IP Library Granted Patent US 9,165,918
Granted Patent B1
US 9,165,918 · App. 14/272,027 · Granted Oct 20, 2015

Composite semiconductor device with multiple threshold voltages

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,165,918
App. No.
14/272,027
Granted
Oct 20, 2015
Kind
B1
Abstract

A device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first constituent transistor including a first plurality of transistor structures in the semiconductor substrate connected in parallel with one another, and a second constituent transistor including a second plurality of transistor structures in the semiconductor substrate connected in parallel with one another. The first and second constituent transistors are disposed laterally adjacent to one another and connected in parallel with one another. Each transistor structure of the first plurality of transistor structures includes a non-uniform channel such that the first constituent transistor has a higher threshold voltage level than the second constituent transistor.

Claims (71)

1. A device comprising:

a semiconductor substrate;

a first constituent transistor comprising a first plurality of transistor structures in the semiconductor substrate connected in parallel with one another; and

a second constituent transistor comprising a second plurality of transistor structures in the semiconductor substrate connected in parallel with one another;

wherein the first and second constituent transistors are disposed laterally adjacent to one another and connected in parallel with one another;

wherein each transistor structure of the first plurality of transistor structures comprises a non-uniform channel such that the first constituent transistor has a higher threshold voltage level than the second constituent transistor; and

wherein the first and second constituent transistors are arranged as inner and outer devices, respectively.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein each transistor structure of the first plurality of transistor structures comprises:

a body region disposed in the semiconductor substrate, having a first conductivity type, and in which the non-uniform channel is formed during operation; and

a halo region disposed within the body region, having the first conductivity type, and having a higher dopant concentration level than the body region.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of transistor structures are laterally surrounded by the second plurality of transistor structures.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of transistor structures are centered within the second plurality of transistor structures.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second pluralities of transistor structures are not electrically isolated from one another.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein:

each transistor structure of the second plurality of transistor structures comprises a source extension region in the semiconductor substrate; and

each transistor structure of the first plurality of transistor structures does not comprise a source extension region in the semiconductor substrate.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second constituent transistors are laterally diffused metal-oxide-semiconductor (LDMOS) transistors.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein a respective transistor structure of the first plurality of transistor structures is aligned with a respective transistor structure of the second plurality of transistor structures such that the respective transistor structures share a common gate supported by the semiconductor substrate.

9. A device comprising:

a semiconductor substrate;

a first constituent transistor comprising a first plurality of transistor structures in the semiconductor substrate connected in parallel with one another; and

a second constituent transistor comprising a second plurality of transistor structures in the semiconductor substrate connected in parallel with one another;

wherein the first and second constituent transistors are disposed laterally adjacent to one another and connected in parallel with one another;

wherein each transistor structure of the first plurality of transistor structures comprises a non-uniform channel such that the first constituent transistor has a higher threshold voltage level than the second constituent transistor; and

wherein:

each transistor structure of the first and second pluralities of transistor structures comprises a source region disposed within the body region;

each body region comprises a plurality of body contact regions; and

the source region comprises a plurality of constituent source regions disposed in a laterally alternating arrangement with the plurality of body contact regions.

10. The device of claim 9 , wherein a lateral boundary between adjacent transistor structures of the first constituent transistor and the second constituent transistor is disposed in one of the plurality of body contact regions.

11. A device comprising:

a semiconductor substrate;

a first constituent transistor comprising a first plurality of transistor structures in the semiconductor substrate connected in parallel with one another; and

a second constituent transistor comprising a second plurality of transistor structures in the semiconductor substrate connected in parallel with one another;

wherein the first and second constituent transistors are disposed laterally adjacent to one another and connected in parallel with one another;

wherein each transistor structure of the first plurality of transistor structures comprises a non-uniform channel such that the first constituent transistor has a higher threshold voltage level than the second constituent transistor; and

wherein:

each transistor structure of the first and second pluralities of transistor structures comprises a body region in which a channel is formed during operation;

the channel of each transistor structure of the first and second pluralities of transistor structures is oriented in a first lateral direction; and

the first and second constituent transistors are laterally contiguous with one another in a second lateral direction orthogonal to the first lateral direction.

12. A device comprising:

a semiconductor substrate;

a first constituent transistor comprising a first plurality of transistor structures in the semiconductor substrate connected in parallel with one another; and

a second constituent transistor laterally contiguous with the first constituent transistor, comprising a second plurality of transistor structures in the semiconductor substrate connected in parallel with one another;

wherein each transistor structure of the first and second plurality of transistor structures comprises:

a body region disposed in the semiconductor substrate and having a first conductivity type;

source and drain regions disposed in the semiconductor substrate and having a second conductivity type, the source region being disposed within the body region; and

a gate supported by the semiconductor substrate and to which a bias voltage is applied during operation to form a channel in the body region to support current flow between the source and drain regions;

wherein each transistor structure of the first plurality of transistor structures further comprises a halo region disposed in the semiconductor substrate, having the first conductivity type, and extending into the channel from the source region such that the first constituent transistor has a higher threshold voltage than the second constituent transistor; and

wherein the first and second constituent transistors are arranged as inner and outer devices, respectively.

13. The device of claim 12 , wherein each transistor structure of the second plurality of transistor structures lacks a halo region.

14. The device of claim 12 , wherein the first plurality of transistor structures are laterally surrounded by the second plurality of transistor structures.

15. The device of claim 12 , wherein the first and second pluralities of transistor structures are not electrically isolated from one another.

16. The device of claim 12 , wherein:

each body region comprises a plurality of body contact regions; and

the source region comprises a plurality of constituent source regions disposed in a laterally alternating arrangement with the plurality of body contact regions.

17. The device of claim 16 , wherein:

the halo region has a lateral boundary that defines adjacent transistor structures of the first constituent transistor and the second constituent transistor; and

the lateral boundary is disposed in one of the plurality of body contact regions.

18. A method of fabricating a device in a semiconductor substrate, the method comprising:

forming body regions in the semiconductor substrate of first and second pluralities of transistor structures of first and second constituent transistors, respectively, the first and second constituent transistors being adjacent to one another, the body regions having a first conductivity type;

forming gates of the first and second pluralities of transistor structures over the semiconductor substrate;

forming source and drain regions in the semiconductor substrate of the first and second pluralities of transistor structures, the source and drain regions having a second conductivity type; and

implanting dopant of the first conductivity type in the semiconductor substrate in the body regions under the gates in the first plurality of transistor structures such that the first constituent transistor has a higher threshold voltage level than the second constituent transistor;

wherein the first and second constituent transistors are arranged as inner and outer devices, respectively.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising implanting dopant of the second conductivity type to form source extension regions of the second plurality of transistor structures.

20. A method of fabricating a device in a semiconductor substrate, the method comprising:

forming body regions in the semiconductor substrate of first and second pluralities of transistor structures of first and second constituent transistors, respectively the first and second constituent transistors being adjacent to one another, the body regions having a first conductivity type;

forming gates of the first and second pluralities of transistor structures over the semiconductor substrate;

forming source and drain regions in the semiconductor substrate of the first and second pluralities of transistor structures, the source and drain regions having a second conductivity type; and

implanting dopant of the first conductivity type in the semiconductor substrate in the body regions under the gates in the first plurality of transistor structures such that the first constituent transistor has a higher threshold voltage level than the second constituent transistor;

wherein implanting the dopant of the first conductivity type comprises performing a halo implant configured to form a halo region of a logic transistor in the semiconductor substrate.

Assignments (26)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040925 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Feb 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V. F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 052917/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040928 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Jan 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 052915/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 042985 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051029/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 042762 FRAME 0145. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051145/0184 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038017 FRAME 0058. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051030/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 039361 FRAME 0212. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051029/0387 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 050745/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 050744/0097 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12681366 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038017 FRAME 0058. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded May 9, 2017
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 042985/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12681366 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 039361 FRAME 0212. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded May 9, 2017
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 042762/0145 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 040652 FRAME: 0241. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded Jan 5, 2017
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: NXP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 041260/0850 →
MERGER Recorded Nov 8, 2016
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: NXP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 040652/0241 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 040928/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V., F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 040925/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 14/258,829 AND REPLACE ITWITH 14/258,629 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037444 FRAME 0082. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OFSECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Aug 10, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 039639/0332 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT OF INCORRECT APPLICATION 14/258,829 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037444 FRAME 0109. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Aug 10, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 039639/0208 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12092129 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038017 FRAME 0058. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Jul 14, 2016
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 039361/0212 →
SUPPLEMENT TO THE SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 16, 2016
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 039138/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT Recorded Mar 7, 2016
From: NXP B.V.
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ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 5, 2016
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ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 5, 2016
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To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
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PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
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To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
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From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
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ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 7, 2014
From: YANG, HONGNING; LIN, XIN; RODRIGUEZ, PETE; ZHANG, ZHIHONG; ZUO, JIANG-KAI
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