration n-type AlGaN layer 22 by
annealing at 650.degree. C. Then, source electrodes 12 are formed
by vapor deposition of metal such as Ni/Au, for example, at the
upper side of the high concentration n-type GaN layer 26. The gate
electrode can be formed in the same manner as in the aforementioned
embodiments. In this manner, the vertical transistor shown in FIG.
6A is produced. The vertical transistor produced in this manner can
decrease the on-state resistance, for example, to
2.7.times.10.sup.-5 .OMEGA.m.sup.2, which is 60% of a conventional
art, with respect to the withstand voltage at 600 V.
[0130] In FIG. 6A, the drain electrodes are arranged on the upper
surface of the first n-type semiconductor layer in the same manner
as in Embodiment 1. However, the drain electrode may be arranged at
the lower surface side of the first n-type semiconductor layer in
the same manner as in Embodiment 2. Further, the positions of the
source electrodes and the drain electrodes are not limited to those
shown in FIG. 6A. Furthermore, the material of the substrate is not
limited to SiC and sapphire and may be Si, GaN, or the like.
Moreover, the substrate is not limited to a single material and a
substrate composed of plural materials such as SOI may be
employed.
Embodiment 7
[0131] Next, Embodiment 7 of the present invention will be
described.
[0132] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view showing the structure of
the vertical transistor of the present embodiment. This vertical
transistor has a structure similar to that of the vertical
transistors of Embodiments 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 except that the n-type
Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 27 comprising three layers is used in
place of the n-type Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 23. In FIG. 7,
although the Al composition ratio x of the Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN
layer 27 decreases from the drain side toward the source side, the
vertical transistor of the present embodiment is different from the
vertical transistors of the aforementioned embodiments in the
following points.
[0133] The Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN layer 27 of FIG. 7 comprises three
layers and the Al composition ratio changes from 0.3 at the source
side in three stages, namely 0.2, 0.1, and 0. In this case, the
differences of charges among the three layers can be calculated
respectively as 4.74.times.10.sup.12 cm.sup.-2,
4.25.times.10.sup.12 cm.sup.-2, and 3.78.times.10.sup.12 cm.sup.-2
based on the Equation (13). Since this charge is unevenly
distributed at the interface of each layer, the positive charge due
to donor impurity remains at the time of reverse bias. Therefore,
the performance comparable to that of the vertical transistor
described in Embodiment 6 can be achieved.
[0134] The method of producing the vertical transistor of FIG. 7 is
not particularly limited and is, for example, as follows. First, a
semiconductor is grown at the upper side of a sapphire substrate 1,
for example, by the molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth method. The
semiconductor layer formed in this manner has, for example, an
undoped AlN buffer layer 20 (thickness: 20 nm), an undoped AlGaN
buffer layer 21 (thickness: 2 .mu.m), a high concentration n-type
AlGaN layer 22 (thickness: 500 nm, doping concentration:
3.times.10.sup.18 cm.sup.-3, and Al composition ratio: 0.3), a
stepwise composition n-type AlGaN layer 27 (thickness: 3.6 .mu.m,
doping concentration: 8.5.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3, and Al
composition ratio: 0.3.fwdarw.0), a p-type GaN layer 24 (thickness:
0.2 .mu.m and doping concentration: 1.times.10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3),
an n-type GaN layer 25 (thickness: 0.5 .mu.m and doping
concentration: 1.times.10.sup.17 cm.sup.-3), and a high
concentration n-type GaN layer 26 (thickness: 0.2 .mu.m and doping
concentration: 1.times.10.sup.18 cm.sup.-3) from the substrate side
in this order. Next, parts of the epitaxial structure are removed
by etching until the high concentration n-type AlGaN layer 22 is
exposed, drain electrodes 13 are formed by vapor deposition of
metal such as Ti/Al, for example, at the upper side of the high
concentration n-type AlGaN layer 22, and the drain electrodes 13
are brought into ohmic-contact with the high concentration n-type
AlGaN layer 22 by annealing at 650.degree. C. Then, source
electrodes 12 are formed by vapor deposition of metal such as
Ni/Au, for example, at the upper side of the high concentration
n-type GaN layer 26. The gate electrode can be formed in the same
manner as in the aforementioned embodiments. In this manner, the
vertical transistor shown in FIG. 7 is produced. The vertical
transistor produced in this manner can decrease the on-state
resistance, for example, to 2.7.times.10.sup.-5 .OMEGA.m.sup.2,
which is 60% of a conventional art, with respect to the withstand
voltage at 600 V.
[0135] In the present embodiment, the drain electrodes are arranged
on the upper surface of the first n-type semiconductor layer in the
same manner as in Embodiment 1. However, the drain electrode may be
arranged at the lower surface side of the first n-type
semiconductor layer in the same manner as in Embodiment 2. Further,
the positions of the source electrodes and the drain electrodes are
not limited to those shown in FIG. 7. Furthermore, the material of
the substrate is not limited to SiC and sapphire and may be Si,
GaN, or the like. Moreover, the substrate is not limited to a
single material and a substrate composed of plural materials such
as SOI may be employed.
[0136] As described above, according to the semiconductor device of
the present invention, the trade-off between the on-resistance and
the withstand voltage can be improved beyond the physical limit by
cancelling the positive charge due to donor impurity by the
negative charge due to polarization.
[0137] The invention of the present application was described above
with reference to the embodiments. However, the invention of the
present application is not limited to the above-described
embodiments. Various changes that can be understood by those
skilled in the art can be made in the configurations and details of
the invention of the present application within the scope of the
invention of the present application.
[0138] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent
Application No. 2009-201140 filed on Aug. 31, 2009. The entire
subject matter of the Japanese Patent Application is incorporated
herein by reference.
EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0139] 1 sapphire substrate [0140] 2 SiC substrate [0141] 12 source
electrode [0142] 13 drain electrode [0143] 14 gate electrode [0144]
15 gate insulation film [0145] 20 buffer layer [0146] 21 AlGaN
buffer layer [0147] 22 high concentration n-type AlGaN layer [0148]
23 graded composition n-type AlGaN layer [0149] 24 p-type GaN layer
[0150] 25 n-type GaN layer [0151] 26 high concentration n-type GaN
layer [0152] 27 multilayer n-type AlGaN layer [0153] 28 high
concentration n-type GaN layer [0154] 29 n-type conductive
substrate
* * * * *