Patent Publication Number: US-2023163134-A1

Title: Semiconductor structure including sectioned well region

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to embodiments of a semiconductor structure with in-substrate well regions. 
     Description of Related Art 
     Key factors considered in modern integrated circuit design include, but are not limited to, performance improvement, size scaling, and power consumption. Oftentimes design changes with respect to one of these factors can result in an undesirable trade-off with respect to one or more of the other factors. For example, advantages associated with manufacturing complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) designs using advanced semiconductor-on-insulator processing technology platforms (e.g., a fully-depleted silicon-on-insulator (FDSOI) processing technology platform) include back gate biasing to improve performance (e.g., forward back-biasing (FBB) or reverse back-biasing (RBB) for fine tuning the threshold voltage (Vt) of on-chip field effect transistors (FETs)). While back gate biasing to improve performance is an option, typically back gate well regions with a given type conductivity are biased at the same voltage level. For example, back gate Pwells are biased to the same first voltage level and all back gate Nwells are biased to the same second voltage level. However, in some cases FETs with the same type conductivity could benefit from different back gate bias voltage conditions. Unfortunately, currently available solutions that enable different back gate bias voltage conditions for FETs of the same type conductivity can result in a significantly large increase in area consumption. 
     SUMMARY 
     In view of the foregoing disclosed herein are embodiments of a semiconductor structure including at least one sectioned well region where the different sections thereof are electrically isolated and, thus, biasable at different voltage levels. This configuration is achievable without a significant increase in area consumption. 
     Generally, the semiconductor structure can include a semiconductor substrate with a first type conductivity. The semiconductor structure can further include a deep well region within the semiconductor substrate. The deep well region can have a second type conductivity that is different from the first type conductivity. The semiconductor structure can further include alternating first and second well regions within the semiconductor substrate above, adjacent to, and traversing (i.e., extending across) the deep well region. The alternating first and second well regions can be arranged, for example, as elongated parallel stripes. Each first well region can have the same first type conductivity as the substrate and each second well region can have the same second type conductivity as the deep well region. Each first well region can be positioned laterally between and abut two second well regions. The semiconductor structure can further include an isolation region, which is within the semiconductor substrate and which divides (i.e., sections) a first well region of the alternating first and second well regions into different sections. Due to the isolation region, the different sections of the sectioned first well region are electrically isolated and, thus, biasable at different voltage levels. 
     Some embodiments of the semiconductor structure can specifically include a P− silicon substrate and a deep Nwell within the P− silicon substrate. In these embodiments, the semiconductor structure can further include alternating Pwells and Nwells within the P− silicon substrate above, adjacent to, and traversing (i.e., extending across) the deep Nwell. The alternating Pwells and Nwells can be arranged, for example, as elongated parallel stripes with each Pwell positioned laterally between and abutting two Nwells. In these embodiments, the semiconductor structure can further include an Nwell-type isolation region, which is within the P− silicon substrate and which divides (i.e., sections) a Pwell of the alternating Pwells and Nwells into different sections. In this case, due to the Nwell-type isolation region, the different sections of the sectioned Pwell are electrically isolated and, thus, biasable at different voltage levels. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale and in which: 
         FIG.  1 A  is layout diagram illustrating an embodiment of a semiconductor structure; 
         FIG.  1 B  is an enlarged isometric view drawing illustrating two devices (e.g., two field effect transistors (FETs)) on different separately biasable sections, respectively, of a divided well region separated by an isolation region in the semiconductor structure of  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIG.  1 C  is an enlarged isometric view drawing illustrating another device (e.g., another FET) on another well region in the semiconductor structure of  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIG.  1 D  is a perspective view drawing illustrating a portion of the semiconductor structure including the isolation region between separately biasable sections of a divided well region in the semiconductor structure of  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIG.  2    is layout diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment of the semiconductor structure; and 
         FIG.  3    is a layout diagram illustrating another alternative embodiment of the semiconductor structure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As mentioned above, key factors considered in modern integrated circuit design include, but are not limited to, performance improvement, size scaling, and power consumption. Oftentimes design changes with respect to one of these factors can result in an undesirable trade-off with respect to one or more of the other factors. For example, advantages associated with manufacturing complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) designs using advanced semiconductor-on-insulator processing technology platforms (e.g., a fully-depleted silicon-on-insulator (FDSOI) processing technology platform) include back gate biasing to improve performance (e.g., forward back-biasing (FBB) or reverse back-biasing (RBB) for fine tuning the threshold voltage (Vt) of on-chip field effect transistors (FETs)). While back gate biasing to improve performance is an option, back gate well regions with the same type conductivity are typically biased at the same voltage level. That is, back gate Pwells are typically biased to the same first voltage level and back gate Nwells are typically biased to the same second voltage level. Sometimes, however, it may be advantageous to bias two or more back gate well regions that have the same type conductivity (e.g., two or more back gate Pwells) to different voltage levels. Unfortunately, currently available solutions for biasing two or more back gate well regions that have the same type conductivity (e.g., two or more back gate Pwells) to different voltage levels can result in a significantly large increase in area consumption. More specifically, a P− substrate will typically include a deep Nwell and alternating Pwells and Nwells arranged in stripes across the deep Nwell. The Pwells will be biased at the same first voltage level and the Nwells will be biased at the same second voltage level. If, however, a designer wants to bias different Pwells at different voltage levels, multiple deep Nwells are formed in the substrate such that they are electrically isolated from each other. In this case, Pwells on the different deep Nwell can be biased at different first voltage levels. Unfortunately, adding multiple electrically isolated deep Nwells into the design of the semiconductor structure will significantly increase the footprint. 
     In view of the foregoing disclosed herein are embodiments of a semiconductor structure including at least one sectioned well region where the different sections thereof are electrically isolated and, thus, biasable at different voltage levels. This configuration is achievable without a significant increase in area consumption. Specifically, in the disclosed embodiments, the semiconductor structure can include: a semiconductor substrate with a first type conductivity (e.g., a P− silicon substrate); a deep well region within the substrate and having a second type conductivity (e.g., a deep Nwell); and alternating stripes of first and second well regions (e.g., of Pwells and Nwells) within the substrate above, immediately adjacent to, and traversing (i.e., extending across) the deep well region. The semiconductor structure can further include an isolation region (e.g., an Nwell-type isolation region) within the substrate and dividing (i.e., sectioning) a first well region (e.g., a Pwell) into different sections. Since the sectioned first well region has the first type conductivity and since the isolation region, the deep well region below, and the adjacent well regions on either side all have the second type conductivity, the different sections of the sectioned well region are electrically isolated and, thus, biasable at different voltage levels. In advanced semiconductor-on-insulator processing technology platforms (e.g., a fully-depleted silicon-on-insulator (FDSOI) processing technology platform) such a configuration allows different groups of field effect transistors (FETs), which are formed in semiconductor-on-insulator regions over different sections of a sectioned well region, to be subjected to different back-biasing conditions in order to tailor performance. 
     More particularly, disclosed herein are embodiments of a semiconductor structure  100  (see  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D ). Referring to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D  in combination, the semiconductor structure  100  can include a semiconductor substrate  101  with a first type conductivity. For example, in some embodiments, the semiconductor substrate  101  can be a silicon substrate with P-type conductivity at a relatively low conductivity level (i.e., a P− silicon substrate). 
     The semiconductor structure  100  can further include a deep well region  102  (also referred to as a buried well region or buried dopant implant region) within the semiconductor substrate  100  both above the bottom surface of the semiconductor substrate  101  and below the top surface of the semiconductor substrate  101 . The deep well region can have a second type conductivity that is different from the first type conductivity. For example, in some embodiments, the deep well region can be a deep Nwell. In any case, this deep well region can have a relatively large area. 
     The semiconductor structure  100  can further include alternating first well regions  104  and second well regions  103  within the semiconductor substrate  101  above, immediately adjacent to, and traversing (i.e., extending across) the deep well region  102 . The alternating first well regions  104  and second well regions  103  can be dopant implant regions, which are arranged, for example, as elongated parallel stripes with each first well region  104  having the first type conductivity and being positioned laterally between and abutting a pair of second well regions  103  having the second type conductivity. Each first well region can specifically have the same first type conductivity as the substrate  101 , but at a higher conductivity level. Each second well region  103  can specifically have the same second type conductivity as the deep well region  102 , at approximately the same conductivity level. Thus, for example, in some embodiments, the first well regions  104  can be Pwells and the second well regions  103  can be Nwells. In any case, each of these well regions  103 - 104  can be a dopant implant region that, for example, extends from the top of the deep well region  102  to the top surface of the semiconductor substrate  101 . 
     The semiconductor structure  100  can further include an isolation region  199 , which is within the semiconductor substrate  101  and which divides (i.e., sections) a first well region  104  of the alternating first and second well regions into different sections  104 - 1  and  104 - 2 , thereby forming a sectioned first well region  104 S (see  FIGS.  1 A,  1 B and  1 D  showing the isolation region  199  between sections  104 - 1  and  1 - 4 - 2 ). This isolation region  199  can be immediately adjacent to the top of the deep well region  102  and can extend vertically from the top of the deep well region  102  to the top surface of the semiconductor substrate  101 . This isolation region  199  can further extend laterally completely through a first well region  104  from one side to an opposite side (i.e., from one second well region to another second well region on opposite sides of the first well region). Thus, the isolation region  199  is essentially perpendicularly oriented relative to the stripes of alternating first and second well regions. The isolation region  199  can be, for example, a doped well-type isolation region (i.e., another dopant implant region), which has the same second type conductivity as the deep well region  102  and the second well regions  103 . Thus, for example, in some embodiments, the isolation region  199  can be an Nwell-type isolation region that divides (i.e., sections) a Pwell  104  into different Pwell sections  104 - 1  and  104 - 2 . 
     Since the sectioned first well region  104 S and, particularly, since the different sections  104 - 1  and  104 - 2  thereof have the first type conductivity and since the isolation region  199 , the deep well region  102  below, and the adjacent second well regions  103  on either side all have the second type conductivity, the different sections  104 - 1  and  104 - 2  of the sectioned first well region  104 S are electrically isolated and, thus, biasable at different voltage levels. That is, if the sectioned first well region  104 S is a sectioned Pwell and if the isolation region  199  is an Nwell-type isolation, the deep well region  102  below is a deep Nwell, and the adjacent second well regions  103  are Nwells, then the different Pwell sections  104 - 1  and  104 - 2  will be effectively electrically isolated from each other and, thus, biasable at different voltage levels. Biasing the different sections  104 - 1  and  104 - 2  at different voltage levels can be employed to tailor performance of devices formed thereon. 
     For example, optionally, the semiconductor structure  100  can be formed using an advanced semiconductor-on-insulator processing technology platforms (e.g., a fully-depleted silicon-on-insulator (FDSOI) processing technology platform). In this case, the semiconductor structure  100  can include both bulk regions  110  (also referred to as hybrid regions) and semiconductor-on-insulator regions  120  (e.g., silicon-on-insulator (SOI) regions) above the alternating first well regions  104  and second well regions  103 . 
     Each bulk region  110  can be above, can be immediately adjacent to, and can traverse a small section of the interface between adjacent first and second well regions. Each bulk region  110  can be designed as a tap cell. That is, each bulk region  110  can include a first contact area  115 , which is above and immediately adjacent to the first well region  104  on one side of the interface between the well regions, and a second contact area  116 , which is above and immediately adjacent to the second well region  103  on the opposite side of the interface between the well regions. The first contact area  115  can include, for example, a first epitaxial semiconductor layer (e.g., a first epitaxial silicon layer) with the same first type conductivity as the first well region  104  below at a higher conductivity level. The second contact area  116  can include, for example, a second epitaxial semiconductor layer (e.g., a second epitaxial silicon layer) with the same second type conductivity as the second well region  103  below at a higher conductivity level. Thus, in some embodiments, the first contact area  115  within the bulk region  110  can be a P+ epitaxial silicon layer on a Pwell and the second contact area  116  within the same bulk region can be an N+ epitaxial silicon layer on an Nwell. Adjacent first and second well regions can have multiple bulk regions  110  thereon. Furthermore, at least one bulk region  110  can overlay each of the sections  104 - 1  and  104 - 2  of the sectioned first well region  104 S and a second well region  103  adjacent to the section. The bulk regions  110  and, particularly, the contact areas  115 ,  116  therein can facilitate contacting the first well regions  104 , including the different sections  104 - 1  and  104 - 2  of the sectioned first well region  104 S, and the second well regions  103 , as discussed in greater detail below. 
     Within the semiconductor-on-insulator regions  120 , the semiconductor structure  100  can include thin insulator layers  128  (e.g., a thin silicon dioxide layer or other suitable insulator layer) on the alternating first well regions  104  and second well regions  103  and thin semiconductor layers  129  (e.g., thin silicon layers) on the thin insulator layers  128 . Within the semiconductor-on-insulator regions  120 , the semiconductor structure  100  can also include field effect transistors (FETs). Each FET can include a channel region in a semiconductor layer  129  above an insulator layer  128  on one of the well regions. Each FET can further include source/drain regions on the insulator layer  128  on opposing sides of the channel region and a gate structure above the channel region. Such FET structures are well known in the art and, thus, the additional details thereof have been omitted from this specification in order to allow the reader to focus on the salient aspects of the disclosed embodiments. In any case, the FETs can include first FETs  121  above the first well regions  104  and second FETs  122  above second well regions  104 . 
     The semiconductor structure  100  can also include various shallow trench isolation (STI) regions  105  that extend into the well regions  103 ,  104  (e.g., the deep well regions  102 ). These STI regions  105  can be employed, for example, to electrically isolate the semiconductor-on-insulator regions  120  from the bulk regions  110 , to electrically isolate different semiconductor-on-insulator regions  120  from each other, to electrically isolate the first contact areas  115  from the second contact areas  116  within each bulk region  110 . 
     It should be noted that some features of the semiconductor structure  100  have been omitted from some of the  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D  in order to avoid clutter and to allow the reader to focus on the salient aspects of the disclosed embodiments. For example, the above-described semiconductor layers  129  (e.g., silicon layers), insulator layers  129 , and components of FETs  121 ,  122  in semiconductor-on-insulator regions  120  are shown in  FIGS.  1 B- 1 C . Similarly, the some of the above-described STI regions  105  that provide isolation between the semiconductor-on-insulator regions and/or the bulk regions are also shown in  FIGS.  1 B- 1 C . However, to avoid clutter in the drawings and to allow the reader to focus on the salient aspects of the disclosed embodiments, these features have been omitted from  FIGS.  1 A and  1 D . 
     As mentioned above, within the semiconductor-on-insulator regions  120 , the semiconductor structure  100  can include first FETs  121  above the first well regions  104  and second FETs  122  above the second well regions  104 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that one advantage of FDSOI technology processing platforms is that NFETs and PFETs can be formed on insulator layers above Nwells and Pwells, respectively, or vice versa to create FETs with specific types of threshold voltages (VTs) and to allow for fine tuning of the VT through back-biasing. For example, typically, for circuits with super low threshold voltage (SLVT) or low threshold voltage (LVT) FETs, NFETs are formed above Nwells and PFETs are formed above Pwells; whereas, typically, for circuits with regular threshold voltage (RVT) or high threshold voltage (HVT) FETs, NFETs are formed above Pwells and PFETs are formed above Nwells. Current state of the art FDSOI structures will typically include, in any given circuit block, LVTs (or SLVTs), where the NFETs are formed above Nwells and the PFETs are formed above Pwells, or RVTs (or HVTs), where the NFETs are formed above Pwells and the PFETs are formed above Nwells, but not a combination of both. In any case, these different specific VT type FETs will have design specifications (e.g., dopant concentrations, gate dielectric thicknesses, etc.) that vary with the goal of achieving some target VT and, thereby some target switching speed. Additionally, some level of back-biasing (e.g., reverse back-biasing (RBB) or forward back-biasing (FBB)) can be employed to fine tune the VT and, thereby achieve a target switching speed. Forward back-biasing (FBB) refers specifically to applying a voltage that will reduce the VT of the FET, thereby increasing the switching speed. Generally, for PFET, FBB is achieved by applying a negative voltage to the back-side of the channel region; whereas, for an NFET, FBB is achieved by applying a positive voltage to the back-side of the channel region. Reverse back-biasing (RBB) refers specifically to applying a voltage that will increase the VT of the FET, thereby decreasing the switching speed and reducing leakage current. Generally, for a PFET, RBB is achieved by applying a positive voltage to the back-side of the channel region; whereas, for an NFET, RBB is achieved by applying a negative voltage to the back-side of the channel region. 
     Therefore, in the semiconductor structure  100 , the conductivity type of the first FETs  121  above the first well regions  104  (including above the discrete sections  104 - 1  and  104 - 2  of a sectioned first well region  104 S) and the conductivity type of second FETs  122  above the second well regions  103  can depend upon whether the circuit is designed to include LVT/SLVT FETs or RVT/HVT FETs. For example, in embodiments where the first well regions  104  are Pwells and the second well regions  103  are Nwells, the first FETs  121  on the Pwells could be LVT/SLVT PFETs and the second FETs  122  on the Nwells could be LVT/SLVT NFETs. Alternatively, in embodiments where the first well regions  104  are Pwells and the second well regions  103  are Nwells, the first FETs  121  on the Pwells could be RVT/HVT NFETs and the second FETs  122  on the Nwells could be RVT/HVT PFETs. 
     Furthermore, in the semiconductor structure  100 , different groups of first FETs (e.g., one group of first FETs  121 - 1  and an additional group of first FETs  121 - 2 ) can be above the different sections  104 - 1  and  104 - 2  of the sectioned first well region  104 S, respectively. The FETs in the group of first FETs  121 - 1  and the FETs in the additional group of first FETs  121 - 2  can have the same or different type conductivities. That is, both groups can include PFETs only, both groups can include NFETs only, or one group can include PFETs and the other group can include NFETs. In any case, application specific differences in the group of first FETs  121 - 1  and the additional group of first FETs  121 - 2  can make applying different back-biasing conditions (i.e., applying different voltage levels to the back well regions below) beneficial. 
     In order to apply different voltage bias conditions to the different sections  104 - 1  and  104 - 2  of the sectioned first well region  104 S, first contact(s)  111 - 1  can land on the first contact areas  115  of those bulk regions  110  that overlay the section  104 - 1  and additional first contact(s)  111 - 2  can land on the first contact areas  115  of those bulk regions  110  that overlay the section  104 - 2 . The first contact(s)  111 - 1  can be electrically connected by back end of the line (BEOL) wiring to a first voltage source  131 - 1  and the additional first contact(s)  111 - 2  can be electrically connected by BEOL wiring to an additional first voltage source  131 - 2 , which is different from the first voltage source  131 - 1 . The different first voltage sources  131 - 1  and  131 - 2  can be configured to apply different bias voltages (i.e., bias voltages at different voltage levels) to the different sections  104 - 1  and  104 - 2  through the contacts  111 - 1  and  111 - 2 , respectively. 
     Each non-sectioned first well region  104  can be contacted and electrically connected to a particular one of the two first voltage sources  131 - 1  or  131 - 2  or, alternatively, to some other first voltage source (not shown). 
     Second contacts  112  can land on the second contact areas  116  of the bulk regions  110  that overlay the second well regions  103 . All second contacts  112  can be electrically connected by BEOL wiring to the same second voltage source  132 . The second voltage source  132  can be configured to apply the same bias voltage (i.e., a bias voltage at a particular volage level) to all second well regions  103 . 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the first well regions  104  can be Pwells, which are on a deep Nwell  102  and which are positioned laterally between Nwells  103 . The different groups of first FETs  121 - 1  and  121 - 2  above the different sections  104 - 1  and  104 - 2  of the sectioned Pwell  104 S can be different groups of P-type field effect transistors (PFETs) where FBB is employed to tailor and, particularly, reduce the VT and increase the switching speeds of the PFETs in the two groups. One group of PFETs on one section  104 - 1  of the sectioned Pwell  104 S can be stacked to form a header device and, particularly, a switch that selectively connects a circuit to or disconnects a circuit from a positive voltage power supply (e.g., VDD). The PFETs in this group can be relatively small as compared to PFETs elsewhere in the circuit and, particularly, as compared to the PFETs in the other group. By using relatively small PFETs for the header device, off current leakage and area consumption are minimized. However, the smaller PFETs also result in an unwanted increase in on resistance. In prior art structures, the same negative back-biasing voltage would be employed to reduce the VT of the PFETs in the header device and PFETs elsewhere in the circuit and the high on resistance of smaller PFETs in the header device could negatively impact performance. In the disclosed embodiment, a smaller negative voltage could be applied to the section  104 - 1  of the sectioned Pwell to effectively bring the on resistance of the stack of PFETs back down to a level that is, for example, closer to what the on resistance would have been if smaller PFETs had not been used for the header device. 
     For purposes of illustration, the semiconductor structure  100  is described above and illustrated in the layout diagram of  FIG.  1 A  as having a single isolation region  199  (e.g., a single Nwell-type isolation region) that divides (i.e., sections) a single first well region  104  (e.g., a single Pwell) into two different sections  104 - 1  and  104 - 2 . It should be understood, however, that the figures are not intended to be limiting. 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the semiconductor structure could, alternatively, include multiple first well regions  104  (e.g., multiple Pwells) that are divided (i.e., sectioned) into different sections  104 - 1  and  104 - 2  by corresponding isolation regions  199  (e.g., corresponding Nwell-type isolation regions) (as illustrated in  FIG.  2   ). In this case, all sections  104 - 1  could be electrically connected by first contacts  111 - 1  and BEOL wiring to a first voltage source (e.g.,  131 - 1 ) for back-biasing groups of first FETs  121 - 1  thereon and all sections  104 - 2  could be electrically connected by additional first contacts  111 - 2  and BEOL wiring to an additional first voltage source (e.g.,  131 - 2 ) for back-biasing groups of first FETs  121 - 2  thereon. 
     Also, for example, as illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the semiconductor structure could, alternatively, include a single first well region  104  (e.g., a single Pwell) divided (i.e., sectioned) into more than two discrete sections by more than one isolation region  199 . For example, a single first well region  104  (e.g., a single Pwell) could be divided (i.e., sectioned) into three discrete sections  104 - 1 ,  104 - 2 , and  104 - 3  by two isolation regions  199  (e.g., by two Nwell-type isolation regions). In this case, the section  104 - 1  could be electrically connected by contact(s)  111 - 1  and BEOL wiring to one first voltage source (e.g.,  131 - 1 ) for back-biasing groups of first FETs  121 - 1  thereon, the section  104 - 2  could be electrically connected by contact(s)  111 - 2  and BEOL wiring to another first voltage source (e.g.,  131 - 2 ) for back-biasing groups of first FETs  121 - 2  thereon, and the section  104 - 3  could be electrically connected by contact(s)  111 - 3  and BEOL wiring to yet another first voltage source (e.g.,  131 - 3 ) for back-biasing groups of first FETs  121 - 3  thereon. 
     Also, for example, the semiconductor structure could, alternatively, include multiple first well regions  104  (e.g., multiple Pwells) divided (i.e., sectioned) into different numbers of discrete sections by isolation region(s). 
     It should be understood that in the structures described above, a semiconductor material refers to a material whose conducting properties can be altered by doping with an impurity. Exemplary semiconductor materials include, for example, silicon-based semiconductor materials (e.g., silicon, silicon germanium, silicon germanium carbide, silicon carbide, etc.) and III-V compound semiconductors (i.e., compounds obtained by combining group III elements, such as aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), or indium (In), with group V elements, such as nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), arsenic (As) or antimony (Sb)) (e.g., GaN, InP, GaAs, or GaP). A pure semiconductor material and, more particularly, a semiconductor material that is not doped with an impurity for the purposes of increasing conductivity (i.e., an undoped semiconductor material) is referred to in the art as an intrinsic semiconductor. A semiconductor material that is doped with an impurity for the purposes of increasing conductivity (i.e., a doped semiconductor material) is referred to in the art as an extrinsic semiconductor and will be more conductive than an intrinsic semiconductor made of the same base material. That is, extrinsic silicon will be more conductive than intrinsic silicon; extrinsic silicon germanium will be more conductive than intrinsic silicon germanium; and so on. Furthermore, it should be understood that different impurities (i.e., different dopants) can be used to achieve different conductivity types (e.g., P-type conductivity and N-type conductivity) and that the dopants may vary depending upon the different semiconductor materials used. For example, a silicon-based semiconductor material (e.g., silicon, silicon germanium, etc.) is typically doped with a Group III dopant, such as boron (B) or indium (In), to achieve P-type conductivity, whereas a silicon-based semiconductor material is typically doped a Group V dopant, such as arsenic (As), phosphorous (P) or antimony (Sb), to achieve N-type conductivity. A gallium nitride (GaN)-based semiconductor material is typically doped with magnesium (Mg) to achieve P-type conductivity and with silicon (Si) or oxygen to achieve N-type conductivity. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that different conductivity levels will depend upon the relative concentration levels of the dopant(s) in a given semiconductor region. 
     It should be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing the disclosed structures and methods and is not intended to be limiting. For example, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Additionally, as used herein, the terms “comprises” “comprising”, “includes” and/or “including” specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Furthermore, as used herein, terms such as “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “upper”, “lower”, “under”, “below”, “underlying”, “over”, “overlying”, “parallel”, “perpendicular”, etc., are intended to describe relative locations as they are oriented and illustrated in the drawings (unless otherwise indicated) and terms such as “touching”, “in direct contact”, “abutting”, “directly adjacent to”, “immediately adjacent to”, etc., are intended to indicate that at least one element physically contacts another element (without other elements separating the described elements). The term “laterally” is used herein to describe the relative locations of elements and, more particularly, to indicate that an element is positioned to the side of another element as opposed to above or below the other element, as those elements are oriented and illustrated in the drawings. For example, an element that is positioned laterally adjacent to another element will be beside the other element, an element that is positioned laterally immediately adjacent to another element will be directly beside the other element, and an element that laterally surrounds another element will be adjacent to and border the outer sidewalls of the other element. The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. 
     The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.