The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-008604 filed on Jan. 22, 2021 including the specification, drawings and abstract is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a semiconductor package.
There are disclosed techniques listed below.
Patent Document 1 discloses a semiconductor device having a semiconductor substrate, a gate insulating film, and a gate. The semiconductor substrate has a first surface and a second surface. The second surface is an opposite surface to the first surface. The semiconductor substrate has a source region located in the first surface, a drain region located in the second surface, a drift region in contact with the first surface side of the drain region, and a base region including a channel region sandwiched between the source region and the drift region.
A gate trench is formed in the first surface. A bottom wall of the gate trench is located in the drift region. A channel region is exposed from a side wall of the gate trench. A gate insulating film is formed on the side wall and on the bottom wall of the gate trench. The gate is arranged inside the gate trench so as to face the channel region with the gate insulating film interposed therebetween.
In the semiconductor device disclosed in Patent Document 1, as a measure to reduce an ON resistance, it is considered to form a thin drain region by polishing the semiconductor substrate from the second surface side. However, in this case, the entire semiconductor substrate would become thin, and as a result, handling ability in the manufacturing process is deteriorated.
The present invention provides a semiconductor device capable of maintaining the handling ability in the manufacturing process while reducing the ON resistance.
The semiconductor device according to one embodiment comprises a semiconductor substrate having a first surface and a second surface on an opposite side of the first surface, a gate insulating film formed on the first surface, a gate formed on the first surface via the gate insulating film, a source region formed on the first surface side of the semiconductor substrate, a body region formed so as to be in contact with the source region and including a channel region, a drain region formed on the second surface side of the semiconductor substrate, and a drift region formed so as to be in contact with the second surface side of the body region and the first surface side of the drain region. The gate faces the channel region with the gate insulating film interposed therebetween. The semiconductor substrate has at least one concave portion formed in the second surface and being recessed toward the first surface.
According to the semiconductor device of one embodiment, it is possible to maintain the handling ability in the manufacturing process while reducing the ON resistance.
Hereinafter, details of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all of the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding members are denoted by the same reference signs, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted as appropriate.
Hereinafter, a semiconductor device according to a first embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “semiconductor device DEV1”) will be described.
<Configuration of Semiconductor Device DEV1>
The semiconductor substrate SUB has a first surface FS and a second surface SS. The first surface FS and the second surface SS are end surfaces in a thickness direction of the semiconductor substrate SUB. The second surface SS is an opposite surface to the first surface FS.
In plan view (or when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the first surface FS and the second surface SS), the semiconductor substrate SUB has an outer peripheral region R1 and a cell region R2. The outer peripheral region R1 is a portion located at an outer periphery of the semiconductor substrate SUB in plan view. In plan view, the cell region R2 is located inside the outer peripheral region R1. The cell region R2 is a portion where a cell structure of a MOSFET (Metal Oxide Field-Effect Transistor) is formed.
In the cell region R2, the semiconductor substrate SUB has a source region SR, a drain region DRA, a drift region DRI, and a body region BR. A conductivity type of each of the source region SR, the drain region DRA and the drift region DRI is a first conductivity type. A conductivity type of the body region BR is a second conductivity type. The second conductivity type is a conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type. For example, in a case where the first conductivity type is n type, the second conductivity type is p type. An impurity concentration in each of the source region SR and the drain region DRA is higher than an impurity concentration in the drift region DRI.
The source region SR is located in the first surface FS. The drain region DRA is located in the second surface SS. The drift region DRI is formed on the drain region DRA. Namely, the drift region DRI is in contact with the first surface FS side of the drain region DRA. The body region BR is sandwiched between the source region SR and the drift region DRI.
In the cell region R2, a gate trench GTR is formed in the first surface FS. The gate trench GTR extends toward the second surface SS. A bottom wall of the gate trench GTR is located in the drift region DRI. The source region SR, the body region BR and the drift region DRI are exposed from a side wall of the gate trench GTR. A portion of the body region BR exposed from the gate trench GTR is defined as a channel region CH.
In the cell region R2, a concave portion RP is formed in the second surface SS. In the concave portion RP, the second surface SS is recessed toward the first surface FS side. As shown in
The semiconductor substrate SUB is formed of, for example, a single-crystal silicon. The first surface FS and the second surface SS are preferably orthogonal to a <100> direction of the single-crystal silicon. A side wall of the concave portion RP is at an angle θ with respect to the second surface SS. The angle θ is preferably 50 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less. The side wall of the concave portion RP is preferably orthogonal to a <111> direction of the single-crystal silicon. In the single-crystal silicon, an angle between the <100> direction and the <111> direction is approximately 55 degrees, and more specifically is 54.7 degrees.
A thickness of the drift region DRI is defined as a thickness T1. A thickness of the drain region DRA in a portion where the concave portion RP is formed is defined as a thickness T2. A thickness of the drain region DRA in a portion where the concave portion RP is not formed (that is, the outer peripheral region R1) is defined as a thickness T3. The thickness T2 is smaller than the thickness T3. Namely, the semiconductor substrate SUB has a sufficient thickness in the outer peripheral region R1.
The gate insulating film GI is arranged on the side wall and on the bottom wall of the gate trench GTR. The gate insulating film GI is formed of, for example, silicon oxide. The gate GA is arranged in the gate trench GTR. The gate insulating film GI is interposed between the gate GA and the side wall and the bottom wall of the gate trench GTR. Namely, the gate GA faces the channel region CH while being insulated by the gate insulating film GI. The gate GA is formed of, for example, polysilicon.
The interlayer insulating film ILD is arranged on the first surface FS. The interlayer insulating film ILD is formed of, for example, silicon oxide.
The source electrode EL1 and the gate electrode EL2 are arranged on the interlayer insulating film ILD. The source region SR and the gate GA are respectively and electrically connected to the source electrode EL1 and the gate electrode EL2 by contact plugs (not shown) formed in the interlayer insulating film ILD. The source electrode EL1 is arranged so as to overlap the cell region R2. The gate electrode EL2 is arranged so as to not overlap the cell region R2. The drain electrode EL3 is formed on the second surface SS. The source electrode EL1, the gate electrode EL2 and the drain electrode EL3 are formed of, for example, aluminum.
<Manufacturing Method of Semiconductor Device DEV1>
In the preparation step S1, the semiconductor substrate SUB is prepared.
In the epitaxial growth step S2, an epitaxial layer EPI is formed.
In the contact plug formation step S9, the contact plug is formed. When forming the contact plug, first, a contact hole is formed in the interlayer insulating film ILD. The contact hole penetrates the interlayer insulating film ILD along the thickness direction. The contact hole is formed by performing, for example, dry etching such as RIE. Next, a material constituting the contact plug is embedded in the contact hole by the CVD method. Then, the material constituting the contact plug and overflowing from the contact hole is removed by etch back, CMP, or the like.
Next, the semiconductor substrate SUB is etched from an opening in the mask to form the concave portion RP. Etching is preferably performed by wet etching using tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH). In a case where wet etching using TMAH is performed on the single-crystal silicon, an etching rate significantly differs between crystal orientations. Therefore, in a case where the second surface SS is orthogonal to the <100> direction of the single-crystal silicon, the surface orthogonal to the <111> direction of the single-crystal silicon is exposed from the side wall of the concave portion RP, and the angle θ becomes 50 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less.
As a result of the concave portion formation step S11, the drain region DRA becomes thin in the portion where the concave portion RP is formed, and the thickness T3 of the drain region DRA becomes the thickness T2. Namely, as a result of the concave portion formation step S11, the thickness of the drain region DRA at the position where the concave portion RP is formed becomes thinner than at the position where the concave portion RP is not formed (that is, the outer peripheral region R1).
When forming the source electrode EL1 and the gate electrode EL2, first, a material constituting the source electrode EL1 (gate electrode EL2) is deposited on the interlayer insulating film ILD by sputtering or the like. Next, the deposited material constituting the source electrode EL1 (gate electrode EL2) is patterned to form the source electrode EL1 and the gate electrode EL2.
<Effects of Semiconductor Device DEV1>
In the semiconductor device DEV1, since the thickness of the drain region DRA is thin in the portion where the concave portion RP is formed, the ON resistance is reduced. For example, when the thickness of the drift region DRI is 5 μm, a resistivity of the drift region DRI is 0.12 Ω·cm, a resistivity of the drain region DRA is 0.8 mΩ·cm, and the concave portion RP is formed to make the thickness of the drain region DRA from 150 μm to 5 μm, it is possible to reduce the ON resistance by about 20 percent (in a case where the thickness of the drain region DRA is 150 μm, the ON resistance becomes 0.12 Ω·cm×5 μm+0.8 mΩ·cm×150 μm≈7.2 mΩ·mm2, and in a case where the thickness of the drain region DRA is reduced to 5 μm, the ON resistance becomes 0.12 Ω·cm×5 μm+0.8 mΩ×5 μm≈6.0 mΩ·mm2).
On the other hand, since the thickness of the drain region DRA is maintained in the portion where the concave portion RP is not formed (that is, in the outer peripheral region R1), the handling ability in the manufacturing process is maintained.
Namely, in a case where the thickness of the concave portion RP in the outer peripheral region R1 is thin, it would be difficult to use the dicing blade to cut the semiconductor substrate SUB in the singulation step S14. However, in the semiconductor device DEV1, since the thickness of the drain region DRA in the outer peripheral region R1 is maintained, it is possible to use the dicing blade to cut the semiconductor substrate SUB. Thus, according to the semiconductor device DEV1, it is possible to maintain the handling ability in the manufacturing process while reducing the ON resistance.
In a case where the second surface SS is orthogonal to the <100> direction of the single-crystal silicon, the angle θ can be made to be 50 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less by performing wet etching using TMAH on the concave portion RP. Namely, in this case, a tapered concave portion RP can be formed. As a result, when forming the drain electrode EL3, it is possible to suppress the drain electrode EL3 from becoming locally thin (in which step disconnection occurs in the drain electrode EL3).
The first surface FS and the second surface SS are orthogonal to the <110> direction of the single-crystal silicon.
Hereinafter, a semiconductor device according to a second embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “semiconductor device DEV2”) will be described. Here, points that differ from the semiconductor device DEV1 will be mainly described, and redundant descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.
<Configuration of Semiconductor Device DEV2>
The semiconductor device DEV2 has a plurality of the concave portions RP. In plan view, the plurality of concave portions RP in the semiconductor device DEV2 is arranged in a lattice-like arrangement. This lattice-like arrangement is, for example, a square-lattice arrangement. In this regard, the configuration of the semiconductor device DEV2 differs from the configuration of the semiconductor device DEV1. In plan view, the concave portion RP has, for example, a rectangular shape.
A pitch between two adjacent concave portions RP is defined as a pitch P. A minimum distance between the opposing side walls of the concave portion RP is defined as a width W. The pitch P is preferably larger than the width W. A value obtained by dividing the width W by the pitch P is preferably 0.1 or more and 0.4 or less. The concave portion RP is preferably formed at a position where it does not overlap the gate electrode EL2 in plan view. The gate electrode EL2 is at a position where it does not overlap the cell region in plan view.
<Effects of Semiconductor Device DEV2>
There may be a case where wire bonding is performed on the source electrode EL1 and the gate electrode EL2. Since one relatively large concave portion RP is formed in the semiconductor device DEV1, when wire bonding is performed, a load is applied to the semiconductor substrate SUB such that the semiconductor substrate SUB flexes, and there is a risk of cracking of the semiconductor substrate SUB.
On the other hand, since relatively small concave portions are formed in the semiconductor device DEV2 in a lattice-like arrangement, the load applied at the time of wire bonding can be supported by the second surface SS between the concave portions RP. Therefore, according to the semiconductor device DEV2, it is possible to suppress cracking of the semiconductor substrate SUB caused by the load applied at the time of wire bonding.
In a case where the value obtained by dividing width W by the pitch P is 0.1 or more and 0.4 or less, it is possible to secure a strength against the load applied at the time of wire bonding while reducing the ON resistance associated with the formation of the concave portion RP.
In a case where the concave portion RP is arranged at a position where it does not overlap the gate electrode EL2 in plan view, it is possible to suppress cracking of the semiconductor substrate SUB caused by the load applied when wire bonding is performed on the gate electrode EL2. Since the gate electrode EL2 is at a position where it does no overlap the cell region R2 in plan view, the ON resistance hardly increases even if the concave portion RP is not formed at a position where it overlaps the gate electrode EL2 in plan view.
Hereinafter, a semiconductor device according to a third embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “semiconductor device DEV3”) will be described. Here, points that differ from the semiconductor device DEV1 will be mainly described, and redundant descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.
<Configuration of Semiconductor Device DEV3>
The semiconductor device DEV3 has a plurality of grooves TR formed as the concave portion RP. In this regard, the configuration of the semiconductor device DEV3 differs from the configuration of the semiconductor device DEV1.
In plan view, the grooves TR extend along a first direction DR1. The plurality of grooves TR are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other in a second direction DR2. The second direction DR2 is a direction orthogonal to the first direction DR1. Each of the grooves TR is preferably formed at a position where it does not overlap the gate electrode EL2 in plan view.
In plan view, an extension direction of the gate trench GTR preferably extends along the first direction DR1. Namely, the extension direction of the gate trench GTR is preferably parallel to the extension direction of each of the grooves TR. However, the extension direction of the gate trench GTR may extend along the second direction DR2.
<Effects of Semiconductor Device DEV3>
Since a plurality of grooves TR is formed in the semiconductor device DEV3, the load applied at the time of wire bonding can be supported by the second surface SS between the grooves TR. Therefore, according to the semiconductor device DEV3, it is possible to suppress cracking of the semiconductor substrate SUB caused by the load applied at the time of wire bonding. In a case where the extension direction of each of the grooves TR extends along the extension direction of the gate trench GTR, it is possible to further reduce the ON resistance.
Hereinafter, a semiconductor device according to a fourth embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “semiconductor device DEV4”) will be described. Here, points that differ from the semiconductor device DEV1 will be mainly described, and redundant descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.
<Configuration of Semiconductor Device DEV4>
The semiconductor device DEV4 further has a conductor CB. In this regard, the configuration of the semiconductor device DEV4 differs from the configuration of the semiconductor device DEV1. The conductor CB is embedded in the concave portion RP. The conductor CB is formed of, for example, a sintered body of silver particles. However, the conductor CB is not limited to be formed of such of sintered body.
<Effects of Semiconductor Device DEV4>
Since the conductor CB is embedded in the concave portion RP in the semiconductor device DEV3, the load applied at the time of wire bonding is also supported by the conductor CB. Therefore, according to the semiconductor device DEV4, it is possible to suppress cracking of the semiconductor substrate SUB caused by the load applied at the time of wire bonding.
Hereinafter, a semiconductor package according to a fifth embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “semiconductor package PKG1”) will be described.
<Configuration of Semiconductor Package PKG1>
The semiconductor device DEV1 is arranged such that the second surface SS faces the lead frame LF (die pad DP). As a result, the convex portion PP is inserted into the concave portion RP. Although not shown, the drain electrode EL3 and the lead frame LF (die pad DP) are connected by, for example, solder. A bonding wire BW is connected to each of the source electrode EL1 and the gate electrode EL2.
<Effects of Semiconductor Package PKG1>
In the semiconductor package PKG1, since the load applied at the time of wire bonding of the bonding wire BW to each of the source electrode EL1 and the gate electrode EL2 is also supported by the convex portion PP, it is possible to suppress cracking of the semiconductor substrate SUB caused by the load applied at the time of wire bonding.
Hereinafter, a semiconductor package according to a sixth embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “semiconductor package PKG2”) will be described.
<Configuration of Semiconductor Package PKG2>
The semiconductor device DEV1 is arranged such that the first surface FS faces the lead frame LF (die pad DP). The source electrode EL1 and the gate electrode EL2 are respectively connected to the first portion DP1 and the second portion DP2. The source electrode EL1 and the first portion DP1, and the gate electrode EL2 and the second portion DP2 are connected by, for example, solder (not shown). The bonding wire BW is connected to a portion of the drain electrode EL3 that is located on the bottom wall of the concave portion RP.
<Effects of Semiconductor Package PKG2>
In the semiconductor package PKG2, since wire bonding is not performed on the source electrode EL1 and the gate electrode EL2, it is possible to suppress cracking of the semiconductor substrate SUB caused by the load applied at the time of wire bonding.
In the foregoing, the invention made by the present inventors has been concretely described based on the embodiments. However, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, and various modifications and alterations can be made within the scope of the present invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2021-008604 | Jan 2021 | JP | national |