Abstract: A system, apparatus and method enable etching of a layer of a substrate with reduced etching on the surface of a side wall of the layer. The etching method includes forming a protective layer on a surface of the side wall defining a recess in the layer. The protective layer contains phosphorus. The etching method further includes etching the layer in one or more additional cycles so as to increase a depth of the recess after the forming the protective layer.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device including a substrate having a P-type conductivity, a buried layer having an N-type conductivity, an NPN bipolar junction transistor (BJT), and a first well region having the P-type conductivity. The buried layer is located on the substrate. The NPN BJT is located on the buried layer. The first well region is located between the buried layer and the NPN BJT. The NPN BJT is separated from the buried layer by the first well region.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a symmetrical, punch-through transient voltage suppression (TVS) device includes a mesa structure disposed on a semiconductor substrate. The mesa structure includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity-type, a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity-type disposed on the first semiconductor layer, and a third semiconductor layer of the first conductive-type disposed on the second semiconductor layer. The mesa structure also includes beveled sidewalls forming mesa angles with respect to the semiconductor substrate and edge implants disposed at lateral edges of the second semiconductor layer. The edge implants including dopants of the second conductive-type are configured to cause punch-through to occur in a bulk region and not in the lateral edges of the second semiconductor layer.

Abstract: At least one method, apparatus and system disclosed involves providing a design for manufacturing a semiconductor device. A first functional cell having a first width is placed on a circuit layout. A determination is made as to whether at least one transistor of the first functional cell is to be forward biased or reversed biased. A second functional cell having a second width is placed adjacent to the first functional cell on the circuit layout for providing a first biasing well within the total width of the first and second functional cells in response to determining that the at least one transistor is to be forward biased or reversed biased.

Abstract: Methods of maintaining a state of a memory cell without interrupting access to the memory cell are provided, including applying a back bias to the cell to offset charge leakage out of a floating body of the cell, wherein a charge level of the floating body indicates a state of the memory cell; and accessing the cell.

Abstract: In a non-insulated DC-DC converter having a circuit in which a power MOS•FET high-side switch and a power MOS•FET low-side switch are connected in series, the power MOS•FET low-side switch and a Schottky barrier diode to be connected in parallel with the power MOS•FET low-side switch are formed within one semiconductor chip. The formation region SDR of the Schottky barrier diode is disposed in the center in the shorter direction of the semiconductor chip, and on both sides thereof, the formation regions of the power MOS•FET low-side switch are disposed. From the gate finger in the vicinity of both long sides on the main surface of the semiconductor chip toward the formation region SDR of the Schottky barrier diode, a plurality of gate fingers are disposed so as to interpose the formation region SDR between them.

Abstract: A multiple junction thin film transistor (TFT) is disclosed. The body of the TFT may have an n+ layer residing in a p? region of the body. The TFT may have an n+ source and an n+ drain on either side of the p? region of the body. Thus, the TFT has an n+/p?/n+/p?/n+ structure in this example. The n+ layer in the p? region increases the breakdown voltage. Also, drive current is increased. The impurity concentration in the n+ layer in the p? body and/or thickness of the n+ layer in the p? body may be tuned to increase performance of the TFT. In an alternative, the body of the TFT has a p+ layer residing in an n? region of the body. The TFT may have a p+ source and a p+ drain on either side of the p? region of the body.

Abstract: A packaged power electronic device includes a wide bandgap bipolar driver transistor having a base, a collector, and an emitter terminal, and a wide bandgap bipolar output transistor having a base, a collector, and an emitter terminal. The collector terminal of the output transistor is coupled to the collector terminal of the driver transistor, and the base terminal of the output transistor is coupled to the emitter terminal of the driver transistor to provide a Darlington pair. An area of the output transistor is at least 3 times greater than an area of the driver transistor in plan view. For example, an area ratio of the output transistor to the driver transistor may be between about 3:1 to about 5:1. Related devices and methods of fabrication are also discussed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a bipolar punch-through semiconductor device is disclosed, which includes providing a wafer having a first and a second side, wherein on the first side a high-doped layer of the first conductivity type having constant high doping concentration is arranged; epitaxially growing a low-doped layer of the first conductivity type on the first side; performing a diffusion step by which a diffused inter-space region is created at the inter-space of the layers; creating at least one layer of the second conductivity type on the first side; and reducing the wafer thickness within the high-doped layer on the second side so that a buffer layer is created, which can include the inter-space region and the remaining part of the high-doped layer, wherein the doping profile of the buffer layer decreases steadily from the doping concentration of the high-doped region to the doping concentration of the drift layer.

Abstract: A transient voltage suppression (TVS) device and a method of forming the device are provided. The device includes a first layer of wide band gap semiconductor material formed of a first conductivity type material, a second layer of wide band gap semiconductor material formed of a second conductivity type material over at least a portion of the first layer and comprising an ion implanted material structure between 0.1 micrometers (?m) and 22.0 ?m thick, the second layer operating using punch-through physics, and a third layer of wide band gap semiconductor material formed of the first conductivity type material over at least a portion of the second layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a resistance change memory includes a first interconnect line extending in a first direction, a second interconnect line extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, and a cell unit which is provided at the intersection of the first interconnect line and the second interconnect line and which includes a memory element and a non-ohmic element that are connected in series. The memory element stores data in accordance with a change in a resistance state. The non-ohmic element includes a metal layer, a first semiconductor layer containing a first impurity, and a second semiconductor layer which is provided between the first semiconductor layer and the metal layer and which has an unevenly distributed layer.

Abstract: A storage system and method for forming a storage system that uses punch-through diodes as a steering element in series with a reversible resistivity-switching element is described. The punch-through diode allows bipolar operation of a cross-point memory array. The punch-through diode may have a symmetrical non-linear current/voltage relationship. The punch-through diode has a high current at high bias for selected cells and a low leakage current at low bias for unselected cells. Therefore, it is compatible with bipolar switching in cross-point memory arrays having resistive switching elements. The punch-through diode may be a N+/P?/N+ device or a P+/N?/P+ device.

Abstract: A punch-through diode and method of fabricating the same are disclosed herein. The punch-through diode may be used as a steering element in a memory device having a reversible resistivity-switching element. For example, a memory cell may include a reversible resistivity-switching element in series with a punch-through diode. The punch-through diode allows bipolar operation of a cross-point memory array. The punch-through diode may have a symmetrical non-linear current/voltage relationship. The punch-through diode has a high current at high bias for selected cells and a low leakage current at low bias for unselected cells. In other words, the ratio of Ion/Ioff is high. Therefore, the punch-through diode is compatible with bipolar switching in cross-point memory arrays having resistive switching elements.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a resistance-change memory of embodiment includes a first interconnect line extending in a first direction, a second interconnect line extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, and a cell unit. The cell unit is provided at an intersection of the first interconnect line and the second interconnect line. The cell unit includes a non-ohmic element having a silicide layer on at least one of first and second ends thereof, and a memory element to store data in accordance with a reversible change in a resistance state. The silicide layer includes a 3d transition metal element which combines with an Si element to form silicide and which has a first atomic radius, and at least one kind of an additional element having a second atomic radius greater than the first atomic radius.

Abstract: A bipolar punch-through semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate, which includes at least a two-layer structure, a first main side with a first electrical contact, and a second main side with a second electrical contact. One of the layers in the two-layer structure is a base layer of the first conductivity type. A buffer layer of the first conductivity type is arranged on the base layer. A first layer includes alternating first regions of the first conductivity type and second regions of the second conductivity type. The first layer is arranged between the buffer layer and the second electrical contact. The second regions are activated regions with a depth of at maximum 2 ?m and a doping profile, which drops from 90% to 10% of the maximum doping concentration within at most 1 ?m.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a resistance change memory includes a memory cell unit. The memory cell unit is configured to stack a resistance change element and a diode element having non-ohmic properties, and the diode element is configured to stack in order to a semiconductor layer having a first conductivity type, a semiconductor layer having a second conductivity type, and a semiconductor layer having the first conductivity type from the first interconnect layer side. An area density of dopant impurities in the semiconductor layer having the second conductivity type is larger than a sum total of area densities of dopant impurities in the two semiconductor layers having the first conductivity type, and smaller than double an area density of an electric flux number associated with a threshold electric field of an interband tunneling current of a material includes the semiconductor layer having the second conductivity type.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, an element isolation insulating film dividing an upper portion of the substrate into a plurality of first active regions, a source layer and a drain layer, a gate electrode, a gate insulating film, a first punch-through stopper layer, and a second punch-through stopper layer. The source layer and the drain layer are formed in spaced to each other in an upper portion of each of the first active regions. The first punch-through stopper layer is formed in a region of the first active region directly below the source layer and the second punch-through stopper layer is formed in a region of the first active region directly below the drain layer. The first punch-through stopper layer and the second punch-through stopper layer each has an effective impurity concentration higher than the semiconductor substrate. The first punch-through stopper layer and the source layer are separated in the channel region.

Abstract: A bipolar diode is provided having a drift layer of a first conductivity type on a cathode side and an anode layer of a second conductivity type on an anode side. The anode layer includes a diffused anode contact layer and a double diffused anode buffer layer. The anode contact layer is arranged up to a depth of at most 5 ?m, and the anode buffer layer is arranged up to a depth of 18 to 25 ?m. The anode buffer layer has a doping concentration between 8.0*1015 and 2.0*1016 cm?3 in a depth of 5 ?m and between 1.0*1014 up to 5.0*1014 cm?3 in a depth of 15 ?m (Split C and D), resulting in good softness of the device and low leakage current. Split A and B show anode layer doping concentrations of known diodes, which have either over all depths lower doping concentrations resulting in high leakage current or enhanced doping concentration resulting in bad softness.

Abstract: A storage system and method for forming a storage system that uses punch-through diodes as a steering element in series with a reversible resistivity-switching element is described. The punch-through diode allows bipolar operation of a cross-point memory array. The punch-through diode may have a symmetrical non-linear current/voltage relationship. The punch-through diode has a high current at high bias for selected cells and a low leakage current at low bias for unselected cells. Therefore, it is compatible with bipolar switching in cross-point memory arrays having resistive switching elements. The punch-through diode may be a N+/P?/N+ device or a P+/N?/P+ device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for configuring and constructing a single photo detector or array of photo detectors with all fabrications circuitry on a single side of the device. Both the anode and the cathode contacts of the diode are placed on a single side, while a layer of laser treated semiconductor is placed on the opposite side for enhanced cost-effectiveness, photon detection, and fill factor.

Abstract: A punch-through diode and method of fabricating the same are disclosed herein. The punch-through diode may be used as a steering element in a memory device having a reversible resistivity-switching element. For example, a memory cell may include a reversible resistivity-switching element in series with a punch-through diode. The punch-through diode allows bipolar operation of a cross-point memory array. The punch-through diode may have a symmetrical non-linear current/voltage relationship. The punch-through diode has a high current at high bias for selected cells and a low leakage current at low bias for unselected cells. In other words, the ratio of Ion/Ioff is high. Therefore, the punch-through diode is compatible with bipolar switching in cross-point memory arrays having resistive switching elements.

Abstract: A bipolar punch-through semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate, which includes at least a two-layer structure, a first main side with a first electrical contact, and a second main side with a second electrical contact. One of the layers in the two-layer structure is a base layer of the first conductivity type. A buffer layer of the first conductivity type is arranged on the base layer. A first layer includes alternating first regions of the first conductivity type and second regions of the second conductivity type. The first layer is arranged between the buffer layer and the second electrical contact. The second regions are activated regions with a depth of at maximum 2 ?m and a doping profile, which drops from 90% to 10% of the maximum doping concentration within at most 1 ?m.

Abstract: A means for effectively preventing the temperature rise of the diode when the bypass diode is operating in a terminal box for a crystalline silicon solar cell panel is provided. The present invention is characterized in that, in the terminal box for a crystalline silicon solar cell panel, Schottky barrier diode is used as a bypass diode. Preferably, the forward-direction voltage drop of the Schottky barrier diode is the specific value or below at the specific junction temperature. Preferably, as a Schottky barrier diode, a package diode which is surface-mounting type or non-insulation type is used.

Abstract: A semiconductor device for accessing non-volatile memory cell is provided. In some embodiments, the semiconductor device has a vertical stack of semiconductor layers including a source, a drain, and a well. An application of a drain-source bias voltage to the semiconductor device generates a punchthrough mechanism across the well to initiate a flow of current between the source and the drain.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate of a first conductivity type, and a first semiconductor region that includes a plurality of sub-regions of the first conductivity type that have a first doping concentration and a further semiconductor region of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type. The further semiconductor region separates the sub-regions from each other and the first semiconductor region is located on the substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a second semiconductor region of the first conductivity type located on the first semiconductor region, a third semiconductor region of the second conductivity type located on the second semiconductor region, and a fourth semiconductor region of the first conductivity type located on the third semiconductor region.

Abstract: The semiconductor device comprises a well 58 formed in a semiconductor substrate 10 and having a channel region; a gate electrode 34n formed over the channel region with an insulating film 32 interposed therebetween; source/drain regions 60 formed in the well 58 on both sides of the gate electrode 34n, sandwiching the channel region; and a pocket region 40 formed between the source/drain region and the channel region. The well 58 has a first peak of an impurity concentration at a depth deeper than the pocket region 40 and shallower than the bottom of the source/drain regions 60, and a second peak of the impurity concentration at a depth near the bottom of the source/drain regions 60.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a gate structure for a U-shape Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (UMOS) device includes a dielectric layer formed into a U-shape having side walls and a floor to form a trench surrounding a dielectric layer interior region, a doped poly-silicon layer deposited adjacent to the dielectric layer within the dielectric layer interior region where the doped poly-silicon layer has side walls and a floor surrounding a doped poly-silicon layer interior region, a first metal layer deposited on the doped poly-silicon layer on a side opposite from the dielectric layer where the first metal layer has side walls and a floor surrounding a first metal layer interior region, and an undoped poly-silicon layer deposited to fill the first metal layer interior region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a so-termed punchthrough diode (10) with a stack of, for example, n++, n?, p+, n++ regions (1,2,3,4). In the known diode, these semiconductor regions (1,2,3,4) are positioned in said order on a substrate (11). The diode is provided with connection conductors (5,6). Such a diode does not have a steep I-V characteristic and is therefore less suitable as a TVSD (=Transient Voltage Suppression Device). In particular at voltages below 5 volts, a punchthrough diode could form an attractive alternative as TVSD. In a punchthrough diode (10) according to the invention, a part of the first semiconductor region (1) bordering on the second semiconductor region (2) comprises a number of sub-regions (1A) which are separated from each other by a further semiconductor region (7) of the second, for example p+, conductivity type which is electrically connected to the first connection conductor (5).

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a porous layer, a structure which is formed on the porous layer and has a semiconductor region whose height of the sectional shape is larger than the width, and a strain inducing region which strains the structure by applying stress to it.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a supply voltage generator for rectifying a signal received by an antenna coil and generating a supply voltage set at a predetermined voltage by a regulator, and a demodulator. The demodulator includes a demodulation circuit for demodulating an input signal and outputting the demodulated input signal, a resistor whose one end is connected to one end of the antenna coil, a diode whose anode is connected to the other end of the resistor and whose cathode is connected to a node located to the input end of the demodulation circuit, a first capacitance connected between a node at which the resistor and the diode are connected to each other and a grounding conductor, and a second capacitance connected between a node at which the diode and the demodulation circuit are connected to each other and a grounding conductor.

Abstract: A DMOSFET and a method of fabricating the same, capable of keeping a desirable level of drain voltage resistance and, at the same time, of reducing the drain resistance. In a DMOSFET configured as having a drain region composed of an epitaxial layer formed on a P-type semiconductor substrate while placing an N-type buried layer in between, and as having, in the drain region, a P-type body region having an N-type source region nested therein and a drain extraction region, formation of N-type, heavily-doped buried layers prior to the epitaxial growth is proceeded so as not to form them at least in the region under the P-type body region, and so as to make an impurity concentration in the region under the P-type body region smaller than that in the region under a drift region when viewed after the impurity is diffused by the succeeding annealing.

Abstract: Metal oxide semiconductor transistors and devices with such transistors and methods of fabricating such transistors and devices are provided. Such transistors may have a silicon well region having a first surface and having spaced apart source and drain regions therein. A gate insulator is provided on the first surface of the silicon well region and disposed between the source and drain regions and a gate electrode is provided on the gate insulator. A region of insulating material is disposed between a first surface of the drain region and the silicon well region. The region of insulating material extends toward but not to the source region. A source electrode is provided that contacts the source region. A drain electrode contacts the drain region and the region of insulating material.

Abstract: With directly biasing drain to source in a floating-gate N-MOSFET, a new MOSFET-fused nonvolatile ROM cell (MOFROM) is provided by tunneling-induced punch through of the drain junction to the source. The MOFROM is completely compatible with the mainstream standard CMOS process. The standard MOSFET presents an “OFF” state before the burning and an “ON” state with a stable low-resistance path after the burning.

Abstract: A semiconductor power component and a method for producing a semiconductor power component, in particular a vertical NPT-IGBT for ignition applications with a breakdown voltage of less than approx. 1000 V. The semiconductor power component includes a wafer substrate of a first conductive type including a rear-side emitter region of a second conductive type and a front-side drift region of the first conductive type; a rear-side anode contact which is connected to the emitter region and extends partially to the front-side surface; a front-side MOS control structure; and a front-side cathode contact which is connected to a front-side source region and a body region of the front-side MOS control structure. The thickness of the drift region is much larger than the width of the space charge region at a defined breakdown voltage; and the thickness of the rear-side emitter region is greater than 5 ?m.

Abstract: A surface mountable multi-chip device is provided which includes first and second lead frames portions and at least two chips. The lead frame portions each include a header region and a lead region. Beneficially, the header regions of the first and second lead frame portions lie in a common plane, with at least one semiconductor chip being placed on each of the header regions. A conductive member link is placed on top of the two chips to electrically and mechanically interconnect the chips.

Abstract: A semiconductor fabrication process includes forming first and second transistors over first and second well regions, respectively where the first transistor has a first gate dielectric and the second transistor has a second gate dielectric different from the first gate dielectric. The first transistor has a first gate electrode and the second transistor has a second gate electrode. The first and second gate electrodes are the same in composition. The first gate dielectric and the second gate dielectric may both include high-K dielectrics such as Hafnium oxide and Aluminum oxide. The first and second gate electrodes both include a gate electrode layer overlying the respective gate dielectrics. The gate electrode layer is preferably either TaSiN and TaC. The first and second gate electrodes may both include a conductive layer overlying the gate electrode layer. In one such embodiment, the conductive layer may include polysilicon and tungsten.

Abstract: A submicron CMOS transistor is mounted on the same substrate together with an analog CMOS transistor, a high voltage-resistance MOS transistor, a bipolar transistor, a diode, or a diffusion resistor, without degrading the characteristics of these components. When a punch-through stopper area is formed on a main surface side of a semiconductor substrate, an area in which an analog CMOS transistor, a high voltage-resistance MOS transistor, a bipolar transistor, a diode, or a diffusion resistor is formed is masked, and for example, an ion injection is then carried out. Thus, a punch-through stopper area is formed in the area in which a submicron CMOS transistor is formed, while preventing the formation of a punch-through stopper area in the area in which an analog CMOS transistor, a high voltage-resistance MOS transistor, a bipolar transistor, a diode, or a diffusion resistor is formed.

Abstract: According to the invention, the high-frequency power amplifier is characterised in that the power transistor is switched in such a way that said transistor is operated in the breakdown region and that a control loop is provided. Charge carriers that are produced is the breakdown region are carried away from an output of the operational amplifier by means of said control loop.

Abstract: An integrated circuit transistor structure can include a gate electrode on a substrate and a source/drain region in the substrate adjacent to the gate electrode. An anti-punchthrough layer, separate from the substrate, is adjacent to the source/drain region.

Abstract: A bi-directional transient voltage suppression device is provided. The device comprises: (a) a lower semiconductor layer of p-type conductivity; (b) an upper semiconductor layer of p-type conductivity; (c) a middle semiconductor layer of n-type conductivity adjacent to and disposed between the lower and upper layers such that lower and upper p−n junctions are formed; (d) a mesa trench extending through the upper layer, through the middle layer and through at least a portion of the lower layer, such that the mesa trench defines an active area for the device; and (e) an oxide layer covering at least portions of the walls of the mesa trench that correspond to the upper and lower junctions, such that the distance between the upper and lower junctions is increased at the walls. The integral of the net middle layer doping concentration of this device, when taken over the distance between the junctions, is such that breakdown, when it occurs, is punch through breakdown, rather than avalanche breakdown.

Abstract: A bi-directional transient voltage suppression device with symmetric current-voltage characteristics has a lower semiconductor layer of first conductivity type, an upper semiconductor layer of first conductivity type, and a middle semiconductor layer adjacent to and disposed between the lower and upper layers having a second opposite conductivity type, such that upper and lower p−n junctions are formed. The middle layer has a net doping concentration that is highest at a midpoint between the junctions. Furthermore, the doping profile along a line normal to the lower, middle and upper layers is such that, within the middle layer the doping profile on one side of a centerplane of the middle layer mirrors the doping profile on an opposite side. In addition, an integral of the net doping concentration of the middle layer taken over the distance between the junctions is such that breakdown, when it occurs, is punch through breakdown, rather than avalanche breakdown.

Abstract: A bi-directional transient voltage suppression device is provided. The device comprises: (a) a lower semiconductor layer of p-type conductivity; (b) an upper semiconductor layer of p-type conductivity; (c) a middle semiconductor layer of n-type conductivity adjacent to and disposed between the lower and upper layers such that lower and upper p-n junctions are formed; (d) a mesa trench extending through the upper layer, through the middle layer and through at least a portion of the lower layer, such that the mesa trench defines an active area for the device; and (e) an oxide layer covering at least portions of the walls of the mesa trench that correspond to the upper and lower junctions, such that the distance between the upper and lower junctions is increased at the walls. The integral of the net middle layer doping concentration of this device, when taken over the distance between the junctions, is such that breakdown, when it occurs, is punch through breakdown, rather than avalanche breakdown.

Abstract: The invention relates to a so-called punch-through diode comprising a stack of, for example, an n++, p−, p+, n++ region (1, 2, 3, 4). In the known diode, these regions (1, 2, 3, 4) are arranged on a substrate (11) in said order. The diode is provided with connection conductors (5, 6). Such a diode does not have a steep I-V characteristic and hence is less suitable as a TVSD (=Transient Voltage Suppression Device). Particularly at voltages below 5 volts, a punch-through diode could form an attractive alternative for use as a TVSD. A punch-through diode according to the invention has an inverted structure, which means that the regions (1, 2, 3, 4) are positioned in reverse order on the substrate (11) and thus, the first region (1) adjoins the surface, and the fourth region (4) adjoins the substrate (11). Such a diode has a very steep I-V characteristic, is very suitable as a TVSD and functions very well at an operating voltage below 5 volts.

Abstract: A snapback device functions as a semiconductor protection circuit to prevent damage to integrated circuits due to events such as electrostatic discharge and the like. The snapback device is capable of carrying considerable current at a reduced voltage once it snaps back into bipolar operation mode after its trigger point is achieved. The snapback device includes the advantage of a low breakdown voltage which enables the snapback device to snap back into bipolar mode before damage is done to active circuit components due to their breakdown voltages being exceeded. The snapback device includes n+ active areas formed within a p-well substrate region and each active area includes a polysilicon film overlapping the active area but insulated therefrom by a dielectric film. Each n+ active area and polysilicon film are coupled by a conductive film and the components combine to form one electric node.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer including an NMOS device and a PMOS device. The NMOS device is formed to have a high-K gate dielectric and the PMOS device is formed to have a standard-K gate dielectric. A method of forming the NMOS device and the PMOS device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bi-directional transient voltage suppression device with symmetric current-voltage characteristics has a lower semiconductor layer of first conductivity type, an upper semiconductor layer of first conductivity type, and a middle semiconductor layer adjacent to and disposed between the lower and upper layers having a second opposite conductivity type, such that upper and lower p-n junctions are formed. The middle layer has a net doping concentration that is highest at a midpoint between the junctions. Furthermore, the doping profile along a line normal to the lower, middle and upper layers is such that, within the middle layer the doping profile on one side of a centerplane of the middle layer mirrors the doping profile on an opposite side. In addition, an integral of the net doping concentration of the middle layer taken over the distance between the junctions is such that breakdown, when it occurs, is punch through breakdown, rather than avalanche breakdown.

Abstract: A bi-directional transient voltage suppression device with symmetric current-voltage characteristics is provided. The device comprises: (a) a lower semiconductor layer of first conductivity type; (b) an upper semiconductor layer of first conductivity type; and (b) a middle semiconductor layer adjacent to and disposed between the lower and upper layers, the middle layer having a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type, such that upper and lower p-n junctions are formed. In this device, the middle layer has a net doping concentration that is highest at a midpoint between the junctions. Furthermore, the doping profile along a line normal to the lower, middle and upper layers is such that, within the middle layer and within at least a portion of the lower and upper layers, the doping profile on one side of a centerplane of the middle layer mirrors the doping profile on an opposite side of the centerplane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a so-called punch-through diode with a mesa (12) comprising, in succession, a first (1), a second (2) and a third (3) semiconductor region (1) of, respectively, a first, a second and the first conductivity type, which punch-through diode is provided with two connection conductors (5, 6). During operation of said diode, a voltage is applied such that the second semiconductor region (2) is fully depleted. A drawback of the known punch-through diode resides in that the current flow is too large at lower voltages. In a punch-through diode according to the invention, a part (2A, 2B) of the second semiconductor region (2), which, viewed in projection, borders on the edge of the mesa (12), is provided with a larger flux of doping atoms of the second conductivity type than the remainder (2A) of the second semiconductor region (2).

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: at least first, second, and third semiconductor dice, each having opposing surfaces which contain respective electrodes; a conductive lead frame including first and second separate die pad areas, the first and second semiconductor dice being disposed on the first die pad, and the third semiconductor die being disposed on the second die pad; a first plurality of pins being integral with and extending from one edge of the first die pad; a second plurality of pins being integral with and extending from one edge of the second die pad; a third plurality of pins being separated from one another and from the first and second die pads; a first plurality of bonding wires connecting one surface of the first semiconductor die to at least one of the third plurality of pins; a second plurality of bonding wires connecting one surface of the third semiconductor die to at least another one of the third plurality of pins; and a housing for encapsulating the lead frame, semiconductor dice, and

Abstract: A punch-through diode transient suppression device has a base region of varying doping concentration to improve leakage and clamping characteristics. The punch-through diode includes a first region comprising an n+ region, a second region comprising a p− region abutting the first region, a third region comprising a p+ region abutting the second region, and a fourth region comprising an n+ region abutting the third region. The peak dopant concentration of the n+ layers should be about 1.5E18 cm−3, the peak dopant concentration of the p+ layer should be between about 1 to about 5 times the peak concentration of the n+ layer, and the dopant concentration of the p− layer should be between about 0.5E14 cm−3 and about 1.OE17 cm−3. The junction depth of the fourth (n+) region should be greater than about 0.3 &mgr;m. The thickness of the third (p+) region should be between about 0.3 &mgr;m and about 2.