P-Channel LDMOS Transistor Vertical Breakdown via Local Doping Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

P-channel LDMOS transistors face challenges with high on-resistance and punch-through behavior due to n-well doping concentration, where high doping concentration improves breakdown voltage but increases complexity and cost, while low doping concentration leads to punch-through at lower voltages and high on-resistance.

Innovation Solution

A p implant region is formed in the n-well under the p-well to locally compensate n-type dopants, modifying the doping profile and increasing the vertical breakdown voltage without altering the n-well depth, thereby reducing on-resistance and improving punch-through behavior.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the n-well comprises a relatively high doping concentration, then the vertical breakdown voltage is improved, but the punch-through voltage decreases and the device breakdown voltage is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevertical breakdown voltageVSAvoidpunch-through behavior
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a p implant region with specific doping characteristics in a localized area under the p-well. This region has a doping concentration and depth specifically tailored to compensate for excess n-type dopants only in the critical area where punch-through occurs, while maintaining high n-well doping concentration elsewhere for high vertical breakdown voltage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the doping parameters by introducing a p implant region with specific doping concentration and depth parameters. This modifies the net doping profile in the n-well under the p-well, creating an optimized doping distribution that simultaneously achieves high vertical breakdown voltage and suppresses punch-through at appropriate voltage levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the n-well comprises a low doping concentration, then the punch-through voltage is improved, but the on-resistance increases and the device breakdown voltage is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepunch-through behaviorVSAvoidon-resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a p implant region with specific doping characteristics in a localized area under the p-well. This region has a doping concentration and depth specifically tailored to compensate for excess n-type dopants only in the critical area where punch-through occurs, while maintaining high n-well doping concentration elsewhere for high vertical breakdown voltage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the doping parameters by introducing a p implant region with specific doping concentration and depth parameters. This modifies the net doping profile in the n-well under the p-well, creating an optimized doping distribution that simultaneously achieves high vertical breakdown voltage and suppresses punch-through at appropriate voltage levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the depth of the n-well is increased to suppress punch-through, then the punch-through behavior is improved, but the process complexity and fabrication costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepunch-through behaviorVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a p implant region with specific doping characteristics in a localized area under the p-well. This region has a doping concentration and depth specifically tailored to compensate for excess n-type dopants only in the critical area where punch-through occurs, while maintaining high n-well doping concentration elsewhere for high vertical breakdown voltage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the doping parameters by introducing a p implant region with specific doping concentration and depth parameters. This modifies the net doping profile in the n-well under the p-well, creating an optimized doping distribution that simultaneously achieves high vertical breakdown voltage and suppresses punch-through at appropriate voltage levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The modified doping profile enhances the vertical breakdown voltage and reduces on-resistance, improving the transistor's performance without increasing process complexity or fabrication costs.

Implementation Method 1

A p implant region is formed in the n-well under the p-well to locally compensate n-type dopants

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon implantation: Ion Implantation

Data Source

PatentEP2402998B1Method of producing a p-channel LDMOS transistor
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 AUSTRIAMICROSYSTEMS AG
  • EP2402998B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2402998B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The p-channel LDMOS transistor comprises a semiconductor substrate (1), an n well (2) of n-type conductivity in the substrate, and a p well (3) of p-type conductivity in the n well. A portion of the n well is located under the p well. A drain region (4) of p-type conductivity is arranged in the p well, and a source region (9) of p-type conductivity is arranged in the n well. A gate dielectric (7) is arranged on the substrate, and a gate electrode (8) is arranged on the gate dielectric. A body contact region (14) of n-type conductivity is arranged in the n well. A p implant region (17) is arranged in the n well under the p well in the vicinity of the p well. The p implant region locally compensates n-type dopants of the n well to reduce the doping concentration of the n well, thereby increasing the vertical breakdown voltage at the pn junction between the n well and the p well.