Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
The semiconductor device with trench-based Schottky barrier junctions in RC-IGBTs addresses the challenges of optimizing IGBT and diode performance on a single chip, enhancing hole injection suppression and recovery characteristics while maintaining breakdown voltage and enabling miniaturization.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024017545
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-02-08
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing reverse conducting IGBTs (RC-IGBTs) face challenges in simultaneously optimizing the IGBT and diode on the same chip, particularly in controlling diode lifetime, reducing diode injection and recovery loss, and maintaining breakdown voltage due to the need for additional processing steps and potential electric field concentration.
The semiconductor device incorporates a first semiconductor layer with trenches, a body layer, and a source layer for the IGBT section, and a diode section with trenches and an n-layer forming a Schottky barrier junction, allowing for miniaturization and improved hole injection suppression and recovery characteristics without additional photolithography steps.
This configuration effectively suppresses hole injection and enhances recovery characteristics in RC-IGBTs, maintaining breakdown voltage while allowing for chip miniaturization and reducing the need for separate pillar layers.
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Figure 2025122257000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a semiconductor device structure and a manufacturing method thereof, and in particular to a technique that is effective when applied to a reverse conducting IGBT (RC-IGBT) in which an IGBT and a diode are built into the same chip. [Background technology]
[0002] IGBTs (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors), which are capable of high-power, high-speed switching, are widely used in a wide range of applications, from industrial to consumer, and even automotive applications, including motor control inverters for electric vehicles and trains, and inverter circuits for induction cookware, washing machines, and air conditioners.
[0003] In many IGBT applications, there is a mode in which a freewheeling current flows from the emitter to the collector. Conventionally, to accommodate this freewheeling operation, a freewheeling diode is connected in anti-parallel to the IGBT on a separate chip.
[0004] In recent years, reverse conducting IGBTs (RC-IGBTs), which combine an IGBT and a freewheel diode on a single chip, have become increasingly popular. A reverse conducting IGBT incorporates a freewheel diode into the IGBT chip, and a diode is connected in reverse parallel to the IGBT to perform freewheeling operation.
[0005] As background art in this technical field, for example, there is a technique such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses "a technique for suppressing gate interference in an RC-IGBT employing a diode structure with a Schottky connection."
[0006] In Patent Document 1, n-type pillar layers (24a, 24b) are provided in the diode section, and a Schottky barrier diode is built in, thereby suppressing hole injection into the pn diode.
[0007] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a "semiconductor device with a short recovery time."
[0008] In Patent Document 2, a connection region 16 is provided in the diode portion, and a lower end 16d and an n - Layer 21 has a structure in which a Schottky barrier diode is built in. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-165541 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-55079 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0010] Reverse conducting IGBTs (RC-IGBTs) have the advantage of reducing chip size by allowing the termination areas of the IGBT and diode to be shared, and reducing thermal resistance because losses generated in the IGBT or diode areas are dissipated throughout the entire chip.
[0011] On the other hand, since the IGBT and diode are fabricated on the same chip, simultaneous optimization of each chip is difficult, and controlling the lifetime of the diode is particularly difficult, making it difficult to reduce the diode injection and recovery loss.
[0012] In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, an n-pillar layer is formed to incorporate a Schottky barrier diode in the diode section of the RC-IGBT. However, in order to form this pillar layer, in addition to the normal process for forming the diode section of the RC-IGBT, an additional photolithography step and ion implantation step are required to form the n-pillar layer. Furthermore, since the n-pillar layer is provided inside the p-body layer, miniaturization is difficult, which poses a problem of limitations on characteristic improvement.
[0013] In addition, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, a connection region is provided in the diode section, and n - Although a contact layer is provided between the layers, there is no p-body layer in the diode section, so when the breakdown voltage is maintained, the electric field concentrates at the corners of the connection area, raising concerns about a decrease in breakdown voltage and an increase in leakage current.
[0014] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof that can more effectively suppress hole injection into the diode portion and improve recovery characteristics in a reverse conducting IGBT (RC-IGBT) that has an IGBT and a diode built into the same chip. [Means for solving the problem]
[0015] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a semiconductor device having an IGBT and a diode on the same chip, wherein the IGBT comprises a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, a plurality of first trenches formed in the first semiconductor layer, a body layer of a second conductivity type sandwiched between the plurality of first trenches and formed on the first semiconductor layer, and a source layer of the first conductivity type sandwiched between the plurality of first trenches and formed on the body layer; the diode comprises the first semiconductor layer, a plurality of second trenches formed in the first semiconductor layer, an n-layer sandwiched between the plurality of second trenches and formed on the first semiconductor layer, and the body layer sandwiched between the plurality of second trenches and formed on the n-layer, wherein portions of the n-layer and the body layer are exposed to the surface in a direction parallel to the second trenches, and the n-layer forms a Schottky barrier junction.
[0016] The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor substrate, the method comprising the steps of: (a) forming a plurality of first trenches in a first region of a main surface of the semiconductor substrate, and forming a plurality of second trenches in a second region; (b) sequentially depositing an insulating film and an electrode film in each of the first trenches and the second trenches, and forming a gate electrode in the first trench and an electrode in the second trench by photolithography and dry etching; (c) forming an n-layer by ion implantation of n-type impurities in the main surface of the semiconductor substrate excluding the first trenches and the second trench; (d) selectively forming a mask between some of the second trenches on the second region; and (e) forming a p-body layer by ion implantation of p-type impurities in the main surface of the semiconductor substrate excluding the first trenches and the second trench. (f) selectively forming a mask between some of the first trenches on the first region and on the second region; (g) forming an n+ layer by ion implantation of n-type impurities on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate excluding the first trenches; (h) selectively forming a mask between some of the first trenches on the first region and between some of the second trenches on the second region; and (i) forming a p+ layer by ion implantation of p-type impurities on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate excluding the first trenches and the second trenches, wherein in the second region, portions of the n layer and the body layer are exposed at the surface of the semiconductor substrate in a direction parallel to the second trenches, and the n layer forms a Schottky barrier junction. [Effects of the Invention]
[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof that can more effectively suppress hole injection into the diode portion and improve recovery characteristics in a reverse conducting IGBT (RC-IGBT) that has an IGBT and a diode built into the same chip.
[0018] Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0019] [Figure 1A] 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the structure of a reverse conducting IGBT according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1B] 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA' in FIG. 1A. [Figure 2A] 1B is a diagram showing a manufacturing process of the reverse conducting IGBT of FIG. 1A. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the manufacturing process following FIG. 2A. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2C is a diagram showing the manufacturing process following FIG. 2B. [Figure 2D] FIG. 2D is a diagram showing the manufacturing process following FIG. 2C. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description of overlapping parts will be omitted. [Example]
[0021] First Embodiment A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 2D.
[0022] FIG. 1A is a perspective view schematically illustrating the structure of a reverse conducting IGBT (RC-IGBT) 1 of this embodiment. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A' of FIG. 1A. FIGS. 2A to 2D are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing process for the reverse conducting IGBT 1 of FIGS. 1A and 1B. Note that in each of FIGS. 1A to 2D, the interlayer insulating films, contacts, front electrodes, and back electrodes that the reverse conducting IGBT (RC-IGBT) 1 actually includes are omitted to make the structure easier to understand.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1A, a reverse conducting IGBT (RC-IGBT) 1 of this embodiment is configured by incorporating an IGBT section 3 and a diode section 4 in the same chip.
[0024] Reverse conducting IGBT1 is- The semiconductor device has a plurality of trenches 5 formed in the main surface of a semiconductor substrate (silicon substrate) 2. A plurality of trenches 5 are formed in each of the region where the IGBT section 3 is formed and the region where the diode section 4 is formed, and further, a trench 5 is also formed in the boundary region between the IGBT section 3 and the diode section 4.
[0025] An insulating film (silicon oxide film) 6 is formed inside each trench 5 so as to cover the bottom and side surfaces of the trench 5.
[0026] In the region where the IGBT section 3 is formed, an n-layer 9 is formed on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate 2 between the trenches 5, in a manner sandwiched between the trenches 5. Furthermore, on top of the n-layer 9, a p-body layer 10 is formed on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate 2 between the trenches 5, in a manner sandwiched between the trenches 5. Furthermore, on top of the p-body layer 10, an n-layer 9 is formed on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate 2 between the trenches 5, in a manner sandwiched between the trenches 5. + A layer 11 is formed.
[0027] In the IGBT section 3, in the depth direction of FIG. 1A, n + Layer 11 and p + The layers 12 are arranged alternately.
[0028] Inside the trench 5 of the IGBT section 3, a gate electrode (polysilicon electrode) 7 is formed with an insulating film (silicon oxide film) 6 interposed therebetween.
[0029] Meanwhile, in the region where the diode section 4 is formed, an n layer 9 is formed on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate 2 between the trenches 5, in a manner sandwiched between the trenches 5. Furthermore, a p body layer 10 is formed on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate 2 between the trenches 5 and in a manner sandwiched between the trenches 5 above the n layer 9. Furthermore, a p body layer 10 is formed on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate 2 between the trenches 5 and in a manner sandwiched between the trenches 5 above the p body layer 10. + A layer 12 is formed.
[0030] In the diode section 4, two p + Between layers 12, p-body layer 10, n-layer 9, and p-body layer 10 are arranged in this order.
[0031] An emitter electrode (polysilicon electrode) 8 is formed inside the trench 5 of the diode portion 4 with an insulating film (silicon oxide film) 6 interposed therebetween.
[0032] 1B, n layer 9 and p body layer 10 of diode section 4 are partially exposed on the surface of semiconductor substrate (silicon substrate) 2, and n layer 9 forms a Schottky barrier junction (SBD). In addition, a pn junction is formed between n layer 9 and p body layer 10.
[0033] An n-buffer layer 14 is formed on the back surface side of the semiconductor substrate 2. A p-layer (collector layer) 15 is further formed outside the n-buffer layer 14 of the IGBT section 3, and a p-layer (collector layer) 15 is further formed outside the n-buffer layer 14 of the diode section 4. + A layer (cathode layer) 16 is formed.
[0034] The reverse conducting IGBT (RC-IGBT) 1 of this embodiment is configured as described above, and in the diode section 4, the n layer 9 provided under the p body layer 10 is exposed to the surface in the depth direction sandwiched between the trenches 5, forming a Schottky barrier junction (SBD). Because it is formed in the depth direction, miniaturization is possible and there is no need to provide a separate pillar layer or the like.
[0035] Furthermore, when the breakdown voltage is maintained, the depletion layer extends from p body layer 10 sandwiching n layer 9 and adjacent trench 5 to n layer 9 on the surface, so that the breakdown voltage can be maintained.
[0036] A method for manufacturing the reverse conducting IGBT (RC-IGBT) 1 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2D.
[0037] First, as shown in Figure 2A, -A plurality of trenches 5 are formed in the main surface of a mold semiconductor substrate (silicon substrate) 2. At this time, the trenches 5 are formed in the region where the IGBT section 3 is to be formed, the region where the diode section 4 is to be formed, and the boundary region between the IGBT section 3 and the diode section 4.
[0038] Next, an insulating film (silicon oxide film) 6 and a polysilicon film (polysilicon electrodes 7, 8) are formed in this order on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate 2 so as to fill the trench 5 of the IGBT section 3, the trench 5 of the diode section 4, and the trench 5 in the boundary region between the IGBT section 3 and the diode section 4, and a gate electrode 7 is formed in the trench 5 of the IGBT section 3 by photolithography and dry etching, and an emitter electrode 8 is formed in the trench 5 of the diode section 4.
[0039] Next, as shown in FIG. 2B, a deep n-layer 9 is formed on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate 2 excluding the trenches 5, the insulating films 6, and the electrodes 7 and 8 by ion implantation of n-type impurities.
[0040] Next, as shown in FIG. 2C, a mask is selectively formed between some trenches 5 on the region where diode portion 4 is to be formed, and p-body layer 10 is formed on the main surface of semiconductor substrate 2 by ion implantation of p-type impurities.
[0041] In the IGBT section 3, the p-body layer 10 is formed on the entire surface between the trenches 5, and serves as a channel layer.
[0042] On the other hand, in the diode section 4, patterning is performed in a direction parallel to the trench 5, and the p-body layer 10 is formed so that a deep n-layer 9 is partially left on the surface.
[0043] The portion where the p-body layer 10 is exposed to the surface becomes a pn diode, and the remaining portion of the n-layer 9 becomes a Schottky barrier diode (SBD).
[0044] Next, as shown in FIG. 2D, a mask is selectively formed between some of the trenches 5 in the region where the IGBT section 3 is to be formed and on the region where the diode section 4 is to be formed, and n-type impurity ions are implanted into the main surface of the semiconductor substrate 2 except for the trenches 5 in the region where the IGBT section 3 is to be formed. + Layer 11 is formed.
[0045] Next, a mask is selectively formed between some of the trenches 5 in the region where the IGBT section 3 is to be formed and between some of the trenches 5 in the region where the diode section 4 is to be formed, and p-type impurity ions are implanted into the main surface of the semiconductor substrate 2 except for the trenches 5 in the region where the IGBT section 3 is to be formed and the trenches 5 in the region where the diode section 4 is to be formed. + Layer 12 is formed.
[0046] The IGBT section 3 has n + Layer 11 and p + The diode section 4 has p body layers 12 formed alternately, and p + Layer 12 is provided. + By making layer 12 a part of p-body layer 10, injection from the surface anode layer can also be reduced.
[0047] Although not shown, an interlayer insulating film is then formed on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate 2, and photolithography and dry etching are used to form contact holes that penetrate the interlayer insulating film and expose the semiconductor substrate 2. Then, a metal film is formed on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate 2 so as to fill the contact holes, and photolithography and dry etching are used to form contacts and surface electrodes.
[0048] Furthermore, the n-type buffer layer 14 on the rear surface, the p-type layer (collector layer) 15, and the n-type + A layer (cathode layer) 16 and a back electrode are formed, and the reverse conducting IGBT (RC-IGBT) 1 is completed.
[0049] As described above, the reverse conducting IGBT (RC-IGBT) 1 of this embodiment is a semiconductor device having an IGBT and a diode on the same chip. The IGBT section 3 is made of a first conductive type first semiconductor layer (n - layer 13) and the first semiconductor layer (n - A plurality of first trenches 5 are formed in the first semiconductor layer (n - a second conductivity type body layer (p body layer 10) formed on the first conductivity type body layer (p body layer 13), and a first conductivity type source layer (n + layer 11), and the diode section 4 has a first semiconductor layer (n - layer 13) and the first semiconductor layer (n - A plurality of second trenches 5 are formed in the first semiconductor layer (n - The semiconductor device has an n layer 9 formed on the second trenches 5 (layer 13), and a p body layer 10 sandwiched between the second trenches 5 and formed on the n layer 9, with portions of the n layer 9 and p body layer 10 exposed to the surface in a direction parallel to the second trenches 5, and the n layer 9 forming a Schottky barrier junction.
[0050] Furthermore, when the reverse conducting IGBT (RC-IGBT) 1 is viewed from above, the n layer 9 exposed on the surface is sandwiched between two p body layers 10 exposed on the surface.
[0051] In addition, a second conductivity type layer (p + layer 12) is provided.
[0052] And the second conductive layer (p + The surface of the layer 12) is substantially flush with the exposed surfaces of the n layer 9 and p body layer 10.
[0053] This makes it possible to more effectively suppress hole injection into the diode section and improve recovery characteristics in a reverse conducting IGBT (RC-IGBT) that incorporates an IGBT and diode on the same chip.
[0054] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of each embodiment with other configurations. [Explanation of symbols]
[0055] 1…Reverse conduction IGBT (RC-IGBT) 2...Semiconductor substrate (silicon substrate) 3…IGBT section 4...Diode section 5...Trench 6...Insulating film (silicon oxide film) 7...Gate electrode (polysilicon electrode) 8...Emitter electrode (polysilicon electrode) 9…n layer 10...p body layer 11...n + layer 12...p + layer 13...n - layer 14...n buffer layer 15...p layer (collector layer) 16...n + layer (cathode layer).
Claims
1. A semiconductor device having an IGBT and a diode in the same chip, The IGBT includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type; a plurality of first trenches formed in the first semiconductor layer; a body layer of a second conductivity type sandwiched between the plurality of first trenches and formed on the first semiconductor layer; a first conductivity type source layer sandwiched between the plurality of first trenches and formed on the body layer, The diode includes the first semiconductor layer and a plurality of second trenches formed in the first semiconductor layer; an n-layer sandwiched between the plurality of second trenches and formed on the first semiconductor layer; the body layer sandwiched between the plurality of second trenches and formed on the n-layer, the n-layer and the body layer are partially exposed to the surface in a direction parallel to the second trench; The semiconductor device is characterized in that the n-layer forms a Schottky barrier junction.
2. 2. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, The semiconductor device is characterized in that, when the semiconductor device is viewed in plan, the n-layer exposed on the surface is sandwiched between two of the body layers exposed on the surface.
3. 2. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, a second conductivity type layer having a higher concentration than the body layer is provided in a part of the body layer;
4. 4. The semiconductor device according to claim 3, a surface of the second conductivity type layer that is substantially flush with the exposed surfaces of the n-layer and the body layer;
5. (a) forming a plurality of first trenches in a first region of a major surface of a semiconductor substrate and a plurality of second trenches in a second region; (b) forming an insulating film and an electrode film in this order in each of the first trench and the second trench, and forming a gate electrode in the first trench and an electrode in the second trench by photolithography and dry etching; (c) forming an n-layer on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate excluding the first trench and the second trench by ion implantation of n-type impurities; (d) selectively forming a mask between some of the second trenches on the second region; (e) forming a p-body layer on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate excluding the first trench and the second trench by ion implantation of p-type impurities; (f) selectively forming a mask between some of the first trenches on the first region and on the second region; (g) implanting n-type impurities into the main surface of the semiconductor substrate excluding the first trench; + forming a layer; (h) selectively forming a mask between some of the first trenches on the first region and between some of the second trenches on the second region; (i) implanting p-type impurities into the main surface of the semiconductor substrate excluding the first trench and the second trench; + forming a layer; and In the second region, the n-layer and the body layer are partially exposed to the surface of the semiconductor substrate in a direction parallel to the second trench; The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is characterized in that the n-layer forms a Schottky barrier junction.
6. 6. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to claim 5, a first region formed on the first insulating film and a second region formed on the second insulating film;
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Semiconductor device
JP2015165541A
Semiconductor device
JP2017055079A