Abstract: In an embodiment, a transistor device a semiconductor substrate having a main surface, and a cell field including a plurality of transistor cells of a power transistor. The cell field further includes: a body region of a second conductivity type; a source region of a first conductivity type on or in the body region, the first conductivity type opposing the second conductivity type; a gate trench in the main surface of the semiconductor substrate; a gate dielectric lining the gate trench; a metal gate electrode arranged in the gate trench on the gate dielectric; and an electrically insulating cap arranged on the metal gate electrode. A method of fabricating a gate of the transistor device is also described.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a drift zone of a first conductivity type in the semiconductor substrate; an array of interconnected gate trenches extending from a first surface of the semiconductor substrate into the drift zone; a plurality of semiconductor mesas delimited by the array of interconnected gate trenches; a plurality of needle-shaped field plate trenches extending from the first surface into the plurality of semiconductor mesas; in the plurality of semiconductor mesas, a source region of the first conductivity type and a body region of a second conductivity type separating the source region from the drift zone; and a current spreading region of the first conductivity type at the bottom of the gate trenches and having a higher average doping concentration than the drift zone. Methods of producing the semiconductor device are also described.

Abstract: A control device for a vehicle, comprising a calculation region and a verification region, wherein the calculation region is set up to calculate trajectories and to output driving commands, and the verification region comprises two verification platforms which are separate from one another. The verification platforms each comprise a driving command and input monitor for monitoring the calculated trajectories as well as a communication device for connecting the verification platforms to one another and to the calculation region.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate having a first major surface; a trench positioned in the semiconductor substrate and having a width, a base, and a side wall extending from the base to the first major surface; a first electrically insulating layer that lines the base and the side wall of the trench; and an electrically insulating plug that is positioned in the trench and that extends across the entire width of the trench. The plug has a lower surface that forms an interface with the first electrically insulating layer and an upper surface. The upper surface of the plug is coplanar with the first major surface of the semiconductor substrate or positioned within the trench.

Abstract: A semiconductor die includes: a semiconductor substrate having an active region and an edge termination region that separates the active region from an edge of the semiconductor substrate; a plurality of transistor cells formed in the active region; a structured power metallization above the semiconductor substrate and including a gate pad and a gate runner that extends from the gate pad along one or more but not all sides of the semiconductor die above the edge termination region, the gate runner electrically connecting the gate pad to gate electrodes of the transistor cells; and a tungsten runner that follows the gate runner and contacts an underside of the gate runner. The tungsten runner is present above the edge termination region along each side of the semiconductor die that is at least partly devoid of the gate runner. A Method of producing the semiconductor die is also described.

Abstract: The application relates to a semiconductor die having a semiconductor body including an active region, an insulation layer on the semiconductor body, and a sodium stopper formed in the insulation layer. The sodium stopper is arranged in an insulation layer groove which intersects the insulation layer vertically and extends around the active region. The sodium stopper is formed of a tungsten material that at least partly fills the insulation layer groove. Both the insulation layer groove and the tungsten material extend into the semiconductor body.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a drift zone of a first conductivity type in the semiconductor substrate; an array of interconnected gate trenches extending from a first surface of the semiconductor substrate into the drift zone; a plurality of semiconductor mesas delimited by the array of interconnected gate trenches; a plurality of needle-shaped field plate trenches extending from the first surface into the plurality of semiconductor mesas; in the plurality of semiconductor mesas, a source region of the first conductivity type and a body region of a second conductivity type separating the source region from the drift zone; and a current spreading region of the first conductivity type at the bottom of the gate trenches and having a higher average doping concentration than the drift zone. Methods of producing the semiconductor device are also described.

Abstract: The application relates to a semiconductor die having a semiconductor body including an active region, an insulation layer on the semiconductor body, and a sodium stopper formed in the insulation layer. The sodium stopper is arranged in an insulation layer groove which intersects the insulation layer vertically and extends around the active region. The sodium stopper is formed of a tungsten material filling the insulation layer groove.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a transistor device a semiconductor substrate having a main surface, and a cell field including a plurality of transistor cells of a power transistor. The cell field further includes: a body region of a second conductivity type; a source region of a first conductivity type on or in the body region, the first conductivity type opposing the second conductivity type; a gate trench in the main surface of the semiconductor substrate; a gate dielectric lining the gate trench; a metal gate electrode arranged in the gate trench on the gate dielectric; and an electrically insulating cap arranged on the metal gate electrode. A method of fabricating a gate of the transistor device is also described.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a transistor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a main surface, a cell field including a plurality of transistor cells, and an edge termination region laterally surrounding the cell field. The cell field includes a gate trench in the main surface of the semiconductor substrate, a gate dielectric lining the gate trench, a metal gate electrode arranged in the gate trench on the gate dielectric, and an electrically insulating cap arranged on the metal gate electrode and within the gate trench.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body having an active area with active transistor cells. Each active transistor cell includes a columnar trench having a field plate and a mesa. An edge termination region that laterally surrounds the active area includes a transition region, an outer termination region, and inactive cells arranged in the transition region and outer termination region. Each inactive cell includes a columnar termination trench having a field plate and a termination mesa including a drift region. In the transition region, the termination mesa includes a body region arranged on the drift region and in the outer termination region the drift region of the termination mesa extends to the first surface. The edge termination region further includes a continuous trench positioned in the outer termination region, that laterally surrounds the columnar termination trenches, and is filled with at least one dielectric material.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of forming a silicon-insulator layer is provided. The method includes arranging a silicon structure in a plasma etch process chamber and applying a plasma to the silicon structure in the plasma etch process chamber at a temperature of the silicon structure equal to or below 100° C. The plasma includes a component and a halogen derivate, thereby forming the silicon-insulator layer. The silicon-insulator layer includes silicon and the component. In another aspect, a semiconductor device is provided having a silicon-insulator layer formed by the method.

Abstract: A power semiconductor die has a semiconductor body, an insulation layer on the semiconductor body, a passivation structure arranged above the insulation layer so as to expose a first insulation layer subsection that extends to an edge of the power semiconductor die, and an interruption structure in the first insulation layer subsection.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a transistor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a main surface, a cell field including a plurality of transistor cells, and an edge termination region laterally surrounding the cell field. The cell field includes a gate trench in the main surface of the semiconductor substrate, a gate dielectric lining the gate trench, a metal gate electrode arranged in the gate trench on the gate dielectric, and an electrically insulating cap arranged on the metal gate electrode and within the gate trench.

Abstract: The application relates to a semiconductor die having a semiconductor body including an active region, an insulation layer on the semiconductor body, and a sodium stopper formed in the insulation layer. The sodium stopper is arranged in an insulation layer groove which intersects the insulation layer vertically and extends around the active region. The sodium stopper is formed of a tungsten material filling the insulation layer groove.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of forming a silicon-insulator layer is provided. The method includes arranging a silicon structure in a plasma etch process chamber and applying a plasma to the silicon structure in the plasma etch process chamber at a temperature of the silicon structure equal to or below 100° C. The plasma includes a component and a halogen derivate, thereby forming the silicon-insulator layer. The silicon-insulator layer includes silicon and the component. In another aspect, a semiconductor device is provided having a silicon-insulator layer formed by the method.

Abstract: A power semiconductor die has a semiconductor body, an insulation layer on the semiconductor body, a passivation structure arranged above the insulation layer so as to expose a first insulation layer subsection that extends to an edge of the power semiconductor die, and an interruption structure in the first insulation layer subsection.