A volatile memory array using vertical thyristors is disclosed together with methods of operating the array to read, write, retain and refresh data stored therein.

A method of making stacked lateral semiconductor devices is disclosed. The method includes depositing a stack of alternating layers of different materials. Slots or holes are cut through the layers for subsequent formation of single crystal semiconductor fences or pillars. When each of the alternating layers of one material are removed space is provided for formation of single crystal semiconductor devices between the remaining layers. The devices are doped as the single crystal silicon is formed.

A structure protects a SLIC telephone line interface against overvoltages lower than a negative threshold or higher than a positive threshold. The structure includes at least one thyristor connected between each conductor of the telephone line and a reference potential. For all of the included thyristors, a metallization corresponding to the main electrode on the gate side is in contact, by its entire surface, with a corresponding semiconductor region. Furthermore, the gate of each thyristor is directly connected to a voltage source defining one of the thresholds.

An electrostatic protection circuit in a semiconductor device includes a first first-conductivity type well extending in a first direction over a semiconductor substrate, a second first-conductivity type well extending in a second direction over the semiconductor substrate and perpendicular to the first direction with one end coupled to a first long side of the first first-conductivity type well, and a second-conductivity type well formed around the first first-conductivity type well and the second first-conductivity type well. It also includes a first high-concentration second-conductivity type region extending in the second direction on a surface of the second first-conductivity type well and a first high-concentration first-conductivity type region extending in the second direction on a surface of the second-conductivity type well while facing the first high-concentration second-conductivity type region.

A coherent optical receiver that receives an optical PSK-modulated signal includes optical elements that combine the optical PSK-modulated signal and an optical local-oscillating (LO) signal and splits the combined optical signals into multiple parts that have a predefined phase offset relative to one another. The receiver further includes at least one thyristor and control circuitry operably coupled to terminals of the at least one thyristor. The control circuitry is configured to receive the multiple parts of the combined optical signals and controls switching operation of the at least one thyristor according to phase offset of optical PSK-modulated signal relative to the optical LO signal.

Embodiments of semiconductor devices, integrated circuit devices and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a semiconductor device may include a first fin and a second fin disposed on a substrate. The first fin may have a portion including a first material disposed between a second material and the substrate, the second material disposed between a third material and the first material, and the third material disposed between a fourth material and the second material. The first and third materials may be formed from a first type of extrinsic semiconductor, and the second and fourth materials may be formed from a second, different type of extrinsic semiconductor. The second fin may be laterally separated from the first fin and materially contiguous with at least one of the first, second, third or fourth materials. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.

A groove is formed in a first semiconductor layer 1, a sidewall of the groove is coated with a first insulating film 2, a first impurity layer 3 and a second impurity layer 4 thereon are disposed in the groove, a second semiconductor layer 7 is disposed on the second impurity layer, a first semiconductor is disposed at the other part, an n.sup.+ layer 6a and an n.sup.+ layer 6c are positioned at respective ends of the second semiconductor layer 7 and connected to a source line SL and a bit line BL, respectively, a first gate insulating layer 8 is formed on the second semiconductor layer 7, and a first gate conductor layer 9 is connected to a word line WL. Voltage applied to the source line SL, a plate line PL connected to the first semiconductor layer 1, the word line WL, and the bit line BL is controlled to perform data holding operation of holding, near the gate insulating layer, holes generated by an impact ionization phenomenon in a channel region 12 of the second semiconductor layer or by gate-induced drain leakage current, and data erase operation of removing the holes from the channel region 12.

A groove is formed in a first semiconductor layer 1, a sidewall of the groove is coated with a first insulating film 2, a first impurity layer 3 and a second impurity layer 4 thereon are disposed in the groove, a second semiconductor layer 7 is disposed on the second impurity layer, a first semiconductor is disposed at the other part, an n.sup.+ layer 6a and an n.sup.+ layer 6c are positioned at respective ends of the second semiconductor layer 7 and connected to a source line SL and a bit line BL, respectively, a first gate insulating layer 8 is formed on the second semiconductor layer 7, and a first gate conductor layer 9 is connected to a word line WL. Voltage applied to the source line SL, a plate line PL connected to the first semiconductor layer 1, the word line WL, and the bit line BL is controlled to perform data holding operation of holding, near the gate insulating layer, holes generated by an impact ionization phenomenon in a channel region 12 of the second semiconductor layer or by gate-induced drain leakage current, and data erase operation of removing the holes from the channel region 12.

A vertical semiconductor triode includes a first layer of semiconductor material, the first layer including first and second surfaces, the first surface being in contact with a first electrode forming a Schottky contact.

A vertical semiconductor triode includes a first layer of semiconductor material, the first layer including first and second surfaces, the first surface being in contact with a first electrode forming a Schottky contact.