Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first MIS transistor and a second MIS transistor. The first MIS transistor includes: a first gate insulating film formed on a first active region of a substrate; and a first gate electrode formed on the first gate insulating film. The second MIS transistor includes: a second gate insulating film formed on a second active region of the substrate and having a dielectric constant lower than the first gate insulating film; and a second gate electrode formed on the second gate insulating film. Insulting sidewall spacers having the same structure are formed on respective side faces of the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode.

Abstract: A Junction Field-Effect transistor with no surface contact for the back gate and twice as much transconductance in the channel and with a higher switching speed is achieved by intentionally shorting the channel-well PN junction with the gate region. This is achieved by intentionally etching away field oxide outside the active area at least in the gate region so as to expose the sidewalls of the active area down to the channel-well PN junction or a buried gate which is in electrical contact with the well. Polysilicon is then deposited in the trench and doped heavily and an anneal step is used to drive impurities into the top and sidewalls of the channel region thereby creating a “wrap-around” gate region which reaches down the sidewalls of the channel region to the channel-well PN junction.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a SRAM section and a logic circuit section includes: a first n-type MIS transistor including a first n-type gate electrode formed with a first gate insulating film interposed on a first element formation region of a semiconductor substrate in the SRAM section; and a second n-type MIS transistor including a second n-type gate electrode formed with a second gate insulating film interposed on a second element formation region of the semiconductor substrate in the logic circuit section. A first impurity concentration of a first n-type impurity in the first n-type gate electrode is lower than a second impurity concentration of a second n-type impurity in the second n-type gate electrode.

Abstract: Latchup is prevented from occurring accompanying increasingly finer geometries of a chip. NchMOSFET N1 and PchMOSFET P1 form a CMOS circuit including: NchMOSFET N2 whose gate, drain and back gate are connected to back gate of N1 and PchMOSFET P2 whose gate, drain and back gate are connected to back gate of P1. Source of N2 is connected to source of N1. Source of P2 is connected to source of P1. N2 is always connected between the grounded source of N1 and the back gate of N1, while P2 is connected between source of P1 connected to a power supply and the back gate of P1. Each of N2 and P2 functions as a voltage limiting element (a limiter circuit).

Abstract: A method of fabricating and a structure of an IC incorporating strained MOSFETs on separated silicon layers are disclosed. N-channel field effect transistors (nFET) and P-channel FETs (pFET) are formed on the separated silicon layers, respectively. Shallow trench insulation (STI) regions adjacent to the nFETs and pFETs thus can be formed to induce different stress to the channel regions of the respective nFETs and pFETs. As a consequence, performance of both the nFETs and the pFETs can be improved by the STI stress. In addition, the area of the IC can also be reduced as the two silicon layers are positioned vertically relative to one another.

Abstract: The distance between a substrate contact portion and an active region in a p-type MIS transistor is greater than the distance between a substrate contact portion and an active region in an n-type MIS transistor. Alternatively, the length of a protruding part of a gate electrode of the p-type MIS transistor that protrudes from the p-type MIS transistor's active region toward the p-type MIS transistor's substrate contact portion is shorter than the length of a protruding part of a gate electrode of the n-type MIS transistor that protrudes from the n-type MIS transistor's active region toward the n-type MIS transistor's substrate contact portion. Alternatively, a part of the p-type MIS transistor's substrate contact portion that is located opposite the p-type MIS transistor's gate electrode has a lower impurity concentration than the other part thereof.

Abstract: In a semiconductor substrate in a first section, a channel region having an impurity concentration peak in an interior of the semiconductor substrate is formed, and in the semiconductor substrate in a second section and a third section, channel regions having an impurity concentration peak at a position close to a surface of the substrate are formed. Then, extension regions are formed in the first section, the second section and the third section. After that, the substrate is thermally treated to eliminate defects produced in the extension regions. Then, using gate electrodes and side-wall spacers as a mask, source/drain regions are formed in the first section, the second section and the third section.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes unlined and sealed trenches and methods for forming the unlined and sealed trenches. More particularly, a superjunction semiconductor device includes unlined, and sealed trenches. The trench has sidewalls formed of the semiconductor material. The trench is sealed with a sealing material such that the trench is air-tight. First and second regions are separated by the trench. The first region may include a superjunction Schottky diode or MOSFET. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of regions are separated by a plurality of unlined and sealed trenches.

Abstract: A semiconductor device capable of suppressing void migration is provided. The semiconductor device includes a dummy region extending in a first direction substantially perpendicular to a second direction in which a word line extends. In addition, an isolation layer pattern may not cut the dummy region in the second direction. Consequently, leaning of the dummy region and void migration are prevented. A method of fabricating the semiconductor device is also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a substrate includes: a substrate having a first gate stack on a surface of the substrate, wherein the first gate stack has a top surface parallel to the surface of the substrate and sidewalls perpendicular to the surface of the substrate; an etch resistant first liner over the sidewalls of the first gate stack and not over the top surface of the first gate stack; a first outer spacer over the first liner, wherein the first liner is disposed between the first outer spacer and the sidewalls of the first gate stack, and wherein a portion of the first liner covers a first portion of the surface of the substrate; an insulative layer on a second portion of the surface of the substrate; and a conductive layer on the top surface of the first gate stack.

Abstract: A method of fabricating spacers is provided. The method includes providing a substrate with a device structure formed thereon. The device structure comprises a gate structure and a pair of source/drain regions. Then, a spacer material layer is formed over the substrate to cover the substrate and the device structure. Thereafter, an etching process is performed to remove a portion of the spacer material layer so that spacers are formed on the respective sidewalls of the gate structure. After that, a plasma treatment step is performed to form a spacer protection layer on the surface of the substrate, the spacers and the gate structure.

Abstract: The present invention, in a photoelectric conversion device in which a pixel including a photoelectric conversion device for converting a light into a signal charge and a peripheral circuit including a circuit for processing the signal charge outside a pixel region in which the pixel are disposed on the same substrate, comprising: a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type for forming the photoelectric region, the first semiconductor region being formed in a second semiconductor region of a second conductivity type; and a third semiconductor region of the first conductivity type and a fourth semiconductor region of the second conductivity type for forming the peripheral circuit, the third and fourth semiconductor regions being formed in the second semiconductor region; wherein in that the impurity concentration of the first semiconductor region is higher than the impurity concentration of the third semiconductor region.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a substrate, at least an optical device, at least a dielectric layer, and at least a wave-guide tube disposed upon the optical device. The wave-guide tube has an optical barrier disposed on a sidewall thereof and a filter layer filled in the wave-guide tube. The structure of the wave-guide tube has the advantages of shortening light path, focusing, and preventing undesirable crosstalk effect between different optical devices.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has printed wiring board (11) where electric wiring (18) connected to LSI chip (17) and to planar optical element (21) is formed, and where optical waveguide (25) which transfers light inputted into planar optical element (21) and/or light outputted from planar optical element (21) is fixed. Planar optical element (21) is mounted in one end of small substrate (13), and another end of small substrate (13) is connected to printed wiring board (11) by solder bump (26). One end of small substrate (13) where planar optical element (21) is mounted is fixed to printed wiring board (11) by a fixing mechanism. Small substrate (13) has flexible section (15), which is easily deformable compared with other portions of printed wiring board (11) and small substrate (13), in at least a partial region between one end where planar optical element (21) is mounted and another end electrically connected to printed wiring board (11).

Abstract: An image sensor and a method of manufacturing same is disclosed. The image sensor implements a reflecting film formed on a front surface of a substrate having a back-illuminated photodetector. The reflecting film operates to reflect wavelengths of light that were not received by the photodetector back to the photodetector to increase the overall sensitivity of the image detector. The reflective film is formed by layering different thicknesses of material with different indices of refraction, resulting in a high reflectance.

Abstract: In an image sensor in which a vertical length from a photoelectric conversion element to an uppermost micro-lens is minimal, and a method of manufacturing the same, the image sensor includes a substrate, a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, and first to n-level (where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2) metal wires. In the substrate, a sensor region and a peripheral circuit region are defined. The plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are formed in or on the substrate within the sensor region. The first to n-level metal wires are sequentially formed on the substrate. The n-level metal wires within the sensor region are of a thickness that is less than the n-level metal wires within the peripheral circuit region.

Abstract: An image sensor may include a semiconductor substrate having unit pixel regions on the semiconductor substrate; photoelectric converters formed in the unit pixel regions; interlayer insulating films covering the photoelectric converters and having opening portions formed above the photoelectric converters; a light-transmissive portion filling the opening portions; color filters formed on the light-transmissive portion; and microlenses formed on the color filters. The microlenses may include a plurality of concentric circle patterns and a plurality of arc patterns arranged around the concentric circle patterns. An arc pattern around a specific concentric circle pattern may have a same center as the specific concentric circle pattern.

Abstract: An image sensor package includes a substrate having an upper surface, which is formed with a chip region and first electrodes located on the periphery of the chip region, and a lower surface. A chip is mounted on the chip region of the upper surface of the substrate. A frame layer is arranged on the upper surface of the substrate to surround the chip. Four posts are arranged on the upper surface of the substrate and are located on the angle the frame layer. A plurality of wires are electrically connected the bonding pads of the chip to the first electrodes of the substrate. A transparent layer is mounted on the four posts to cover the chip.

Abstract: A metal line of an image sensor and a method of fabricating a metal line of an image sensor having a transistor is disclosed, and in embodiments may include forming at least one interlayer insulating film in a semiconductor substrate having the transistor, forming a hole in the interlayer insulating film, filling the hole with a conductive material to form a contact, forming a metal line being connected to the contact on the interlayer insulating film, and forming a conductive spacer on sidewalls of the metal line. In embodiments, the conductive spacer may prevent diffused reflection and may prevent cracks from occurring at an edge of the metal line.

Abstract: The high voltage integrated circuit is disclosed. The high voltage integrated circuit comprises a low voltage control circuit, a floating circuit, a P substrate, a deep N well disposed in the substrate and a plurality of P wells disposed in the P substrate. The P wells and deep N well serve as the isolation structures. The low voltage control circuit is located outside the deep N well and the floating circuit is located inside the deep N well. The deep N well forms a high voltage junction barrier for isolating the control circuit from the floating circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor structure in which different types of devices are located upon a specific crystal orientation of a hybrid substrate that enhances the performance of each type of device. In the semiconductor structure of the present invention, a dual trench isolation scheme is employed whereby a first trench isolation region of a first depth isolates devices of different polarity from each other, while second trench isolation regions of a second depth, which is shallower than the first depth, are used to isolate devices of the same polarity from each other. The present invention further provides a dual trench semiconductor structure in which pFETs are located on a (110) crystallographic plane, while nFETs are located on a (100) crystallographic plane. In accordance with the present invention, the devices of different polarity, i.e., nFETs and pFETs, are bulk-like devices.

Abstract: A design structure embodied in a machine readable medium used in a design process. The design structure includes a first sub-collector formed in an upper portion of a substrate and a lower portion of a first epitaxial layer, and a second sub-collector formed in an upper portion of the first epitaxial layer and a lower portion of a second epitaxial layer. The design structure additionally includes a reach-through structure connecting the first and second sub-collectors, and an N-well formed in a portion of the second epitaxial layer and in contact with the second sub-collector and the reach-through structure. Also, the design structure includes N+ diffusion regions in contact with the N-well, a P+ diffusion region within the N-well, and shallow trench isolation structures between the N+ and P+ diffusion regions.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an SOI wafer, including the steps of: forming, in a wafer of semiconductor material, cavities delimiting structures of semiconductor material; thinning out the structures through a thermal process; and completely oxidizing the structures.

Abstract: A fuse box for a semiconductor device is disclosed and includes a first fuse group comprising a plurality of first fuses, arranged in a first direction and having a first cutting axis, each first fuse comprising a first portion having a first fuse pitch, a second portion having a second fuse pitch smaller than the first fuse pitch, and a third portion connecting the first and second portions, a second fuse group comprising a plurality of second fuses, arranged in the first direction and having a second cutting axis, each second fuse comprising a first portion having a first fuse pitch, a second portion having a second fuse pitch smaller than the first fuse pitch, and a third portion connecting the first portion and the second portion, and a third fuse group comprising a plurality of third fuses, wherein each third fuse has either the first cutting axis or the second cutting axis, comprises a first pattern arranged in the first direction and having a first fuse pitch, and a second pattern arranged in a second

Abstract: A trimming element for trimming a redundant circuit and a high-accuracy resistance in consideration of the stability and the ease of fuse cutting, and more specifically a trimming element which is easily formed by an existing process. An SOI substrate, a heater connected to the SOI substrate, and a fuse connected to the heater are formed.

Abstract: A one-time programmable memory. The memory has a substrate, a diffused electrode disposed on the substrate, a shallow trench isolation (STI) region formed on the substrate, a insulator formed on the STI region and the substrate, and a second electrode. The insulator separates the second electrode from the diffused electrode. At least a part of the second electrode overlaps at least a part of the STI region.

Abstract: An semiconductor device package (10) includes a semiconductor device (die) (12) and passive devices (14) electrically connected to a common lead frame (17). The lead frame (17) is formed from a stamped and/or etched metallic structure and includes a plurality of conductive leads (16) and a plurality of interposers (20). The passive devices (14) are electrically connected the interposers (20), and I/O pads (22) on the die (12) are electrically connected to the leads (16). The die (12), passive devices (14), and lead frame (17) are encapsulated in a molding compound (28), which forms a package body (30). Bottom surfaces (38) of the leads (16) are exposed at a bottom face (34) of the package (10).

Abstract: An impedance matching network is integrated on a first die and coupled to a second die, with the first and second dies mounted on a conductive back plate. The impedance matching network comprises a first inductor bridging between the first and second dies, a second inductor coupled to the first inductor and disposed on the first die, and a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor disposed on the first die. The MIM capacitor has a first metal layer coupled to the second inductor, and a second metal layer grounded to the conductive back plate. A method for manufacturing the integrated impedance matching network comprises the steps of forming an inductor on a die, forming a capacitor on the die, coupling the capacitor to the inductor, coupling the die bottom surface and the capacitor to a conductive plate, and coupling the inductor to another inductor that bridges between the die and another die.

Abstract: To easily obtain a resistance element with an adjustable resistance value, wherein the resistance value is within 1% or less of a desired design value, having a low parasitic capacitance and which permits a relatively large current to flow, in a semiconductor device wherein resistance elements are incorporated in a semiconductor substrate, the resistance values of the resistance elements can be adjusted within a fixed range, the first resistance element and second resistance element are disposed adjacent to each other within 500 ?m, and both terminals of the second resistance element have two pads which are drawn out therefrom.

Abstract: An integrated receiver with channel selection and image rejection substantially implemented on a single CMOS integrated circuit is described. A receiver front end provides programmable attenuation and a programmable gain low noise amplifier. Frequency conversion circuitry advantageously uses LC filters integrated onto the substrate in conjunction with image reject mixers to provide sufficient image frequency rejection. Filter tuning and inductor Q compensation over temperature are performed on chip. The filters utilize multi track spiral inductors. The filters are tuned using local oscillators to tune a substitute filter, and frequency scaling during filter component values to those of the filter being tuned. In conjunction with filtering, frequency planning provides additional image rejection. The advantageous choice of local oscillator signal generation methods on chip is by PLL out of band local oscillation and by direct synthesis for in band local oscillator.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide semiconductor devices including high-quality (i.e., defect free) group III-N nanowires and uniform group III-N nanowire arrays as well as their scalable processes for manufacturing, where the position, orientation, cross-sectional features, length and the crystallinity of each nanowire can be precisely controlled. A pulsed growth mode can be used to fabricate the disclosed group III-N nanowires and/or nanowire arrays providing a uniform length of about 10 nm to about 1000 microns with constant cross-sectional features including an exemplary diameter of about 10-1000 nm. In addition, high-quality GaN substrate structures can be formed by coalescing the plurality of GaN nanowires and/or nanowire arrays to facilitate the fabrication of visible LEDs and lasers. Furthermore, core-shell nanowire/MQW active structures can be formed by a core-shell growth on the nonpolar sidewalls of each nanowire.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making a semiconducting structure composed of a surface layer (2), at least one buried layer (4) and a support, comprising: —a first step to make a first layer (44) made of a first material on a first support, and at least one area (26, 28) in this first layer made of a second material with an etching rate greater than the etching rate of the first material, —a second step for the formation of the surface layer (2), by assembly of the structure on a second support, and thinning of at least one of the two supports.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer has a front side, a rear side and an edge which runs along the circumference of the semiconductor wafer and which connects the front side and the rear side of the edge having a defined edge profile, the edge profile being substantially constant over the entire circumference of the semiconductor wafer. A method for producing such a wafer allows for production of a multiplicity of semiconductor wafers, the edge profile being substantially constant from semiconductor wafer to semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing semiconductor substrates by bonding. The aim of said method is to reduce the non-usable edge region on the bonded wafer component and to improve the edge geometry of the wafer composite. This is achieved by a method for joining two semiconductor wafers using a semiconductor wafer bonding process. The surfaces of the two semiconductor wafers that are to be bonded are provided with a border or edge geometry that has a special short front-end facet. After the bonding process, one of the two wafers is ablated to obtain an edge region that is as devoid as possible of defects and a usable wafer surface that is as large as possible.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a circuit region having a function element formed on a semiconductor substrate; a scribe region located between the circuit region and another circuit region formed spaced from the circuit region, the scribe region including a cutting region and non-cutting regions provided at both sides of the cutting region; a first interlayer insulating film formed in the scribe region on the semiconductor substrate; a first dummy pattern made of conductive material and formed in the first interlayer insulating film in the cutting region; and a second dummy pattern made of conductive material and formed in the first interlayer insulating film in each of the non-cutting regions. The ratio, per unit area, of the area of the first dummy pattern to the area of the cutting region is lower than the ratio, per unit area, of the area of the second dummy pattern to the area of the non-cutting regions.

Abstract: A manufacture method for semiconductor device (1, 21) including: a sealing-resin-layer forming step of forming a sealing resin layer (7) on a conductive member (13) formed at lest on one surface of a base substrate (11) formed with a plurality of wiring boards (2) therein, the conductive member spanning a boundary between a respective pair of adjoining wiring boards; and a step of moving the base substrate and a cutting tool (B) relative to each other in a manner to allow the cutting tool to pass through the base substrate from the other surface (2b) opposite from the one surface thereof toward the one surface thereof, thereby cutting the base substrate along the boundary between the respective pair of adjoining wiring boards.

Abstract: To eliminate generation of a damaged layer caused by dry etching of a contact layer, occurring in a manufacturing process of a ridge waveguide type semiconductor laser, and to improve reliability and yield thereof, a method is provided involving forming a spacer layer and a damage receptor layer on the contact layer, making the two layer absorb damage caused by dry etching a passivation film in an upper portion of the ridge waveguide structure, and thereafter removing the damaged layer by the dry etching, by selective removal by wet etching.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing a package base of a power semiconductor device includes the following steps. Firstly, a semiconductor substrate including a first surface and a second surface is provided. Then, a portion of the semiconductor substrate is patterned and removed to form a recess on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate, which serves as a receiving space for receiving a power semiconductor element therein. Then, a conducting layer is overlaid on the first surface including the receiving space. Afterward, a portion of the conducting layer is patterned and removed to form a conducting structure to be electrically connected to the power semiconductor device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for manufacturing an integrated circuit (IC) package and an integrated circuit (IC) package. The process, without limitation, includes providing an integrated circuit chip having a configuration, and forming a layer of overcoat material over the integrated circuit chip based upon the configuration.

Abstract: A semiconductor junction device includes a substrate of low resistivity semiconductor material having a preselected polarity. A tapered recess extends into the substrate and tapers inward as it extends downward from an upper surface of the substrate. A semiconductor layer is disposed within the recess and extends above the upper surface of the substrate. The semiconductor layer has a polarity opposite from that of the substrate. A metal layer overlies the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor junction device includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type and a junction layer formed on the substrate which has a second conductivity type. A field reducing region of the first conductivity type surrounds a periphery of the junction layer and extends under a peripheral portion of the junction layer. An insulating layer is provided on the field reducing region and a metal layer overlies the junction layer and the insulating layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stacked integration module having a small thickness while guaranteeing thermal and operational stabilities when operated at high frequencies. The stacked integration module includes a printed circuit board having first and second surfaces facing each other, at least one hole extending through the first and second surfaces, and a recess formed on the second surface; and a metallic member having an upper surface, the second surface of the printed circuit board being seated on the upper surface while making contact with the upper surface. The stacked integration module is simpler than conventional modules in terms of structure and process. The metallic member, which is made of a plate-shaped material having a larger area than conventional heat-radiation means, is advantageous for cooling and electromagnetic wave shielding.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electronic package to contain and protect an integrated circuit (IC) chip. The electronic package further includes a leadframe, a flexible circuit or PCB type of substrate. The leadframe, flexible circuit or PCB type substrate further includes solder contacts, which are aligned with via holes in the molding layers on the top and bottom sides of the package. These via holes are for placing solder paste or solder balls from above and below for electrical access to the IC chip. These solder balls provide access for electrical testing after the package is mounted on a motherboard. They also provide the connection points for stacking multiple packages vertically.

Abstract: A semiconductor package includes a leadframe having first and second level downset lead extensions, a quad flat nonleaded package (QFN) attached to the first level downset lead extension, and a flip chip die attached to the second level downset lead extension. Another embodiment of a semiconductor package includes a leadframe having a lead, a first quad flat nonleaded package (QFN) connected to the lead, and a second quad flat nonleaded package invertly connected to a top surface of the first quad flat nonleaded package, wherein the second quad flat nonleaded package is wirebonded to the lead. A third embodiment of a semiconductor package includes a leadframe having a lead with a first level downset lead extension, a quad flat nonleaded package (QFN) connected to the first level downset lead extension, and a first wirebondable die attached to a top or bottom surface of the quad flat nonleaded package.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package system provides a leadframe having a short lead finger, a long lead finger, and a support bar. A first die is placed in the leadframe. An adhesive is attached to the first die, the long lead finger, and the support bar. A second die is offset from the first die. The offset second die is attached to the adhesive. The first die is electrically connected to the short lead finger. The second die is electrically connected to at least the long lead finger or the short lead finger. At least portions of the leadframe, the first die, and the second die are encapsulated in an encapsulant.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a reinforced MEMS package structure, wherein after the wire-bonding process and before the molding process, an extra resin coating process is used to apply a protective resin onto the MEMS chip, the controller chip, the wires and a portion of the lead frame and provide an extra protection for the MEMS structure lest the MEMS structure be damaged by stress, thermal stress, or external force. Thereby, a reinforced MEMS package structure with a higher strength and a smaller size is achieved.

Abstract: A package system for integrated circuit (IC) chips and a method for making such a package system. The method uses a solder-ball flip-chip method for connecting the IC chips onto a lead frame that has pre-formed gull-wing leads only on the source/gate side of the chip. A boschman molding technique is used for the encapsulation process, leaving exposed land and die bottoms for a direct connection to a circuit board. The resulting packaged IC chip has the source of the chip directly connected to the lead frame by solder balls. As well, the drain and gate of the chip are directly mounted to the circuit board without the need for leads from the drain side of the chip.

Abstract: A lead frame for making a semiconductor package is disclosed. The leadframe's leads include a lead lock provided at a free end of each inner lead that is adapted to increase a bonding force of the inner lead to a resin encapsulate, thereby effectively preventing a separation of the inner lead from occurring in a singulation process involved in the fabrication of the semiconductor package. A semiconductor package fabricated using the lead frame and a fabrication method for the semiconductor package are also disclosed.

Abstract: A chip device that includes a leadframe, a die and a mold compound. The backside of the die is metallized and exposed through a window defined within a mold compound that encapsulates the die when it is coupled to the leadframe. Leads on the leadframe are coupled to source and gate terminals on the die while the metallized backside of the die serves as the drain terminals.

Abstract: A semiconductor device mountable to a substrate includes a semiconductor die and an electrically conductive lead frame having first and second end portions and a first attachment surface and a second attachment surface. The die electrically contacts the first end portion of the lead frame on the first attachment surface. An externally exposed housing encloses the semiconductor die and the first end portion of the lead frame, said housing including a metallic plate facing the second attachment surface of the lead frame.