Patents by Inventor Peter Lechner

Peter Lechner has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12457767
    Abstract: The invention relates to a DEPFET comprising: a semiconductor substrate (100) of a first conduction type, which has a first main surface (101) and a second main surface (102), which are opposite one another; a source terminal region (1s) of a second conduction type on the first main surface (101); a drain terminal region (1d) of a second conduction type; a channel region (10), which is arranged between the source terminal region (1s) and the drain terminal region (1d); a gate electrode (11), which is separated from the channel region (10) by a gate insulator (6); a rear activation region (104) of a second conduction type, which is formed on the second main surface (102); and a substrate doping increase region (2) of a first conduction type, which is formed at least under the source terminal region (1s) and under the channel region (10), the substrate doping increase region (2) having a signal charge control region (20) of the first conduction type below the gate electrode (11), in which signal charge control
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2025
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Alexander Bähr, Peter Lechner, Jelena Ninkovic, Rainer Richter, Florian Schopper, Johannes Treis
  • Publication number: 20240322038
    Abstract: The invention relates to a DEPFET comprising: a semiconductor substrate (100) of a first conduction type, which has a first main surface (101) and a second main surface (102), which are opposite one another; a source terminal region (1s) of a second conduction type on the first main surface (101); a drain terminal region (1d) of a second conduction type; a channel region (10), which is arranged between the source terminal region (1s) and the drain terminal region (1d); a gate electrode (11), which is separated from the channel region (10) by a gate insulator (6); a rear activation region (104) of a second conduction type, which is formed on the second main surface (102); and a substrate doping increase region (2) of a first conduction type, which is formed at least under the source terminal region (1s) and under the channel region (10), the substrate doping increase region (2) having a signal charge control region (20) of the first conduction type below the gate electrode (11), in which signal charge control
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Applicant: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Alexander Bähr, Peter Lechner, Jelena Ninkovic, Rainer Richter, Florian Schopper, Johannes Treis
  • Patent number: 12046674
    Abstract: The invention relates to a DEPFET comprising: a semiconductor substrate (100) of a first conduction type, which has a first main surface (101) and a second main surface (102), which are opposite one another; a source terminal region (1s) of a second conduction type on the first main surface (101); a drain terminal region (1d) of a second conduction type; a channel region (10), which is arranged between the source terminal region (1s) and the drain terminal region (1d); a gate electrode (11), which is separated from the channel region (10) by a gate insulator (6); a rear activation region (104) of a second conduction type, which is formed on the second main surface (102); and a substrate doping increase region (2) of a first conduction type, which is formed at least under the source terminal region (1s) and under the channel region (10), the substrate doping increase region (2) having a signal charge control region (20) of the first conduction type below the gate electrode (11), in which signal charge control
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Alexander Bähr, Peter Lechner, Jelena Ninkovic, Rainer Richter, Florian Schopper, Johannes Treis
  • Patent number: 12015082
    Abstract: The invention relates to a DEPFET comprising: a semiconductor substrate (100) of a first conduction type, which has a first main surface (101) and a second main surface (102), which are opposite one another; a source terminal region (1s) of a second conduction type on the first main surface (101); a drain terminal region (1d) of a second conduction type; a channel region (10), which is arranged between the source terminal region (1s) and the drain terminal region (1d); a gate electrode (11), which is separated from the channel region (10) by a gate insulator (6); a rear activation region (104) of a second conduction type, which is formed on the second main surface (102); and a substrate doping increase region (2) of a first conduction type, which is formed at least under the source terminal region (1s) and under the channel region (10), the substrate doping increase region (2) having a signal charge control region (20) of the first conduction type below the gate electrode (11), in which signal charge control
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Alexander Bähr, Peter Lechner, Jelena Ninkovic, Rainer Richter, Florian Schopper, Johannes Treis
  • Publication number: 20220278233
    Abstract: The invention relates to a DEPFET comprising: a semiconductor substrate (100) of a first conduction type, which has a first main surface (101) and a second main surface (102), which are opposite one another; a source terminal region (1s) of a second conduction type on the first main surface (101); a drain terminal region (1d) of a second conduction type; a channel region (10), which is arranged between the source terminal region (1s) and the drain terminal region (1d); a gate electrode (11), which is separated from the channel region (10) by a gate insulator (6); a rear activation region (104) of a second conduction type, which is formed on the second main surface (102); and a substrate doping increase region (2) of a first conduction type, which is formed at least under the source terminal region (1s) and under the channel region (10), the substrate doping increase region (2) having a signal charge control region (20) of the first conduction type below the gate electrode (11), in which signal charge control
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Alexander Bähr, Peter Lechner, Jelena Ninkovic, Rainer Richter, Florian Schopper, Johannes Treis
  • Patent number: 10903344
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of a semiconductor device, the semiconductor device includes a semiconductor mesa having source zones arranged along a longitudinal axis of the semiconductor mesa and at least one body zone forming first pn junctions with the source zones and a second pn junction with a drift zone. The semiconductor device further includes stripe-shaped electrode structures on opposite sides of the semiconductor mesa and separation regions between neighboring ones of the source zones. At least one of the electrode structures includes a gate electrode. In the separation regions, at least one of (i) a capacitive coupling between the gate electrode and the semiconductor mesa and (ii) a conductivity of majority charge carriers of the drift zone is lower than outside of the separation regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Roman Baburske, Matteo Dainese, Peter Lechner, Hans-Joachim Schulze, Johannes Georg Laven
  • Publication number: 20190288094
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of a semiconductor device, the semiconductor device includes a semiconductor mesa having source zones arranged along a longitudinal axis of the semiconductor mesa and at least one body zone forming first pn junctions with the source zones and a second pn junction with a drift zone. The semiconductor device further includes stripe-shaped electrode structures on opposite sides of the semiconductor mesa and separation regions between neighboring ones of the source zones. At least one of the electrode structures includes a gate electrode. In the separation regions, at least one of (i) a capacitive coupling between the gate electrode and the semiconductor mesa and (ii) a conductivity of majority charge carriers of the drift zone is lower than outside of the separation regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Roman Baburske, Matteo Dainese, Peter Lechner, Hans-Joachim Schulze, Johannes Georg Laven
  • Patent number: 10381467
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of a semiconductor device, the device includes first and second trenches formed in a semiconductor body and an electrode disposed in each of the trenches. One of the electrodes is a gate electrode, and the other electrode is electrically disconnected from the gate electrode. The semiconductor device further includes a semiconductor mesa between the trenches. The semiconductor mesa includes a separation region and at least one of a source region and a body region located in the semiconductor mesa. A drift zone is provided below the at least one of the source region and the body region. In the separation region, at least one of (i) a capacitive coupling between the gate electrode and the semiconductor mesa and (ii) a conductivity of majority charge carriers of the drift zone is lower than outside of the separation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Roman Baburske, Matteo Dainese, Peter Lechner, Hans-Joachim Schulze, Johannes Georg Laven
  • Patent number: 10217837
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor mesa having source zones and at least one body zone forming first pn junctions with the source zones and a second pn junction with a drift zone. Electrode structures are provided on opposite sides of the semiconductor mesa, at least one of the electrode structures having a gate electrode configured to control a charge carrier flow through the at least one body zone. A separation region is arranged along an extension direction of the semiconductor mesa. In the separation region, the semiconductor mesa has a constricted portion that is partially or completely oxidized. Additional semiconductor device embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Roman Baburske, Matteo Dainese, Peter Lechner, Hans-Joachim Schulze, Johannes Georg Laven
  • Publication number: 20180145161
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of a semiconductor device, the device includes first and second trenches formed in a semiconductor body and an electrode disposed in each of the trenches. One of the electrodes is a gate electrode, and the other electrode is electrically disconnected from the gate electrode. The semiconductor device further includes a semiconductor mesa between the trenches. The semiconductor mesa includes a separation region and at least one of a source region and a body region located in the semiconductor mesa. A drift zone is provided below the at least one of the source region and the body region. In the separation region, at least one of (i) a capacitive coupling between the gate electrode and the semiconductor mesa and (ii) a conductivity of majority charge carriers of the drift zone is lower than outside of the separation region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Roman Baburske, Matteo Dainese, Peter Lechner, Hans-Joachim Schulze, Johannes Georg Laven
  • Publication number: 20180090594
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor mesa having source zones and at least one body zone forming first pn junctions with the source zones and a second pn junction with a drift zone. Electrode structures are provided on opposite sides of the semiconductor mesa, at least one of the electrode structures having a gate electrode configured to control a charge carrier flow through the at least one body zone. A separation region is arranged along an extension direction of the semiconductor mesa. In the separation region, the semiconductor mesa has a constricted portion that is partially or completely oxidized. Additional semiconductor device embodiments are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Roman Baburske, Matteo Dainese, Peter Lechner, Hans-Joachim Schulze, Johannes Georg Laven
  • Patent number: 9917186
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes transistor cells and control structures. The transistor cells include source zones of a first conductivity type and body zones of a second conductivity type. The source and body zones are formed in a semiconductor mesa formed from a portion of a semiconductor body. The control structures include first portions extending from a first surface into the semiconductor body on at least two opposing sides of the semiconductor mesa, second portions between the first portions and separated from the first surface by portions of the semiconductor mesa, and third portions connecting the first and the second portions and separated from the first surface by portions of the semiconductor mesa. Constricted sections of the semiconductor mesa separate third portions neighboring each other along a horizontal longitudinal extension of the semiconductor mesa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Johannes Laven, Hans-Joachim Schulze, Matteo Dainese, Peter Lechner, Roman Baburske
  • Patent number: 9876100
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor mesa having source zones separated from each other along a longitudinal axis of the semiconductor mesa and at least one body zone forming first pn junctions with the source zones and a second pn junction with a drift zone. Electrode structures are on opposite sides of the semiconductor mesa, at least one of which includes a gate electrode configured to control a charge carrier flow through the at least one body zone. First portions of the at least one body zone are formed between the source zones and separation regions. In the separation regions, at least one of (i) a capacitive coupling between the gate electrode and the semiconductor mesa and (ii) a conductivity of majority charge carriers of the drift zone is lower than outside of the separation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Roman Baburske, Matteo Dainese, Peter Lechner, Hans-Joachim Schulze, Johannes Georg Laven
  • Patent number: 9837506
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming electrode trenches in a semiconductor substrate between semiconductor mesas that separate the electrode trenches, the semiconductor mesas including portions of a drift layer of a first conductivity type and a body layer of a second, complementary conductivity type between a first surface of the semiconductor substrate and the drift layer, respectively. The method further includes forming isolated source zones of the first conductivity type in the semiconductor mesas, the source zones extending from the first surface into the body layer. The method also includes forming separation structures in the semiconductor mesas between neighboring source zones arranged along an extension direction of the semiconductor mesas, the separation structures forming partial or complete constrictions of the semiconductor mesa, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Roman Baburske, Matteo Dainese, Peter Lechner, Hans-Joachim Schulze, Johannes Georg Laven
  • Patent number: 9666665
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a body zone in a semiconductor mesa, which is formed between neighboring control structures that extend from a first surface into a semiconductor body. A drift zone forms a first pn junction with the body zone. In the semiconductor mesa, the drift zone includes a first drift zone section that includes a constricted section of the semiconductor mesa. A minimum horizontal width of the constricted section parallel to the first surface is smaller than a maximum horizontal width of the body zone. An emitter layer between the drift zone and the second surface parallel to the first surface includes at least one first zone of a conductivity type of the drift zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Johannes Georg Laven, Roman Baburske, Matteo Dainese, Peter Lechner
  • Publication number: 20170148893
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming electrode trenches in a semiconductor substrate between semiconductor mesas that separate the electrode trenches, the semiconductor mesas including portions of a drift layer of a first conductivity type and a body layer of a second, complementary conductivity type between a first surface of the semiconductor substrate and the drift layer, respectively. The method further includes forming isolated source zones of the first conductivity type in the semiconductor mesas, the source zones extending from the first surface into the body layer. The method also includes forming separation structures in the semiconductor mesas between neighboring source zones arranged along an extension direction of the semiconductor mesas, the separation structures forming partial or complete constrictions of the semiconductor mesa, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Roman Baburske, Matteo Dainese, Peter Lechner, Hans-Joachim Schulze, Johannes Georg Laven
  • Publication number: 20170110574
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes transistor cells and control structures. The transistor cells include source zones of a first conductivity type and body zones of a second conductivity type. The source and body zones are formed in a semiconductor mesa formed from a portion of a semiconductor body. The control structures include first portions extending from a first surface into the semiconductor body on at least two opposing sides of the semiconductor mesa, second portions between the first portions and separated from the first surface by portions of the semiconductor mesa, and third portions connecting the first and the second portions and separated from the first surface by portions of the semiconductor mesa. Constricted sections of the semiconductor mesa separate third portions neighboring each other along a horizontal longitudinal extension of the semiconductor mesa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Johannes Laven, Hans-Joachim Schulze, Matteo Dainese, Peter Lechner, Roman Baburske
  • Patent number: 9570577
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor mesa that includes at least one body zone forming first pn junctions with source zones and a second pn junction with a drift zone. Electrode structures are on opposite sides of the semiconductor mesa. At least one of the electrode structures includes a gate electrode configured to control a charge carrier flow through the at least one body zone. In a separation region between the source zones, which are arranged along an extension direction of the semiconductor mesa, the semiconductor mesa includes at least one partial or complete constriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Roman Baburske, Matteo Dainese, Peter Lechner, Hans-Joachim Schulze, Johannes Georg Laven
  • Patent number: 9536999
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes transistor cells with source zones of a first conductivity type and body zones of a second conductivity type. The source and body zones are formed in a semiconductor mesa formed from a portion of a semiconductor body. Control structures include first portions extending into the semiconductor body on at least two opposing sides of the semiconductor mesa, second portions in a distance to the first surface between the first portions, and third portions in a distance to the first surface and connecting the first and the second portions, wherein constricted sections of the semiconductor mesa are formed between neighboring third portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Johannes Georg Laven, Hans-Joachim Schulze, Matteo Dainese, Peter Lechner, Roman Baburske
  • Publication number: 20160093724
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor mesa having source zones separated from each other along a longitudinal axis of the semiconductor mesa and at least one body zone forming first pn junctions with the source zones and a second pn junction with a drift zone. Electrode structures are on opposite sides of the semiconductor mesa, at least one of which includes a gate electrode configured to control a charge carrier flow through the at least one body zone. First portions of the at least one body zone are formed between the source zones and separation regions. In the separation regions, at least one of (i) a capacitive coupling between the gate electrode and the semiconductor mesa and (ii) a conductivity of majority charge carriers of the drift zone is lower than outside of the separation region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Roman Baburske, Matteo Dainese, Peter Lechner, Hans-Joachim Schulze, Johannes Georg Laven