Semiconductor Die Layout for Longitudinal MGD Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of a MOS gated diode (MGD) alongside a vertical transistor device in a semiconductor die poses challenges in lithography and manufacturing due to the decreasing distance between gate trenches as cell pitch decreases, particularly when arranged in a transverse direction, increasing the complexity and effort in manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

The MGD is integrated consecutive to the transistor device in the longitudinal direction of the gate trench, allowing for a common straight line alignment and shared trench structure, which simplifies lithography requirements and manufacturing processes by reducing the need for complex alignment and shared processing steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If the MGD is arranged aside the transistor device in the transverse direction (perpendicular to gate trench extension), then the integration density is improved, but the lithography complexity and manufacturing effort increase due to decreasing distance between gate trenches

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration densityVSAvoidlithography complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from transverse arrangement (perpendicular to gate trench extension) to longitudinal arrangement (parallel to gate trench extension). This dimensional reorientation allows the MGD to be positioned along the length of the gate trench rather than across its width, maintaining integration density while increasing the distance between adjacent gate trenches and reducing lithography complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by placing the MGD in the longitudinal direction opposite to the typical transverse placement. This inversion resolves the lithography challenge by ensuring that the MGD gate trench does not interfere with adjacent transistor gate trenches, as the longitudinal spacing is inherently larger than transverse spacing in standard cell designs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Quantity of substance

If the cell pitch is decreased to increase integration density, then the quantity of devices per area is improved, but the distance between gate trenches decreases leading to increased manufacturing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of devices per areaVSAvoidgate trench spacing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By arranging the MGD in the longitudinal direction rather than transverse direction, the patent utilizes the longer dimension of the cell structure. This allows cell pitch reduction in the transverse direction (increasing device density) without proportionally reducing the longitudinal spacing between MGD and transistor gate trenches, thereby maintaining manufacturability

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different spatial relationships to different device types: transverse arrangement for parallel transistor cells (maximizing density) and longitudinal arrangement for MGD integration (maintaining spacing). This localized quality differentiation allows high overall density while preserving manufacturing precision for critical gate trench spacing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4421877A1Semiconductor die and method of manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 INFINEON TECH AUSTRIA AG
  • EP4421877A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4421877A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4421877A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a semiconductor die (1) comprising a vertical transistor device (10) having a gate electrode (11) in a gate trench (12), and a MOS gated diode MGD (20) having an MGD gate electrode (21) in an MGD trench (22), wherein the gate trench (12) of the transistor device (10) has an elongated extension in a first lateral direction (31), and wherein the transistor device (10) and the MOS gated diode (20) are arranged consecutive in the first lateral direction (31).