Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit integrated with a gallium nitride (GaN) based transistor and configured to clamp a gate input voltage of the gallium nitride (GaN) based transistor during an ESD surge event, and associated methods. In some embodiments, the ESD protection circuit includes a first ESD protection stage and a second ESD protection stage connected between a gate terminal and a source terminal of the GaN based transistor. The first ESD protection stage includes a first plurality of GaN based gate-to-source shorted transistors connected in series and further connected to a first terminal of a first resistor. The second ESD protection stage is connected to the first ESD protection stage in parallel. The second ESD protection stage comprises a first GaN based shunt transistor having a gate terminal connected to the first terminal of the first resistor.
Abstract:
A group III-V transistor device employing a novel layout for isolating and/or defining the active region is provided. A group III-V heterojunction is arranged over or within a substrate, and an inner drain electrode is arranged over the group III-V heterojunction. A gate has a ring shape and is arranged over the group III-V heterojunction around the inner drain electrode. An outer source electrode has a ring-shaped region arranged over the group III-V heterojunction around the gate. A method for manufacturing the group III-V transistor device is also provided.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a high electron mobility transistor compatible power lateral field-effect rectifier device. In some embodiments, the rectifier device has an electron supply layer located over a layer of semiconductor material at a position between an anode terminal and a cathode terminal. A layer of doped III-N semiconductor material is disposed over the electron supply layer. A layer of gate isolation material is located over the layer of doped III-N semiconductor material. A gate structure is disposed over layer of gate isolation material, such that the gate structure is separated from the electron supply layer by the layer of gate isolation material and the layer of doped III-N semiconductor material. The layer of doped III-N semiconductor material modulates the threshold voltage of the rectifier device, while the layer of gate isolation material provides a barrier that gives the rectifier device a low leakage.
Abstract:
Some embodiments relate to a die that has been formed by improved dicing techniques. The die includes a substrate which includes upper and lower substrate surfaces with a vertical substrate sidewall extending therebetween. The vertical substrate sidewall corresponds to an outermost edge of the substrate. A device layer is arranged over the upper substrate surface. A crack stop is arranged over an upper surface of the device layer and has an outer perimeter that is spaced apart laterally from the vertical substrate sidewall. The die exhibits a tapered sidewall extending downward through at least a portion of the device layer to meet the vertical substrate sidewall.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a high electron mobility transistor compatible power lateral field-effect rectifier device. In some embodiments, the rectifier device has an electron supply layer located over a layer of semiconductor material at a position between an anode terminal and a cathode terminal. A layer of doped III-N semiconductor material is disposed over the electron supply layer. A layer of gate isolation material is located over the layer of doped III-N semiconductor material. A gate structure is disposed over layer of gate isolation material, such that the gate structure is separated from the electron supply layer by the layer of gate isolation material and the layer of doped III-N semiconductor material. The layer of doped III-N semiconductor material modulates the threshold voltage of the rectifier device, while the layer of gate isolation material provides a barrier that gives the rectifier device a low leakage.
Abstract:
Some embodiments relate to a method of dicing a semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer that includes a device structure that is formed within a device layer. The device layer is arranged within an upper surface the device layer. A crack stop is formed, which surrounds the device structure and reinforces the semiconductor wafer to prevent cracking during dicing. A laser is used to form a groove along a scribe line outside the crack stop. The groove extends completely through the device layer, and into an upper surface region of the semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer is then cut along the grooved scribe line with a cutting blade to singulate the semiconductor wafer into two or more die. By extending the groove completely through the device layer, the method avoids damage to the device layer caused by the blade saw, and thus avoids an associated performance degradation of the device structure.
Abstract:
Some embodiments relate to a die that has been formed by improved dicing techniques. The die includes a substrate which includes upper and lower substrate surfaces with a vertical substrate sidewall extending therebetween. The vertical substrate sidewall corresponds to an outermost edge of the substrate. A device layer is arranged over the upper substrate surface. A crack stop is arranged over an upper surface of the device layer and has an outer perimeter that is spaced apart laterally from the vertical substrate sidewall. The die exhibits a tapered sidewall extending downward through at least a portion of the device layer to meet the vertical substrate sidewall.
Abstract:
A group III-V transistor device employing a novel layout for isolating and/or defining the active region is provided. A group III-V heterojunction is arranged over or within a substrate, and an inner drain electrode is arranged over the group III-V heterojunction. A gate has a ring shape and is arranged over the group III-V heterojunction around the inner drain electrode. An outer source electrode has a ring-shaped region arranged over the group III-V heterojunction around the gate. A method for manufacturing the group III-V transistor device is also provided.
Abstract:
Some embodiments relate to a method of dicing a semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer that includes a device structure that is formed within a device layer. The device layer is arranged within an upper surface the device layer. A crack stop is formed, which surrounds the device structure and reinforces the semiconductor wafer to prevent cracking during dicing. A laser is used to form a groove along a scribe line outside the crack stop. The groove extends completely through the device layer, and into an upper surface region of the semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer is then cut along the grooved scribe line with a cutting blade to singulate the semiconductor wafer into two or more die. By extending the groove completely through the device layer, the method avoids damage to the device layer caused by the blade saw, and thus avoids an associated performance degradation of the device structure.