Thin-Film Transistor and Method for Forming the Same

Abstract

A TFT includes a substrate, a gate, a gate insulating layer, a semiconductor oxide layer, a source/drain layer, a passivation layer, and a transparent conducting layer arranged from bottom to top. An etching block layer is formed after the source/drain layer arranged on the semiconductor oxide layer is etched. A method for forming for the TFT includes: depositing and photo-etching a gate on a substrate; depositing a gate insulating layer on the gate; depositing and photo-etching a semiconductor oxide layer on the gate insulating layer; depositing and photo-etching a source/drain layer on the semiconductor oxide layer; etching the source/drain layer on the semiconductor oxide layer for forming an etching block layer; depositing a passivation layer on the source/drain layer and the semiconductor oxide layer; depositing a transparent conducting layer on the passivation layer.

Claims

1. A thin-film transistor (TFT), comprising: a substrate, a gate, a gate insulating layer, a semiconductor oxide layer, a source/drain layer, a passivation layer, and a transparent conducting layer arranged from bottom to top wherein an etching block layer is formed after the source/drain layer arranged on the semiconductor oxide layer is etched, and the semiconductor oxide layer and the etching block layer are heated for activation and then form a semiconductor layer and an insulating layer, respectively.

2. The TFT of claim 1, wherein the inner of the source/drain layer is concaved for forming an interface, the etching block layer is accommodated in the interface and connected to the source/drain layer, the thickness of the etching block layer is smaller than the thickness of the source/drain layer, and the passivation layer covers the etching block layer and the source/drain layer.

3. The TFT of claim 2, wherein the source/drain layer is a composite layer, a bottom layer of the composite layer is a ZnO(Al) layer, and a top layer of the composite layer is fabricated from metallic material.

4. The TFT of claim 2, wherein the etching block layer is a ZnO(Al) layer.

5. The TFT of claim 2, wherein the passivation layer is a SiOx layer or a composite layer of SiNx and SiOx.

6. A method for forming a thin-film transistor (TFT) as claimed in claim 1, comprising: depositing and photo-etching a gate on a substrate; depositing a gate insulating layer on the gate; depositing and photo-etching a semiconductor oxide layer on the gate insulating layer; depositing and photo-etching a source/drain layer on the semiconductor oxide layer; etching the source/drain layer on the semiconductor oxide layer for forming an etching block layer; depositing a passivation layer on the source/drain layer and the semiconductor oxide layer; depositing a transparent conducting layer on the passivation layer.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein a bottom of the source/drain layer and then a top of the source/drain layer are deposited on the semiconductor oxide layer when the source/drain layer is deposited on the semiconductor oxide layer, and the source/drain layer forms a composite layer comprising two layers.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein one portion of the source/drain layer arranged on the semiconductor oxide layer and the other portion of the source/drain layer undergo a yellow process and an etching process after the composite layer of the source/drain layer is deposited wherein the portion of the source/drain layer arranged on the semiconductor oxide layer is etched for forming the etching block layer, and the structure of the etching block layer is the structure of bottom layer of the source/drain layer.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein infuse ions for increasing the content of oxygen in the etching block layer after the etch block layer is formed.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein heat and activate the semiconductor oxide layer and the etching block layer in an oven after the ions are infused so that the semiconductor oxide layer is activated to be a semiconductor layer, and the etching block layer is activated to be an insulating layer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0090] FIG. 1 shows a thin film transistor according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] FIG. 2 shows a structure of area A of FIG. 1, where a passivation layer is omitted.

[0092] FIG. 3 illustrates a first step of the method for forming the TFT according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0093] FIG. 4 illustrates a second step of the method for forming the TFT according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] FIG. 5 illustrates a third step of the method for forming the TFT according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] FIG. 6 illustrates a fourth step of the method for forming the TFT according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] FIG. 7 shows a structure of area B of FIG. 6.

[0097] FIG. 8 illustrates a fifth step of the method for forming the TFT according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] FIG. 9 shows a structure of area C of FIG. 8.

[0099] FIG. 10 illustrates a sixth step of the method for forming the TFT according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] FIG. 11 illustrates a seventh step of the method for forming the TFT according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0101] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Embodiment 1

[0102] A TFT is proposed by this embodiment. Please refer to FIG. 1. The TFT comprises a substrate 10, a gate 20, a gate insulating layer 30, a semiconductor oxide layer 40, a source/drain layer 50, a passivation layer 60, and a transparent conducting layer 70 arranged from bottom to top.

[0103] Specifically, the substrate 10 is a glass substrate. A gate 20 is deposited on the substrate 10. The length of the gate 20 (the length along the left-right direction in FIG. 1) is smaller than that of the substrate 10. The gate 20 is fabricated from Al/Mo. The thickness of the gate 20 is 3000 . The gate insulating layer 30 encloses the gate 20 and contacts the lateral sides and top side of the gate 20. The gate insulating layer 30 covers the substrate 10 and the gate 20. The gate insulating layer 30 is a composite layer of SiNx and SiOx. The thickness of the gate insulating layer 30 is 3000 . The semiconductor oxide layer 40 is arranged on the gate insulating layer 30. The length of the semiconductor oxide layer 40 (the length along the left-right direction in FIG. 1) is smaller than that of the gate insulating layer 30. The semiconductor oxide layer 40 is an IGZO layer. The thickness of the semiconductor oxide layer 40 is 1000 .

[0104] The source/drain layer 50 encloses the semiconductor oxide layer 40, contacts the lateral sides and top side of the semiconductor oxide layer 40, and covers the gate insulating layer 30 and the semiconductor oxide layer 40. The source/drain layer 50 is a composite layer. Please refer to FIG. 2. The source/drain layer 50 comprises a top layer 51 and a bottom layer 52. The bottom layer 52 is a ZnO(Al) layer. The thickness of the bottom layer 52 is 500 . The top layer 51 is an Al/Mo layer. The Mo layer is arranged on the Al layer. The thickness of the Al/Mo layer is 3000 . The inner of the source/drain layer 50 arranged on the semiconductor oxide layer 40 is concaved for forming an interface (the downward direction as shown in FIG. 2). The etching block layer 80 is accommodated in the interface. The etching block layer 80 is formed after the top layer 51 is etched near the source/drain layer 50 on the semiconductor oxide layer 40 except for the bottom layer 52. The etching block layer 80 is a ZnO(Al) layer. The length of the etching block layer 80 is smaller than that of the semiconductor oxide layer 40 (i.e., the length along a right and left direction as shown in FIG. 1). The length of the etching block layer 80 is 300 . While the etching block layer 80 is formed because the source/drain layer 50 is etched, the inner of the source/drain layer 50 forms a concaved interface. The source/drain layer 50 arranged on both sides of the etching block layer 80 forms a source and a drain. The source and the drain correspond to each other. It is notified that after the IGZO layer used as the semiconductor oxide layer 40 is heated for activation, the semiconductor oxide layer 40 is turned into a semiconductor layer. Besides, after oxygen is added to the ZnO(Al) layer used as the etching block layer 80 which is heated for activation, the etching block layer 80 is turned into an insulating layer with larger resistance and better insulation.

[0105] The passivation layer 60 covers the source/drain layer 50 and the etching block layer 80. The passivation layer 60 is a composite layer of SiNx and SiOx. The thickness of the passivation layer 60 is 3000 . The SiOx layer is used as the bottom layer of the passivation layer 60 and contacts the etching block layer 80. Since the SiOx layer comprises a larger amount of oxygen, it ensures that the effect of insulation of the etching block layer 80 is improved. In addition, a contact hole 61 is arranged on the passivation layer 60. The contact hole 61 is used for fitting the transparent conducting layer 70. The contact hole 61 is concaved inside the passivation layer 60. The thickness of the contact hole 61 is the same as that of the passivation layer 60. In other words, the contact hole 61 penetrates the passivation layer 60 along a vertical direction. The transparent conducting layer 70 is used for electrically connected to the TFT and a storage capacitor (not shown). A portion of the transparent conducting layer 70 connected to the TFT is roughly arranged on the passivation layer 60. The location of the portion just staggers the semiconductor oxide layer 40, the etching block layer 80, and the gate 20. An edge of the lower surface of the transparent conducting layer 70 protrudes downwards for forming a bump 71. The bump 71 is just accommodated in the contact hole 61 of the passivation layer 60. The transparent conducting layer 70 is connected to the source/drain layer 50 successfully. The transparent conducting layer 70 is an ITO layer. The thickness of the transparent conducting layer 70 is 500 .

Embodiment 2

[0106] A method for forming a TFT is proposed by this embodiment.

[0107] Please refer to FIG. 3. A glass substrate 10 is prepared. Then, a gate 20 is deposited on the glass substrate 10 by means of physical vapor deposition (PVD). Afterwards, the gate 20 is patterned through the yellow process and the etching process. The gate 20 is fabricated from Al/Mo. The thickness of the gate 20 is 3000 . The length of the gate 20 is smaller than that of the glass substrate 10.

[0108] Please refer to FIG. 4. A gate insulating layer 30 is deposited on the etched gate 20 by means of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). The gate insulating layer 30 encloses the gate 20 and contacts the lateral sides and top side of the gate 20. The gate insulating layer 30 covers the substrate 10 and the gate 20. The gate insulating layer 30 is a composite layer of SiNx and SiOx. The thickness of the gate insulating layer 30 is 3000 .

[0109] Please refer to FIG. 5. The semiconductor oxide layer 40 is deposited on the gate insulating layer 30 by means of PVD. Afterwards, the semiconductor oxide layer 40 is patterned through the yellow process and the etching process. The semiconductor oxide layer 40. The semiconductor oxide layer 40 is an IGZO layer. The thickness of the semiconductor oxide layer 40 is 1000 . The length of the semiconductor oxide layer 40 is the same as the length of the top face of the gate insulating layer.

[0110] Please refer to FIG. 6. The source/drain layer 50 is deposited on the etched semiconductor oxide layer 40 by means of PVD. The source/drain layer 50 encloses the semiconductor oxide layer 40 and contacts the lateral sides and top side of the semiconductor oxide layer 40. The source/drain layer 50 covers the gate insulating layer 30 and the semiconductor oxide layer 40. Please refer to FIG. 7. The bottom layer 52 of the source/drain layer 50 is deposited on the semiconductor oxide layer 40, and then the top layer 51 of the source/drain layer 50 is deposited on the semiconductor oxide layer 40. The source/drain layer 50 forms a composite layer with two layers. The bottom layer 52 is a ZnO(Al) layer. The thickness of the bottom layer 52 is 500 . The top layer 51 is an Al/Mo layer. The thickness of the top layer 51 is 3000 .

[0111] Please refer to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. A portion of the source/drain layer 50 arranged on the semiconductor oxide layer 40 and the other portions of the source/drain layer 50 are processed through a grayscale mask and an etching. The portion of the source/drain layer 50 arranged on the semiconductor oxide layer 40 is finally etched to be the etching block layer 80. The other portions of the source/drain layer 50 are finally etched to be the source/drain layer 50 with a pattern. Specifically, the top layer 51 of the source/drain layer 50 is completely etched except for the bottom layer 52 when the source/drain layer 50 arranged on the semiconductor oxide layer 40 is etched. The etching block layer 80 is formed. Both of the etching block layer 80 and the source/drain layer 50 are ZnO(Al) layers. The thickness of the etching block layer 80 is 300 . The length of the etching block layer 80 is smaller than that of the semiconductor oxide layer 40. In addition, the inner of the source/drain layer 50 is etched, and a concaved interface is formed while the etching block layer 80 is formed from the etched source/drain layer 50. Two sides of the etching block layer 80 are a source and a drain, respectively.

[0112] To improve the performance and lifespan of the fabricated TFT, the related structure of the TFT is modified in this embodiment. The method of ion infusion is used to infuse oxygen ion to the etching block layer 80 for increasing the oxygen in the ZnO(Al) layer after the etching block layer 80 is formed with etching. Afterwards, the semiconductor oxide layer 40 and the etching block layer 80 are heated in the oven. The semiconductor oxide layer 40 is activated and forms a semiconductor layer. The etching block layer 80 is activated and forms an insulating layer. The temperature for heating the layers is 300 C. The duration for activating the layers is 60 minutes. Also, the layers are activated with air or oxygen.

[0113] It is understood that the conductivity of a ZnO(Al) thin film varies with the content of oxygen. A prepared ZnO(Al) thin film without oxygen has the best conductivity. The thin film has better transparency (>85%). Also, the resistance is better. When some oxygen is added to working air, the probability of reaction of oxygen and zinc particles increases. As a result, vacancy concentration of oxygen in the ZnO(Al) thin film decreases while the resistance increases. On the other hand, aluminum atoms in the ZnO(Al) thin film reacts with oxygen, and Al.sub.2O.sub.3 is generated. As a result, substituted Al.sup.3+ in the thin film decreases while the density of conducting electrons decreases. Moreover, the generated Al.sub.2O.sub.3 is secluded from the grain boundary. The scatter of a charge carrier increases. The electron mobility decreases as well. Also, the resistance increases. The method of ion infusion is used to infuse oxygen ion to the ZnO(Al) layer for increasing the oxygen in the ZnO(Al) layer in this embodiment. Also, with the method of heating for activation, the content of oxygen increases in the ZnO(Al) layer. The ZnO(Al) layer is turned into the insulating layer.

[0114] Please refer to FIG. 10. After the etching block layer 80 is activated, a passivation layer 60 is deposited on the source/drain layer 50 and the etching block layer 80 by means of PVD, the passivation layer 60 is activated with a high temperature, and then the passivation layer 60 is patterned through the yellow process and the etching process. Specifically, the passivation layer is a composite layer of SiNx and SiOx. The thickness of the passivation layer 60 is 3000 . The SiOx layer is the bottom layer of the passivation layer 60 and contacts the etching block layer 80. The reason why the SiOx layer is used as the bottom layer of the passivation layer 60 in this embodiment is that the SiOx layer comprises a larger amount of oxygen. Once the deposited the passivation layer 60 is activated, the amount of oxygen increases in the ZnO(Al) layer which is the contact area of the SiOx layer and the passivation layer 60. The ZnO(Al) layer ensures to be insulated thoroughly.

[0115] Please refer to FIG. 11. After the passivation layer 60 is etched, a transparent conducting layer 70 is deposited on the passivation layer 60 by means of PVD, and then the transparent conducting layer 70 is patterned through the yellow process and the etching process. Specifically, a contact hole 61 is arranged on the passivation layer 60. The contact hole 61 is used for fitting the transparent conducting layer 70. The contact hole 61 is concaved inside the passivation layer 60. The thickness of the contact hole 61 is the same as that of the passivation layer 60. In other words, the contact hole 61 penetrates the passivation layer 60. The transparent conducting layer 70 is used for electrically connected to the TFT and a storage capacitor (not shown). A portion of the transparent conducting layer 70 connected to the TFT is roughly arranged on the passivation layer 60. The location of the portion just staggers the semiconductor oxide layer 40, the etching block layer 80, the gate 20, etc. An edge of the lower surface of the transparent conducting layer 70 protrudes downwards for forming a bump 71. The bump 71 is just accommodated in the contact hole 61 of the passivation layer 60. The transparent conducting layer 70 is connected to the source/drain layer 50 successfully. The transparent conducting layer 70 is an ITO layer. The thickness of the transparent conducting layer 70 is 500 .

[0116] The present disclosure is described in detail in accordance with the above contents with the specific preferred examples. However, this present disclosure is not limited to the specific examples. For the ordinary technical personnel of the technical field of the present disclosure, on the premise of keeping the conception of the present disclosure, the technical personnel can also make simple deductions or replacements, and all of which should be considered to belong to the protection scope of the present disclosure.