Papers by Author: Glenn M. Beheim

Abstract: This report describes more than 5000 hours of successful 500 °C operation of semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) with more than 100 transistors. Multiple packaged chips with two different 4H-SiC junction field effect transistor (JFET) technology demonstrator circuits have surpassed thousands of hours of oven-testing at 500 °C. After 100 hours of 500 °C burn-in, the circuits (except for 2 failures) exhibit less than 10% change in output characteristics for the remainder of 500 °C testing. We also describe the observation of important differences in IC materials durability when subjected to the first nine constituents of Venus-surface atmosphere at 9.4 MPa and 460 °C in comparison to what is observed for Earth-atmosphere oven testing at 500 °C.

Abstract: Prolonged 500 °C to 700 °C electrical testing data from 4H-SiC junction field effect transistor (JFET) integrated circuits (ICs) are combined with post-testing microscopic studies in order to gain more comprehensive understanding of the durability limits of the present version of NASA Glenn's extreme temperature microelectronics technology. The results of this study support the hypothesis that T ≥ 500 °C durability-limiting IC failure initiates with thermal stress-related crack formation where dielectric passivation layers overcoat micron-scale vertical features including patterned metal traces.

Abstract: This work reports DC electrical characterization of a 76 mm diameter 4H-SiC JFET test wafer fabricated as part of NASA’s on-going efforts to realize medium-scale ICs with prolonged and stable circuit operation at temperatures as high as 500 °C. In particular, these measurements provide quantitative parameter ranges for use in JFET IC design and simulation. Larger than expected parameter variations were observed both as a function of position across the wafer as well as a function of ambient testing temperature from 23 °C to 500 °C.

Abstract: This paper reviews ceramic substrates and thick-film metallization based packaging technologies in development for 500°C silicon carbide (SiC) electronics and sensors, and test results of packaged SiC JFETs and capacitive pressure sensors at 500°C.

Abstract: Smart sensor systems that can operate at high temperatures are required for a range of aerospace applications such as propulsion [1]. For future aerospace propulsion systems to meet the requirements of decreased maintenance, improved performance, and increased safety, the inclusion of intelligence into the propulsion system design and operation is necessary. This implies the development of sensor systems able to operate under the harsh environments present in an engine. Likewise, applications such as Venus exploration missions require systems that can operate in the harsh environments present on the Venus planetary surface. More sensor systems added to the aircraft increases the number of wires and the associated weight, complexity, and potential for failure. Thus, there is a need not only for high temperature sensors and electronics, but also for high temperature wireless technology. This implies the integration of sensors, electronics, wireless circuits, and power into a single system. In this paper, we demonstrate a significant step towards this goal, i.e., for the first time the integration of a pressure sensor with a SiC JFET logic-gate ring oscillator that operates at 500 °C; the sensor output signal is extracted from the small-signal ring oscillation frequency detected at the powersupply end of the DC power wires.

Abstract: This paper updates the long-term 500 °C electrical testing results from 6H-SiC junction field effect transistors (JFETs) and small integrated circuits that were introduced at ICSCRM-2007. Two packaged JFETs have now been operated in excess of 7000 hours at 500 °C with less than 10% degradation in linear I-V characteristics. Several simple digital and analog demonstration integrated circuits successfully operated for 2000-6500 hours at 500 °C before failure.

Abstract: This paper reports fabrication and electrical characterization of 6H-SiC n-channel, depletion-mode, junction-field-effect transistors (JFETs) for use in high-temperature analog integrated circuits for sensing and control in propulsion, power systems, and geothermal exploration. Electrical characteristics of the resulting JFET devices have been measured across the wafer as a function of temperature, from room temperature to 450oC. The results indicate that the JFETs are suitable for high-gain amplifiers in high-temperature sensor signal processing circuits.

Abstract: This paper presents silicon carbide sensor interface circuits and techniques for MEMSbased sensors operating in harsh environments. More specifically, differential amplifiers were constructed using integrated, depletion-mode, n-channel, 6H-SiC JFETs and off-chip passive components. A three-stage voltage amplifier has a differential voltage gain of ~50 dB and a gainbandwidth of ~200 kHz at 450oC, as limited by test parasitics. Such an amplifier could be used to amplify the signals produced by a piezoresistive Wheatstone bridge sensor, for example. Design considerations for 6H-SiC JFET transimpedance amplifiers appropriate for capacitance sensing and for frequency readout from a micromechanical resonator are also presented.

Abstract: This paper reports on the fabrication and testing of 6H-SiC junction field effect transistors (JFETs) and a simple differential amplifier integrated circuit that have demonstrated 2000 hours of electrical operation at 500 °C without degradation. The high-temperature ohmic contacts, dielectric passivation, and packaging technology that enabled such 500 °C durability are briefly described. Key JFET parameters of threshold voltage, on-state resistance, transconductance, and on-state current, as well as the gain of the differential amplifier integrated circuit, exhibited less than 7% change over the first 2000 hours of 500 °C operational testing.

Abstract: While there have been numerous reports of short-term transistor operation at 500 °C or above, these devices have previously not demonstrated sufficient long-term operational durability at 500 °C to be considered viable for most envisioned applications. This paper reports the development of SiC field effect transistors capable of long-term electrical operation at 500 °C. A 6H-SiC MESFET was packaged and subjected to continuous electrical operation while residing in a 500 °C oven in oxidizing air atmosphere for over 2400 hours. The transistor gain, saturation current (IDSS), and on-resistance (RDS) changed by less than 20% from initial values throughout the duration of the biased 500 °C test. Another high-temperature packaged 6H-SiC MESFET was employed to form a simple one-stage high-temperature low-frequency voltage amplifier. This single-stage common-source amplifier demonstrated stable continuous electrical operation (negligible changes to gain and operating biases) for over 600 hours while residing in a 500 °C air ambient oven. In both cases, increased leakage from annealing of the Schottky gate-to-channel diode was the dominant transistor degradation mechanism that limited the duration of 500 °C electrical operation.