Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit for an integrated circuit (IC) that provides ESD protection during an ESD event is disclosed. The electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit includes a first electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection component and a second electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection component coupled in series to the first electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection component. A snapback holding voltage of the electrostatic discharge protection circuit is greater than the operating voltage of the electrostatic discharge protection circuit and a snapback trigger voltage of the electrostatic discharge protection circuit is lower than an oxide breakdown voltage of said integrated circuit.

Abstract: Presented systems and methods can facilitate efficient switching and protection in electronic systems. A system can comprise: an input operable to receive a signal; an adjustable component configurable to operate in a first mode which includes a low resistance and the component configurable to operate in a second mode which includes a current limiting operation in which the second mode enables continued operation in conditions that are unsafe for operation in the first mode; and an output operable to forward a signal. The adjustable component can be configurable to turn off if unsafe to operate in either the first mode or second mode. The first mode can include a relatively large component configuration with a relatively low drain to source on resistance. Utilizing a small component configuration in the second mode can include a relatively increased gate to source voltage compared to a large component configuration in the second mode.

Abstract: A method, in one embodiment, can include forming a core trench and a termination trench in a substrate. The termination trench is wider than the core trench. In addition, a first oxide can be deposited that fills the core trench and lines the sidewalls and bottom of the termination trench. A first polysilicon can be deposited into the termination trench. A second oxide can be deposited above the first polysilicon. A mask can be deposited above the second oxide and the termination trench. The first oxide can be removed from the core trench. A third oxide can be deposited that lines the sidewalls and bottom of the core trench. The first oxide within the termination trench is thicker than the third oxide within the core trench.

Abstract: A structure includes a semiconductor device formed in a substrate; an insulator adjacent to the semiconductor device; an electrical contact electrically coupled to the semiconductor device, wherein the electrical contact includes tungsten; and an electrical connector coupled to the electrical contact, wherein the electrical connector includes aluminum. A surface of the insulator and a surface of the electrical contact form a substantially even surface.

Abstract: Ultra-low drain-source resistance power MOSFET. In accordance with an embodiment of the preset invention, a semiconductor device comprises a plurality of trench power MOSFETs. The plurality of trench power MOSFETs is formed in a second epitaxial layer. The second epitaxial layer is formed adjacent and contiguous to a first epitaxial layer. The first epitaxial layer is formed adjacent and contiguous to a substrate highly doped with red Phosphorous. The novel red Phosphorous doped substrate enables a desirable low drain-source resistance.

Abstract: Remote contacts to the polysilicon regions of a trench metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) barrier Schottky (TMBS) device, as well as to the polysilicon regions of a MOS field effect transistor (MOSFET) section and of a TMBS section in a monolithically integrated TMBS and MOSFET (SKYFET) device, are employed. The polysilicon is recessed relative to adjacent mesas. Contact of the source metal to the polysilicon regions of the TMBS section is made through an extension of the polysilicon to outside the active region of the TMBS section. This change in the device architecture relieves the need to remove all of the oxides from both the polysilicon and silicon mesa regions of the TMBS section prior to the contact step. As a consequence, encroachment of contact metal into the sidewalls of the trenches in a TMBS device, or in a SKYFET device, is avoided.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first group of trench-like structures and a second group of trench-like structures. Each trench-like structure in the first group includes a gate electrode contacted to gate metal and a source electrode contacted to source metal. Each of the trench-like structures in the second group is disabled. The second group of disabled trench-like structures is interleaved with the first group of trench-like structures.

Abstract: Method of forming a Hybrid Split Gate Semiconductor. In accordance with a method embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of first trenches is formed in a semiconductor substrate to a first depth. A plurality of second trenches is formed in the semiconductor substrate to a second depth. The first plurality of trenches are parallel with the second plurality of trenches. The trenches of the plurality of first trenches alternate with and are adjacent to trenches of the plurality of second trenches.

Abstract: In an embodiment in accordance with the present invention, a semiconductor device includes a vertical channel region, a gate at a first depth on a first side of the vertical channel region, a shield electrode at a second depth on the first side of the vertical channel region, and a hybrid gate at the first depth on a second side of the vertical channel region. The region below the hybrid gate on the second side of the vertical channel region is free of any electrodes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a method of manufacturing a trench transistor. The method includes forming a substrate of a first conductivity type and implanting a dopant of a second conductivity type, forming a body region of the substrate. The method further includes forming a trench in the body region and depositing an insulating layer in the trench and over the body region wherein the insulating layer lines the trench. The method further includes filling the trench with polysilicon forming a top surface of the trench and forming a diode in the body region wherein a portion of the diode is lower than the top surface of the trench.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a method of manufacturing a trench transistor. The method includes forming a substrate of a first conductivity type and implanting a dopant of a second conductivity type, forming a body region of the substrate. The method further includes forming a trench in the body region and depositing an insulating layer in the trench and over the body region wherein the insulating layer lines the trench. The method further includes filling the trench with polysilicon forming a top surface of the trench and forming a diode in the body region wherein a portion of the diode is lower than the top surface of the trench.

Abstract: An LDMOS (laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor) structure connects the source to a substrate and also the gate shield while utilizing a reduced area for such contacts. The structure includes an electrically conductive substrate layer, a source, and a drain contact; the drain contact is separated from the substrate layer by at least one intervening layer. An electrically conductive trench-like feed-through element passes through the intervening layer and contacts the substrate and the source to electrically connect the drain contact and the substrate layer.

Abstract: First polysilicon (poly-1) is deposited into deep trenches that have been formed in a substrate. A first polysilicon polishing process is performed to planarize the exposed surfaces of the poly-1 so that the surfaces are flush with adjacent surfaces. Then, shallow trenches are formed in the substrate between the deep trenches, and second polysilicon (poly-2) is deposited into the shallow trenches. A second polysilicon polishing process is performed to planarize the exposed surface of the poly-2 so that the surface is flush with adjacent surfaces. Metal contacts to the poly-1 and the poly-2 are then formed.

Abstract: A split gate field effect transistor device. The device includes a split gate structure having a trench, a gate electrode and a source electrode. A first poly layer is disposed within the trench and is connected to the gate electrode. A second poly layer connected to the source electrode, wherein the first poly layer and the second poly layer are independent.

Abstract: A power switch with active snubber. In accordance with a first embodiment, an electronic circuit includes a first power semiconductor device and a second power semiconductor device coupled to the first power semiconductor device. The second power semiconductor device is configured to oppose ringing of the first power semiconductor device.

Abstract: A semiconductor device (e.g., a flip chip) includes a substrate layer that is separated from a drain contact by an intervening layer. Trench-like feed-through elements that pass through the intervening layer are used to electrically connect the drain contact and the substrate layer when the device is operated.

Abstract: A method, in one embodiment, can include forming a plurality of trenches in a body region for a vertical metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET). In addition, the method can include angle implanting source regions into the body region. Furthermore, dielectric material can be grown within the plurality of trenches. Gate polysilicon can be deposited within the plurality of trenches. Moreover, the method can include chemical mechanical polishing the gate polysilicon. The method can also include etching back the gate polysilicon within the plurality of trenches.

Abstract: A split gate semiconductor device includes a trench gate having a first electrode region and a second electrode region that are separated from each other by a gate oxide layer and an adjacent dielectric layer. The boundary of the gate oxide layer and the dielectric layer is curved to avoid a sharp corner where the gate oxide layer meets the sidewalls of the trench.

Abstract: Systems and methods for substrate wafer back side and edge cross section seals. In accordance with a first method embodiment, a silicon wafer of a first conductivity type is accessed. An epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type is grown on a front surface of the silicon wafer. The epitaxial layer is implanted to form a region of an opposite conductivity type. The growing and implanting are repeated to form a vertical column of the opposite conductivity type. The wafer may also be implanted to form a region of the opposite conductivity type vertically aligned with the vertical column.

Abstract: In a super junction trench power MOSFET (metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor) device, a column of p-type dopant in the super junction is separated from a first column of n-type dopant by a first column of oxide and from a second column of n-type dopant by a second column of oxide. In an n-channel device, a gate element for the FET is advantageously situated over the column of p-type dopant; and in a p-channel device, a gate element for the FET is advantageously situated over the column of n-type dopant.