Abstract:
A semiconductor device includes a grounded-gate n-channel field effect transistor (FET) between an I/O pad and ground (V ss ) and/or V cc  for providing ESD protection. The FET includes a tap region of grounded p-type semiconductor material in the vicinity of the n + -type source region of the FET, which is also tied to ground, to make the ESD protection device less sensitive to substrate noise. The p-type tap region comprises either (i) a plurality of generally bar shaped subregions disposed in parallel relation to n +  source subregions, or, (ii) a region that is generally annular in shape and surrounds the n+ source region. The p-type tap region functions to inhibit or prevent snapback of the ESD device, particularly inadvertent conduction of a parasitic lateral npn bipolar transistor, resulting from substrate noise during programming operations on an EPROM device or in general used in situations where high voltages close to but lower than the snapback voltage are required in the pin.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to semiconductor devices, and, more particularly, to input/output structures for protecting-devices from electrical transients and having an improved ability to withstand the effects of substrate noise. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Substrate noise in semiconductor devices, such as CMOS devices, can have several non-desirable effects. In particular, a common failure mode in semiconductor products of the type that use relatively high voltage pins, such as programming voltage pins V pp , is a so-called electrical over stress (EOS) failure. The EOS failure involves abnormal, high-current events which can damage the device and, which is due in some cases to an undesirable turn on and conduction of an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection structure used in the semiconductor product. One cause of the undesired turn on and conduction of the ESD protection device stems from substrate noise in the vicinity of the ESD device. 
     In a common ESD device configuration, a grounded-gate n-channel field effect transistor (FET) is used as the primary ESD protection device. The grounded-gate FET has its drain region connected to an input/output pad of the product, and further has its gate and source tied to ground (V ss ). During normal operation of the device, the FET presents a high-impedance path from the pad to ground. It therefore has no significant effect in the normal operation of the device. However, during ESD events, the grounded-gate FET relies on a so-called “snapback” mechanism to enter a low impedance state to remove excess and often dangerous ESD charge from the critical node. In “snapback” mode, the grounded-gate FET operates as a parasitic lateral npn bipolar transistor to provide the low-impedance path between the I/O pad and ground. Snapback generally occurs when the voltage on the I/O pad increases to a high enough value (e.g., 15 volts for a typical CMOS process) so that the n +  drain/p-substrate junction of the FET breaks down. This breakdown, in-effect, provides the lateral npn bipolar transistor with a base current supplied by holes generated by impact ionization near the drain region of the channel. Conduction stops when the ESD charge has been removed. The FET again assumes a high-impedance state. 
     A problem arises, however, when using such a FET on a programming pin. Although voltages used for normal programming operations (e.g., where V pp  may be about 13 volts) are not generally high enough to cause the ESD device (e.g., the grounded-gate FET) to snap back, noise can trigger the FET into snapback. Specifically, substrate noise in the vicinity of the source region can provide the difference needed to put the ESD device in the low impedance, snapback mode. Once the grounded-gate FET snaps back, it will continue to conduct, inasmuch as the holding voltage for the FET in snapback is substantially lower than the applied programming voltage V pp . Substantial currents flow, which may result in a catastrophic failure of the semiconductor product. 
     Accordingly, there is a need to provide an improved input/output structure, particularly an improved ESD protection device, that minimizes or eliminates one or more of the problems as set forth above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an input/output structure that improves substrate noise immunity. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an ESD protection device for use on I/O pins which provides improved immunity to undesirable turn on during high voltage data programming operations. It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an ESD protection device that permits an efficient and compact layout. 
     To achieve these and other objects, a structure in a semiconductor device comprises (i) a transistor formed in a first region of a first conductivity type, and (ii) a tap region of the first conductivity type. The transistor has a gate, and source and drain regions having a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type. The tap region is adjacent to and extends from a selected one of the source and drain regions. The other one of the source and drain regions is connected to an input/output pad, and the selected one of the source and drain regions, the gate, and the tap region are all electrically connected to a common node, preferably V ss . The principal involved is to locally tie both the substrate (via the tap region) and the source (in a preferred embodiment) to the same potential. This configuration improves the ability to withstand the effects of substrate noise. The invention does not completely prevent snap-back, but rather increases the threshold at which this effect takes place. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the first conductivity type is p-type, and the second conductivity type is n-type wherein the tap region may be formed in two different shapes. In the first preferred embodiment, the n +  source region comprises a plurality of n +  subregions wherein the tap region comprises one or more generally bar shaped subregions disposed in parallel relations relative to the source subregions. In another preferred embodiment, the tap region is generally annular in shape and surrounds the source region. 
     Devices in accordance with the present invention are less sensitive to substrate noise since the substrate (or well), which preferably is p-type and in which the n-channel ESD protection device is formed, and the source of the ESD protection device, are tied locally, by way of the above-described tap regions, to the same voltage potential. Moreover, in the second preferred embodiment wherein the tap region is generally annular in shape, the placement of the grounded p-type tapping between the source and the gate significantly reduces the ability of the intrinsic lateral npn bipolar transistor to switch on. This effect is also present in the preferred embodiment where the tap region is generally bar shaped, but to a lesser degree. In addition, implementing the present invention requires no changes in the standard fabrication process, which preferably includes CMOS processes. Rather, the present invention may be implemented merely by mask changes, as will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. This invention therefore provides a cost effective solution to the problems described in the Background. 
    
    
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings illustrating features of this invention by way of example, but not by way of limitation. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an input circuit in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic and schematic layout diagram of an ESD protection device, but without the tap regions in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic and schematic layout diagram of a first, preferred embodiment according to the invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic and schematic layout diagram of a second, preferred embodiment according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a simplified, cross-sectional view taken substantially along lines  5 — 5  of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is a simplified, cross-sectional view taken substantially along lines  6 — 6  of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 7 is a simplified, layout diagram view showing exemplary mask changes for implementing the preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals are used to identify identical components in the various views, FIG. 1 shows an input circuit  10  of a semiconductor device according to the present invention. Circuit  10  may include an input, output, and/or input/output pad  12 , one or more primary ESD protection circuits  14 , a secondary ESD protection circuit  16 , an input buffer  18 , a core clamp  20 , a first bus having a first potential, such as a V dd  bus  22 , and a second bus having a second potential lower than said first potential, such as a V ss  bus  24 . 
     The present invention concerns improvements, generally, to the interface structure corresponding to primary ESD protection circuit  14 . Although illustrated in connection with an input circuit of a semiconductor device, the present invention may be employed in other environments such as , for example, output circuits, and input/output circuits, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Pad  12 , secondary ESD protection circuitry  16 , buffer  18 , core clamp  20 , and power supply busses or rails V dd  and V ss  may comprise conventional circuitry well known in the art sufficient for purposes of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of circuit  10  in greater detail, particularly I/O pad  12  and primary ESD circuit  14 , but without the improvements to circuit  14  according to the present invention. A conventional primary ESD circuit  14  may comprise a grounded-gate FET, as described in the Background, formed in a first region, such as substrate  26 , of a first conductivity type, such as p-type conductivity. As known in the art, the grounded-gate FET may generally take the form of a “multi-fingered” device for area minimization. That is, the single grounded-gate FET shown in the figures of the present application may be but one of a plurality of individual transistors connected in parallel (i.e., gate electrodes tied; source regions tied; drain regions tied). This arrangement is the so-called multi-finger configuration, each FET being a finger. The improvement according to the invention is preferably employed on all “fingers”; however, use on fewer than all the fingers is nonetheless still within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     With continued reference to FIG. 2, the grounded-gate FET corresponding to primary ESD protection circuit  14  may further include n +  diffusion regions  28  and  30 , which may function as a drain region, and a source region, respectively. As is conventional, the drain region  28  and source region  30  are spaced apart to define a channel region  32  therebetween, as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Also conventional is a layer of dielectric material  34  (best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) formed over substrate  26 , particularly in the area of channel region  32  to form a gate dielectric. The grounded-gate FET may further include a conductive gate electrode  36  (“gate  36 ”) coupled to the V ss  bus  24 . The FET may yet further include a metal line  38  and a metal line  40  for connecting source region  30  and drain region  28  to the V ss  bus  24  and I/O pad  12 , respectively. A plurality of contacts  42  and  44  electrically connect source and drain regions  30 ,  28  to metal lines  38 ,  40 , respectively. 
     With the foregoing background, and before proceeding to a detailed description of the first and second preferred embodiments referenced to the drawings, the definitions of several terms, as used in this application, will be set forth. A “tap” region refers to a region separately implanted with one or more dopants of the same conductivity type (e.g., p or n) as the surrounding well or substrate. A “diffusion” region refers to a region implanted with one or more dopants of a conductivity type different from the surrounding well or substrate. The term “interface” means any one or more of input, output, input/output, or high-impedance configurations or orientations. The term “common node” means an electrical connection to the nominally same electrical node or potential, and admits of differences in actual potential due to voltage drops, or noise due to separation distances arising from the physical layout. For example, gate  36  and source  30  are both connected to V ss ; however, different structures are used (polysilicon versus metal) to make such connection so that small differences may in fact exist. The term “adjacent” means, with regard to its use in connection with the term “tap region,” that at least a portion of the “tap region” according to the invention is closer to any portion of the nearest structure being referred to (e.g., source region, drain region, etc.) than to any portion of any other of the same reference structure. For example, “adjacent” may mean the distance between the closest edge of tap region  46  (and  46 ′) to the closest edge of the closest source region or subregion, which may be at most 0.65 μm, more preferably at most 0.5 μm, even more preferably at most 0.35 μm-0.25 μm, and most preferably at most 0.18 μm (including 0 to 0.18 μm). 
     FIG. 3 shows a first preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 3 is similar to the structure shown in FIG. 2, except that p-type substrate  26  in the vicinity of n +  source  30  is tied to the V ss  bus  24  by p +  tap region  46 . Tap region  46  is adjacent to and extends from source region  30 . In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, source region  30  of one finger comprises a plurality of n +  source subregions wherein p +  tap region  46  comprises a plurality of generally bar shaped subregions  46   1 ,  46   2 ,  46   3 , . . . ,  46   n  disposed in parallel relation to the source subregions  30 . The plurality of p +  tap regions  46   1 ,  46   2 , . . . ,  46   n  rare of the same conductivity type as substrate  26 , and thus form ohmic contacts, in effect, to the V ss  bus  24  by way of contacts  42  and metal line  38 . The base-emitter junction of the parasitic npn bipolar transistor (i.e., p-substrate  26  and n +  source  30 ) becomes more difficult to turn on for two reasons. First, due to tap region  46 , the substrate  26  next to the source  30  is tied locally to the same voltage potential, namely ground potential in the preferred embodiment. This reduces the chance that the parasitic lateral npn bipolar device will turn on during, for example, a customer&#39;s programming operation due to substrate noise. Second, portions of tap region  46  extend in the substrate substantially to gate  36 . This impairs the ability of the intrinsic npn bipolar from turning on. 
     FIG. 4 shows a second preferred embodiment according to the invention. Grounded-gate FET  14 ′ is similar to that shown in FIG. 3, except that the tap region  46  is a generally annular shaped tap region  46 ′ that surrounds a plurality of source subregions  30 . As with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, tap region  46 ′ locally ties the p-type substrate  26  in the vicinity of n +  source  30  to the V ss  bus  24 . In-effect, the substrate connection provided by p +  tap connection  46 ′, which completely surrounds the n +  source subregions  30 , reduces the chance of substrate “noise” from turning on the intrinsic lateral npn transistor inadvertently, particularly during customer programming operations. That is, to turn on the intrinsic npn device, its base-emitter junction must be forward biased. Inasmuch as its base (i.e., p-type substrate  26  by way of tap  46 ′) and emitter (n +  source  30 ) are locally tied to the same voltage (e.g., preferably, V ss ), adverse effects of substrate noise are suppressed or inhibited such that it is unlikely that the base-emitter bias V be  would increase to a high enough level to turn on the intrinsic bipolar device. The likelihood of damage due to EOS is therefore substantially minimized. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the second preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, taken substantially along lines  5 — 5 . Specifically, FIG. 5 shows an important aspect of the present invention, namely, p +  tap region  46 ′ being disposed between source  30  and channel region  32  underlying gate  36 . This placement greatly reduces the ability of the parasitic lateral npn bipolar transistor to switch on inadvertently and cause undesirable damage to the semiconductor device especially during application of V pp  to I/O pad  12 . 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, taken substantially along lines  6 — 6 . FIG. 6 shows that in some cross-sections, p +  tap  46 ′ displaces n +  source  30  entirely. 
     In yet a further alternative embodiment, tap  46 ′ and source  30  may be reversed relative to the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 such that the cross-section in the vicinity of the source  30  alternates n + −p + −n +  rather than p + −n + −p +  (as actually shown in FIG.  5 ). This embodiment (not shown) corresponds to “islands” of tap  46 . This is a less preferred embodiment, however. 
     In addition to the foregoing, another advantage of the present invention is that the process of making embodiments in accordance therewith involves the same number of masks and implants as a conventional process, such as a CMOS process. That is, in a preferred embodiment, a p +  tap region  46  (or  46 ′) may be implanted at the same time as other p +  regions, such as other p +  diffusion regions on the same device. Moreover, the contacts  42  that connect p +  tap region  46  (or  46 ′) to metal line  38  may be formed at the same time as and/or using the same process that is used to form the contacts  42  connecting n +  source region  30  to metal line  38 . 
     Therefore, embodiments in accordance with the present invention may be more cost effective than approaches that may change the process itself, either by adding process steps, or changing the nature or quality of any particular step. Simply stated, the invention may be implemented merely through a layout or mask change. 
     FIG. 7 shows exemplary masks or layouts for the first and second preferred embodiments described herein. 
     A preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention which has been described herein has a grounded-gate n-channel FET formed in a p-type substrate  26 . However, an embodiment formed in a p-well of an n-type substrate would work equally as well. Although a preferred use of the present invention is in connection with I/O pins used for programming (i.e., those subject to an elevated programming voltage, namely V pp ), the present invention provides advantages (i.e., improved ability to withstand the effects of substrate/well noise) when used on or in connection with any input, output, and/or input/output pins such, e.g., address pins. A preferred use of the invention is in CMOS memory devices and/or logic circuits that may be electrically programmed (such as EPROMs); however, the improved ability to withstand the effects of noise characterized by the herein described invention may make it desirable for use in many other applications as well. 
     As indicated above, the processing steps for making a device according to the present invention are conventional, and well known to those of ordinary skill in the art; nonetheless, a brief description of the same follows immediately hereafter. It should be apparent that a p +  doping level is greater than a p doping level; likewise, an n +  doping level is greater than an n doping level. Preferably, the doping levels satisfy 10 13  cm −3 ≦n≦10 19  cm −3 , 10 13  cm −3 ≦p≦10 19  cm −3 , 10 15  cm −3 ≦n + ≦10 21  cm −3 , 10 15  cm −3 ≦p + ≦10 21  cm −3 , more preferably, 10 15  cm −3 ≦n≦10 18  cm −3 ; 10 15 ≦p≦10 18  cm −3 ; 10 19  cm −3 ≦n + ≦10 21  cm −3 ; 10 19  cm −3 ≦p + ≦10 21  cm −3 . 
     Substrate  26  may typically be a semiconductor material conventionally known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Examples include silicon, gallium arsenide, germanium, gallium nitride, aluminum phosphide, diamond and alloys such as Si 1−x  Ge x  and Al x Ga 1−x As, where 0≦x≦1. Many others are known, such as those listed in  Semiconductor Device Fundamentals,  on page 4, Table 1.1 (Robert F. Pierret, Addison-Wesley, 1996). 
     Diffusion regions  28  and  30 , which correspond to the drain and source regions, respectively, of grounded-gate FET  14  (and  14 ′) of FIG. 3 (FIGS. 4-6) are formed in accordance with methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art, using materials known to those of ordinary skill in the art for their known purposes. For example, n-type and p-type doping of a semiconductor substrate (which may be light or heavy) may be accomplished by conventional methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Dopant species such as arsenic, phosphorus, and boron may be added by well known techniques such as ion implantation and (optionally diffusion). Implantation may be followed by annealing and/or “drive-in” steps to deliver the doping in a desired fashion. Such annealing and drive-in steps may be conducted by conventional methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The locations of the source and drain regions may be self-aligned with the gate  36 . 
     Dielectric layer  34  comprises materials known to those of ordinary skill in the art, such as silicon oxide, and can act as a gate oxide, for example of transistor  14  (or  14 ′), as well as for protecting substrate  26 . The thickness of dielectric layer  34  may vary. For example, well-known field oxide (FOX) regions are substantially thicker than a gate oxide thickness. The material used and the relative thickness for dielectric layer  34  are known to those of ordinary skill in the art depending on the desired purpose(s) and/or function(s). 
     Gate electrode  36  may comprise highly doped polysilicon material. The resistivity of silicon can be controlled over a wide range by varying the concentration of impurities such as phosphorous, boron and/or arsenic. One of ordinary skill in the art is familiar with the amounts and identities of dopants used to provide the gate  36  with its desired properties and/or function(s). Other conductors, however, conventional and well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and which have a resistivity on the same order as that of highly doped polysilicon, can also be used for gate  36 . Examples include WSi x , Al, W, Ti, Zr, Mo, and alloys thereof (e.g., TiW alloy, or a silicide such as CoSi x  HfSi x , MoSi x , NiSi x , Pd 2 Si, PtSi, TaSi x , TiSi 2 , WSi x , ZrSi x  and CrSi 2 ). A p-type or n-type substrate has a level of doping compatible with the n-channel or p-channel transistors formed in the substrates, while an n-well or p-well may be doped to compensate the substrate and to provide the appropriate characteristics for the transistors formed in such a well. 
     Metal lines  38  and  40  typically comprise aluminum or an aluminum alloy, but virtually any metallic electrical conductor (e.g., copper, alloys of copper and aluminum, etc.) can be used. A metallic conductor typically has a resistivity of 10 −2  ohm-cm or less. The metal layer or bus may further comprise wetting, protective, adhesive and/or barrier layers (e.g., titanium, tungsten, and alloys thereof) between it and adjacent materials and/or layers. 
     Contacts  42  and  44  may be formed by conventional methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Examples of suitable contact materials include metals such as aluminum, titanium, zirconium, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten or alloys thereof (e.g., TiW). When the contact is aluminum, alloying of the aluminum with silicon may be conducted to reduce dissolution of source and drain silicon into the aluminum. 
     The present invention provides substantial improvements and resistance of semiconductor devices to catastrophic failure during programming operations. In constructed embodiments corresponding to FIGS. 3 and 4, the improvement occasioned by the present invention increased yield between about 10-20% over conventional structures (i.e., fewer discards based on a failure during a V pp  tester program). 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it is well understood by those skill in the art the various changes and modifications can be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.