Self-aligned NPN transistor with raised extrinsic base

Abstract

A self-aligned bipolar transistor and a method of formation thereof are provided. The bipolar transistor has a raised extrinsic base such that the link base resistance is reduced by providing an extrinsic base which is thicker than the intrinsic base. The increase in thickness of the extrinsic base provides a less resistive layer of the heavily doped base region. The method of forming the bipolar transistor includes depositing a first epitaxial layer on a substrate to form a base region having an intrinsic base region and an extrinsic base region. The extrinsic base region is raised by depositing a second epitaxial layer over a portion of the first epitaxial layer such that the thickness of the extrinsic base layer is x and the thickness of the intrinsic layer is y, wherein x>y. The second epitaxial layer is deposited using a chemical vapor epitaxial device where the concentration of Ge to Si is gradually reduced from above 5% to close to 0% during the epitaxy process. As such, the second epitaxy layer has the highest concentration of Ge near the interface of the first and second epitaxy layer. The concentration of Ge is gradually reduced to near 0% at the top surface of the second epitaxy region.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.