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: An open-base semiconductor diode device has an emitter, base, and collector layers. The layers are configured and doped such that the device has an IV characteristic with: i. a punchthrough region beginning at a voltage Vpt with positive resistance, followed by, and ii. an avalanche region including a positive resistance stage beginning with conductivity modulation at Vcrit and Icrit and having a resistance Rcrit, iii. wherein the values of Vcrit, Icrit and Rcrit are set according to the layer configuration and doping. The device may have a double-base structure, and the width of a lower-doped base region may be minimised such that current density Jcrit at which the conductivity modulation occurs due to avalanche is increased. In one example, the device comprises a N-N+ or a P-P+ double-emitter. Thickness of N? or P? layers may be minimised such that the current-carrying capability is maximised and the doping of this layer does not affect the current-carrying capability of the device.

Abstract: A ferroelectric memory comprises a first transistor connected between N1 and N2 nodes, a second transistor connected between the N2 node and an N3 node, a first transistor connected between P1 and P2 nodes, a second transistor connected between the P2 node and a P3 node, a first wiring formed in a first wiring layer to interconnect the N1 node and the P1 node, a second wiring formed in the first wiring layer to interconnect the N3 node and the P3 node, a third wiring formed in a second wiring layer different from the first wiring layer to interconnect the N2 node and the P2 node, a first capacitor whose first electrode is connected to the first wiring, and a second capacitor whose first electrode is connected to the second wiring. Second electrodes of the first and second capacitors are both connected to the N2 node or the P2 node.