Trench Bottom Electric Field Reduction in Semiconductor Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

The formation of an electric field reducing region at the trench bottom portion in semiconductor devices limits current flow due to high resistance, resulting in decreased forward current and reduced withstand voltage.

Innovation Solution

The electric field reducing region is strategically placed only around the corner portions of the trench bottom, allowing current to flow through the center portion, thereby reducing resistance and maintaining high withstand voltage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an electric field reducing region is formed in the trench bottom portion, then the reverse withstand voltage is improved, but the forward current decreases due to high resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereverse withstand voltageVSAvoidforward current
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The electric field reducing region is formed selectively only in the corner portions of the trench bottom, not uniformly across the entire bottom. This localized approach reduces the electric field concentration at corners (improving reverse withstand voltage) while leaving the center portion conductive (maintaining forward current). The selective placement resolves the contradiction by applying the electric field reduction function only where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The trench bottom is divided into different functional zones: corner portions with electric field reducing regions and a center portion without. This segmentation allows different areas to serve different purposes - corners for voltage withstanding and center for current conduction - thereby resolving the contradiction between reverse withstand voltage and forward current.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the electric field reducing region covers the entire trench bottom, then the electric field is reduced effectively, but the current flow path is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectric field reductionVSAvoidcurrent flow
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly covering the entire trench bottom, the electric field reducing region is applied locally only to corner portions. This resolves the contradiction by providing electric field reduction exactly where it is needed (at corners where field concentration occurs) while preserving current flow paths in the center region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The trench bottom is segmented into corner regions (with electric field reducing regions) and center region (without). This segmentation strategy ensures that the harmful electric field concentration is addressed locally at corners while the center region remains open for current flow, resolving the contradiction between electric field reduction and current flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This configuration suppresses the decrease in forward current while enhancing the reverse withstand voltage by ensuring that the current flows through lower resistance regions, improving the overall performance of the semiconductor device.

Implementation Method 1

a method of reducing an electric field in corner portions of a trench bottom portion of a semiconductor device by implanting ions into the entire trench bottom portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon implantation: Ion Implantation

Data Source

PatentEP2911205B1Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
Publication Date: 2020.12.09 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2911205B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2911205B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2911205B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A semiconductor device (100) comprises: a semiconductor substrate (1); a drift region (2) of a first conductivity type having a trench in part of an upper portion thereof and arranged on a first main surface of the semiconductor substrate (100); an electric field reducing region (4) of a second conductivity type arranged, in a bottom portion of the trench, only around a corner portion and not in a center portion; an anode electrode (9) embedded in the trench; and a cathode electrode (10) arranged on a second main surface of the semiconductor substrate (100) which is opposite to the first main surface.