Abstract:
A split gate power device is disclosed having a trench containing a U-shaped gate that, when biased above a threshold voltage, creates a conductive channel in a p-well. Below the gate is a field plate in the trench, coupled to the source electrode, for spreading the electric field along the trench to improve the breakdown voltage. The top gate poly is initially formed relatively thin so that it can be patterned using non-CMP techniques, such as dry etching or wet etching. As such, the power device can be fabricated in conventional fabs not having CMP capability. In one embodiment, the thin gate has vertical and lateral portions that create conductive vertical and lateral channels in a p-well. In another embodiment, the thin gate has only vertical portions along the trench sidewalls for minimizing surface area and gate capacitance.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, a power MOSFET cell includes an N+ silicon substrate having a drain electrode. An N-type drift layer is grown over the substrate. An N-type layer, having a higher dopant concentration than the drift region, is then formed along with a trench having sidewalls. A P-well is formed in the N-type layer, and an N+ source region is formed in the P-well. A gate is formed over the P-well's lateral channel and has a vertical extension into the trench. A positive gate voltage inverts the lateral channel and increases the vertical conduction along the sidewalls to reduce on-resistance. A vertical shield field plate is also located next to the sidewalls and may be connected to the gate. The field plate laterally depletes the N-type layer when the device is off to increase the breakdown voltage. A buried layer and sinker enable the use of a topside drain electrode.
Abstract:
A vertical trench MOSFET is formed with deep P-shield regions below portions of each gate trench. The deep P-shield regions are effectively downward extensions of the P-body/well, and are electrically coupled to the top source electrode. The P-shield regions abut the bottom portions and lower sides of the gate trenches, so that those small portions of the gate trench do not create N-channels and do not conduct current. Accordingly, each trench comprises an active gate portion that creates an N-channel and a small non-active portion that abuts the P-shield regions. The spacing of the P-shield regions along each gate trench is selected to achieve the desired electric field spreading to protect the gate oxide from punch-through. No field plate trenches are needed to be formed in the active area of the MOSFET. The deep P-shield regions are formed by implanting P-type dopants through the bottom of the trenches.
Abstract:
A split gate power device is disclosed having a trench containing a U-shaped gate that, when biased above a threshold voltage, creates a conductive channel in a p-well. Below the gate is a field plate in the trench, coupled to the source electrode, for spreading the electric field along the trench to improve the breakdown voltage. The top gate poly is initially formed relatively thin so that it can be patterned using non-CMP techniques, such as dry etching or wet etching. As such, the power device can be fabricated in conventional fabs not having CMP capability. In one embodiment, the thin gate has vertical and lateral portions that create conductive vertical and lateral channels in a p-well. In another embodiment, the thin gate has only vertical portions along the trench sidewalls for minimizing surface area and gate capacitance.
Abstract:
A power MOSFET cell includes an N+ silicon substrate having a drain electrode. A low dopant concentration N-type drift layer is grown over the substrate. An N-type layer, having a higher dopant concentration than the drift region, is then formed and etched to have sidewalls. A P-well is formed in the N-type layer, and an N+ source region is formed in the P-well. A gate is formed over the P-well's lateral channel and has a vertical extension next to the top portion of the sidewalls. A positive gate voltage inverts the lateral channel and increases the conduction along the sidewalls to reduce on-resistance. A vertical shield field plate is also located next to the sidewalls and extends virtually the entire length of the sidewalls. The field plate laterally depletes the N-type layer when the device is off to increase the breakdown voltage.
Abstract:
A power MOSFET cell includes an N+ silicon substrate having a drain electrode. A low dopant concentration N-type drift layer is grown over the substrate. An N-type layer, having a higher dopant concentration than the drift region, is then formed and etched to have sidewalls. A P-well is formed in the N-type layer, and an N+ source region is formed in the P-well. A gate is formed over the P-well's lateral channel and has a vertical extension next to the top portion of the sidewalls. A positive gate voltage inverts the lateral channel and increases the conduction along the sidewalls to reduce on-resistance. A vertical shield field plate is also located next to the sidewalls and extends virtually the entire length of the sidewalls. The field plate laterally depletes the N-type layer when the device is off to increase the breakdown voltage.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, a power MOSFET or IGBT cell includes an N-type drift region grown over the substrate. An N-type layer, having a higher dopant concentration than the drift region, is then formed over the drift region. A P-well is formed over the N-type layer, and an N+ source/emitter region is formed in the P-well. A gate is formed over the P-well's lateral channel and has a vertical extension into a trench. A positive gate voltage inverts the lateral channel and increases the vertical conduction in the N-type layer along the sidewalls of the trench to reduce on-resistance. A vertical shield field plate is also in the trench and may be connected to the gate. The field plate laterally depletes the N-type layer when the device is off to increase the breakdown voltage. Floating P-islands in the N-type drift region increase breakdown voltage and reduce the saturation current.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, a power MOSFET cell includes an N+ silicon substrate having a drain electrode. An N-type drift layer is grown over the substrate. An N-type layer, having a higher dopant concentration than the drift region, is then formed along with a trench having sidewalls. A P-well is formed in the N-type layer, and an N+ source region is formed in the P-well. A gate is formed over the P-well's lateral channel and has a vertical extension into the trench. A positive gate voltage inverts the lateral channel and increases the vertical conduction along the sidewalls to reduce on-resistance. A vertical shield field plate is also located next to the sidewalls and may be connected to the gate. The field plate laterally depletes the N-type layer when the device is off to increase the breakdown voltage. A buried layer and sinker enable the use of a topside drain electrode.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, a power MOSFET cell includes an N+ silicon substrate having a drain electrode. An N-type drift layer is grown over the substrate. An N-type layer, having a higher dopant concentration than the drift region, is then formed along with a trench having sidewalls. A P-well is formed in the N-type layer, and an N+ source region is formed in the P-well. A gate is formed over the P-well's lateral channel and has a vertical extension into the trench. A positive gate voltage inverts the lateral channel and increases the vertical conduction along the sidewalls to reduce on-resistance. A vertical shield field plate is also located next to the sidewalls and may be connected to the gate. The field plate laterally depletes the N-type layer when the device is off to increase the breakdown voltage. A buried layer and sinker enable the use of a topside drain electrode.
Abstract:
A power MOSFET cell includes an N+ silicon substrate having a drain electrode. A low dopant concentration N-type drift layer is grown over the substrate. An N-type layer, having a higher dopant concentration than the drift region, is then formed and etched to have sidewalls. A P-well is formed in the N-type layer, and an N+ source region is formed in the P-well. A gate is formed over the P-well's lateral channel and has a vertical extension next to the top portion of the sidewalls. A positive gate voltage inverts the lateral channel and increases the conduction along the sidewalls to reduce on-resistance. A vertical shield field plate is also located next to the sidewalls and extends virtually the entire length of the sidewalls. The field plate laterally depletes the N-type layer when the device is off to increase the breakdown voltage.