IP Library Granted Patent US 7,629,616
Granted Patent B2
US 7,629,616 · App. 11/711,703 · Granted Dec 8, 2009

Silicon carbide self-aligned epitaxial MOSFET for high powered device applications

Assignee: Cree, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,629,616
App. No.
11/711,703
Granted
Dec 8, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A self-aligned, silicon carbide power metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor includes a trench formed in a first layer, with a base region and then a source region epitaxially regrown within the trench. A window is formed through the source region and into the base region within a middle area of the trench. A source contact is formed within the window in contact with a base and source regions. The gate oxide layer is formed on the source and base regions at a peripheral area of the trench and on a surface of the first layer. A gate electrode is formed on the gate oxide layer above the base region at the peripheral area of the trench, and a drain electrode is formed over a second surface of the first layer.

Claims (56)

1. A MOSFET comprising:

a first layer having opposite first and second surfaces, and a trench extending from the first surface into the first layer, the first layer having a first conductivity type;

a first epitaxial layer within the trench on sidewalls and a bottom of the trench, the first epitaxial layer having a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type;

a second epitaxial layer within the trench on the first epitaxial layer, the second epitaxial layer having the first conductivity type;

at least two oxide spacers on the second epitaxial layer;

a source contact between the oxide spacers and in contact with the first and second epitaxial layers;

a gate oxide layer on the first surface of the first layer, and on a surface of the first epitaxial layer that is over the trench that is not between the oxide spacers;

a gate electrode on the gate oxide layer over the surface of the first epitaxial layer; and

a drain electrode over the second surface of the first layer.

2. The MOSFET of claim 1 , further comprising an impurity region in the bottom of the trench, the impurity region having the second conductivity type and a dopant concentration greater than a dopant concentration of the first epitaxial layer.

3. The MOSFET of claim 1 , wherein the first epitaxial layer has a non-uniform dopant profile with a dopant concentration lowest near the surface of the first epitaxial layer.

4. The MOSFET of claim 1 , wherein the first layer has a dopant profile graded in a vertical direction from the first surface to the second surface, with a dopant concentration lowest near a bottom of the trench and greater near the first and second surfaces.

5. The MOSFET of claim 1 , wherein the first layer and the first and second epitaxial layers are silicon carbide.

6. The MOSFET of claim 1 , wherein the first conductivity type is n-type and the second conductivity type is p-type.

7. A device comprising:

a first layer having opposite first and second surfaces, and a trench extending from the first surface toward the second surface, the first layer having a first conductivity type;

a first epitaxial layer within the trench on sidewalls and a bottom of the trench, the first epitaxial layer having a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type;

a second epitaxial layer within the trench on the first epitaxial layer, the second epitaxial layer having the first conductivity type;

at least two oxide spacers on the second epitaxial layer;

a source contact between the oxide spacers and in contact with the first and second epitaxial layers;

a gate oxide layer on the first surface of the first layer, and on a surface of the first epitaxial layer;

a gate electrode on the gate oxide layer over the surface of the first epitaxial layer; and

a drain electrode over the second surface of the first layer.

8. The device of claim 7 , further comprising an impurity region in the bottom of the trench, the impurity region having the second conductivity type and a dopant concentration greater than a dopant concentration of the first epitaxial layer.

9. The device of claim 7 , wherein the first epitaxial layer has a non-uniform dopant profile with a dopant concentration lowest near the surface of the first epitaxial layer.

10. The device of claim 7 , wherein the first layer has a dopant profile graded in a vertical direction from the first surface to the second surface, with a dopant concentration lowest near a bottom of the trench and greater near the first and second surfaces.

11. The device of claim 7 , wherein the first layer and the first and second epitaxial layers are silicon carbide.

12. The device of claim 7 , wherein the first conductivity type is n-type and the second conductivity type is p-type.

13. A MOSFET comprising:

a first layer having opposite first and second surfaces, and a trench extending from the first surface into the first layer, the first layer having a first conductivity type;

a first epitaxial layer within the trench on sidewalls and a bottom of the trench, the first epitaxial layer having a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type;

a second epitaxial layer within the trench on the first epitaxial layer, the second epitaxial layer having the first conductivity type;

oxide spacers over the trench on the second epitaxial layer;

a source contact within the trench between and in direct contact with the oxide spacers, and also in contact with the first and second epitaxial layers;

a gate oxide layer on the first surface of the first layer, and on a surface of the first epitaxial layer;

a gate electrode on the gate oxide layer over the surface of the first epitaxial layer; and

a drain electrode over the second surface of the first layer.

14. The MOSFET of claim 13 , further comprising an impurity region in the bottom of the trench, the impurity region having the second conductivity type and a dopant concentration greater than a dopant concentration of the first epitaxial layer.

15. The MOSFET of claim 13 , wherein the first epitaxial layer has a non-uniform dopant profile with a dopant concentration lowest near the surface of the first epitaxial layer.

16. The MOSFET of claim 13 , wherein the first layer has a dopant profile graded in a vertical direction from the first surface to the second surface, with a dopant concentration lowest near a bottom of the trench and greater near the first and second surfaces.

17. The MOSFET of claim 13 , wherein the first layer and the first and second epitaxial layers are silicon carbide.

18. The MOSFET of claim 13 , wherein the first conductivity type is n-type and the second conductivity type is p-type.

19. A MOSFET comprising:

a first layer having opposite first and second surfaces, and a trench extending from the first surface into the first layer, the first layer having a first conductivity type;

an epitaxial base layer within the trench on sidewalls and a bottom of the trench, the epitaxial base layer having a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type;

an epitaxial source layer within the trench on the epitaxial base layer and extending out of and over the trench, the epitaxial source layer having the first conductivity type;

oxide spacers on the epitaxial source layer and extending out of and over the trench;

a source contact within the trench between the oxide spacers and in contact with the epitaxial base and source layers;

a gate oxide layer on the first surface of the first layer, and on a surface of the epitaxial base layer;

a gate electrode on the gate oxide layer over the surface of the epitaxial base layer; and

a drain electrode over the second surface of the first layer.

20. The MOSFET of claim 19 , further comprising an impurity region in the bottom of the trench, the impurity region having the second conductivity type and a dopant concentration greater than a dopant concentration of the epitaxial base layer.

21. The MOSFET of claim 19 , wherein the epitaxial base layer has a non-uniform dopant profile with a dopant concentration lowest near the surface of the epitaxial base layer.

22. The MOSFET of claim 19 , wherein the first layer has a dopant profile graded in a vertical direction from the first surface to the second surface, with a dopant concentration lowest near a bottom of the trench and greater near the first and second surfaces.

23. The MOSFET of claim 19 , wherein the first layer and the epitaxial base and source layers are silicon carbide.

24. The MOSFET of claim 19 , wherein the first conductivity type is n-type and the second conductivity type is p-type.

Assignments (9)
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Mar 26, 2026
From: WOLFSPEED, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 075280/0919 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Sep 30, 2025
From: WOLFSPEED, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 072992/0588 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COLLATERAL AT REEL/FRAME NO. 64185/0755 Recorded Sep 30, 2025
From: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: WOLFSPEED, INC.
Reel/Frame 072989/0001 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Sep 30, 2025
From: WOLFSPEED, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 072992/0113 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Sep 30, 2025
From: WOLFSPEED, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 072992/0381 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Sep 30, 2025
From: WOLFSPEED, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 072992/0467 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2023
From: WOLFSPEED, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 064185/0755 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 22, 2021
From: CREE, INC.
To: WOLFSPEED, INC.
Reel/Frame 057891/0880 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 28, 2007
From: HARRIS, CHRISTOPHER; BERTILSSON, KENT; KONSTANTINOV, ANDREI
To: CREE, INC.
Reel/Frame 019503/0346 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20080203398A1 · Aug 28, 2008