Blocking of boron diffusion through the emitter-emitter poly interface in PNP HBTs through use of a SiC layer at the top of the emitter epi layer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heterojunction bipolar transistor, and comprises a collector region, and a graded profile SiGe base layer overlying the collector region. The transistor further comprises a diffusion blocking layer overlying the graded profile SiGe base layer, and an emitter layer overlying the diffusion blocking layer. The diffusion blocking layer is operable to retard a diffusion of dopants therethrough from the emitter layer to the graded profile SiGe base layer, thereby allowing for a reduction in the thickness of the layer comprising a graded profile SiGe layer and a buffer layer. The thickness reduction allows increased Ge concentration in the base layer and the emitter/base doping profile is improved, each leading to improved transistor performance.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.