METHOD FOR PRODUCING SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS AND SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENT
20170062351 ยท 2017-03-02
Assignee
Inventors
- Norwin von Malm (Nittendorf, DE)
- Alexander F. Pfeuffer (Regensburg, DE)
- Tansen Varghese (Regensburg, DE)
- Philipp Kreuter (Regensburg, DE)
Cpc classification
Y02P70/50
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
Y02E10/544
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
H10F77/244
ELECTRICITY
H10H20/812
ELECTRICITY
H10F77/223
ELECTRICITY
H10F71/00
ELECTRICITY
H10F10/144
ELECTRICITY
H10F10/163
ELECTRICITY
Y02E10/52
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
H10F77/1248
ELECTRICITY
International classification
H01L23/544
ELECTRICITY
H01L31/0352
ELECTRICITY
H01L33/06
ELECTRICITY
H01L33/00
ELECTRICITY
H01L33/30
ELECTRICITY
H01L31/0304
ELECTRICITY
Abstract
A method for producing a plurality of semiconductor components (1) is provided, comprising the following steps: a) providing a semiconductor layer sequence (2) having a first semiconductor layer (21), a second semiconductor layer (22) and an active region (25), said active region being arranged between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer for generating and/or receiving radiation; b) forming a first connection layer (31) on the side of the second connection layer facing away from the first semiconductor layer; c) forming a plurality of cut-outs (29) through the semiconductor layer sequence; d) forming a conducting layer (4) in the cut-outs for establishing an electrically conductive connection between the first semiconductor layer and the first connection layer; and e) separating into the plurality of semiconductor components, wherein a semiconductor body (20) having at least one of the plurality of cut-outs arises from the semiconductor layer sequence for each semiconductor component and the at least one cut-out is completely surrounded by the semiconductor body in a top view of the semiconductor body. Furthermore, a semiconductor component is provided.
Claims
1. A method for producing a plurality of semiconductor components, comprising the steps of: a) providing a semiconductor layer sequence having a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer and an active region, arranged between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer provided for generating and/or receiving radiation; b) forming a first connection layer on the side of the second connection layer facing away from the first semiconductor layer; c) forming a plurality of cut-outs through the semiconductor layer sequence; d) forming a conducting layer in the cut-outs for establishing an electrically conductive connection between the first semiconductor layer and the first connection layer; and e) singulating into the plurality of semiconductor components, wherein a semiconductor body having at least one of the plurality of cut-outs arises from the semiconductor layer sequence for each semiconductor component and the at least one cut-out is completely surrounded by the semiconductor body in a top view of the semiconductor body.
2. Method according to claim 1, in which a separating layer is applied between the active region and the conducting layer for electrical insulation, said separating layer covering the lateral surfaces of the cut-outs at least on the level of the second semiconductor layer and of the active region.
3. Method according to claim 1, in which material for the separating layer is applied over the entire semiconductor layer sequence with the cut-outs for forming said separating layer, and the material is removed in such a way, by means of a directionally selective etching method, that only surfaces running obliquely or perpendicularly to a main extension plane of the semiconductor layers of the semiconductor layer sequence remain covered by the separating layer.
4. Method according to claim 3, in which further material of the separating layer is removed in a subsequent further directionally selective etching method and the first semiconductor layer in the cut-outs is sectionally exposed.
5. Method according to claim 4, in which the first connection layer is exposed by the further directionally selective etching method.
6. Method according to claim 1, in which a first insulation layer with openings is formed before forming the cut-outs between the semiconductor layer sequence and the first connection layer, wherein the cut-outs are formed in such a way that they overlap with the openings in a top view of the semiconductor layer sequence.
7. Method according to claim 1, in which a growth substrate for the semiconductor layer sequence is removed before step c).
8. Method according to claim 1, in which a masking layer with a plurality of openings is applied to the semiconductor layer sequence before applying the conducting layer and each cut-out is completely arranged within one of the plurality of openings in a top view and the first semiconductor layer laterally to the cut-outs is partially free from the masking layer.
9. Method according to claim 8, in which the openings taper with increasing distance from the semiconductor layer sequence and material for the conducting layer, with a main deposition direction running obliquely to a vertical direction running perpendicular to a main extension plane of the semiconductor layer sequence, is deposited such that the material of the conducting layer deposited in the openings overlaps with material of the conducting layer deposited on the masking layer in a top view.
10. Method according to claim 1, in which a covering layer is applied to the conducting layer and said covering layer serves as mask for removing material from the first semiconductor layer.
11. Method according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor layer sequence is secured to a carrier between step b) and step c).
12. Semiconductor component having a semiconductor body, comprising a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer and an active region arranged between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer for generating and/or receiving radiation, wherein a first connection layer is arranged on the side of the second semiconductor layer facing away from the first semiconductor layer; the semiconductor body has at least one cut-out extending through the semiconductor body and said cut-out is completely surrounded by the semiconductor body in a top view of said semiconductor body; and a conducting layer is arranged in the at least one cut-out and forms an electrically conductive connection between the first semiconductor layer and the first connection layer.
13. Semiconductor component according to claim 12, wherein the conducting layer is immediately adjacent to the first semiconductor layer in the at least one cut-out.
14. Semiconductor component according to claim 12, wherein the conducing layer is partially arranged on one radiation passage surfaces situated opposite to the active region of the first semiconductor layer.
15. Semiconductor component according to claim 12, wherein the first semiconductor layer has a contact layer, which is formed solely below the conducting layer in a top view of the semiconductor component.
16. Semiconductor component according to claim 12, wherein a second connection layer is arranged between the first connection layer and the second semiconductor layer for electrically contacting the second semiconductor layer.
17. Semiconductor component according to claim 12, wherein the semiconductor component further comprises a separating layer, the separating layer covers a lateral surface of the cut-out at least on the level of the second semiconductor layer and of the active region, and wherein the lateral surface comprises a partial area in which the first semiconductor layer is free from the separating layer.
18. A method for producing a plurality of semiconductor components, comprising the steps of: a) providing a semiconductor layer sequence having a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer and an active region, arranged between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer provided for generating and/or receiving radiation; b) forming a first connection layer on the side of the second connection layer facing away from the first semiconductor layer; c) forming a plurality of cut-outs through the semiconductor layer sequence; d) forming a conducting layer in the cut-outs for establishing an electrically conductive connection between the first semiconductor layer and the first connection layer; and e) singulating into the plurality of semiconductor components, wherein a semiconductor body having at least one of the plurality of cut-outs arises from the semiconductor layer sequence for each semiconductor component and the at least one cut-out is completely surrounded by the semiconductor body in a top view of the semiconductor body; wherein a separating layer is applied between the active region and the conducting layer for electrical insulation, said separating layer covering the lateral surfaces of the cut-outs at least on the level of the second semiconductor layer and of the active region; and a material of the separating layer covering the lateral surfaces is removed such that the lateral surfaces comprise a partial area in which the first semiconductor layer is free from the separating layer.
Description
[0048] Further features, embodiments and expediencies result from the following description of the exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the figures.
[0049] The figures show in:
[0050]
[0051]
[0052]
[0053] Identical, similar and similarly acting elements are indicated with the same reference numerals in the figures.
[0054] The figures and size ratios of the elements shown in the figures amongst each other should not be considered as true-to-scale. Instead, individual elements and in particular layer thicknesses can be shown exaggeratedly large for the sake of better representation or the sake of better comprehension.
[0055] An exemplary embodiment for a method for producing in particular optoelectronic semiconductor components is provided on the basis of
[0056] A semiconductor layer sequence 2 comprising an active region 25 for generating and/or receiving electromagnetic radiation is provided. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the active region 25 is configured for generating radiation and has a quantum structure. Said quantum structure comprises a plurality of quantum layers 251, wherein a barrier layer 252 is arranged between adjacent quantum layers. Only two quantum layers are shown in
[0057] The first semiconductor layer 21 and the second semiconductor layer 22 are different from each other with regard to the type of conductivity. For example, the first semiconductor layer 21 is n-type and the second semiconductor layer is p-type or vice versa. The deposition of the semiconductor layer sequence 2 ensues on a growth substrate 200, for example by means of epitaxial deposition, such as MOVPE.
[0058] The semiconductor layer sequence, in particular the active region 25, preferably contains a III-V compound semiconductor material.
[0059] III-V compound semiconductor materials are particularly suitable for radiation generation in the ultraviolet (Al.sub.xIn.sub.yGa.sub.1-x-yN) via the visible (Al.sub.xIn.sub.yGa.sub.1-x-yN, in particular for blue to green radiation, or Al.sub.xIn.sub.yGa.sub.1-x-yP, in particular for yellow to red radiation) up to the infrared (Al.sub.xIn.sub.yGa.sub.1-x-yAs) spectral range. In this context, 0x1, 0y1 and y1, in particular with x1, y1, x0 and/or y0 apply. Further, high internal quantum efficiencies are achievable with III-V compound semiconductor materials, in particular from the stated material systems.
[0060] A structuring 26 with a plurality of depressions 260 is formed on the side facing away from the growth substrate 200 (
[0061] A first insulation layer 71 is formed on the semiconductor layer sequence 2. Said first insulation layer 71 comprises cut-outs 711. The electrical contacting of the second semiconductor layer now ensues via the cut-outs of the first insulation layer. A second connection layer 32 is formed on the insulation layer. Said second connection layer 32 exemplarily comprises a first partial layer 321 and mirror layer 322. The first partial layer is formed in the cut-outs 711 and servers for the electrical contacting of the second semiconductor layer 22. However, the first insulation layer is not essential. It is also conceivable that the second connection layer is adjacent to of the second semiconductor layer in a large area. For the sake of simplified representation, the first partial layer 321 is not explicitly shown in the further interim steps.
[0062] The designation of individual layers in the type of a numeration such as first insulation layer and second insulation layer in the present application serves only the simplified reference to individual layers and does not implicit an order in the production of layers. In addition, the term second insulation layer does not necessarily require the presence of a first insulation layer.
[0063] The second connection layer 32 further comprises cut-outs 325. The second semiconductor layer 22 is free from metallic material in such cut-outs.
[0064] As shown in
[0065] No metallic material is located in the area of the cut-outs 325 of the second connection layer 32 between the first connection layer 31 and the second semiconductor layer 22.
[0066] The first connection layer 31 covers the entire semiconductor layer sequence 2. No lithographic structuring method is thus required for the formation of the first connection layer 31.
[0067] Subsequently, the semiconductor layer sequence is secured to a carrier 5 by means of a connection layer 55, for instance a soldering layer or an electrically conductive adhesive layer. The second semiconductor layer 22 is arranged on the side of the semiconductor layer sequence facing the carrier 5 (
[0068] The carrier serves the mechanical stabilization of the semiconductor layer sequence 2, and therefore the growth substrate 200 is no longer required to this end and can be removed (
[0069] In particular, the growth substrate can be mechanically thinned in a first partial step. In a second partial step, the remaining residue can be removed by means of a chemical removal method. In deviation thereto, it is also conceivable that the growth substrate 200 is already removed during the securing process on the carrier. In such case, the semiconductor layer sequence can for example be stabilized by a temporary auxiliary carrier during the securing process on the carrier.
[0070] As shown in
[0071] In a top view, the cut-outs 29 in the semiconductor layer sequence overlap with the cut-outs 325 of the second connection layer 325. In particular, the cut-outs 29 run completely within the cut-outs 325 of the second connection layer 325.
[0072] Subsequently, material for a separating layer 73 is deposited by means of a conformally acting method, for example by means of a CVD (chemical vapour deposition) method or ALD (atomic layer deposition) method. A conformally deposited layer follows to the form of the material located below. The material of the separating layer covers the entire semiconductor layer sequence, in particular including the lateral surfaces of the cut-outs 29 and the isolation trenches 28.
[0073] As shown in
[0074] Thus, the directionally selective etching method allows a separating layer to be realized that effects an electrical insulation of the lateral surfaces of the cut-outs 29 in the area of the cut-outs, without a lithography method being required to this end. Instead, the formation of the separating layer 73 is self-aligned. The waive of two lithographic steps aligned with each other for the formation of the coated cut-outs allows the lateral extension of the cut-outs 29 to be reduced, thus decreasing the proportion of the active region 25, which is lost by the formation of the cut-outs 29. For example, a dry-chemical etching method is suitable as a directionally selective etching method, such as reactive ion etching.
[0075] As shown in
[0076] Subsequently, as illustrated in
[0077] Further, the material located between the first connection layer 31 and the cut-outs 29 is removed on the bottom of the cut-outs 29 such that the first connection layer 31 is exposed by means of the further directionally selective etching method. In particular, material of the second insulation layer 72 is removed in the area of cut-outs 29. Exposure of the first connection layer 31 ensues in the cut-outs 325 of the second connection layer. Thus, no metallic material has to be removed when exposing said layer.
[0078] Subsequently, as illustrated in
[0079] Subsequently, a covering layer 74 is deposited over its entire surface (
[0080] After removal of the mask layer 8 (
[0081] The masking layer 74 can now serve as a mask for a material removal of the semiconductor layer sequence 2 (
[0082] In the material removal of material of the semiconductor layer sequence, furthermore an outcoupling structuring 27 can be formed, e.g. in the form of a roughening.
[0083] Subsequently, as illustrated in
[0084] The carrier 5 is thinned from the side facing away from the semiconductor layer sequence 2. Thereby the height of the component can be reduced. Prior to the thinning, the carrier may comprise a higher mechanical robustness due to the higher thickness. As an alternative, the semiconductor layer sequence 2 can be applied onto a carrier, which carrier already has the final thickness desired in the completed semiconductor component.
[0085] A first contact 61 is formed on the side of the carrier 5 facing away from the semiconductor layer sequence 5. In this present exemplary embodiment, the first contact 5 is connected to the first semiconductor layer 21 via the carrier 5, the first connection layer 31 and the conducting layer 4. A second contact 62 for electrically contacting the second semiconductor layer 22 via the second connection layer 32 is formed laterally from the semiconductor body 20 on the side of the carrier 5 facing the semiconductor layer sequence 2.
[0086] By application of an external electric voltage between the first contact 61 and the second contact 62, charge carriers can be injected into the active region 25 from opposing sides and will recombine there while emitting radiation.
[0087] For the formation of the individual semiconductor components, the compound thus produced will be singulated along the singulation lines so that the produced semiconductor components in each case comprise a part of the carrier 5 and a semiconductor body 20 with at least one cut-out 29.
[0088] The method described allows producing semiconductor components in a simple and reliable manner, wherein the semiconductor body 2, particularly the radiation passage surface 11, is free of structures for current distribution and an external contact, for example for a wire bond connection. The electric contacting of the first semiconductor layer 21 arranged on the side of the active region 25 facing away from the carrier 5 may be effected by the cut-outs 29, wherein the cut-outs 29 can be produced in a self-adjusting process in a reliable and simple manner such that the conducting layer 4 is electrically insulated in the cut-outs from the second semiconductor layer 22 and the active region 25.
[0089]
[0090] The first insulation layer 71, the second insulation layer 72, the separation layer 73, the cover layer 74 and the passivation layer 75 preferably each contain an electrically insulting material, for example an oxide such as silicon oxide, or a nitride such as silicon nitride.
[0091] The first connection layer 31, the second connection layer 32, the first contact 61 and the second contact 62 preferably each comprise a metal or consist of a metal or a metal alloy. The layers may in each case have a single-layered or multi-layered design.
[0092] A further exemplary embodiment for a method is shown with reference to the intermediate steps illustrated in
[0093] Here,
[0094] The further production steps can be performed as described in connection with the first exemplary embodiment.
[0095] A further exemplary embodiment for a method is shown with reference to the intermediate step illustrated in
[0096] The first partial layer 321 of the second connection layer provided for the electrical contacting of the second semiconductor layer 22 can be applied in the openings 712 just like in the cut-outs 711. Subsequently, said layer can be removed in the openings, particularly in the step in which the second connection layer 32 is being structured.
[0097] This allows for the forming of the openings 712 to be effected without additional lithography mask in a simple manner. The openings 712 for electrical contacting of the first semiconductor layer 21 and the cut-outs 711 for electrical contacting of the second semiconductor layer 22 can thus be formed in a joint method.
[0098] The further production steps can be performed as described in conjunction with the first exemplary embodiment. The exemplary embodiment illustrated in
[0099] In contrast to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in
[0100] The exemplary embodiment illustrated in
[0101] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in
[0102] This patent application claims the priority of the German patent application 10 2014 102 029.4, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0103] The invention is not limited by the description in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments. The invention rather comprises all new features as well as any combination of features, which particularly includes any combination of features in the patent claims, even if said feature or said combination is not explicitly indicated in the patent claims or exemplary embodiments.