SiGe HBT Technology Based on a 0.13-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="TeX">$\mu{\rm m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> Process Featuring an <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="TeX">${f}_{\rm MAX}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of 325 GHz

Abstract

A self-aligned SiGe HBT technology achieving a cutoff frequency (fT) of 253 GHz was developed using a selective SiGe epitaxial growth process. Germanium concentration in an i-SiGe layer just under a p+ intrinsic base region was raised to 27.4% to improve fT, and boron concentration in the intrinsic base region reached 2.4 × 1020 cm-3 as a deposition to maintain a breakdown voltage of 1.5 V. A 0.13-μm SiGe BiCMOS technology geometrically advanced from an earlier 0.18-μm version shrinks the emitter width from 0.2 to 0.12 μm to reduce collector-base capacitance and base resistance. It achieves a maximum oscillation frequency (fMAX) of 325 GHz. This technology can be applied to optical and mm wave communication systems.