Metal crossover in high voltage IC with graduated doping control.

摘要

Non-uniformly doped regions are formed adjacent to semiconductor junctions which underlie high voltage crossovers. The non-uniformly doped regions prevent junction breakdown caused by strong electric fields. The voltage drop between a crossover and an element of an integrated circuit is spread over the non-uniformly doped region, to lessen the voltage drop between the crossover and the junction and lessen the electric field at the junction. Dopant concentrations in the non-uniformly doped region may be selected to minimize use of silicon real estate. In some embodiments, a graded dopant concentration is lightest near the junction and increases toward a circuit element being protected.