Isolated complementary MOS devices in epi-less substrate
View Patent ↗An structure for electrically isolating a semiconductor device is formed by implanting dopant into a semiconductor substrate that does not include an epitaxial layer. Following the implant the structure is exposed to a very limited thermal budget so that dopant does not diffuse significantly. As a result, the dimensions of the isolation structure are limited and defined, thereby allowing a higher packing density than obtainable using conventional processes which include the growth of an epitaxial layer and diffusion of the dopants. In one group of embodiments, the isolation structure includes a deep layer and a sidewall which together form a cup-shaped structure surrounding an enclosed region in which the isolated semiconductor device may be formed. The sidewalls may be formed by a series of pulsed implants at different energies, thereby creating a stack of overlapping implanted regions.
1. A process of fabricating a semiconductor device comprising:
providing a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, the substrate not containing an epitaxial layer,
forming a stair-step mask layer on a surface of the substrate, said mask comprising:
a first section having a first thickness, and
second and third sections locate don opposite sides of the first section, the second and third sections having a second thickness greater than the first thickness;
implanting a dopant of a second conductivity type through the mask layer so as to form an isolation region in the substrate, the isolation region isolating an enclosed region of the substrate from a remaining portion of the substrate; and resolving the mask layer.
2. The process of claim 1 wherein the isolation region includes sidewalls, the sidewalls reaching a surface of the substrate in areas below the second and third sections of the mask layer, respectively.
3. The process of claim 1 wherein the enclosed region is located generally directly below the first section of the mask layer.
4. The process of claim 3 wherein the mask layer comprises an oxide.