Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a transistor cell with a stripe-shaped trench gate structure that extends from a first surface into a semiconductor body. A gate connector structure at a distance to the first surface is electrically connected to a gate electrode in the trench gate structure. A gate dielectric separates the gate electrode from the semiconductor body. First sections of the gate dielectric outside a vertical projection of the gate connector structure are thinner than second sections within the vertical projection of the gate connector structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes trench structures that extend from a first surface into a semiconductor body. The trench structures include a gate structure and a contact structure that extends through the gate structure, respectively. Transistor mesas are between the trench structures. Each transistor mesa includes a body zone forming a first pn junction with a drift structure and a second pn junction with a source zone. Diode regions directly adjoin one of the contact structures form a third pn junction with the drift structure, respectively.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes stripe-shaped trench gate structures that extend in a semiconductor body along a first horizontal direction. Transistor mesas between neighboring trench gate structures include body regions and source zones, wherein the body regions form first pn junctions with a drift structure and second pn junctions with the source zones. The source zones directly adjoin two neighboring trench gate structures, respectively. Diode mesas that include at least portions of diode regions form third pn junctions with the drift structure. The diode mesas directly adjoin two neighboring trench gate structures, respectively. The transistor mesas and the diode mesas alternate at least along the first horizontal direction.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a transistor cell with a stripe-shaped trench gate structure that extends from a first surface into a semiconductor body. A gate connector structure at a distance to the first surface is electrically connected to a gate electrode in the trench gate structure. A gate dielectric separates the gate electrode from the semiconductor body. First sections of the gate dielectric outside a vertical projection of the gate connector structure are thinner than second sections within the vertical projection of the gate connector structure.

Abstract: A silicon-carbide semiconductor substrate having a plurality of first doped regions being laterally spaced apart from one another and beneath a main surface, and a second doped region extending from the main surface to a third doped region that is above the first doped regions is formed. Fourth doped regions extending from the main surface to the first doped regions are formed. A gate trench having a bottom that is arranged over a portion of one of the first doped regions is formed. A high-temperature step is applied to the substrate so as to realign silicon-carbide atoms along sidewalls of the trench and form rounded corners in the gate trench. A surface layer that forms along the sidewalls of the gate trench during the high-temperature step from the substrate is removed.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing ion kinetics in a dielectric probe structure includes an ion reservoir abutting the dielectric probe structure and configured to supply mobile ions to the dielectric probe structure, a capacitor structure configured to generate an electric field in the dielectric probe structure along a vertical direction, and an electrode structure configured to generate an electrophoretic force on mobile ions in the dielectric probe structure along a lateral direction. A method for analyzing ion kinetics in the dielectric probe structure of the apparatus is also provided.