Patent · US Active

Semiconductor component comprising micro-bridges for adjusting a tensile strain state and method for the production thereof

US9293531B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
3References
8Claims
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Key dates

Filing dateMay 4, 2012
Grant dateMar 22, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 12, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH10D84/038
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A tensile strain state in semiconductor components is adjusted. A pretensioned (tensile strain) layer is applied to a substrate (FIG. 1, (A)). Bridge structures (FIG. 1, (B)) are introduced in the layers by lithography and etching. The bridges are connected to the layer on both sides and are thus continuous. The geometric shape of the bridges, formed with a cross-section modulation, is determined by the windows (FIG. 1 (C)) in the layer. When the substrate is etched selectively, the bridge is undercut through the windows. The geometric structuring of the cross-section (FIG. 1, (D)) causes a redistribution of the originally homogeneous strain when the bridges are detached from the substrate, with the larger cross-sections relaxing at the expense of the smaller cross-sections, where the pretension is increased. Only a multiplication of stresses (or strain) originally present in the sample is possible, with the multiplication factor determined by lengths, widths and depths, and/or the relationships thereof.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.