Abstract: A power MOSFET IC device including a source-down enhancement mode transistor formed in a semiconductor substrate and a depletion mode transistor formed in a doped region of the semiconductor substrate. A gate terminal of the depletion mode transistor is formed over at least a portion of the doped region as a field plate that is switchably connectable to a source terminal of the source-down enhancement mode transistor. A control circuit may be provided to facilitate a connection between the gate terminal of the depletion mode transistor and the source terminal of the source-down enhancement mode transistor when the power MOSFET integrated circuit is in an OFF state. The control circuit may also be configured to facilitate connection of the gate terminal of the depletion mode transistor to a gate terminal of the source-down enhancement mode FET device or to an external driver that provides a reference voltage, when the power MOSFET is in an ON state.

Abstract: A reverse-blocking IGBT (insulated gate bipolar transistor) includes a plurality of IGBT cells disposed in a device region of a semiconductor substrate, a reverse-blocking edge termination structure disposed in a periphery region of the semiconductor substrate which surrounds the device region, one or more trenches formed in the periphery region between the reverse-blocking edge termination structure and an edge face of the semiconductor substrate, a p-type dopant source at least partly filling the one or more trenches, and a continuous p-type doped region disposed in the periphery region and formed from p-type dopants out-diffused from the p-type dopant source. The continuous p-type doped region extends from a top surface of the semiconductor substrate to a bottom surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: An ESD protection device includes a semiconductor substrate of p-type conductivity, an epitaxial layer of p-type conductivity, a buried layer of n-type conductivity, device isolation layers, a first well of n-type conductivity, an emitter formed by implanting p-type impurities into an upper portion of the first well, a second well of p-type conductivity, a collector formed by implanting p-type impurities into an upper portion of the second well, a first P-body region interposed between the second well and the collector, a third well of n-type conductivity, a base formed by implanting n-type impurities into an upper surface portion of the third well, and a first deep well of n-type conductivity, interposed between the third well and the buried layer.

Abstract: An electronic device is formed by a sequence of at least two thyristors coupled in series in a same conduction direction. Each thyristor has a gate of a first conductivity type. The gates of the first conductivity type for the thyristors in the sequence are coupled together in order to form a single control gate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided with a first well region of a first conduction type having a first voltage (voltage VB) applied thereto, a second well region of a second conduction type formed in the surface layer section of the first well region and having a second voltage (voltage VS) different from the first voltage applied thereto, and a charge extracting region of the first conduction type formed in the surface layer section of the second well region and having the first voltage applied thereto. This inhibits the operation of a parasitic bipolar transistor.

Abstract: A bidirectional switch formed in a substrate includes first and second main vertical thyristors in antiparallel connection. A third auxiliary vertical thyristor has a rear surface layer in common with the rear surface layer of the first thyristor. A peripheral region surrounds the thyristors and connects the rear surface layer to a layer of the same conductivity type of the third thyristor located on the other side of the substrate. A metallization connects the rear surfaces of the first and second thyristors. An insulating structure is located between the rear surface layer of the third thyristor and the metallization. The insulating structure extends under the periphery of the first thyristor. The insulating structure includes a region made of an insulating material and a complementary region made of a semiconductor material.

Abstract: Integrated circuits are presented having high voltage IGBTs with integral emitter shorts and fabrication processes using wafer bonding or gown epitaxial silicon for controlled drift region thickness and fast switching speed.

Abstract: The semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer of the first conductive type, a second semiconductor layer having the cubic crystalline structure formed on the first semiconductor layer, an electrode formed on the second semiconductor layer, and a reactive region formed between the second semiconductor layer and the electrode. The second semiconductor layer includes an upper surface that is tilted from the (100) plane. The reactive region includes at least one element constituting the second semiconductor layer, at least one element constituting the electrode, and forming a protuberance extending toward the second semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A diode string voltage adapter includes diodes formed in a substrate of a first conductive type. Each diode includes a deep well region of a second conductive type formed in the substrate. A first well region of the first conductive type formed on the deep well region. A first heavily doped region of the first conductive type formed on the first well region. A second heavily doped region of the second conductive type formed on the first well region. The diodes are serially coupled to each other. A first heavily doped region of a beginning diode is coupled to a first voltage. A second heavily doped region of each diode is coupled to a first heavily doped region of a next diode. A second heavily doped region of an ending diode provides a second voltage. The deep well region is configured to be electrically floated.

Abstract: Bi-directional silicon controlled rectifier device structures and design structures, as well as fabrication methods for bi-directional silicon controlled rectifier device structures. A well of a first conductivity type is formed in a device region, which may be defined from a device layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. An anode of a first silicon controlled rectifier is formed in the first well. A cathode of a second silicon controlled rectifier is formed in the first well. The anode of the first silicon controlled rectifier has the first conductivity type. The cathode of the second silicon controlled rectifier has a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type.

Abstract: A structure of trench MOS rectifier and a method of forming the same are disclosed including a plurality of trenches formed in the n? drift epitaxial layer, a plurality of MOS structure formed on the substrate either in discrete islands or in rows. Asides the MOS gates there are source regions formed under the mesas. A top metal served as an anode is then formed on the resulted front surface connecting the MOS gates and the adjacent source regions.

Abstract: Junction-isolated blocking voltage devices and methods of forming the same are provided. In certain implementations, a blocking voltage device includes an anode terminal electrically connected to a first p-well, a cathode terminal electrically connected to a first n-well, a ground terminal electrically connected to a second p-well, and an n-type isolation layer for isolating the first p-well from a p-type substrate. The first p-well and the first n-well operate as a blocking diode. The blocking voltage device further includes a PNPN silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) associated with a P+ region formed in the first n-well, the first n-well, the first p-well, and an N+ region formed in the first p-well. Additionally, the blocking voltage device further includes an NPNPN bidirectional SCR associated with an N+ region formed in the first p-well, the first p-well, the n-type isolation layer, the second p-well, and an N+ region formed in the second p-well.

Abstract: A III-N enhancement-mode transistor includes a III-N structure including a conductive channel, source and drain contacts, and a gate electrode between the source and drain contacts. An insulator layer is over the III-N structure, with a recess formed through the insulator layer in a gate region of the transistor, with the gate electrode at least partially in the recess. The transistor further includes a field plate having a portion between the gate electrode and the drain contact, the field plate being electrically connected to the source contact. The gate electrode includes an extending portion that is outside the recess and extends towards the drain contact. The separation between the conductive channel and the extending portion of the gate electrode is greater than the separation between the conductive channel and the portion of the field plate that is between the gate electrode and the drain contact.

Abstract: Bi-directional silicon controlled rectifier device structures and design structures, as well as fabrication methods for bi-directional silicon controlled rectifier device structures. A well of a first conductivity type is formed in a device region, which may be defined from a device layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. An anode of a first silicon controlled rectifier is formed in the first well. A cathode of a second silicon controlled rectifier is formed in the first well. The anode of the first silicon controlled rectifier has the first conductivity type. The cathode of the second silicon controlled rectifier has a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device including: a semiconductor substrate; a field effect transistor formed on the semiconductor substrate; and a diode forming area adjacent to a forming area of the field effect transistor, wherein the diode forming area is insulated from the forming area of the field effect transistor on the semiconductor substrate, the diode forming area includes an anode electrode and a cathode electrode arranged side by side in a multi-finger shape, and the anode electrode and the cathode electrode are formed in a direction different from directions of a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode of the field effect transistor arranged side by side in a multi-finger shape.

Abstract: Bi-directional back-to-back stacked SCRs for high-voltage pin ESD protection, methods of manufacture and design structures are provided. The device includes a symmetrical bi-directional back-to-back stacked silicon controlled rectifier (SCR). An anode of a first of the back-to-back stacked SCR is connected to an input. An anode of a second of the back-to-back stacked SCR is connected to ground. Cathodes of the first and second of the back-to-back stacked SCR are connected together. Each of the symmetrical bi-directional back-to-back SCRs include a pair of diodes directing current towards the cathodes which, upon application of a voltage, become reverse biased effectively and deactivating elements from one of the symmetrical bi-directional back-to-back SCRs while the diodes of another of the symmetrical bi-directional back-to-back SCRs direct current in the same direction as the reverse biased diodes.

Abstract: A protection clamp is provided between a first terminal and a second terminal, and includes a multi-gate high electron mobility transistor (HEMT), a current limiting circuit, and a forward trigger control circuit. The multi-gate HEMT includes a drain/source, a source/drain, a first depletion-mode (D-mode) gate, a second D-mode gate, and an enhancement-mode (E-mode) gate disposed between the first and second D-mode gates. The drain/source and the first D-mode gate are connected to the first terminal and the source/drain and the second D-mode gate are connected to the second terminal. The forward trigger control and the current limiting circuits are coupled between the E-mode gate and the first and second terminals, respectively. The forward trigger control circuit provides an activation voltage to the E-mode gate when a voltage of the first terminal exceeds a voltage of the second terminal by a forward trigger voltage.

Abstract: A bi-directional switch circuit includes a pair of N-type MOS devices connected in series with a common source terminal, and a pair of P-type MOS devices connected in series with a common source terminal. The series connected N-type devices are connected in parallel with the series connected P-type devices in a configuration that includes a first input/output (I/O) point of the switch circuit being connected to a drain of a first one of the N-type devices and a drain of a first one of the P-type devices. The parallel configuration also includes a second I/O point of the switch circuit being connected to a drain of a second one of the N-type devices and a drain of a second one of the P-type devices.

Abstract: A protection clamp is provided between a first terminal and a second terminal, and includes a multi-gate high electron mobility transistor (HEMT), a current limiting circuit, and a forward trigger control circuit. The multi-gate HEMT includes a drain/source, a source/drain, a first depletion-mode (D-mode) gate, a second D-mode gate, and an enhancement-mode (E-mode) gate disposed between the first and second D-mode gates. The drain/source and the first D-mode gate are connected to the first terminal and the source/drain and the second D-mode gate are connected to the second terminal. The forward trigger control and the current limiting circuits are coupled between the E-mode gate and the first and second terminals, respectively. The forward trigger control circuit provides an activation voltage to the E-mode gate when a voltage of the first terminal exceeds a voltage of the second terminal by a forward trigger voltage.

Abstract: An integrated trench-MOS-controlled-thyristor plus trench gated diode combination, in which the trenches are preferably formed at the same time. A backside polarity reversal process permits a backside p+ region in the thyristor areas, and only a backside n+ region in the diode areas (for an n-type device). This is particularly advantageous in motor control circuits and the like, where the antiparallel diode permits the thyristor to be dropped into existing power MOSFET circuit designs. In power conversion circuits, the antiparallel diode can conveniently serve as a freewheeling diode.

Abstract: A high voltage isolation protection device for low voltage communication interface systems in mixed-signal high voltage electronic circuit is disclosed. According to one aspect, the protection device includes a semiconductor structure configured to provide isolation between low voltage terminals and protection from transient events. The protection device includes a thyristor having an anode, a cathode, and a gate, and a thyristor cathode-gate control region that is built into the protection device. The protection device is configured to provide multiple built-in path-up to power-high terminals and path-down to power-low terminals at different voltage levels. The protection device also includes independently built-in discharge paths to the common substrate that is connected to a different power-low voltage reference. The conduction paths may be built into a single structure with dual isolation regions.

Abstract: Semiconductor switching devices include a wide band-gap drift layer having a first conductivity type (e.g., n-type), and first and second wide band-gap well regions having a second conductivity type (e.g., p-type) on the wide band-gap drift layer. First and second wide band-gap source/drain regions of the first conductivity type are on the first and second wide band-gap well regions, respectively. A wide band-gap JFET region having the first conductivity type is provided between the first and second well regions. This JFET region includes a first local JFET region that is adjacent a side surface of the first well region and a second local JFET region that is adjacent a side surface of the second well region. The local JFET regions have doping concentrations that exceed a doping concentration of a central portion of the JFET region that is between the first and second local JFET regions of the JFET region.

Abstract: A bi-directional switch circuit includes a pair of N-type MOS devices connected in series with a common source terminal, and a pair of P-type MOS devices connected in series with a common source terminal. The series connected N-type devices are connected in parallel with the series connected P-type devices in a configuration that includes a first input/output (I/O) point of the switch circuit being connected to a drain of a first one of the N-type devices and a drain of a first one of the P-type devices. The parallel configuration also includes a second I/O point of the switch circuit being connected to a drain of a second one of the N-type devices and a drain of a second one of the P-type devices.

Abstract: Bi-directional back-to-back stacked SCRs for high-voltage pin ESD protection, methods of manufacture and design structures are provided. The device includes a symmetrical bi-directional back-to-back stacked silicon controlled rectifier (SCR). An anode of a first of the back-to-back stacked SCR is connected to an input. An anode of a second of the back-to-back stacked SCR is connected to ground. Cathodes of the first and second of the back-to-back stacked SCR are connected together. Each of the symmetrical bi-directional back-to-back SCRs include a pair of diodes directing current towards the cathodes which, upon application of a voltage, become reverse biased effectively and deactivating elements from one of the symmetrical bi-directional back-to-back SCRs while the diodes of another of the symmetrical bi-directional back-to-back SCRs direct current in the same direction as the reverse biased diodes.

Abstract: A power semiconductor structure with a field effect rectifier having a drain region, a body region, a source region, a gate channel, and a current channel is provided. The body region is substantially located above the drain region. The source region is located in the body region. The gate channel is located in the body region and adjacent to a gate structure. The current channel is located in the body region and is extended from the source region downward to the drain region. The current channel is adjacent to a conductive structure coupled to the source region.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor bistable switching device that includes a thyristor portion including an anode layer, a drift layer, a gate layer and a cathode layer, the gate layer operable to receive a gate trigger current that, when the anode layer is positively biased relative to the cathode layer, causes the thyristor portion to latch into a conducting mode between the anode and the cathode. The device also includes a transistor portion formed on the thyristor portion, the transistor portion including a source, a drain and a transistor gate, the drain coupled to the cathode of the thyristor portion.

Abstract: A power supply device is disclosed that is able to satisfy the power requirements of a device in service and has high efficiency. The power supply device includes a first power supply; a voltage step-up unit that steps up an output voltage of the first power supply; a voltage step-down unit that steps down an output voltage of the voltage step-up unit; and a load that is driven to operate by an output voltage of the voltage step-down unit. The voltage step-up unit steps up the output voltage of the first power supply to a lower limit of an operating voltage of the voltage step-down unit.

Abstract: Bi-directional back-to-back stacked SCRs for high-voltage pin ESD protection, methods of manufacture and design structures are provided. The device includes a symmetrical bi-directional back-to-back stacked silicon controlled rectifier (SCR). An anode of a first of the back-to-back stacked SCR is connected to an input. An anode of a second of the back-to-back stacked SCR is connected to ground. Cathodes of the first and second of the back-to-back stacked SCR are connected together. Each of the symmetrical bi-directional back-to-back SCRs include a pair of diodes directing current towards the cathodes which, upon application of a voltage, become reverse biased effectively and deactivating elements from one of the symmetrical bi-directional back-to-back SCRs while the diodes of another of the symmetrical bi-directional back-to-back SCRs direct current in the same direction as the reverse biased diodes.

Abstract: Process variation-tolerant diodes and diode-connected thin film transistors (TFTs), printed or patterned structures (e.g., circuitry) containing such diodes and TFTs, methods of making the same, and applications of the same for identification tags and sensors are disclosed. A patterned structure comprising a complementary pair of diodes or diode-connected TFTs in series can stabilize the threshold voltage (Vt) of a diode manufactured using printing or laser writing techniques. The present invention advantageously utilizes the separation between the Vt of an NMOS TFT (Vtn) and the Vt of a PMOS TFT (Vtp) to establish and/or improve stability of a forward voltage drop across a printed or laser-written diode. Further applications of the present invention relate to reference voltage generators, voltage clamp circuits, methods of controlling voltages on related or differential signal transmission lines, and RFID and EAS tags and sensors.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a transistor is formed to have a first current flow path to selectively conduct current in both directions through the transistor and to have a second current flow path to selectively conduct current in one direction.

Abstract: Process variation-tolerant diodes and diode-connected thin film transistors (TFTs), printed or patterned structures (e.g., circuitry) containing such diodes and TFTs, methods of making the same, and applications of the same for identification tags and sensors are disclosed. A patterned structure comprising a complementary pair of diodes or diode-connected TFTs in series can stabilize the threshold voltage (Vt) of a diode manufactured using printing or laser writing techniques. The present invention advantageously utilizes the separation between the Vt of an NMOS TFT (Vtn) and the Vt of a PMOS TFT (Vtp) to establish and/or improve stability of a forward voltage drop across a printed or laser-written diode. Further applications of the present invention relate to reference voltage generators, voltage clamp circuits, methods of controlling voltages on related or differential signal transmission lines, and RFID and EAS tags and sensors.

Abstract: A tunable voltage isolation ground to ground ESD clamp is provided. The clamp includes a dual-direction silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) and trigger elements. The SCR is coupled between first and second grounds. The trigger elements are also coupled between the first and second grounds. Moreover, the trigger elements are configured to provide a trigger current to the dual-direction silicon controlled rectifier when a desired voltage between the first and second grounds is reached.

Abstract: A power supply device is disclosed that is able to satisfy the power requirements of a device in service and has high efficiency. The power supply device includes a first power supply; a voltage step-up unit that steps up an output voltage of the first power supply; a voltage step-down unit that steps down an output voltage of the voltage step-up unit; and a load that is driven to operate by an output voltage of the voltage step-down unit. The voltage step-up unit steps up the output voltage of the first power supply to a lower limit of an operating voltage of the voltage step-down unit.

Abstract: A power supply device is disclosed that is able to satisfy the power requirements of a device in service and has high efficiency. The power supply device includes a first power supply; a voltage step-up unit that steps up an output voltage of the first power supply; a voltage step-down unit that steps down an output voltage of the voltage step-up unit; and a load that is driven to operate by an output voltage of the voltage step-down unit. The voltage step-up unit steps up the output voltage of the first power supply to a lower limit of an operating voltage of the voltage step-down unit.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a bidirectional PNPN silicon-controlled rectifier comprising: a p-type substrate; a N-type epitaxial layer; a P-type well and two N-type wells all formed inside the N-type epitaxial layer with the two N-type wells respectively arranged at two sides of the P-type well; a first semiconductor area, a second semiconductor area and a third semiconductor area all formed inside the P-type well and all coupled to an anode, wherein the second semiconductor area and the third semiconductor area are respectively arranged at two sides of the first semiconductor area, and wherein the first semiconductor area is of first conduction type, and the second semiconductor area and the third semiconductor area are of second conduction type; and two P-type doped areas respectively formed inside the N-type wells, wherein each P-type doped area has a fourth semiconductor area neighboring the P-type well and a fifth semiconductor area, and wherein both the fourth semiconductor area and the fifth semico

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a rectifier circuit and integrated circuit on a semiconductor substrate of a first conduction type, and has a first well region in the substrate, a second well region in first well region, and a diode region formed in second well region and constituting a diode with second well region. The rectifier circuit is formed by the diodes. An input power supply terminal, changing between positive and negative potentials, is connected to second and first well regions of a first diode and to diode region of a second diode. A current supply terminal is provided in the vicinity of first well region of first diode, and is connected to the substrate and a prescribed power supply, so as to supply a current to the PN junction between the first well region and the semiconductor substrate when the input power supply terminal is at negative potential.

Abstract: A semiconductor system for voltage limitation includes a first cover electrode, a highly p-doped semiconductor layer that is connected to the first cover electrode, a slightly n-doped semiconductor layer that is connected to the highly p-doped semiconductor layer and a second cover electrode. At least one p-doped semiconductor layer and two highly n-doped semiconductor layers are provided next to one another in an alternating sequence between the slightly n-doped semiconductor layer and the second cover electrode.

Abstract: A tunable voltage isolation ground to ground ESD clamp is provided. The clamp includes a dual-direction silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) and trigger elements. The SCR is coupled between first and second grounds. The trigger elements are also coupled between the first and second grounds. Moreover, the trigger elements are configured to provide a trigger current to the dual-direction silicon controlled rectifier when a desired voltage between the first and second grounds is reached.

Abstract: A component formed in a substrate of a first conductivity type, having two inputs and two outputs and: a first diode having its anode connected to a first input and having its cathode connected to a first output; a second diode having its anode connected to a second output and having its cathode connected to the first input; a one-way switch having its anode connected to the first output, its cathode being connected to the second output; and a third diode having its anode connected to the second output, its cathode being connected to the first output; the first, second, and third diodes being formed in a first portion of the substrate separated by a wall of the second conductivity type from a second substrate portion comprising the switch.

Abstract: A bi-directional power switch is formed as a monolithic semiconductor device. The power switch has two MOSFETs formed with separate source contacts to the external package and a common drain. The MOSFETs have first and second channel regions formed over a well region above a substrate. A first source is formed in the first channel. A first metal makes electrical contact to the first source. A first gate region is formed over the first channel. A second source region is formed in the second channel. A second metal makes electrical contact to the second source. A second gate region is formed over the second channel. A common drain region is disposed between the first and second gate regions. A local oxidation on silicon region and field implant are formed over the common drain region. The metal contacts are formed in the same plane as a single metal layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a resistor region, an isolation layer disposed in the resistor region, the isolation layer defining active regions, first conductive layer patterns disposed on the active regions, a second conductive layer pattern covering the first conductive layer patterns and disposed on the isolation layer, the second conductive layer pattern and the first conductive layer patterns constituting a load resistor pattern, an upper insulating layer disposed over the load resistor pattern, and resistor contact plugs disposed over the active regions, the resistor contact plugs penetrating the upper insulating layer to contact the load resistor pattern.

Abstract: Process variation-tolerant diodes and diode-connected thin film transistors (TFTs), printed or patterned structures (e.g., circuitry) containing such diodes and TFTs, methods of making the same, and applications of the same for identification tags and sensors are disclosed. A patterned structure comprising a complementary pair of diodes or diode-connected TFTs in series can stabilize the threshold voltage (Vt) of a diode manufactured using printing or laser writing techniques. The present invention advantageously utilizes the separation between the Vt of an NMOS TFT (Vtn) and the Vt of a PMOS TFT (Vtp) to establish and/or improve stability of a forward voltage drop across a printed or laser-written diode. Further applications of the present invention relate to reference voltage generators, voltage clamp circuits, methods of controlling voltages on related or differential signal transmission lines, and RFID and EAS tags and sensors.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a transistor is formed to have a first current flow path to selectively conduct current in both directions through the transistor and to have a second current flow path to selectively conduct current in one direction.

Abstract: Process variation-tolerant diodes and diode-connected thin film transistors (TFTs), printed or patterned structures (e.g., circuitry) containing such diodes and TFTs, methods of making the same, and applications of the same for identification tags and sensors are disclosed. A patterned structure comprising a complementary pair of diodes or diode-connected TFTs in series can stabilize the threshold voltage (Vt) of a diode manufactured using printing or laser writing techniques. The present invention advantageously utilizes the separation between the Vt of an NMOS TFT (Vtn) and the Vt of a PMOS TFT (Vtp) to establish and/or improve stability of a forward voltage drop across a printed or laser-written diode. Further applications of the present invention relate to reference voltage generators, voltage clamp circuits, methods of controlling voltages on related or differential signal transmission lines, and RFID and EAS tags and sensors.

Abstract: A high-breakdown-voltage semiconductor device comprises a high-resistance semiconductor layer, trenches formed on the surface thereof in a longitudinal plane shape and in parallel, first regions formed on the semiconductor layer to be sandwiched between adjacent ones of the trenches and having an impurity concentration higher than that of the semiconductor layer, a second region having opposite conductivity to the first regions and continuously disposed in a trench sidewall and bottom portion, a sidewall insulating film disposed on the second region of the trench sidewall, a third region disposed on the second region of the trench bottom portion and having the same conductivity as and the higher impurity concentration than the second region, a fourth region disposed on the back surface of the semiconductor layer, a first electrode formed on each first region, a second electrode connected to the third region, and a third electrode formed on the fourth region.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides a semiconductor device that includes, a first semiconductor body of a first conductivity type, a first switching mechanism provided on the first semiconductor body, configured and arranged to switch on/off current flowing through the semiconductor device, and a first reverse-blocking heterojunction diode provided on the semiconductor body, configured and arranged to block current reverse to the current switched on/off by the first switching mechanism.

Abstract: A diode device is disclosed, comprising a pair of electrodes separated by bellows. The corrugated walls of the bellows create a tortuous thermal pathway thereby reducing parasitic heat losses and increasing the device's efficiency. The bellows' also allow for a controlled environment to be sustained within the device. In a preferred embodiment the controlled environment is a vacuum. In one embodiment, a modified electrode for use in a diode device of the present invention is disclosed, in which indents are made on the surface of the electrode. In a further embodiment the bellows comprise shape memory alloys: previously deformed bellows are attached to the diode device and then grown to set the gap between the electrodes. In further embodiments the use of corrugation is applied to other parts of the diode device to elongate its thermal pathway and thereby increase its efficiency.

Abstract: A semiconductor package that includes a compound component and a diode arranged in a cascode configuration to function as a rectifier.

Abstract: A dopant gradient region of a first conductivity type and a corresponding channel impurity gradient below a transfer gate and adjacent a charge collection region of a CMOS imager photodiode are disclosed. The channel impurity gradient in the transfer gate provides a complete charge transfer between the charge collection region of the photodiode and a floating diffusion node. The dopant gradient region is formed by doping a region at one end of the channel with a low enhancement dopant and another region at the other end of the channel with a high enhancement dopant.

Abstract: A method of producing a porous thin-film-deposition substrate, which has the steps of: placing onto a substrate that has an electrostatic charge on its surface, fine particles with a surface electrostatic charge opposite to the electrostatic charge of the substrate surface, depositing a thin film on the fine-particle-placed substrate, and then removing the fine particles to form fine pores in the thin film; further, a method of producing an electron emitting element, which has the steps of: adding a catalyst metal on a substrate, placing fine particles onto the catalyst-added substrate, depositing a thin film on the fine-particle-placed substrate, then removing the fine particles to form fine pores in the film, and growing needle-shaped conductors on the catalyst metal that is exposed on a bottom face of the fine pore.