Abstract: An integrated circuit chip (die) may include a force mitigation system for reducing or mitigating under-pad stresses typically caused by wire bonding. The IC die may include wire bond pads and a force mitigation system formed below each wire bond pad. The force mitigation system may include a “shock plate” (e.g., metal region), a sealing layer located above the shock plate, and a force mitigation layer including an array of sealed voids between the metal region and the sealing layer. The sealed voids in the force mitigation layer may be defined by forming openings in an oxide dielectric layer and forming a non-conformal sealing layer over the openings to define an array of sealed voids. The force mitigation system may mitigate stresses caused by a wire bond on each wire bond pad, which may reduce or eliminate wire-bond-related damage to semiconductor devices located in the under-pad regions of the die.

Abstract: Vapor deposition processes are provided in which a material is selectively deposited on a first surface of a substrate relative to a second organic surface. In some embodiments a substrate comprising a first surface, such as a metal, semi-metal or oxidized metal or semi-metal is contacted with a first vapor phase hydrophobic reactant and a second vapor phase reactant such that the material is deposited selectively on the first surface relative to the second organic surface. The second organic surface may comprise, for example, a self-assembled monolayer, a directed self-assembled layer, or a polymer, such as a polyimide, polyamide, polyuria or polystyrene. The material that is deposited may be, for example, a metal or metallic material. In some embodiments the material is a metal oxide, such as ZrO2 or HfO2. In some embodiments the vapor deposition process is a cyclic chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process or an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process.

Abstract: A silicon-on-insulator (SOI) CMOS transistor and a SOI heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) are fabricated on the same semiconductor substrate. First and second SOI regions are formed over the semiconductor substrate. A SOI CMOS transistor is fabricated in the first SOI region, and a collector region of the SOI HBT is fabricated in the second SOI region. The collector region can be formed by performing a first implant to a local collector region in the second SOI region, and performing a second implant to an extrinsic collector region in the second SOI region, wherein the extrinsic collector region is separated from the local collector region. A SiGe base is formed over the collector region, wherein a dielectric structure separates portions of the SiGe region and the extrinsic collector region. The SOI CMOS transistor and SOI HBT may be used to implement a front end module of an RF system.

Abstract: A phase module for a power converter includes first and second busbars and at least two semiconductor modules. The first busbar is connected to AC voltage connections of the semiconductor modules. The second busbar is connected to DC voltage connections of the semiconductor modules. At least one section of the first and second busbars is arranged at a distance to one another, the value of which is less than half the value of the distance between the AC voltage connection and the DC voltage connection of one of the semiconductor modules. At least one of the busbars has a separator arranged at a right angle on the remaining part of the busbar and connecting the busbar to at least one of the DC voltage connections or one of the AC voltage connections of one of the semiconductor modules. The separator is arranged along a surface of the one semiconductor module.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip (die) may include a force mitigation system for reducing or mitigating under-pad stresses typically caused by wire bonding. The IC die may include wire bond pads and a force mitigation system formed below each wire bond pad. The force mitigation system may include a “shock plate” (e.g., metal region), a sealing layer located above the shock plate, and a force mitigation layer including an array of sealed voids between the metal region and the sealing layer. The sealed voids in the force mitigation layer may be defined by forming openings in an oxide dielectric layer and forming a non-conformal sealing layer over the openings to define an array of sealed voids. The force mitigation system may mitigate stresses caused by a wire bond on each wire bond pad, which may reduce or eliminate wire-bond-related damage to semiconductor devices located in the under-pad regions of the die.

Abstract: A silicon carbide MOSFET device is disclosed. The silicon carbide MOSFET device includes a gate oxide layer which is constituted by a first gate oxide layer and a second gate oxide layer. A thickness of the second gate oxide layer is larger than a thickness of the first gate oxide layer. Through dividing the gate oxide layer into two parts with different thicknesses, i.e., enabling the gate oxide layer to have a staircase shape, an electric field strength of the gate oxide layer can be effectively reduced, while a threshold voltage and a gate control property of the device are not affected. An on-resistance of the device can be reduced through increasing a width of a JFET region. A method for manufacturing the silicon carbide MOSFET device is further disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate, a silicon carbide semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type on the semiconductor substrate, at least one ring-shaped region of a second conductivity type in the silicon carbide semiconductor layer, a first insulating film in contact with a part of the silicon carbide semiconductor layer, and a second insulating film which has a relative dielectric constant larger than a relative dielectric constant of the first insulating film and which is in contact with a part of the at least one ring-shaped region. In the semiconductor device, the at least one ring-shaped region is located in a termination region. The termination region surrounds a semiconductor element region when viewed from the direction perpendicular to a principal surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: In one example, a device having integrated package interference isolation includes a ground pad, an integrated circuit device die secured to the ground pad, a substrate secured to the ground pad, at least one a high-frequency, high-power semiconductor device secured to a top mounting surface of the substrate. For electromagnetic isolation, the integrated circuit device die includes a top metal, and the substrate includes a metal via electrically coupled to a metal trace that extends on the top mounting surface of the substrate. The device package also includes a number of ground pad bonding wires that electrically couple the redistribution layer of the integrated circuit device die and the metal trace to the ground pad. The redistribution layer of the integrated circuit device die and the metal trace and via of the substrate help to shield electromagnetic radiation between components in the device package.

Abstract: A display device is disclosed. The display device includes: a back plate; a display panel located at a displaying side of the back plate; a driver circuit board located at a non-displaying side of the back plate; an outer frame; a flexible circuit located at least partially between the back plate and the outer frame to connect the driver circuit board with the display panel; and a heat conductive structure located between the flexible circuit and the outer frame and contacting both of the flexible circuit and the outer frame.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a semiconductor component includes a support and a plurality of leads. An insulated metal substrate having a first portion and a second portion bonded to the support. A semiconductor chip comprising a III-N semiconductor material is bonded to the first portion of the insulated metal substrate and a first electrical interconnect is coupled between a drain bond pad the first portion of the insulated metal substrate. A second semiconductor chip is bonded to the first electrical interconnect. A second electrical interconnect coupled between a lead of the plurality of leads and the second semiconductor chip. In accordance with another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor component includes coupling a first semiconductor chip to a first electrically conductive layer and coupling a second semiconductor chip to a second electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: A current shaping phase leg bus bar for power electronics systems includes a first terminal connector, a second terminal connector, insulated from the first terminal connector, and a third terminal connector, insulated from the first and second terminal connectors. At least one of the terminal connectors is a current shaping terminal connector that includes one or more layers having a plurality of pre-defined locations for electrical connections, said plurality of pre-defined locations including one or more first locations and a plurality of second locations, and includes one or more gaps within or among its one or more layers, to provide substantially balanced conductive pathways among its one or more first locations and its plurality of second locations.

Abstract: Provided are a three-level power converter and a power unit thereof. The power unit includes a power switch module and a laminated busbar structure. The power switch module includes a first power semiconductor switch module and a clamping diode module, which have a first, second, and third terminal respectively. The laminated busbar structure includes a third, second, and first busbar layer laminated on the power switch module. The third busbar layer includes a first sub-busbar connecting to the first terminal of the first power semiconductor switch module, a second sub-busbar connecting to the third terminal of the first power semiconductor switch module and the first terminal of the clamping diode module, a third sub-busbar connecting to the second terminal of the clamping diode module and the third terminal of the second power semiconductor switch module, and a fourth sub-busbar connecting to the second terminal of the second power semiconductor switch module.

Abstract: Device structures for a bipolar junction transistor and methods for fabricating such device structures. An emitter structure is formed that has a semiconductor layer with a top surface defining a recess and a sacrificial layer comprised of a disposable material in the recess. A contact opening is formed that extends through one or more first dielectric layers to the sacrificial layer. After the contact opening is formed, the sacrificial layer is removed from the recess. Alternatively, the layer in the recess may be comprised of a non-disposable material that may occupy the recess at the time that a contact is formed in the contact opening.

Abstract: Semiconductor power devices can be formed on substrate structure having a lightly doped semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type or a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type. A semiconductive first buffer layer of the first conductivity type formed above the substrate. A doping concentration of the first buffer layer is greater than a doping concentration of the substrate. A second buffer layer of the second conductivity type formed above the first buffer layer. An epitaxial layer of the second conductivity type formed above the second buffer layer. A doping concentration of the epitaxial layer is greater than a doping concentration of the second buffer layer. This abstract is provided to allow a searcher or reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Selective area deposition of metal films by atomic layer deposition (ALD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is described. In an example, a method of fabricating a metallization structure for an integrated circuit involves forming an exposed surface above a substrate, the exposed surface including regions of exposed dielectric material and regions of exposed metal. The method also involves forming, using a selective metal deposition process, a metal layer on the regions of exposed metal without forming the metal layer on the regions of exposed dielectric material.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a resistive random access storage unit, includes: forming a resistance layer on a first metal layer having a flat surface; forming a passivation layer on the resistance layer; performing an etching process to obtain a plurality of basic units, a basic unit comprising a first metal layer, a resistance layer, and a passivation layer, which are laminated sequentially; depositing a insulating dielectric layer, and flattening the insulating dielectric layer; etching the insulating dielectric layer and the passivation layer to form contacting holes corresponded to the basic units; filling metal wires in the contacting holes; forming a second metal layer. According to the above method, a uniformly distributed resistance can be formed on a whole wafer.

Abstract: Within a cassette of a press pack module, a conductive shim is bonded to the backside of a device die by a layer of sintered metal. The die, sintered metal, and shim together form a sintered assembly. The cassette is compressed between a metal top plate member and a metal bottom plate member such that the backside of the assembly is pressed against the top plate member, and such that the frontside of the assembly is pressed against another shim. A central portion of the frontside surface of the die is contacted on the bottom by the other shim, but there is no shim contacting a peripheral portion of the frontside surface. Despite there being no shim in contact with the peripheral portion of the frontside surface, the peripheral portion is in good thermal contact with the top plate member through the sintered metal and the bonded conductive shim.

Abstract: A bipolar power semiconductor transistor is disclosed. The transistor includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, a first semiconductor region of the first conductivity type disposed on the semiconductor substrate; a semiconductor drift region of a second conductivity type, opposite the first conductivity type, disposed on the first semiconductor region, a body region of the first conductivity type located within the semiconductor drift region, a source region of the second conductivity type located within the body region, a gate placed above and in contact to the source region, the gate to control charge in a channel region between the semiconductor drift region and the source region and to thereby control flow of charge within the semiconductor drift region. The semiconductor substrate includes a material having silicon (Si) and the first semiconductor region includes a material having 3-step cubic silicon carbide (3C-SiC).

Abstract: A Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT) includes an elongated collector line, an elongated emitter line parallel to the collector line, and an elongated base line parallel to the collector line and positioned between the collector line and the base line. The emitter line, the base line, and the collector line are formed over fin structures.

Abstract: A semiconductor module is manufactured by bonding a resin case having a first opening through which surfaces of main circuit terminals and control terminals are exposed, onto a metal heat-dissipating substrate onto which is bonded, a conductive-patterned insulating substrate onto which are bonded, semiconductor chips, the main circuit terminals, and the control terminals; inserting into and attaching to a second opening formed on a side wall constituting a resin case, a resin body having a nut embedded therein to fix the main circuit terminals and the control terminals; and filling the resin case with a resin material. A side wall of the first opening is tapered toward the surface thereof; a tapered contact portion contacting the tapered side wall is disposed on the control terminal; and the resin body having the embedded nut fixes the control terminal having a one-footing structure that is an independent terminal.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has an insulation substrate formed with a conductive pattern; an independent terminal, which is an externally leading terminal, soldered to the conductive pattern of the insulation substrate; a case disposed over the insulation substrate such that a top surface of the independent terminal is exposed; an opening provided on a side surface of the case; a nut glove inserted from the opening so as to be below the independent terminal, and fix the independent terminal; and a first projection part formed on a side surface of the nut glove, and having tapers in a frontward direction and a rearward direction of insertion of the nut glove, respectively. The rearward taper of the first projection part is pressure contacting with a sidewall surface of the opening.

Abstract: A transistor includes: a semiconductor substrate; a first electrode on the semiconductor substrate and having first and second portions; a second electrode on the semiconductor substrate and spaced apart from the first electrode; a control electrode on the semiconductor substrate and disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a first heat sink plate joined to the second portion of the first electrode without being joined to the first portion of the first electrode.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an LED package including steps: providing an electrode, the electrode including a first electrode, a second electrode, a channel defined between the first electrode and the second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode arranged with intervals mutually, a cavity arranged on the first electrode, and the cavity communicating with the channel; arranging an LED chip electrically connecting with the first electrode and the second electrode and arranged inside the cavity; providing a shield covering the first electrode and the second electrode; injecting a transparent insulating material to the cavity via the channel, and the first electrode, the second electrode, and the shield being interconnected by the transparent insulating material; solidifying the transparent insulating material to obtain the LED package.

Abstract: Integrated circuits (ICs) utilize bipolar transistors in electro-static discharge (ESD) protection circuits to shunt discharge currents during ESD events to protect the components in the ICs. Bipolar transistors are subject to non-uniform current crowding across the emitter-base junction during ESD events, which results in less protection for the IC components and degradation of the bipolar transistor. This invention comprises multiple contact islands (126) on the emitter (116) of a bipolar transistor, which act to spread current uniformly across the emitter-base junction. Also included in this invention is segmentation of the emitter diffused region to further improve current uniformity and biasing of the transistor. This invention can be combined with drift region ballasting or back-end ballasting to optimize an ESD protection circuit.

Abstract: A heterojunction bipolar transistor having an emitter, a base, and a collector, the heterojunction bipolar transistor including a metallic sub-collector electrically and thermally coupled to the collector wherein the metallic sub-collector comprises a metallic thin film, and a collector contact electrically connected to the metallic sub-collector.

Abstract: A semiconductor device disclosed in this description has a semiconductor substrate including an element region in which a semiconductor element is formed, and an upper surface electrode formed on an upper surface of the element region of the semiconductor substrate. The upper surface electrode has a first thickness region and a second thickness region which is thicker than the first thickness region, and a bonding wire is bonded on the second thickness region.

Abstract: A component and a method for producing a component are disclosed. The component comprises an integrated circuit, a housing body, a wiring device overlapping the integrated circuit and the housing body, and one or more external contact devices in communication with the wiring device.

Abstract: A germanium semiconductor radiation detector contact made of yttrium metal. A thin (˜1000 ?) deposited layer of yttrium metal forms a thin hole-barrier and/or electron-barrier contact on both p- and n-type germanium semiconductor radiation detectors. Yttrium contacts provide a sufficiently high hole barrier to prevent measurable contact leakage current below ˜120 K. The yttrium contacts can be conveniently segmented into multiple electrically independent electrodes having inter-electrode resistances greater than 10 G?. Germanium semiconductor radiation detector diodes fabricated with yttrium contacts provide good gamma-ray spectroscopy data.

Abstract: A device including a semiconductor chip and metal foils. One embodiment provides a device including a semiconductor chip having a first electrode on a first face and a second electrode on a second face opposite to the first face. A first metal foil is attached to the first electrode of the semiconductor chip in an electrically conductive manner. A second metal foil is attached to the second electrode of the semiconductor chip in an electrically conductive manner.

Abstract: A base contact connection, an emitter structure and a collector structure are arranged on an n-layer, which can be provided for additional npn transistors. The collector structure is arranged laterally to the emitter structure and at least one of the emitter and collector comprises a Schottky contact on a surface area of the n-layer.

Abstract: A packaged semiconductor device has a metal plate (1200) with sawed sides (1200c), a flat first surface (1200a) and a parallel second surface (1200b); the plate is separated into a first section (1201) and a second section (1202) spaced apart by a gap (1230). The plate has on the second surface (1200b) at least one insular mesa (1205) of the same metal in each section, the mesas raised from the second plate surface. The device further has an insulating member (1231), which adheres to the first plate surface, bridges the gap, and thus couples the first and second sections together. The device further has a vertical stack (1270) of two power FET chips (1210) and (1220), each having a pair of terminals on the first chip surface (1211 and 1212; 1221 and 1222 respectively) and a single terminal on the second chip surface. The single terminals of chip (1210) and chip (1220) are attached to each other to form the common terminal (1240).

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor chip and a control chip at different supply potentials. A lead chip island includes an electrically conductive partial region and an insulation layer. The semiconductor chip is arranged on the electrically conductive partial region of the lead chip island and the control chip is cohesively fixed on the insulation layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor die package. The semiconductor die package includes a leadframe structure comprising a first lead structure comprising a die attach pad, a second lead structure, and a third lead structure. It also includes a semiconductor die comprising a first surface and a second surface. The semiconductor die is on the die attach pad of the leadframe structure. The first surface is proximate the die attach pad. The semiconductor die package further includes a clip structure comprising a first interconnect structure and a second interconnect structure, the first interconnect structure comprising a planar portion and a protruding portion, the protruding portion including an exterior surface and side surfaces defining the exterior surface. The protruding portion extends from the planar portion of the first interconnect structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods, apparatus, devices and/or systems associated with bipolar junction transistor are disclosed.

Abstract: A device including a semiconductor chip and metal foils. One embodiment provides a device including a semiconductor chip having a first electrode on a first face and a second electrode on a second face opposite to the first face. A first metal foil is attached to the first electrode of the semiconductor chip in an electrically conductive manner. A second metal foil is attached to the second electrode of the semiconductor chip in an electrically conductive manner.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device in which emitter pad electrodes connected to an active region, collector and base pad electrodes are formed on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. Furthermore, on a back surface of the semiconductor substrate, a backside electrode is formed. Moreover, the emitter pad electrodes connected to a grounding potential are connected to the backside electrode through feedthrough electrodes penetrating the semiconductor substrate in a thickness direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metallization for an IGBT or a diode. In the case of this metallization, a copper layer (10, 12) having a layer thickness of approximately 50 ?m is applied to the front side and/or rear side of a semiconductor body (1) directly or if need be via a diffusion barrier layer (13, 14). The layer (8, 12) has a specific heat capacity that is at least a factor of 2 higher than the specific heat capacity of the semiconductor body (1). It simultaneously serves for producing a field stop layer (5) by proton implantation through the layer (12) from the rear side and for masking a proton or helium implantation for the purpose of charge carrier lifetime reduction from the front side of the chip (1).

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a bipolar transistor having a base region, an emitter region and a collector region, wherein the base region comprises polycrystalline semiconductor material formed by crystallizing silicon, germanium or silicon germanium in contact with a silicide, germanide or silicide germanide is described. The emitter region and collector region also may comprise polycrystalline semiconductor material formed by crystallizing silicon, germanium or silicon germanium in contact with a silicide, germanide or silicide germanide forming metal. The polycrystalline semiconductor material is preferably silicided polysilicon, which is formed in contact with C49 phase titanium silicide.

Abstract: An RF power amplifier including a single piece heat sink and an RF power transistor die mounted directly onto the heat sink.

Abstract: A heterojunction bipolar transistor structure with self-aligned sub-lithographic extrinsic base region including a self-aligned metal-semiconductor alloy and self-aligned metal contacts made to the base is disclosed. The lateral dimension of the extrinsic base region is defined by the footprint of a sacrificial spacer, and its thickness is controlled by selective epitaxy. A self-aligned semiconductor-metal alloy and self-aligned metal contacts are made to the extrinsic base using a method compatible with conventional silicon processing.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a semiconductor region provided in the substrate, a group of transistors including a plurality of MIS transistors and provided in the semiconductor region, the MIS transistors including a plurality of gate electrodes which extend in a first direction and are provided on the semiconductor region via gate insulation films, an insulation film provided on the group of transistors, and a first contact layer and a second contact layer extending in the first direction and provided on the semiconductor region at opposite sides of the group of transistors.

Abstract: A component and a method for producing a component are disclosed. The component comprises an integrated circuit, a housing body, a wiring device overlapping the integrated circuit and the housing body, and one or more external contact devices in communication with the wiring device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an integrated circuit including a plurality of memory cells is provided. Each memory cell includes a resistivity changing memory element which includes a top electrode, a bottom electrode, and resistivity changing material being disposed between the top electrode and the bottom electrode. Each resistivity changing memory element is at least partially surrounded by a thermal insulating structure. The thermal insulating structures are arranged such that the dissipation of heat generated within the resistivity changing memory elements into the environment of the resistivity changing memory elements is lowered.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement includes a plurality of type-identical and identically operated active components, or separate sections of an active component, and includes a branched wiring structure for the interconnection of component connections. In each case the wiring end portions lie between a branching point and an input of different components or sections, wherein the wiring end portions are formed with predetermined geometrical asymmetry with respect to one another in such a way that there is an electrical symmetry of the interconnection configuration between all the connected type-identical components or sections. More particularly, the impedance values between the branching point and the different inputs and outputs are substantially identical.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a GaAs chip; and a resin sealing the GaAs chip. The GaAs chip includes: a p-type GaAs layer; an n-type GaAs layer on the p-type GaAs layer; a metal electrode located on the n-type GaAs layer along an edge of the GaAs chip and to which a positive voltage is applied; a device region located in a central portion of the GaAs chip; a semi-insulating region located between the metal electrode and the device region and extending in the p-type GaAs layer and the n-type GaAs layer; and a connecting portion disposed outside the semi-insulating region and electrically connecting the p-type GaAs layer to the metal electrode.

Abstract: In a first region at a first main surface of an n type semiconductor substrate, a p base layer, an n source layer, a gate electrode and an emitter electrode are formed, and a collector electrode is formed at a second main surface, constituting an IGBT. A p layer constituting a guard ring is formed in a second region qualified as an outer circumferential junction region, extending to a predetermined depth from the surface. In the second region are also formed an AlSi layer and a semi-insulating silicon nitride film, as well as an over coat film. An n layer is formed at the surface of a third region. In addition, an AlSi layer qualified as a stepped portion is formed in the third region, spaced apart from an AlSi layer located at the outermost circumferential side. Thus, a semiconductor device directed to stabilizing the main breakdown voltage characteristics is obtained.

Abstract: A biosensor that has a smart card configuration includes a semiconductor chip including a bioactive structure and contact areas disposed on a first side of the semiconductor chip, and a rewiring substrate including contact pads, external contact areas and rewiring lines that electrically connect the contact pads to the external contact areas. The rewiring substrate covers a portion of the first side of the semiconductor chip without covering the bioactive structure, such that the rewiring substrate overlaps the contact areas of the semiconductor chip and the contact pads and the contact areas are aligned with and electrically connect to each other. In addition, a measuring apparatus is configured to receive the biosensor and conduct measurements of a fluid medium that is delivered into the measuring apparatus.

Abstract: The temperature of a bipolar semiconductor element using a wide-gap semiconductor is raised using heating means, such as a heater, to obtain a power semiconductor device being large in controllable current and low in loss. The temperature is set at a temperature higher than the temperature at which the decrement of the steady loss of the wide-gap bipolar semiconductor element corresponding to the decrement of the built-in voltage lowering depending on the temperature rising of the wide-gap bipolar semiconductor element is larger than the increment of the steady loss corresponding to the increment of the ON resistance increasing depending on the temperature rising.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a semiconductor region provided in the substrate, a group of transistors including a plurality of MIS transistors and provided in the semiconductor region, the MIS transistors including a plurality of gate electrodes which extend in a first direction and are provided on the semiconductor region via gate insulation films, an insulation film provided on the group of transistors, and a first contact layer and a second contact layer extending in the first direction and provided on the semiconductor region at opposite sides of the group of transistors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bipolar transistor having a raised extrinsic base silicide and an emitter contact border that are self-aligned. The bipolar transistor of the present invention exhibit reduced parasitics as compared with bipolar transistors that do not include a self-aligned silicide and a self-aligned emitter contact border. The present invention also is related to methods of fabricating the inventive bipolar transistor structure. In the methods of the present invention, a block emitter polysilicon region replaces a conventional T-shaped emitter polysilicon.