Porous-Junction SCR Structure for Low Trigger Voltage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) devices have high trigger voltage and large footprint, limiting their high current performance and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a porous semiconductor region at the junction of N-well and P-well in the semiconductor substrate, combined with shallow trench isolation structures, reduces trigger voltage and increases holding current performance while minimizing device size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If conventional SCR device structure is used, then device can conduct current in unidirectional mode, but trigger voltage is high and footprint is large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrigger voltageVSAvoiddevice footprint
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a porous semiconductor region at the junction of the p-well and n-well, which utilizes the unique properties of porous materials to reduce trigger voltage and enhance carrier injection efficiency, thereby resolving the contradiction between low trigger voltage and compact footprint

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical and electrical parameters of the junction region by creating a porous structure with controlled porosity and doping characteristics, which changes the electrical field distribution and reduces the trigger voltage while maintaining a compact device structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If conventional SCR device structure is used, then device maintains stability, but high current performance is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh current performanceVSAvoiddevice stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The porous semiconductor region enhances high current performance by improving carrier injection and transport efficiency through its unique structure, while the overall device stability is maintained through proper integration with the conventional p-n-p-n SCR architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure combining conventional doped semiconductor regions with a porous semiconductor region, leveraging the advantages of both approaches to achieve high current performance while maintaining device stability through the p-n-p-n switching configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP4421874A1High performance silicon controlled rectifier devices
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 GLOBALFOUNDRIES US INC
  • EP4421874A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4421874A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4421874A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to high performance silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) devices and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a first well in a semiconductor substrate; a second well in the semiconductor substrate, adjacent to the first well; and a porous semiconductor region extending in the first well and the second well.