Abstract: A semiconductor layout includes a p substrate, a first semiconductor cell formed over the p substrate, and a second semiconductor cell formed over the p substrate adjacent to the first semiconductor cell. A total height of the first semiconductor cell and the second semiconductor cell is twice a height of a standard semiconductor cell, and the height of the second semiconductor cell is adjusted according to the height of the first semiconductor cell.

Abstract: Semiconductor integrated circuit device wherein action for averting antenna effect has been taken, and method for producing a semiconductor integrated circuit device in which action for averting the antenna effect can be taken with ease. The method for producing a semiconductor integrated circuit device includes forming step of forming a semiconductor region of first conductivity type, a first diffusion region of the first conductivity type, formed in the semiconductor region of the first conductivity type, a gate insulating film formed in the semiconductor region of the first conductivity type, gate electrode on the gate insulating film and a wiring layer electrically connected to the gate electrode. The method also includes an investigating step of investigating, following the forming step, into whether or not it is necessary to take an action for averting an antenna effect in the wiring layer.

Abstract: A rescue structure to repair an open wire includes a first metal layer having at least a rescue line, an isolation layer formed on the first metal layer, and a second metal layer formed on the isolation layer. The second metal layer has at least a signal line crossing the rescue line to form an enlarged intersection node. The intersection node is particularly arranged far from the side where the rescue line is used for signal transmission.

Abstract: An electro-optical device includes an element substrate having a plurality of pixel regions; thin-film transistors, arranged in the pixel regions, including gate electrodes, portions of a gate insulating layer, and semiconductor layers; pixel electrodes electrically connected to drain regions of the thin-film transistors; and storage capacitors including lower electrodes and upper electrodes that are opposed to the lower electrodes with insulating layers disposed therebetween, the insulating layers being made of the same material as that for forming the gate insulating layer. The upper electrodes overlap with some of end portions of the lower electrodes. The gate insulating layer has thin portions located in inner portions of regions overlapping with the lower and upper electrodes and thick portions which are located in regions overlapping with the upper electrodes and the end portions of the lower electrodes and which have a thickness greater than that of the thin portions.

Abstract: A semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a square pole-shaped channel portion made from a first semiconductor layer formed on a substrate, and surrounded with four side faces; a gate electrode formed on a first side face of the channel portion, and a second side face of the channel portion opposite to the first side face through respective gate insulating films; a source region having a conductivity type different from that of the channel portion and being formed on a third side face of the channel portion, the source region including a second semiconductor layer having a lattice constant different from that of the first semiconductor layer and being formed directly on the substrate; and a drain region having a conductivity type different from that of the channel portion and being formed on a fourth side face of the channel portion opposite to the third side face, the drain region including the second semiconductor layer being formed directly on the substrate.

Abstract: A backside illuminated sensor includes a semiconductor substrate having a front surface and a back surface and a plurality of pixels formed on the front surface of the semiconductor substrate. A dielectric layer is disposed above the front surface of the semiconductor substrate. The sensor further includes a plurality of array regions arranged according to the plurality of pixels. At least two of the array regions have a different radiation response characteristic from each other, such as the first array region having a greater junction depth than the second array region, or the first array region having a greater dopant concentration than the second array region.

Abstract: A pixel including a substrate of a first conductivity type and having a surface, a photodetector of a second conductivity type that is opposite the first conductivity type, a floating diffusion region of the second conductivity type, a transfer region between the photodetector and the floating diffusion, a gate positioned above the transfer region and partially overlapping the photodetector, and a pinning layer of the first conductivity type extending at least across the photodetector from the gate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device manufacturing method includes forming a first insulating film on a semiconductor substrate, forming a first conductor film on the first insulating film, forming a second insulating film on the first conductor film, forming a first line-and-space pattern by etching the second insulating film and the first conductor film, forming a etched region etched into a second line-and-space pattern perpendicular to the first line-and-space pattern by etching the second insulating film, the first conductor film, the first insulating film, and the semiconductor substrate, burying a third insulating film in the etched region, removing the second insulating film, forming a fourth insulating film on the first conductor film and the third insulating film, forming a second conductor film on the fourth insulating film, and forming a third line-and-space pattern parallel to the first line-and-space pattern by etching the second conductor film.

Abstract: An electric fuse includes: a first interconnect and a second interconnect, formed on a semiconductor substrate; a fuse link, formed on the semiconductor substrate and provided so that an end thereof is coupled to the first interconnect, the fuse link being capable of electrically cutting the second interconnect from the first interconnect; and an electric current inflow terminal and an electric current drain terminal for cutting the fuse link, formed on the semiconductor substrate and provided in one end and another end of the first interconnect, respectively.

Abstract: The invention concerns a sensor with silicon-containing components from whose sensitive detection element electrical signals relevant to a present analyte can be read out by means of a silicon semiconductor system. The invention is characterized in that the silicon-containing components are covered with a layer made of hydrophobic material in order to prevent unwanted signals caused by moisture.

Abstract: A structure, apparatus and method for deterring the temperature of an active region in semiconductor, particularly a FET is provided. A pair FETs are arranged on a silicon island a prescribed distance from one another where the silicon island is surrounded by a thermal insulator. One FET is heated by a current driven therethrough. The other FET functions as a temperature sensor by having a change in an electrical characteristic versus temperature monitored. By arranging multiple pairs of FETs separated by different known distances, the temperature of the active region of one of the FETs may be determined during operation at various driving currents.

Abstract: High mobility P-channel power metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a power MOSFET is fabricated such that the holes flow in an inversion/accumulation channel, which is along the (110) crystalline plane, or equivalents, and the current flow is in the [110] direction, or equivalents, when a negative potential is applied to the gate with respect to the source. The enhanced channel mobility of holes leads to a reduction of the channel portion of the on-state resistance, thereby advantageously reducing total “on” resistance of the device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a strained Si directly on insulator (SSDOI) substrate having multiple crystallographic orientations and a method of forming thereof. Broadly, but in specific terms, the inventive SSDOI substrate includes a substrate; an insulating layer atop the substrate; and a semiconducting layer positioned atop and in direct contact with the insulating layer, the semiconducting layer comprising a first strained Si region and a second strained Si region; wherein the first strained Si region has a crystallographic orientation different from the second strained Si region and the first strained Si region has a crystallographic orientation the same or different from the second strained Si region. The strained level of the first strained Si region is different from that of the second strained Si region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a MOS gate side surface structure, including a gate electrode filling a trench formed in a semiconductor substrate with an insulator film between the trench and the gate electrode, a gate insulator film covering the surface of the gate electrode, a buffer region of one conductivity type in contact with the semiconductor substrate, a base region of the other conductivity type adjacent to the buffer region on the gate insulator film, and an emitter region of the one conductivity type adjacent to the base region on the side opposite to the buffer region. The semiconductor device and the method of manufacturing thereof can further improve the tradeoff between the on-voltage and the turn-off loss by increasing the amount of electrons injected from a cathode on the surface to increase an amount of carriers on the cathode side in a stable turned-on state of the device.

Abstract: Fabrication methods and processes are described, the methods and processes occurring at a low-temperature and involving passivation. The methods and processes easily incorporate annealing, deposition, patterning, lithography, etching, oxidation, epitaxy and chemical mechanical polishing for forming suitable devices, such as diodes and MOSFETs. Such fabrication is a suitable and more cost-effective alternative to a process of diffusion or doping, typical for forming p-n junctions. The process flow does not require temperatures above 700 degrees Centigrade. Formation of p-n junctions in discrete silicon diodes and MOSFETs are also provided, fabricated at low temperatures in the absence of diffusion or doping.

Abstract: A backside illuminated sensor includes a semiconductor substrate having a front surface and a back surface, and a plurality of pixels formed on the front surface of the semiconductor substrate. The sensor further includes a plurality of absorption depths formed within the back surface of the semiconductor substrate. Each of the plurality of absorption depths is arranged according to each of the plurality of pixels. A method for forming a backside illuminated includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a front surface and a back surface and forming a first, second, and third pixel on the front surface of the semiconductor substrate. The method further includes forming a first, second, and third thickness within the back surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the first, second, and third thickness lies beneath the first, second, and third pixel, respectively.

Abstract: A charge transfer section includes first transfer electrodes for effecting the reading and transfer of electric charges and the transfer of signal charges and second transfer electrodes each provided between adjacent ones of the first transfer electrodes to effect the transfer of the signal charges along the charge transfer section. A timing signal supplying section supplies a driving pulse signal to the first and second transfer electrodes when the signal charges are transferred along the charge transfer section, and supplies a pulse signal for constituting a barrier potential of a level at which the first transfer electrodes do not produce a dark current for photoelectric conversion elements when the transfer of the signal charges along the charge transfer section is stopped.

Abstract: Disclosed are a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor and a method of forming the same. The CMOS image sensor comprises a semiconductor substrate having a photodiode region and a transistor region. An optical path is formed between a micro lens on the photodiode region and a photodiode formed on the semiconductor substrate. The optical path comprises an inner lens formed between an intermetal insulation layer on the photodiode region and a transparent optical region formed on the inner lens. The transparent optical region generally has a different refractive index from the inner lens.

Abstract: An object is to provide a solid state image pickup device and a camera which do not worsen a sensor performance in terms of an optical property, a saturated charge amount and the like. A solid state image sensor including a pixel region having a plurality of pixels includes at least a photodiode and an amplifying portion amplifying photocharges outputted from the photodiode in the pixel region, and further includes a well electrode for taking well potential of a well region in which the amplifying portion is arranged. Between the well electrode and the photodiode, no element isolation regions by an insulation film are arranged. Moreover, on the surface of a first semiconductor region in which the photodiode stores the charges, a second semiconductor layer of a conductivity type reverse to that of the first semiconductor region is arranged.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory is provided, including a substrate, a control gate, a floating gate, and a select gate. A source region and a drain region are disposed in the substrate. The control gate is disposed on the substrate between the source region and the drain region. The floating gate is disposed between the control gate and the substrate. The cross-section of the floating gate presents, for example, an L-shape and the floating gate includes a central region which is perpendicular to the substrate and a lateral region which is parallel to the substrate. The central region is adjacent to the source region. The select gate is disposed on the sidewall of the control gate and the lateral region of the floating gate, and is adjacent to the drain region. Besides, the present invention further includes a method of manufacturing the above non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A semiconductor device. The device comprises an active region isolated by an isolation structure on a substrate. The device further comprises a gate electrode extending across the active area and overlying the substrate, a pair of source region and drain region, disposed on either side of the gate electrode on the substrate in the active area, and a gate dielectric layer disposed between the substrate and the gate electrode. The gate dielectric layer comprises a relatively-thicker high voltage (HV) dielectric portion and a relatively-thinner low voltage (LV) dielectric portion, wherein the HV dielectric portion occupies a first intersection among the drain region, the isolation structure, and the gate electrode, and a second intersection among the source region, the isolation structure, and the gate electrode.

Abstract: In an interface between different interlayer insulating films formed of different insulating materials, a flaking-off of the film is easily created, as compared with an interface between interlayer insulating films formed of a same insulating material. A semiconductor device 1 includes a semiconductor substrate 10, an interlayer insulating film 20 (first interlayer insulating film), an interlayer insulating film 30 (second interlayer insulating film) and an interconnect structure 40. The interlayer insulating film 20 is provided on the semiconductor substrate 10. The interlayer insulating film 20 is formed of a first insulating material. The interlayer insulating film 30 is provided on the interlayer insulating film 20. The interlayer insulating film 30 is formed of a second insulating material. Here, the first and the second insulating materials are different insulating materials. The interconnect structure 40 is formed in the circumference region of the semiconductor device 1.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second memory cells lying adjacently each other, the first cell comprising first island region and first conductive spacer, the first region including first island semiconductor portion, first insulating film and first FG, the first spacer provided on upper side portion of first FG, the second cell comprising second island region and-second conductive spacer, the second region including second island semiconductor portion adjacent to the first portion, second insulating film and second FG, the second spacer provided on upper side portion of second FG, the cells comprising interelectrode insulating film (IPD) and the CG, edge of under portion of the IPD positioned lower than bottom surfaces of the FGs, edge of under portion of the CG positioned equal to the bottom surfaces of the FGs or lower, the IPD being failed to have bending portion between side surface of FGs and CG.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a gate dielectric film provided on at least one site on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, at least one first gate electrode provided on the gate dielectric film, an inter-electrode dielectric film provided while covering a surface of the first gate electrode, at least partial film thickness of a portion covering a portion other than a corner portion that does not come into contact with the gate dielectric film from among a plurality of corner portions of the first gate electrode being formed to be smaller than at least partial film thickness of a portion covering the corner portion that does not come into contact with the gate dielectric film, and a second gate electrode provided while covering a surface of the inter-electrode dielectric film.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory integrated circuit device and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The non-volatile memory integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate, a tunneling dielectric layer, a memory gate and a select gate, a floating junction region, a bit line junction region and a common source region, and a tunneling-prevention dielectric layer pattern. The tunneling dielectric layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate. The memory gate and a select gate are formed on the tunneling dielectric layer to be spaced apart from each other. The floating junction region is formed within the semiconductor substrate between the memory gate and the select gate, the bit line junction region is formed opposite the floating junction region with respect to the memory gate, and a common source region is formed opposite the floating junction region with respect to the select gate.

Abstract: After an ONO film in which a silicon nitride film (22) formed by a plasma nitriding method using a plasma processor having a radial line slot antenna is sandwiched by silicon oxide films (21), (23), a bit line diffusion layer (17) is formed in a memory cell array region (11) by an ion implantation as a resist pattern (16) taken as a mask, then lattice defects are given to the silicon nitride film (22) by a further ion implantation. Accordingly, a highly reliable semiconductor memory device can be realized, in which a high quality nitride film is formed in a low temperature condition, in addition, the nitride film can be used as a charge trap film having a charge capture function sufficiently adaptable for a miniaturization and a high integration which are recent demands.

Abstract: A non-planar transistor and methods for fabricating the same. In certain embodiments, the transistor includes an active gate and a passive gate. The active gate may be switchably coupled to a first voltage that is configured to turn on the transistor, and the passive gate may be fixedly coupled to a second voltage different than the first voltage. In some embodiments, the difference in voltage between the first voltage and the second voltage is greater than or substantially equal to a difference in voltage between the first voltage and a substrate voltage.

Abstract: High-voltage field-effect transistor is provided that includes a drain terminal, a source terminal, a body terminal, and a gate terminal. A gate oxide and a gate electrode, adjacent to the gate oxide, is connected to the gate terminal. A drain semiconductor region of a first conductivity type is connected to the drain terminal. A source semiconductor region of a first conductivity type is connected to the source terminal. A body terminal semiconductor region of a second conductivity type is connected to the body terminal. A body semiconductor region of the second conductivity type, is partially adjacent to the gate oxide to form a channel and is adjacent to the body terminal semiconductor region. A drift semiconductor region of the first conductivity type is adjacent to the drain semiconductor region and the body semiconductor region, wherein in the drift semiconductor region, a potential barrier is formed in a region distanced from the body semiconductor region.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing and a transistor structure thereof comprising: a pair of spaced apart regions forming a source region and a drain region and defining at least part of a channel region there between, the source region and the drain region comprising a semiconductor heavily doped with n-type impurity element and said channel region comprising a semiconductor lightly doped with n-type impurity element; and a pair of gates each being insulated from the channel region by a respective gate insulating layer and being disposed substantially symmetrically along the channel region on opposite sides of thereof; whereby in use independent voltages may be applied to said gates so as to modify conductivity of the channel.

Abstract: A semiconductor on insulator (SOI) wafer includes a semiconductor substrate having first and second main surfaces opposite to each other. A dielectric layer is disposed on at least a portion of the first main surface of the semiconductor substrate. A device layer has a first main surface and a second main surface. The second main surface of the device layer is disposed on a surface of the dielectric layer opposite to the semiconductor substrate. A plurality of intended die areas are defined on the first main surface of the device layer. The plurality of intended die areas are separated from one another. A plurality of die access trenches are formed in the semiconductor substrate from the second main surface. Each of the plurality of die access trenches are disposed generally beneath at least a respective one of the plurality of intended die areas.

Abstract: Aluminum gate electrode parasitic resistance and capacitance delay suffers performance, and even makes the signal loss to high-resolution and small-size requests for thin film transistor liquid crystal display. An important technology employed in manufacturing thin film transistor is to convert surface of glass substrate into a silicon nitride layer, and subsequently to plate with one of low resistant copper, silver, copper alloy and silver alloy, and finally to form the thin film transistor on the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises: a semiconductor substrate including a SOI region and a bulk region; a first element formed in the SOI region; a second element formed in the bulk region; a first element isolation layer including a trench structure; and a second element isolation layer including a LOCOS structure. The first element is separated from the second element by the first isolation layer and the second isolation layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip having at least an electrode pad and a device formed on a semiconductor layer on its surface, a seal cap having a recess portion facing the device which is adhered to the surface of the semiconductor chip, and a cavity as an airspace formed by the recess portion between the semiconductor chip and the seal cap. The semiconductor chip includes a stepped portion at a portion of the back surface opposite the surface to have an uneven thickness.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device which includes a split-gate type memory cell having a control gate and a memory gate, a low withstand voltage MISFET and a high withstand voltage MISFET, variations of the threshold voltage of the memory cell are suppressed. A gate insulating film of a control gate is thinner than a gate insulating film of a high withstand voltage MISFET, the control gate is thicker than a gate electrode 14 of the low withstand voltage MISFET and the ratio of thickness of a memory gate with respect to the gate length of the memory gate is larger than 1. The control gate and a gate electrode 15 are formed in a multilayer structure including an electrode material film 8A and an electrode material layer 8B, and the gate electrode 14 is a single layer structure formed at the same time as the electrode material film 8A of the control gate.

Abstract: A semiconductor IC device includes a base substrate comprising P?-type silicon, a first P+-type silicon layer is provided on the base substrate, and an N+-type silicon layer and a second P+-type silicon layer are provided in the same layer thereon. The impurity concentration of the first P+-type silicon layer and the N+-type silicon layer is higher than that of the base substrate. Also, a buried oxide layer and an SOI layer are provided on the entire upper surface of the N+-type silicon layer and the second P+-type silicon layer. The first P+-type silicon layer is connected to ground potential wiring GND, and the N+-type silicon layer is connected to power-supply potential wiring VDD. Accordingly, a decoupling capacitor, which is connected in parallel to the power supply, is formed between the P+-type silicon layer and the N+-type silicon layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a high breakdown voltage transistor and a low breakdown voltage transistor. The semiconductor device comprises a support substrate, an insulating layer formed on the support substrate, a high breakdown voltage transistor, a low breakdown voltage transistor, wherein the high breakdown voltage transistor is adjacent to a first isolation region having a depth that reaches the insulating layer, and the low breakdown voltage transistor is adjacent to a second isolation region having a depth that does not reach the insulating layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes NMOS and PMOS transistors. The NMOS has a strained channel having first and second stress values along first and second axes respectively. The PMOS has a strained channel having third and fourth stress values along the first and second axes. The first value stress differs from the third value and the second value differs from the fourth value. The NMOS and PMOS have a common length (L) and effective width (W), but differ in length of diffusion (SA) and/or width of source/drain (WS). The NMOS WS may exceed the PMOS WS. The NMOS may include multiple dielectric structures in the active layer underlying the gate. The SA of the PMOS may be less than the SA of the NMOS. The integrated circuit may include a tensile stressor of silicon nitride over the NMOS and a compressive stressor of silicon nitride over the PMOS.

Abstract: An ESD protection element for use in an electrical circuit having a fin structure or a fully depleted silicon-on-insulator structure. The fin structure or the fully depleted silicon-on-insulator structure contains a first connection region having a first conductivity type; a second connection region having a second conductivity type, which is opposite to the first conductivity type; and also a plurality of body regions which are formed alongside one another and which are formed between the first connection region and the second connection region. The body regions alternately have the first conductivity type and the second conductivity type. The ESD protection element has at least one gate region formed on or above at least one of the plurality of body regions, and also at least one gate control device which is electrically coupled to the at least one gate region.

Abstract: A power semiconductor module having an integral circuit board with a metal substrate electrode, an insulation substrate and a heat sink joined is disclosed. A SiC semiconductor power device is joined to a top of the metal substrate electrode of the circuit board. A difference in average coefficients of thermal expansion between constituent materials of the circuit board in a temperature range from room to joining time temperatures is 2.0 ppm/° C. or less, and a difference in expansion, produced by a difference between a lowest operating temperature and a joining temperature, of the circuit-board constituent materials is 2,000 ppm or less.

Abstract: A resistance random access memory in a bridge structure is disclosed that comprises a contact structure where first and second electrodes are located within the contact structure. The first electrode has a circumferential extending shape, such as an annular shape, surrounding an inner wall of the contact structure. The second electrode is located within an interior of the circumferential extending shape and separated from the first electrode by an insulating material. A resistance memory bridge is in contact with an edge surface of the first and second electrodes. The first electrode in the contact structure is connected to a transistor and the second electrode in the contact structure is connected to a bit line. A bit line is connected to the second electrode by a self-aligning process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method for effecting uniform silicon body height for silicon-on-insulator transistor fabrication. For one embodiment, a sacrificial oxide layer is disposed upon a semiconductor substrate. The oxide layer is etched to form a trench. The trench is then filled with a semiconductor material. The semiconductor material is then planarized with the remainder of the oxide layer and the remainder of the oxide layer is then removed. The semiconductor fins thus exposed are of uniform height to within a specified tolerance.

Abstract: Channel regions and gate electrodes are also disposed continuously with transistor cells below a gate pad electrode. The transistor cells are formed in a stripe pattern and allowed to contact a source electrode. In this way, the channel regions and the gate electrodes, which are positioned below the gate pad electrode, are kept at a predetermined potential. Thus, a predetermined drain-source reverse breakdown voltage can be secured without providing a p+ type impurity region on the entire surface below the gate pad electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes an insulated-gate field-effect transistor including a gate insulation film provided on a major surface of a semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode provided on the gate insulation film, and a source and a drain provided spaced apart in the semiconductor substrate such that the gate electrode is interposed between the source and the drain, a first contact wiring line which is provided on the source, a second contact wiring line which is provided on the drain, and a piezoelectric layer which is provided to cover the gate electrode and has one end and the other end connected between the first and second contact wiring lines.

Abstract: One or more local oxidation of silicon (LOCOS) regions may be formed that apply compressive strain to a channel of a field-effect transistor such as a P-type field-effect transistor (PFET) or other circuit element of a semiconductor device. For instance, a pair of LOCOS regions may be formed on opposite sides of a PFET gate and its corresponding channel, or one or more LOCOS regions may more fully surround, or even completely surround, the PFET channel. In addition, one or more slits may be formed in the LOCOS regions as appropriate to reduce or even completely neutralize the compressive strain in certain directions that would otherwise be applied without the slits. These techniques may be used in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers with or without hybrid orientation technology (HOT) regions.

Abstract: Example embodiments provide a semiconductor device and a method of forming the same. According to the method, a capping insulation pattern may be formed to cover the top surface of a filling insulation pattern in a trench. The capping insulation pattern may have an etch selectivity according to the filling insulation pattern. As a result, the likelihood that the filling insulation layer may be etched by various cleaning processes and the process removing the buffer insulation pattern may be reduced or prevented.

Abstract: A semiconductor device such as a flash memory includes a semiconductor substrate having a surface, and a plurality of trenches formed in the substrate so as to be open at the surface of the substrate, the trenches having opening widths different from each other. The trench with a smaller opening width is formed so as to have a first depth and the trench with a larger opening width has a bottom including opposite ends each of which has a second depth deeper than the first depth and a central portion shallower than the second depth.

Abstract: Planar access transistor devices and recessed access transistor devices used with semiconductor devices may include gate electrodes having materials with multiple work functions, materials that are electrically isolated from each other and supplied with two or more voltage supplies, or materials that create a diode junction within the gate electrode. Access device drivers are also provided which are capable of driving distinct or identical voltages to the gate electrodes.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same. The semiconductor structure includes (a) a semiconductor layer, (b) a gate dielectric region, and (c) a gate electrode region. The gate electrode region is electrically insulated from the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer comprises a channel region, a first and a second source/drain regions. The channel region is disposed between the first and second source/drain regions and directly beneath and electrically insulated from the gate electrode region. The semiconductor structure further includes (d) a first and a second electrically conducting regions, and (e) a first and a second contact regions. The first electrically conducting region and the first source/drain region are in direct physical contact with each other at a first and a second common surfaces. The first and second common surfaces are not coplanar. The first contact region overlaps both the first and second common surfaces.

Abstract: A transistor device is formed of a continuous linear nanostructure having a source region, a drain region and a channel region between the source and drain regions. The source (20) and drain (26) regions are formed of nanowire ania the channel region (24) is in the form of a nanotube. An insulated gate (32) is provided adjacent to the channel region (24) for controlling conduction i ni the channel region between the source and drain regions.

Abstract: According to the present invention, semiconductor device breakdown voltage can be increased by embedding field shaping regions within a drift region of the semiconductor device. A controllable current path extends between two device terminals on the top surface of a planar substrate, and the controllable current path includes the drift region. Each field shaping region includes two or more electrically conductive regions that are electrically insulated from each other, and which are capacitively coupled to each other to form a voltage divider dividing a potential between the first and second terminals. One or more of the electrically conductive regions are isolated from any external electrical contact. Such field shaping regions can provide enhanced electric field uniformity in current-carrying parts of the drift region, thereby increasing device breakdown voltage.