Abstract: An integrated semiconductor circuit has a component formed of a semiconductor substrate with an active pn junction formed between a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type and a second semiconductor region of a second conductivity type. The semiconductor circuit also has a protective circuit that is associated with the component and serves to dissipate overvoltages and/or electrostatic charges. The protective circuit has a protective pn junction formed in a semiconductor mount with a first semiconductor mount region of the first conductivity type and a second semiconductor mount region of the second conductivity type. The second semiconductor mount region of the second conductivity type is electrically coupled to the first semiconductor region formed in the semiconductor substrate of the first conductivity type.

Abstract: An optical coupling device and method for manufacturing the same is disclosed wherein a light-emitting semiconductor transmitter chip is secured to a light-detecting semiconductor receiver chip via a transparent insulating layer, a structured spacer layer and a transparent connecting layer. The resultant optocoupler has a high coupling factor and may be reliably manufactured into SMT compatible packages.