Design Optimization and Realization of 4H-SiC Bipolar Junction Transistors

4H-SiC-based bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) are attractive devices for high-voltage and high-temperature operations due to their high current capability, low specific on-resistance, and process simplicity. To extend the potential of SiC BJTs to power electronic industrial applications, it is essential to realize high-efficient devices with high-current and low-loss by a reliable and wafer-scale fabrication process. In this thesis, we focus on the improvement of the 4H-SiC BJT performance, including the device optimization and process development. To optimize the 4H-SiC BJT design, a comprehensive study in terms of cell geometries, device scaling, and device layout is performed. The hexagon-cell geometry shows 42% higher current density and 21% lower specific on-resistance at a given maximum current gain compared to the interdigitated finger design. Also, a layout design, called intertwined, is used for 100% usage of the conducting area. A higher current is achieved by saving the inactive portion of the conducting area. Different multi-step etched edge termination techniques with an efficiency of &gt;92% are realized. Regarding the process development, an improved surface passivation is used to reduce the surface recombination and improve the maximum current gain of 4H-SiC BJTs. Moreover, wafer-scale lift-off-free processes for the n- and p-Ohmic contact technologies to 4H-SiC are successfully developed. Both Ohmic metal technologies are based on a self-aligned Ni-silicide (Ni-SALICIDE) process. Regarding the device characterization, a maximum current gain of 40, a specific on-resistance of 20 mΩ·cm2, and a maximum breakdown voltage of 5.85 kV for the 4H-SiC BJTs are measured. By employing the enhanced surface passivation, a maximum current gain of 139 and a specific on-resistance of 579 mΩ·cm2 at the current density of 89 A/cm2 for the 15-kV class BJTs are obtained. Moreover, low-voltage 4H-SiC lateral BJTs and Darlington pair with output current of 1−15 A for high-temperature operations up to 500 °C were fabricated. This thesis focuses on the improvement of the 4H-SiC BJT performance in terms of the device optimization and process development for high-voltage and high-temperature applications. The epilayer design and the device structure and topology are optimized to realize high-efficient BJTs. Also, wafer-scale fabrication process steps are developed to enable realization of high-current devices for the real applications.QC 20170810</p

Temperature Dependence of Electrical Characteristics of Carbon Nanotube Field-Effect Transistors: A Quantum Simulation Study

By developing a two-dimensional (2D) full quantum simulation, the attributes of carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNTFETs) in different temperatures have been comprehensively investigated. Simulations have been performed by employing the self-consistent solution of 2D Poisson-Schrödinger equations within the nonequilibrium Green's function (NEGF) formalism. Principal characteristics of CNTFETs such as current capability, drain conductance, transconductance, and subthreshold swing (SS) have been investigated. Simulation results present that as temperature raises from 250 to 500 K, the drain conductance and on-current of the CNTFET improved; meanwhile the on-/off-current ratio deteriorated due to faster growth in off-current. Also the effects of temperature on short channel effects (SCEs) such as drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL) and threshold voltage roll-off have been studied. Results show that the subthreshold swing and DIBL parameters are almost linearly correlated, so the degradation of these parameters has the same origin and can be perfectly influenced by the temperature

Optimal Emitter Cell Geometry in High Power 4H-SiC BJTs

Three 4H-SiC bipolar junction transistor designs with different emitter cell geometries (linear interdigitated fingers, square cell geometry, and hexagon cell geometry) are fabricated, analyzed, and compared with respect to current gain, ON-resistance (R-ON), current density (J(C)), and temperature performance for the first time. Emitter size effect and surface recombination are investigated. Due to a better utilization of the base area, optimal emitter cell geometry significantly increases the current density about 42% and reduces the ON-resistance about 21% at a given current gain, thus making the device more efficient for high-power and high-temperature applications.QC 20151106</p

5.8-kV Implantation-Free 4H-SiC BJT With Multiple-Shallow-Trench Junction Termination Extension

Implantation-free 4H-SiC bipolar junction transistors with multiple-shallow-trench junction termination extension have been fabricated. The maximum current gain of 40 at a current density of 370 A/cm(2) is obtained for the device with an active area of 0.065 mm(2). A maximum open-base breakdown voltage (BV) of 5.85 kV is measured, which is 93% of the theoretical BV. A specific ON-resistance (R-ON) of 28 m Omega.cm(2) was obtained.QC 20150407</p

Investigation of the breakdown voltage in high voltage 4H-SiC BJT with respect to oxide and interface charges

Ion implantation in silicon carbide (SiC) induces defects during the process. Implantation free processing can eliminate these problems. The junction termination extension (JTE) can also be formed without ion implantation in SiC bipolar junction transistor (BJT) using a well-controlled etching into the epitaxial base layer. The fixed charges at the SiC/SiO2 interface modify the effective dose of the JTEs, leakage current, and breakdown voltage. In this paper the influence of fixed charges (positive and negative) and also interface trap density at the SiC/SiO2 interface on the breakdown voltage in 4.5 kV 4H-SiC non-ion implanted BJT have been simulated. SiO2 as a surface passivation layer including interface traps and fixed charges has been considered in the analysis. Simulation result shows that the fixed charges influence the breakdown voltage significantly more than the interface traps. It also shows that the positive fixed charges reduce the breakdown voltage more than the negative fixed charges. The combination of interface traps and fixed charges must be considered when optimizing the breakdown voltage.QC 20160318</p

4.5-kV 20-mΩ. cm2 Implantation-Free 4H-SiC BJT with Trench Structures on the Junction Termination Extension

A single-mask junction termination extension withtrench structures is formed to realize a 4.5 kV implantation-free 4H-SiCbipolar junction transistor (BJT). The trench structures are formed on the baselayer with dry etching using a single mask. The electric field distributionalong the structure is controlled by the number and dimensions of the trenches.The electric field is distributed by the trench structures and thus the electricfield crowding at the base and mesa edges is diminished. The design isoptimized in terms of the depth, width, spacing, and number of the trenches toachieve a breakdown voltage (VB) of 4.5 kV, which is 85% of thetheoretical value. Higher efficiency is obtainable with finer lithographicresolution leading to smaller pitch, and higher number and narrower trenches.The specific on-resistance (RON) of 20 mΩ.cm2 is measuredfor the small-area BJT with active area of 0.04 mm2. The BV-RONof the fabricated device is very close to the SiC limit and by far exceeds thebest SiC MOSFETs.QC 20160523</p