High-power SOI vertical DMOS transistors with lateral drain contacts: Process developments, characterization, and modeling

Silicon-on-insulator (SOI) high-power vertical double-diffused MOS (VDMOS) transistors are demonstrated with a CMOS compatible fabrication process. A new backend trench formation process ensures a defect free device layer. Scanning electron microscope micrographs show that it is nearly free of defects. This has been achieved by moving the trench formation steps toward the end of the process. Our electrical measurements indicate that the transistors are fully functional. Electrothermal simulations show that unclamped inductive switching (UIS) test involves a substantial risk of turning the parasitic bipolar transistor (BJT) on. The UIS test is used to characterize the performance of power devices under unclamped inductive loading conditions. Extreme operating condition can be expected when all the energy stored in the inductor is released directly into device. Our measurements of the fabricated SOI VDMOSFET in the static region are in good agreement with the expected impact of the self-heating on the saturation behaviour. The experiments at ambient temperature of 100 degreesC show that the break down voltage decreases as the drain voltage increases. This indicates that a parasitic BJT has been turned on.