Scalable circuit-under-pad device topologies for lateral gan power transistors

Abstract

Circuit-Under-Pad (CUP) device topologies for high current lateral GaN power transistors comprise first and second levels of on-chip metallization M1 and M2; M1 defines source, drain and gate finger electrodes of a plurality of sections of a multi-section transistor and a gate bus; M2 defines an overlying contact structure comprising a drain pad and source pads extending over active regions of each section. The drain and source pads of M2 are interconnected by conductive micro-vias to respective underlying drain and source finger electrodes of M1. The pad structure and the micro-via interconnections are configured to reduce current density in self-supported widths of source and drain finger electrodes, i.e. to optimize a maximum current density for each section. For reduced gate loop inductance, part of each source pad is routed over the gate bus. Proposed CUP device structures provide for higher current carrying capability and reduced drain-source resistance.