IP Library Granted Patent US 7,943,972
Granted Patent B2
US 7,943,972 · App. 12/627,743 · Granted May 17, 2011

Methods of fabricating transistors having buried P-type layers coupled to the gate

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,943,972
App. No.
12/627,743
Granted
May 17, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A unit cell of a metal-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MESFET) is provided. The MESFET has a source, a drain and a gate. The gate is between the source and the drain and on an n-type conductivity channel layer. A p-type conductivity region is provided beneath the gate between the source and the drain. The p-type conductivity region is spaced apart from the n-type conductivity channel layer and electrically coupled to the gate. Related methods are also provided herein.

Claims (32)

1. A unit cell of a metal-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MESFET), comprising:

a MESFET having a source, a drain and a gate, the gate being between the source and the drain; and

a p-type conductivity region beneath the gate between the source and the drain, the p-type conductivity region being electrically coupled to the gate, wherein portions of the p-type conductivity region and the gate extend past a mesa defining a periphery of the MESFET; and

wherein the p-type conductivity region and the gate are electrically coupled at the portions of the p-type conductivity region and the gate that extend past the mesa.

2. The MESFET of claim 1 , further comprising an n-type conductivity channel layer, wherein the gate is provided on the n-type conductivity channel layer, wherein the p-type conductivity region electrically coupled to the gate comprises a second gate and wherein the n-type conductivity channel layer has a thickness of from about 0.1 to about 0.5 μml.

3. The MESFET of claim 2 , wherein the MESFET comprises a switch and wherein the n-type conductivity channel layer having the thickness reduces an on-resistance of the switch.

4. The MESFET of claim 1 :

wherein an n-type conductivity channel layer and a substrate define the mesa, the mesa having sidewalls that define the periphery of the MESFET.

5. The MESFET of claim 4 , further comprising a metal contact on the portions of the p-type conductivity region and the gate that extend past the mesa such that the metal contact electrically couples the p-type conductivity region and the gate.

6. A metal semiconductor field effect transistor (MESFET) configured to function as a switch, the MESFET comprising:

a source, a drain and a gate, the gate being between the source and the drain on an n-type conductivity channel layer having a thickness of from about 0.1 to about 0.5 μm; and

a p-type conductivity region beneath the gate between the source and the drain, the p-type conductivity region comprising a second gate,

wherein portions of the p-type conductivity region and the gate extend past a mesa defining a periphery of the MESFET; and

wherein the p-type conductivity region and the gate are electrically coupled at the portions of the p-type conductivity region and the gate that extend past the mesa.

7. A method of forming a metal-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MESFET), the method comprising:

forming a MESFET having a source, a drain and a gate, the gate being between the source and the drain; and

forming a p-type conductivity region beneath the gate between the source and the drain, the p-type conductivity region being electrically coupled to the gate,

wherein portions of the p-type conductivity region and the gate extend past a mesa defining a periphery of the MESFET; and

wherein the p-type conductivity region and the gate are electrically coupled at the portions of the p-type conductivity region and the gate that extend past the mesa.

8. A method of forming a metal-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MESFET) configured to function as a switch, the method comprising:

forming a source, a drain and a gate, the gate being between the source and the drain on an n-type conductivity channel layer having a thickness of from about 0.1 to about 0.5 μm; and

forming a p-type conductivity region beneath the gate between the source and the drain, the p-type conductivity region comprising a second gate,

wherein portions of the p-type conductivity region and the gate extend past a mesa defining a periphery of the MESFET; and

wherein the p-type conductivity region and the gate are electrically coupled at the portions of the p-type conductivity region and the gate that extend past the mesa.

9. The MESFET of claim 1 , wherein the MESFET comprises a silicon carbide MESFET.

10. The MESFET of claim 1 , wherein the gate is provided on an n-type conductivity channel layer, the MESFET further comprising:

a p-type buffer layer spaced apart from and beneath the n-type conductivity channel layer, wherein the p-type conductivity region is provided in the p-type buffer layer.

11. The MESFET of claim 10 , wherein the p-type buffer layer comprises a first p-type buffer layer, the MESFET further comprising a second p-type buffer layer between the n-type conductivity channel layer and the first p-type buffer layer.

12. The MESFET of claim 6 , wherein the MESFET comprises a silicon carbide MESFET.

13. The MESFET of claim 6 , wherein the gate is provided on an n-type conductivity channel layer, the MESFET further comprising:

a p-type buffer layer spaced apart from and beneath the n-type conductivity channel layer, wherein the p-type conductivity region is provided in the p-type buffer layer.

14. The MESFET of claim 13 , wherein the p-type buffer layer comprises a first p-type buffer layer, the MESFET further comprising a second p-type buffer layer between the n-type conductivity channel layer and the first p-type buffer layer.

Assignments (8)
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 →
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 →
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 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2023
From: WOLFSPEED, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 064185/0755 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Jun 27, 2012
From: CREE INCORPORATED
To: NAVY, SECRETARY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Reel/Frame 028467/0007 →