Abstract:
A switching device having a construction that facilitates physical contact between the second terminal electrode and the first terminal electrode, thereby enabling the performance of turn-on. Embodiments do not require an impurity diffusion region nor performs switching action through the channel region so that can become highly integrated and thinness. Also, switching can be performed by way of the physical contact of the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode, thereby making it possible to improve turn on-off characteristics.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2006-0137272 (filed on Dec. 29, 2006), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor (MOSFET) may be used primarily as a switching device in an integrated circuit. The MOS transistor may lend several benefits in terms of ease of electrical control, high-integration and enhanced switching characteristics. 
         [0003]    A MOS transistor may include a gate electrode for turning on/off a channel region in a semiconductor substrate may be formed on and/or over a gate insulation layer. The MOS transistor may also include a source region and a drain region, which are impurity diffusion regions formed in the semiconductor substrate on both sides of the gate electrode. 
         [0004]    In obtaining a highly integrated MOS transistor, its switching characteristics may become deteriorated due to a single channel effect and narrow width effect. Accordingly, achieving further integration may become limited. Also, the source region and the drain region used as input/output terminals of a signal may be formed as a diffusion region by implanting impurities into the semiconductor substrate. Even still, the MOS transistor may have an adverse impact on switching characteristics such as junction breakdown, leakage current, and increases in area due to lateral diffusion of the impurities, etc. Therefore, there is a need for a switching device having a different structure. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Embodiments relate to a switching device that can include at least one of the following: a switching electrode formed over a semiconductor substrate; a first terminal electrode formed over the semiconductor substrate spaced apart from the switching electrode; and a second terminal electrode extending laterally over the semiconductor substrate including the switching electrode and the first terminal electrode. In accordance with embodiments, the second terminal has a first end that is fixedly supported and a second end that is not fixedly supported. 
         [0006]    Embodiments relate to a switching device that can include a switching electrode formed over a semiconductor substrate; a first terminal electrode formed over the semiconductor substrate spaced apart from the switching electrode; and a second terminal electrode extending laterally over the semiconductor substrate including the switching electrode and the first terminal electrode. In accordance with embodiments, the second terminal can have a first end that is fixedly supported and a second end that is not fixedly supported. 
         [0007]    Embodiments relate to a method of manufacturing a switching device that can include at least one of the following steps: forming a first metal layer over a semiconductor substrate; forming a second metal layer formed spaced apart laterally from the first metal layer over the semiconductor substrate; forming an elastic layer spaced apart vertically from and extending over the first metal layer and the second metal layer. In accordance with embodiments, the elastic layer can include a first end fixedly positioned and a second end not fixedly positioned. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Example  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a switching device, in accordance with embodiments. 
           [0009]    Example  FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate a method of fabricating a switching device, in accordance with embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    As illustrated in example  FIG. 1 , a switching device in accordance with embodiments can include switching electrode  12  and first terminal electrode  14  spaced at a predetermined interval formed on and/or over semiconductor substrate  10 . Switching electrode  12  and first terminal electrode  14  can be formed of a metal layer and connectable to wiring, respectively. 
         [0011]    Second terminal electrode  18  can be positioned spaced at a predetermined interval vertically above first terminal electrode  14  and switching electrode  12 . One end of second terminal electrode  18  can extend over switching electrode  12  and terminal electrode  14 . On the other hand, a second end of second terminal electrode  18  can be fixedly positioned on and/or over support layer  16   a  formed on and/or over substrate  10 . 
         [0012]    As illustrated in example  FIG. 2 , second terminal electrode  18  can be composed of an elastic material such that it is free to be bent downwardly towards semiconductor substrate  10 . In the switching device in accordance with embodiments, since second terminal electrode  18  can perform the switching operation by way of elasticity, second terminal electrode  18  can be formed of a thin metal film having elasticity. 
         [0013]    In two opposed electric conductors, attractive force or repulsive force operates by way of charged electrical charges. The electric conductor can be positioned spaced at a predetermined interval and easily bent by way of attractive forces when charges having opposite polarity are accumulated. The attractive force can be maintained up to the time before the charges are discharged. The switching device in accordance with embodiments can apply voltage so that different charges can be accumulated in switching electrode  12  and second terminal electrode  18  using such a principle. 
         [0014]    The attractive force can be generated between switching electrode  12  and second terminal electrode  18  using an electric field. When the attractive force is generated between switching electrode  12  and second terminal electrode  18 , second terminal electrode  18  composed of an elastic material can be easily bent downwardly toward switching electrode  12 . Since a first end of second terminal electrode  18  is supported by support layer  16   a  and the second end thereof is spaced above first terminal electrode  14 , the second end can directly contact first terminal electrode  14 . Thereby, first terminal electrode  14  and second terminal electrode  18  can be electrically conducted when connected. 
         [0015]    Accordingly, the switching device in accordance with embodiments can obtain high integration and thinness by reducing the size of first terminal electrode  14  and switching electrode  12 . Also, since first terminal electrode  14  and second terminal electrode  18  can be physically contacted to perform switching, the switching device in accordance with embodiments can have enhanced switching characteristics, as compared to a switching device (e.g., a MOS transistor) by way of channel formation. 
         [0016]    As illustrated in example  FIG. 3 , a method of manufacturing a switching device in accordance with embodiments can include forming switching electrode  12  and first terminal electrode  14  on and/or over semiconductor substrate  10 . Switching electrode  12  and first terminal electrode  14  can be formed of a conductive layer. Furthermore, it is preferable that switching electrode  12  and first terminal electrode  14  are composed of a metal material to obtain a fast response speed. Switching electrode  12  and first terminal electrode  14  can be formed by applying a patterning or a damascene process by means of a photolithographic process. 
         [0017]    As illustrated in example  FIG. 4 , support layer  16  can then be formed on and/or over semiconductor substrate  10  including switching electrode  12  and first terminal electrode  14 . Support layer  16  can be composed of a silicon insulation material and have a low dielectric constant in order that it can prevent loss of signal charges due to parasitic capacitance and signal delay. 
         [0018]    A conductive film can then be formed and patterned on and/or over support layer  16  to form second terminal electrode  18 . Second terminal electrode  18  can extend laterally over switching electrode  12  and first terminal electrode  14 . An isotropic etching process may then be conducted on support layer  16 . 
         [0019]    The support layer  16  between first terminal electrode  14  and second terminal electrode  18  and also between switching electrode  12  and second terminal electrode  18  can then be removed by an etching process. Thereby, support layer  16   a  supporting second terminal electrode  18  is formed on and/or over semiconductor substrate  10  adjacent switching electrode  12 . Moreover, space can be formed between second terminal electrode  18  and first terminal electrode  14  and also between second terminal electrode  18  and switching electrode  12 . 
         [0020]    The switching device in accordance with embodiments can include a second terminal electrode spaced vertically above the switching electrode and which is also made of an elastic material to enable bending of the second terminal electrode due to the attractive forces between the second terminal electrode and the switching electrode. Through such a construction, the second terminal electrode and the first terminal electrode are physically contacted, thereby making it possible to perform turn-on. 
         [0021]    Unlike the MOS transistor, the switching device in accordance with embodiments neither uses an impurity diffusion region nor performs switching action through a channel region. Accordingly, it can achieve high integration and thinness. Moreover, the switching function can be performed by way of the physical contact of the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode, thereby making it possible to improve turn on-off characteristics. 
         [0022]    Although embodiments have been described herein, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.