Advanced High-Voltage 4H-SiC Schottky Rectifiers

This paper presents advanced 4H-SiC high-voltage Schottky rectifiers with improved performance when compared to conventional 4H-SiC Schottky rectifiers. Two types of 4H-SiC junction barrier Schottky (JBS) rectifiers have been explored. These rectifiers offer Schottky-like ON-state and fast switching characteristics, while their OFF-state characteristics have a low leakage current similar to that of the PiN junction rectifier. Planar 4H-SiC JBS rectifiers, with more than 1-kV blocking capability and orders of magnitude lower reverse leakage current than that of conventional SiC Schottky rectifiers, have been demonstrated. In addition, a novel device structure, called lateral channel JBS rectifier, was designed and experimentally demonstrated in 4H-SiC with up to 1.5-kV blocking capability and pinlike reverse characteristics.      

A fully planarized 4H-SiC trench MOS barrier Schottky (TMBS)rectifier

A fully planarized 4H-SiC trench MOS barrier Schottky (TMBS) rectifier has been designed, fabricated and characterized for the first time. The use of a TMBS structure helps improve the reverse leakage current by more than three orders of magnitude compared to that of a planar Schottky rectifier. We have achieved a low reverse leakage current density of 6×10^-6 A/cm² and a low forward voltage drop of 1.75 V at 60 A/cm² for the TMBS rectifier. The static current-voltage (I-V) and switching characteristics of the TMBS rectifier have been measured at various temperatures. A barrier height of 1.0 eV and an ideality factor of 1.8 were extracted from the forward characteristics. The switching characteristics do not change with temperature indicating the essential absence of stored charge     

Analytical Modeling of High-Voltage 4H-SiC Junction Barrier Schottky (JBS) Rectifiers

We develop a new analytical model for the junction barrier Schottky (JBS) rectifier and apply it to high-voltage 4H-SiC JBS rectifiers. This model uses a novel method to approximate the electric field at the Schottky contact, which is together with the Fowler–Nordheim tunneling equation to accurately calculate the reverse leakage current of a high-voltage 4H-SiC JBS rectifier. The forward on-resistance of a high-voltage 4H-SiC JBS rectifier consists of several components, which are dominated by the spreading resistances in the drift layer. Moreover, this model has been verified by comparing the simulation and experimental results, and they are shown to be in good agreement.      

Silicon carbide pinch rectifiers using a dual-metal Ti-Ni/sub 2/Si Schottky barrier

The electrical characterization of dual-metal-planar Schottky diodes on silicon carbide is reported. The devices were fabricated on both 6H- and 4H-SiC by using titanium (Ti) and nickel silicide (Ni/sub 2/Si) as Schottky metals. These rectifiers yielded the same forward voltage drop as the Ti diodes and leakage current densities comparable to those of the Ni/sub 2/Si diodes. The reduction of the reverse leakage current density, with respect to that of the Ti diodes, was about three orders of magnitude in 6H and about a factor of 30 in 4H-SiC. All that results in a consistent reduction of the device power dissipation. Electrical characterization of the devices at different temperatures provided insight into the carrier transport mechanism. In particular, the electrical behavior of the system was explained by an "inhomogeneous" Schottky barrier model, in which the low Ti barrier determines the current flow under forward bias, whereas the high Ni/sub 2/Si barrier dominates the reverse bias conduction by the pinchoff of the low barrier Ti regions.     

A dual-metal-trench Schottky pinch-rectifier in 4H-SiC

Characteristics of high-voltage dual-metal-trench (DMT) SiC Schottky pinch-rectifiers are reported for the first time. At a reverse bias of 300 V, the reverse leakage current of the SiC DMT device is 75 times less than that of a planar device while the forward bias characteristics remain comparable to those of a planar device. In this work, 4H-SiC pinch-rectifiers have been fabricated using a small/large barrier height (Ti/Ni) DMT device structure. The DMT structure is specially designed to permit simple fabrication in SiC. The Ti Schottky contact metal serves as a self-aligned trench etch mask and only four basic fabrication steps are required     

退火温度对Au/Ti/4H-SiC肖特基接触特性的影响

采用电子束蒸发法在4H-SiC表面制备了Ti/Au肖特基电极,研究了退火温度对Au/Ti/4H-SiC肖特基接触电学特性的影响.对比分析了不同退火温度下样品的电流密度-电压(J-V)和电容-电压(C-V)特性曲线,实验结果表明退火温度为500℃时Au/Ti/4H-SiC肖特基势垒高度最大,在.J-V测试和C-V测试中分别达到0.933 eV和1.447 eV,且获得理想因子最小值为1.053,反向泄漏电流密度也实现了最小值1.97×10-8 A/cm2,击穿电压达到最大值660 V.对退火温度为500℃的Au/Ti/4H-SiC样品进行J-V变温测试.测试结果表明,随着测试温度的升高,肖特基势垒高度不断升高而理想因子不断减小,说明肖特基接触界面仍然存在缺陷或者横向不均匀性,高温下的测试进一步证明肖特基接触界面还有很大的改善空间.     

A new, high-voltage 4H-SiC lateral dual sidewall Schottky (LDSS) rectifier: theoretical investigation and analysis

In this paper, we report a new 4 H-silicon carbide (SiC) lateral dual sidewall Schottky (LDSS) rectifier on a highly doped drift layer consisting of a high-barrier sidewall Schottky contact on top of the low-barrier Schottky contact. Using two-dimensional (2-D) device simulation, the performance of the proposed device has been evaluated in detail by comparing its characteristics with those of the compatible lateral conventional Schottky (LCS) and lateral trench sidewall Schottky (LTSS) rectifiers on 4H-SiC. From our simulation results, it is observed that the proposed LDSS rectifier acts as a low-barrier LTSS rectifier under forward-bias conditions, and as a high-barrier LTSS rectifier under reverse-bias conditions, making it an ideal rectifier. The LDSS rectifier exhibits an on/off current ratio (at 1 V/-500 V) of 5.5/spl times/10/sup 7/ for an epitaxial layer doping of 1/spl times/10/sup 17/ /cm/sup 3/. Further, the proposed LDSS structure exhibits a very sharp breakdown similar to that of a p-i-n diode in spite of using only Schottky junctions in the structure. We have analyzed the reasons for the improved performance of the LDSS.     

Characteristics of Schottky Rectifier Diodes Based on Silicon Carbide at Elevated Temperatures

Semiconductors - Forward and reverse current–voltage characteristics of commercial rectifier diodes based on a Schottky barrier to 4H-SiC are studied in the temperature range...     

Dual metal SiC Schottky rectifiers with low power dissipation

Nickel and titanium are the most commonly used metals for Schottky barrier diodes on silicon carbide (SiC). Ti has a low Schottky barrier height (i.e. 0.8 eV on 6H-SiC), whilst Ni has a higher barrier (i.e. 1.25 eV). Therefore, the first metal allows to achieve a low forward voltage drop V_F but leads to a high leakage current. On the other hand, the second one presents the advantage of a lower reverse leakage current but has also a high value of V_F. In this work, dual-metal-planar (DMP) Schottky diodes on silicon carbide are reported. The rectifying barrier was formed by using an array of micrometric Ti and Ni₂Si (nickel silicide) stripes. This low/high Schottky barrier allowed to combine the advantages of the two metals, i.e. to fabricate diodes with a forward voltage drop close to that of a Ti diode and with a level of reverse current comparable to that of a Ni₂Si diode. Under the application point of view, using this kind of barrier can lead to a reduction of the device power dissipation and an increase of the maximum operating temperature.     

The Correlation of Surface Defects and Reverse Breakdown of 4H-SiC Schottky Barrier Diodes

Surface defect characterization and the influence of selected surface defects on the reverse characteristics of 4H-SiC Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) are investigated, with particular emphasis on comet and carrot defects. Premature breakdown caused by comets occurs at voltages below 250 V for an SBD with ideal parallel plane breakdown of 1,600 V. The location of comets relative to the Schottky contact ultimately determines the reverse characteristics of the device. The reverse breakdown voltage of SBDs with carrot defects can be more than 1,000 V, but the reverse leakage current is about two orders higher than that of a defect-free SBD. The SBDs of diodes with and without carrots are 1.01 eV and 1.44 eV, respectively. The SBDs, which catastrophically fail during reverse bias measurement, are investigated as well. The average breakdown voltage of SBDs, which failed catastrophically, is about 745 V. According to the experimental observations, catastrophic failures are not associated with obvious surface defects, crystallographic directions, or postimplant annealing time.     

4H-SiC双层浮结肖特基势垒二极管温度特性研究

为了增强器件高温条件下的适应性,对4H-SiC双层浮结肖特基势垒功率二极管的温度特性进行了研究.结果表明,当温度变化时,器件的阻断电压、通态电阻、反向漏电流及开关时间等电学性质均要发生一定的变化.作为一种基于浮结技术的sic新器件,通过数值模拟方法对其特征参数进行优化,可使其承载电流能力、阻断特性和开关速度等得到进一步...     

采用场板和边缘终端技术的大电流Ni/4H-SiC SBDs

研究了4H-SiC低缺陷密度外延层的制造和Ni/SiC肖特基势垒二极管的正、反向电学特性。采用了偏8°4H-SiC衬底上台阶控制外延方法进行同质外延,外延温度1580℃,最后得到了低缺陷密度的3英寸外延片。采用了原子力显微镜和扫描电子显微镜进行了测试。在外延片上进行的Ni/4H-SiC肖特基势垒二极管的制造,采用了B+离子注入形成的一个非晶区域作为边缘终端,然后使用经过1000℃下退火10min的PECVD生长的SiO2作为场板介质。最终得到的Ni/4H-SiC肖特基势垒二极管的理想因子为1.03,势垒高度为1.6eV,在反向偏压1102V时,漏电流密度只有1.15×10-3A/cm2。在正向压降3.5V时得到了7.47A的大电流输出,特征导通电阻为6.22Ω.cm2。     

3300V碳化硅肖特基二极管及混合功率模块研制

基于数值仿真结果,采用结势垒肖特基(JBS)结构和多重场限环终端结构实现了3 300 V/50 A 4H-SiC肖特基二极管(SBD),所用4H-SiC外延材料厚度为35 μm、n型掺杂浓度为2× 1015cm-3.二极管芯片面积为49 mm2,正向电压2.2V下电流达到50 A,比导通电阻13.7 mΩ· cm2;反偏条件下器件的雪崩击穿电压为4 600 V.基于这种3 300 V/50 A 4H-SiC肖特基二极管,研制出3 300 V/600 A混合功率模块,该模块包含24只3 300 V/50 A Si IGBT与12只3 300 V/50 A 4H-SiC肖特基二极管,SiC肖特基二极管为模块的续流二极管.模块的动态测试结果为:反向恢复峰值电流为33.75 A,反向恢复电荷为0.807 μC,反向恢复时间为41 ns.与传统的Si基IGBT模块相比,该混合功率模块显著降低了器件开关过程中的能量损耗.     

A 2-dimensional fully analytical model for design of high voltage junction barrier Schottky (JBS) diodes

A physics-based closed form analytical model for the reverse leakage current of a high voltage junction barrier Schottky (JBS) diode is developed and shown to agree with experimental results. Maximum electric field “seen” by the Schottky contact is calculated from first principles by a 2-dimensional method as a function of JBS diode design parameters and confirmed by numerical simulations. Considering thermionic emission under image force barrier lowering and quantum mechanical tunneling, electric field at the Schottky contact is then related to reverse current. In combination with previously reported forward current and resistance models, this gives a complete I-V relationship for the JBS diode. A layout of interdigitated stripes of P-N and Schottky contacts at the anode is compared theoretically with a honeycomb layout and the 2-D model is extended to the 3-D honeycomb structure. Although simulation and experimental results from 4H-Silicon Carbide (SiC) diodes are used to validate it, the model itself is applicable to all JBS diodes.     

一种新型肖特基整流管设计

在研究功率肖特基整流管的基础上,针对反向击穿电压、漏电流、抗浪涌能力的提高,采取加场限环的方法,设计并制造了一种新型结势垒肖特基整流管(Junction barrier Schottky rectifier,JBS)。通过从有源区参数、外延材料、流片工艺、产品电参数、可靠性等方面进行了全面设计。经测试,电参数水平正向电压VF：0.85-0.856V,反向电流IR：4-50.5uA,反向电压VR:307.5-465.2V,抗静电水平从低温退火的6-12KV提高到15KV,经高温直流老化后,可靠性电参数水平满足预期的设计要求。     

不同退火温度下金属/4H-SiC Schottky势垒高度的研究

采用磁控溅射的方法在4H-SiC样品上分别沉积四种金属薄膜(Ag,Cu,Ni,Cr)形成Schottky接触,研究了不同温度退火对Schottky势垒高度的影响.通过对样品的I-V测试结果的拟合,得到各金属/4H-SiC Schottky接触的势垒高度以及理想因子.在反向偏压100V下,样品的反向漏电流小于10-10A,说明样品的反向特性良好.样品经过不同温度的退火后,发现Cu、Ni与4H-SiC的势垒高度(SBH)随退火温度的升高而提高,超过某一温度,其整流特性变差;Ag、Cr的SBH在退火后降低.SBH与金属功函数呈线性关系(Cr金属除外),斜率为0.11.     

4H-SiC结型势垒肖特基二极管的制作与特性研究

本文设计制作了两种具有不同结构参数的4H-SiC结型势垒肖特基二极管,在制作过程中采用了两种制作方法：一种是对正电极上的P型欧姆接触进行单独制作,然后制作肖特基接触的工艺过程;另一种是通用的通过一次肖特基接触制作就完成正电极制作的工艺过程。器件制作完成后,通过测试结果比较了采用场限环作为边界终端与未采用边界终端的器件的反向特性,结果显示采用场限环有效地提高了该器件的击穿电压,减小了其反向电流。另外,测试结果还显示采用独立制作P型欧姆接触的工艺过程有效提高了4H-SiC结型势垒肖特基二极管的反向特性,其中P型欧姆接触的制作过程和结果也在本文中做出了详细叙述。     

Barrier inhomogeneities and electrical characteristics of Ti/4H-SiCSchottky rectifiers

Forward density-voltage (J-V) measurements of titanium/4H-SiC Schottky rectifiers are presented in a large temperature range. While some of the devices present a behavior in accordance with the thermionic current theory, others present an excess forward current at low voltage level. This anomaly appears more or less depending on the rectifier and on the temperature. A model based on two parallel Schottky rectifiers with different barrier heights is presented. The characteristics show good agreement. It is shown that the excess current at low voltage can be explained by a lowering of the Schottky barrier in localized regions. A proposal for the physical origin of these low barrier height areas is given     

The influence of high-temperature annealing on SiC schottky diode characteristics

The influence of high temperature (up to 800C) annealing on the current-voltage characteristics of n-type 6H-SiC Schottky diodes is presented. Our experimental results indicate that high-temperature annealing can result in the improvement of the forw ard and reverse electrical characteristics of SiC Schottky diodes by repairing any leaky low barrier secondary diode parallel to the primary diode that may be present due to the barrier inhomogeneities at the Schottky contact interface.     

Neutron radiation effect on 4H-SiC MESFETs and SBDs

4H-SiC metal Schottky field effect transistors (MESFETs) and Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) were irra-diated at room temperature with 1 MeV neutrons. The highest neutron flux and gamma-ray total dose were 1×1015n/cm2 and 3.3 Mrad(Si), respectively. After a neutron flux of 1×1013 n/cm2, the current characteristics of the MES-FET had only slightly changed, and the Schottky contacts of the gate contacts and the Ni, Ti/4H-SiC SBDs showed no obvious degradation. To further increase the neutron flux, the drain current of the SiC MESFET decreased and the threshold voltage increased. φB of the Schottky gate contact decreased when the neutron flux was more than or equal to 2.5×1014n/cm2. SiC Schottky interface damage and radiation defects in the bulk material are mainly mechanisms for performance degradation of the experiment devices, and a high doping concentration of the active region will improve the neutron radiation tolerance.