LC element and semiconductor device

• US 5,557,138 A
• Filed: 10/26/1994
• Issued: 09/17/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Niigata Seimitsu Co., Ltd. (Tetsuo Funai)
• Original Assignee: Susumu Okamura, Takeshi Ikeda
• Inventors: Ikeda, Takeshi, Okamura, Susumu
• Primary Examiner(s): Limanek, Robert P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, ALEXANDER O
• Application Number:
  US08/329,520
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 257/531, 257/277, 257/528, 257/532, 257/544, 257/545, 257/312
• US Class Current: 257/531
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/08 including only semiconductor components of a single kind
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 2001/0064 comprising semiconductor material
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 2001/0078 comprising spiral inductor on a substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 7/0115 comprising only inductors and capacitors H03H7/075, H03H7/09, H03H7/12, H03H7/13 take precedence

Abstract

An LC element with a pn junction layer formed near the surface of a p-Si substrate by forming an n⁺ region having a predetermined shape and in a portion thereof additionally forming a p⁺ region having the same shape, and with first and second electrodes formed over entire length on the surface of this pn junction layer; wherein the two electrodes respectively function as inductors and by using the pn junction layer with reverse bias, a distributed constant type capacitor is formed between these inductors, thereby providing excellent attenuation characteristics over a wide band, a semiconductor device including the LC element, and a method of manufacturing the LC element.

This LC element and semiconductor device can be easily manufactured; in the case of manufacturing as a portion of an IC or LSI device, component assembly work in subsequent processing can be abbreviated, and by changing the capacitance of the distributed constant type capacitor according to requirements, the characteristics can be changed.

Claims

1. An LC element comprising:

two inductor electrodes formed in a spiral shape respectively having predetermined inductances disposed essentially in parallel, and

a pn junction layer functioning as a capacitor by using in a reverse bias state, formed on a semiconductor substrate along said two inductor electrodes and comprising a p region and an n region electrically connected over their entire length respectively to one and the other of said two inductor electrodes, wherein

inductors respectively formed by said two inductor electrodes and the capacitor formed by said pn junction layer along said two inductor electrodes exist as distributed constants, and

at least one of said two inductor electrodes is used as a signal transmission line.

2. An LC element according to claim 1, wherein

the capacitance of said pn junction layer can be changed by changing the reverse bias voltage applied to said pn junction layer.

3. An LC element according to claim 1 and further comprising:

first and second input/output electrodes respectively provided in proximity to one end and to the other end of either one of said two inductor electrodes, and

a ground electrode provided in proximity to one end of the other of said two inductor electrodes, wherein

a signal is input to either one of said first and second input/output electrodes and output from the other, and

said ground electrode is connected to a fixed potential power supply or ground.

4. An LC element according to claim 1 and further comprising:

first and second input/output electrodes respectively provided in proximity to one end and to the other end of either one of said two inductor electrodes, and

third and fourth input/output electrodes respectively provided in proximity to one end and to the other end of the other of said two inductor electrodes, and

used as a common mode type element having said two inductor electrodes as signal transmission lines.

5. An LC element according to claim 1 wherein

said two inductor electrodes are of different length, and

said pn junction layer is formed at least over entire length of the shorter of said two inductor electrodes.

6. An LC element according to claim 1 wherein

only either one of said inductor electrodes is used as a signal transmission line,

either the other one of said inductor electrodes is divided into a plurality of segments or both of the other one of said inductor electrodes and the pn junction layer corresponding to the other one of said inductor electrodes are divided into a plurality of segments, and

each of the divided plurality of inductor electrode segments is mutually connected electrically.

7. An LC element according to claim 1 wherein

a buffer is connected to the output side of said signal transmission line.

8. An LC element according to claim 1 formed on a semiconductor substrate, further comprising terminals by

forming an insulation layer on the entire surface of said semiconductor substrate,

opening perforations in portions of said insulation layer by etching or laser light emission, and then

closing said perforations by applying solder to the extent of protruding slightly above the surface.

9. A semiconductor device wherein an LC element according to claim 1 is formed as a portion of a semiconductor substrate in an integrated construction so that at least one of said two inductor electrodes is inserted into a signal line or a power supply line of said device.

10. An LC element comprising:

two inductor electrodes formed in a spiral shape respectively having predetermined inductances disposed essentially in opposition, and

a pn junction layer functioning as a capacitor by using in a reverse bias state, formed on a semiconductor substrate between said two inductor electrodes and comprising a p region and an n region electrically connected over their entire length respectively to one and the other of said two inductor electrodes, wherein

inductors respectively formed by said two inductor electrodes and the capacitor formed by said pn junction layer between said two inductor electrodes exist as distributed constants, and

at least one of said two inductor electrodes is used as a signal transmission line.

11. An LC element according to claim 10, wherein

the capacitance of said pn junction layer can be changed by changing the reverse bias voltage applied to said pn junction layer.

12. An LC element according to claim 10 and further comprising:

first and second input/output electrodes respectively provided in proximity to one end and to the other end of either one of said two inductor electrodes, and

a ground electrode provided in proximity to one end of the other of said two inductor electrodes, wherein

a signal is input to either one of said first and second input/output electrodes and output from the other, and

said ground electrode is connected to a fixed potential power supply or ground.

13. An LC element according to claim 10 and further comprising:

first and second input/output electrodes respectively provided in proximity to one end and to the other end of either one of said two inductor electrodes, and

third and fourth input/output electrodes respectively provided in proximity to one end and to the other end of the other of said two inductor electrodes, and

used as a common mode type element having said two inductor electrodes as signal transmission lines.

14. An LC element according to claim 10 wherein

said two inductor electrodes are of different length, and

said pn junction layer is formed at least over entire length of the shorter of said two inductor electrodes.

15. An LC element according to claim 10 wherein

only either one of said inductor electrodes is used as a signal transmission line,

either the other one of said inductor electrodes is divided into a plurality of segments or both of the other one of said inductor electrodes and the pn junction layer corresponding to the other one of said inductor electrodes are divided into a plurality of segments, and

each of the divided plurality of inductor electrode segments is mutually connected electrically,

16. An LC element according to claim 10 wherein

a buffer is connected to the output side of said signal transmission line.

17. An LC element according to claim 10 formed on a semiconductor substrate, further comprising terminals by

forming an insulation layer on the entire surface of said semiconductor substrate,

opening perforations in portions of said insulation layer by etching or laser light emission, and then

closing said perforations by applying solder to the extent of protruding slightly above the surface.

18. A semiconductor device wherein an LC element according to claim 10 is formed as a portion of a semiconductor substrate in an integrated construction so that at least one of said two inductor electrodes is inserted into a signal line or a power supply line of said device.

19. An LC element comprising:

two inductor electrodes formed in a meander shape respectively having predetermined inductances disposed essentially in parallel, and

a pn junction layer functioning as a capacitor by using in a reverse bias state, formed on a semiconductor substrate along said two inductor electrodes and comprising a p region and an n region electrically connected over their entire length respectively to one and the other of said two inductor electrodes, wherein

inductors respectively formed by said two inductor electrodes and the capacitor formed by said pn junction layer along said two inductor electrodes exist as distributed constants, and

at least one of said two inductor electrodes is used as a signal transmission line.

20. An LC element according to claim 19, wherein

the capacitance of said pn junction layer can be changed by changing the reverse bias voltage applied to said pn junction layer.

21. An LC element according to claim 19 and further comprising:

first and second input/output electrodes respectively provided in proximity to one end and to the other end of either one of said two inductor electrodes, and

a ground electrode provided in proximity to one end of the other of said two inductor electrodes, wherein

a signal is input to either one of said first and second input/output electrodes and output from the other, and

said ground electrode is connected to a fixed potential power supply or ground.

22. An LC element according to claim 19 and further comprising:

first and second input/output electrodes respectively provided in proximity to one end and to the other end of either one of said two inductor electrodes, and

third and fourth input/output electrodes respectively provided in proximity to one end and to the other end of the other of said two inductor electrodes, and

used as a common mode type element having said two inductor electrodes as signal transmission lines.

23. An LC element according to claim 19 wherein

said two inductor electrodes are of different length, and

said pn junction layer is formed at least over entire length of the shorter of said two inductor electrodes.

24. An LC element according to claim 19 wherein

only either one of said inductor electrodes is used as a signal transmission line,

either the other one of said inductor electrodes is divided into a plurality of segments or both of the other one of said inductor electrodes and the pn junction layer corresponding to the other one of said inductor electrodes are divided into a plurality of segments, and

each of the divided plurality of inductor electrode segments is mutually connected electrically.

25. An LC element according to claim 19 wherein

a buffer is connected to the output side of said signal transmission line.

26. An LC element according to claim 19 formed on a semiconductor substrate, further comprising terminals by

forming an insulation layer on the entire surface of said semiconductor substrate,

opening perforations in portions of said insulation layer by etching or laser light emission, and then

closing said perforations by applying solder to the extent of protruding slightly above the surface.

27. A semiconductor device wherein an LC element according to claim 19 is formed as a portion of a semiconductor substrate in an integrated construction so that at least one of said two inductor electrodes is inserted into a signal line or a power supply line of said device.

28. An LC element comprising:

two inductor electrodes formed in a meander shape respectively having predetermined inductances disposed essentially in opposition, and

a pn junction layer functioning as a capacitor by using in a reverse bias state, formed on a semiconductor substrate between said two inductor electrodes and comprising a p region and an n region electrically connected over their entire length respectively to one and the other of said two inductor electrodes, wherein

inductors respectively formed by said two inductor electrodes and the capacitor formed by said pn junction layer between said two inductor electrodes exist as distributed constants, and

at least one of said two inductor electrodes is used as a signal transmission line.

29. An LC element according to claim 28, wherein

the capacitance of said pn junction layer can be changed by changing the reverse bias voltage applied to said pn junction layer.

30. An LC element according to claim 28 and further comprising:

first and second input/output electrodes respectively provided in proximity to one end and to the other end of either one of said two inductor electrodes, and

a ground electrode provided in proximity to one end of the other of said two inductor electrodes, wherein

a signal is input to either one of said first and second input/output electrodes and output from the other, and

said ground electrode is connected to a fixed potential power supply or ground.

31. An LC element according to claim 28 and further comprising:

first and second input/output electrodes respectively provided in proximity to one end and to the other end of either one of said two inductor electrodes, and

third and fourth input/output electrodes respectively provided in proximity to one end and to the other end of the other of said two inductor electrodes, and

used as a common mode type element having said two inductor electrodes as signal transmission lines.

32. An LC element according to claim 28 wherein

said two inductor electrodes are of different length, and

said pn junction layer is formed at least over entire length of the shorter of said two inductor electrodes.

33. An LC element according to claim 28 wherein

only either one of said inductor electrodes is used as a signal transmission line,

either the other one of said inductor electrodes is divided into a plurality of segments or both of the other one of said inductor electrodes and the pn junction layer corresponding to the other one of said inductor electrodes are divided into a plurality of segments, and

each of the divided plurality of inductor electrode segments is mutually connected electrically.

34. An LC element according to claim 28 wherein

a buffer is connected to the output side of said signal transmission line.

35. An LC element according to claim 28 formed on a semiconductor substrate, further comprising terminals by

forming an insulation layer on the entire surface of said semiconductor substrate,

opening perforations in portions of said insulation layer by etching or laser light emission, and then

closing said perforations by applying solder to the extent of protruding slightly above the surface.

36. A semiconductor device wherein an LC element according to claim 28 is formed as a portion of a semiconductor substrate in an integrated construction so that at least one of said two inductor electrodes is inserted into a signal line or a power supply line of said device.

37. An LC element comprising:

two inductor electrodes formed in a curved line respectively having predetermined inductances disposed essentially in parallel, and

a pn junction layer functioning as a capacitor by using in a reverse bias state, formed on a semiconductor substrate along said two inductor electrodes and comprising a p region and an n region electrically connected over their entire length respectively to one and the other of said two inductor electrodes, wherein

inductors respectively formed by said two inductor electrodes and the capacitor formed by said pn junction layer along said two inductor electrodes exist as distributed constants, and

at least one of said two inductor electrodes is used as a signal transmission line.

38. An LC element according to claim 37, wherein

the capacitance of said pn junction layer can be changed by changing the reverse bias voltage applied to said pn junction layer.

39. An LC element according to claim 37 and further comprising:

first and second input/output electrodes respectively provided in proximity to one end and to the other end of either one of said two inductor electrodes, and

a ground electrode provided in proximity to one end of the other of said two inductor electrodes, wherein

a signal is input to either one of said first and second input/output electrodes and output from the other, and

said ground electrode is connected to a fixed potential power supply or ground.

40. An LC element according to claim 37 and further comprising:

first and second input/output electrodes respectively provided in proximity to one end and to the other end of either one of said two inductor electrodes, and

third and fourth input/output electrodes respectively provided in proximity to one end and to the other end of the other of said two inductor electrodes, and

used as a common mode type element having said two inductor electrodes as signal transmission lines.

41. An LC element according to claim 37 wherein

said two inductor electrodes are of different length, and

said pn junction layer is formed at least over entire length of the shorter of said two inductor electrodes.

42. An LC element according to claim 37 wherein

only either one of said inductor electrodes is used as a signal transmission line,

either the other one of said inductor electrodes is divided into a plurality of segments or both of the other one of said inductor electrodes and the pn junction layer corresponding to the other one of said inductor electrodes are divided into a plurality of segments, and

each of the divided plurality of inductor electrode segments is mutually connected electrically.

43. An LC element according to claim 37 wherein

a buffer is connected to the output side of said signal transmission line.

44. An LC element according to claim 37 formed on a semiconductor substrate, further comprising terminals by forming an insulation layer on the entire surface of said semiconductor substrate,

opening perforations in portions of said insulation layer by etching or laser light emission, and then

closing said perforations by applying solder to the extent of protruding slightly above the surface.

45. A semiconductor device wherein an LC element according to claim 37 is formed as a portion of a semiconductor substrate in an integrated construction so that at least one of said two inductor electrodes is inserted into a signal line or a power supply line of said device.

46. An LC element comprising:

two inductor electrodes formed in a curved line respectively having predetermined inductances disposed essentially in opposition, and

a pn junction layer functioning as a capacitor by using in a reverse bias state, formed on a semiconductor substrate between said two inductor electrodes and comprising a p region and an n region electrically connected over their entire length respectively to one and the other of said two inductor electrodes, wherein

inductors respectively formed by said two inductor electrodes and the capacitor formed by said pn junction layer between said two inductor electrodes exist as distributed constants, and

at least one of said two inductor electrodes is used as a signal transmission line.

47. An LC element according to claim 46, wherein

the capacitance of said pn junction layer can be changed by changing the reverse bias voltage applied to said pn junction layer.

48. An LC element according to claim 46 and further comprising:

first and second input/output electrodes respectively provided in proximity to one end and to the other end of either one of said two inductor electrodes, and

a ground electrode provided in proximity to one end of the other of said two inductor electrodes, wherein

a signal is input to either one of said first and second input/output electrodes and output from the other, and

said ground electrode is connected to a fixed potential power supply or ground.

49. An LC element according to claim 46 and further comprising:

first and second input/output electrodes respectively provided in proximity to one end and to the other end of either one of said two inductor electrodes, and

third and fourth input/output electrodes respectively provided in proximity to one end and to the other end of the other of said two inductor electrodes, and

used as a common mode type element having said two inductor electrodes as signal transmission lines.

50. An LC element according to claim 46 wherein

said two inductor electrodes are of different length, and

said pn junction layer is formed at least over entire length of the shorter of said two inductor electrodes.

51. An LC element according to claim 46 wherein

only either one of said inductor electrodes is used as a signal transmission line,

either the other one of said inductor electrodes is divided into a plurality of segments or both of the other one of said inductor electrodes and the pn junction layer corresponding to the other one of said inductor electrodes are divided into a plurality of segments, and

each of the divided plurality of inductor electrode segments is mutually connected electrically.

52. An LC element according to claim 46 wherein

a buffer is connected to the output side of said signal transmission line.

53. An LC element according to claim 46 formed on a semiconductor substrate, further comprising terminals by

forming an insulation layer on the entire surface of said semiconductor substrate,

opening perforations in portions of said insulation layer by etching or laser light emission, and then

closing said perforations by applying solder to the extent of protruding slightly above the surface.

54. A semiconductor device wherein an LC element according to claim 46 is formed as a portion of a semiconductor substrate in an integrated construction so that at least one of said two inductor electrodes is inserted into a signal line or a power supply line of said device.

55. An LC element comprising:

two inductor electrodes formed in a straight line respectively having predetermined inductances disposed essentially in parallel, and

a pn junction layer functioning as a capacitor by using in a reverse bias state, formed on a semiconductor substrate along said two inductor electrodes and comprising a p region and an n region electrically connected over their entire length respectively to one and the other of said two inductor electrodes, wherein

inductors respectively formed by said two inductor electrodes and the capacitor formed by said pn junction layer along said two inductor electrodes exist as distributed constants, and

at least one of said two inductor electrodes is used as a signal transmission line.

56. An LC element according to claim 55, wherein

the capacitance of said pn junction layer can be changed by changing the reverse bias voltage applied to said pn junction layer.

57. An LC element according to claim 55 and further comprising:

first and second input/output electrodes respectively provided in proximity to one end and to the other end of either one of said two inductor electrodes, and

a ground electrode provided in proximity to one end of the other of said two inductor electrodes, wherein

a signal is input to either one of said first and second input/output electrodes and output from the other, and

said ground electrode is connected to a fixed potential power supply or ground.

58. An LC element according to claim 55 and further comprising:

first and second input/output electrodes respectively provided in proximity to one end and to the other end of either one of said two inductor electrodes, and

third and fourth input/output electrodes respectively provided in proximity to one end and to the other end of the other of said two inductor electrodes, and

used as a common mode type element having said two inductor electrodes as signal transmission lines.

59. An LC element according to claim 55 wherein

said two inductor electrodes are of different length, and

said pn junction layer is formed at least over entire length of the shorter of said two inductor electrodes.

60. An LC element according to claim 55 wherein

only either one of said inductor electrodes is used as a signal transmission line,

either the other one of said inductor electrodes is divided into a plurality of segments or both of the other one of said inductor electrodes and the pn junction layer corresponding to the other one of said inductor electrodes are divided into a plurality of segments, and

each of the divided plurality of inductor electrode segments is mutually connected electrically.

61. An LC element according to claim 55 wherein

a buffer is connected to the output side of said signal transmission line.

62. An LC element according to claim 55 formed on a semiconductor substrate, further comprising terminals by

forming an insulation layer on the entire surface of said semiconductor substrate,

opening perforations in portions of said insulation layer by etching or laser light emission, and then

closing said perforations by applying solder to the extent of protruding slightly above the surface.

63. A semiconductor device wherein an LC element according to claim 55 is formed as a portion of a semiconductor substrate in an integrated construction so that at least one of said two inductor electrodes is inserted into a signal line or a power supply line of said device.

64. An LC element comprising:

two inductor electrodes formed in a straight line respectively having predetermined inductances disposed essentially in opposition, and

a pn junction layer functioning as a capacitor by using in a reverse bias state, formed on a semiconductor substrate between said two inductor electrodes and comprising a p region and an n region electrically connected over their entire length respectively to one and the other of said two inductor electrodes, wherein

inductors respectively formed by said two inductor electrodes and the capacitor formed by said pn junction layer between said two inductor electrodes exist as distributed constants, and

at least one of said two inductor electrodes is used as a signal transmission line.

65. An LC element according to claim 64, wherein

the capacitance of said pn junction layer can be changed by changing the reverse bias voltage applied to said pn junction layer.

66. An LC element according to claim 64 and further comprising:

first and second input/output electrodes respectively provided in proximity to one end and to the other end of either one of said two inductor electrodes, and

a ground electrode provided in proximity to one end of the other of said two inductor electrodes, wherein

a signal is input to either one of said first and second input/output electrodes and output from the other, and

said ground electrode is connected to a fixed potential power supply or ground.

67. An LC element according to claim 64 and further comprising:

first and second input/output electrodes respectively provided in proximity to one end and to the other end of either one of said two inductor electrodes, and

third and fourth input/output electrodes respectively provided in proximity to one end and to the other end of the other of said two inductor electrodes, and

used as a common mode type element having said two inductor electrodes as signal transmission lines.

68. An LC element according to claim 64 wherein

said two inductor electrodes are of different length, and

said pn junction layer is formed at least over entire length of the shorter of said two inductor electrodes.

69. An LC element according to claim 64 wherein

only either one of said inductor electrodes is used as a signal transmission line,

either the other one of said inductor electrodes is divided into a plurality of segments or both of the other one of said inductor electrodes and the pn junction layer corresponding to the other one of said inductor electrodes are divided into a plurality of segments, and

each of the divided plurality of inductor electrode segments is mutually connected electrically.

70. An LC element according to claim 64 wherein

a buffer is connected to the output side of said signal transmission line.

71. An LC element according to claim 64 formed on a semiconductor substrate, further comprising terminals by

forming an insulation layer on the entire surface of said semiconductor substrate,

opening perforations in portions of said insulation layer by etching or laser light emission, and then

closing said perforations by applying solder to the extent of protruding slightly above the surface.

72. A semiconductor device wherein an LC element according to claim 64 is formed as a portion of a semiconductor substrate in an integrated construction so that at least one of said two inductor electrodes is inserted into a signal line or a power supply line of said device.