IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,741,695
Granted Patent B2
US 10,741,695 · App. 16/683,349 · Granted Aug 11, 2020

Semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor

Inventor: Shunpei Yamazaki (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
H01L29/7869H01L29/24H01L29/786H01L29/7832H01L29/78696
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,741,695
App. No.
16/683,349
Granted
Aug 11, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A transistor having high field-effect mobility is provided. In order that an oxide semiconductor layer through which carriers flow is not in contact with a gate insulating film, a buried channel structure in which the oxide semiconductor layer through which carriers flow is separated from the gate insulating film is employed. Specifically, an oxide semiconductor layer having high conductivity is provided between two oxide semiconductor layers. Further, an impurity element is added to the oxide semiconductor layer in a self-aligned manner so that the resistance of a region in contact with an electrode layer is reduced. Further, the oxide semiconductor layer in contact with the gate insulating layer has a larger thickness than the oxide semiconductor layer having high conductivity.

Claims (35)

1. A semiconductor device comprising:

a first oxide semiconductor layer comprising indium and gallium;

a second oxide semiconductor layer comprising indium and gallium over the first oxide semiconductor layer;

a third oxide semiconductor layer comprising indium and gallium over the second oxide semiconductor layer;

an insulating layer over the third oxide semiconductor layer; and

a gate electrode over the insulating layer,

wherein a content of the indium in the second oxide semiconductor layer is higher than a content of the gallium in the second oxide semiconductor layer,

wherein a proportion of the indium to the gallium in the first oxide semiconductor layer is higher than a proportion of the indium to the gallium in the third oxide semiconductor layer, and

wherein the third oxide semiconductor layer comprises a region which is not overlapped with the gate electrode and comprises at least one of nitrogen, argon, and aluminum.

2. The semiconductor device according to claim 1 , wherein the third oxide semiconductor layer is in contact with a side surface of the first oxide semiconductor layer and a side surface of the second oxide semiconductor layer.

3. The semiconductor device according to claim 2 ,

wherein the side surface of the first oxide semiconductor layer is tapered, and

wherein the side surface of the second oxide semiconductor layer is tapered.

4. The semiconductor device according to claim 1 , wherein the second oxide semiconductor layer has a smaller thickness than the first oxide semiconductor layer and the third oxide semiconductor layer.

5. The semiconductor device according to claim 1 , wherein the first oxide semiconductor layer has a larger thickness than the second oxide semiconductor layer and the third oxide semiconductor layer.

6. The semiconductor device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a source electrode layer in contact with the third oxide semiconductor layer; and

a drain electrode layer in contact with the third oxide semiconductor layer.

7. The semiconductor device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a source electrode layer in contact with a first side surface of the first oxide semiconductor layer, a first side surface of the second oxide semiconductor layer, and a first side surface of the third oxide semiconductor layer; and

a drain electrode layer in contact with a second side surface of the first oxide semiconductor layer, a second side surface of the second oxide semiconductor layer, and a second side surface of the third oxide semiconductor layer.

8. A semiconductor device comprising:

a first oxide semiconductor layer comprising indium and gallium, the first oxide semiconductor layer comprising a channel formation region;

a second oxide semiconductor layer comprising indium and gallium over the first oxide semiconductor layer;

a gate insulating layer comprising silicon over the second oxide semiconductor layer; and

a gate electrode over the gate insulating layer,

wherein a content of the indium in the first oxide semiconductor layer is higher than a content of the gallium in the first oxide semiconductor layer, and

wherein the second oxide semiconductor layer comprises a region which is not overlapped with the gate electrode and comprises at least one of nitrogen, argon, and aluminum.

9. The semiconductor device according to claim 8 , wherein the second oxide semiconductor layer is in contact with a side surface of the first oxide semiconductor layer.

10. The semiconductor device according to claim 9 ,

wherein the side surface of the first oxide semiconductor layer is tapered.

11. The semiconductor device according to claim 8 , wherein the first oxide semiconductor layer has a smaller thickness than the second oxide semiconductor layer.

12. The semiconductor device according to claim 8 , further comprising:

a source electrode layer in contact with the second oxide semiconductor layer; and

a drain electrode layer in contact with the second oxide semiconductor layer.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 15, 2019
From: YAMAZAKI, SHUNPEI
To: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 051015/0441 →
Priority Claims (2)
JP 2012-136438 · Jun 15, 2012 · national
JP 2012-141373 · Jun 22, 2012 · national
Continuity (5)
Continuation 16039531 · Jul 19, 2018
Continuation 15244104 · Aug 23, 2016
Continuation 14873279 · Oct 2, 2015
Continuation 13916167 · Jun 12, 2013
Related Publication 20200152796A1 · May 14, 2020
Cited By (2)
US 12,191,399 US 12,363,953