LDMOS Breakdown Voltage via Buried Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lateral-diffused-metal-oxide-semiconductor (LDMOS) devices often exhibit lower source-drain breakdown voltage (BVDSS) due to operational asymmetry, with the asymmetric region having significantly lower BVDSS compared to the symmetrical region, limiting overall device performance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a buried layer (BL) region of opposite conductivity type proximate to the deep trench isolation (DTI) region in the asymmetric LDMOS region, which raises the breakdown voltage to match that of the symmetrical region, thereby improving overall BVDSS.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If LDMOS device structure is used, then high power handling capability is achieved, but source-drain breakdown voltage is reduced due to operational asymmetry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower handling capabilityVSAvoidsource-drain breakdown voltage
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a buried layer region with specific doping characteristics (opposite conductivity type, specific depth and concentration) localized in the asymmetric region near the DTI region. This local structural modification creates different electrical properties in different regions of the device, specifically enhancing the breakdown voltage in the asymmetric region without affecting the overall power handling capability of the LDMOS structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If asymmetric region design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but breakdown voltage uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structure complexityVSAvoidbreakdown voltage uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than redesigning the entire device structure, the patent applies a localized buried layer region specifically in the asymmetric area. This maintains the overall simplicity of the LDMOS structure while locally correcting the breakdown voltage uniformity issue through targeted structural modification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent addresses the two-dimensional asymmetry issue by introducing a vertical dimension element - the buried layer region extending from the surface into the substrate. This vertical structure modifies the electric field distribution in the asymmetric region, achieving breakdown voltage uniformity without complicating the planar device layout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2680312B1High breakdown voltage LDMOS device
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 NXP USA INC
  • EP2680312B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2680312B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2680312B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A multi-region (81, 83) lateral-diffused-metal-oxide-semiconductor (LDMOS) device (40) has a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) support structure (21) on or over which are formed a substantially symmetrical, laterally internal, first LDMOS region (81) and a substantially asymmetric, laterally edge-proximate, second LDMOS region (83). A deep-trench isolation (DTI) wall (60) substantially laterally terminates the laterally edge-proximate second LDMOS region (83). Electric field enhancement and lower source-drain breakdown voltages (BVDSS) exhibited by the laterally edge-proximate second LDMOS region (83) associated with the DTI wall (60) are avoided by providing a doped SC buried layer region (86) in the SOI support structure (21) proximate the DTI wall (60), underlying a portion of the laterally edge-proximate second LDMOS region (83) and of opposite conductivity type than a drain region (31) of the laterally edge-proximate second LDMOS region (83).