IP Library Granted Patent US 9,552,997
Granted Patent B2
US 9,552,997 · App. 13/019,723 · Granted Jan 24, 2017

Silicon carbide switching devices including P-type channels

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,552,997
App. No.
13/019,723
Granted
Jan 24, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods of forming a p-channel MOS device in silicon carbide include forming an n-type well in a silicon carbide layer, and implanting p-type dopant ions to form a p-type region in the n-type well at a surface of the silicon carbide layer and at least partially defining a channel region in the n-type well adjacent the p-type region. A threshold adjustment region is formed in the channel region. The implanted ions are annealed in an inert atmosphere at a temperature greater than 1650° C. A gate oxide layer is formed on the channel region, and a gate is formed on the gate oxide layer. A silicon carbide-based transistor includes a silicon carbide layer, an n-type well in the silicon carbide layer, and a p-type region in the n-type well at a surface of the silicon carbide layer and at least partially defining a channel region in the n-type well adjacent the p-type region. A threshold adjustment region is in the channel region and includes p-type dopants at a dopant concentration of about 1×10 16 cm −3 to about 5×10 18 cm −3 . The transistor further includes a gate oxide layer on the channel region, and a gate on the gate oxide layer. The transistor may exhibit a hole mobility in the channel region in excess of 5 cm 2 /V-s at a gate voltage of −25V.

Claims (28)

1. A silicon carbide-based transistor, comprising:

a silicon carbide layer;

an n-type well in the silicon carbide layer;

a p-type region in the n-type well at a surface of the silicon carbide layer, the p-type region defining at least partially a first region in the n-type well adjacent the p-type region;

a threshold adjustment layer on the first region, the threshold adjustment layer comprising an n-type epitaxial layer on the n-type well;

an implanted channel in the threshold adjustment layer, the implanted channel comprising p-type dopants at a dopant concentration of about 1×10 16 cm −3 to about 5×10 18 cm −3 , wherein the implanted channel is positioned at a distance from a surface of the threshold adjustment layer;

a gate oxide layer on a surface of the channel region; and

a gate on the gate oxide layer;

wherein the implanted channel has a hole mobility of at least about 5 cm 2 /V-s at a gate voltage of −25V.

2. The transistor of claim 1 , wherein the silicon carbide layer comprises an n-type silicon carbide layer, and wherein the p-type region comprises a p-type source region, the transistor further comprising a p-type drain region spaced apart from the p-type source region and defining the first region between the p-type source region and the p-type drain region.

3. The transistor of claim 1 , wherein the silicon carbide layer comprises a p-type silicon carbide layer including a JFET region adjacent to the n-type well, and wherein the p-type region comprises a p-type emitter region spaced apart from the JFET region and defining the first region between the p-type emitter region and the JFET region.

4. The transistor of claim 1 , wherein the threshold adjustment layer has a thickness of about 100 nm to about 300 nm.

5. The transistor of claim 1 , wherein the implanted channel has a hole mobility of at least about 10 cm 2 /V-s at a gate voltage of −25V.

6. The transistor of claim 1 , wherein the implanted channel has a hole mobility of at least about 13 cm 2 /V-s at a gate voltage of −20V.

7. A silicon carbide-based transistor, comprising:

an n-type silicon carbide layer;

a p-type silicon carbide layer on the n-type silicon carbide layer;

an n-type well in the p-type silicon carbide layer;

a p-type region in the n-type well at a surface of the silicon carbide layer, the p-type region defining at least partially a first region in the n-type well adjacent the p-type region;

a threshold adjustment layer on the first region, the threshold adjustment layer comprising an n-type epitaxial layer on the n-type well;

an implanted channel in the threshold adjustment layer, the implanted channel comprising p-type dopants at a dopant concentration of about 1×10 16 cm −3 to about 5×10 18 cm −3 , wherein the implanted channel is positioned at a distance from a surface of the threshold adjustment layer;

a gate oxide layer on the channel region; and

a gate on the gate oxide layer;

wherein the implanted channel region has a hole mobility of at least about 5 cm 2 /V-s at a gate voltage of −25V.

8. The transistor of claim 7 , wherein the p-type silicon carbide layer includes JFET region adjacent to the n-type well, and wherein the p-type region comprises a p-type emitter region spaced apart from the WET region and defining the first region between the p-type emitter region and the JFET region.

9. The transistor of claim 7 , wherein the threshold adjustment layer has a thickness of about 100 nm to about 500 nm.

10. The transistor of claim 7 , wherein the implanted channel has a hole mobility of at feast about 10 cm 2 /V-s at a gate voltage of −25V.

11. The transistor of claim 7 , wherein the implanted channel has a hole mobility of at least about 13 cm 2 /V-s at a gate voltage of −20V.

Assignments (7)
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 072992/0467 →
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 →
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 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2023
From: WOLFSPEED, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 064185/0755 →