A semiconductor device includes: a substrate; a semiconductor element arranged on the substrate; a plate-like member electrically connected to the semiconductor element; a first electrode formed on the semiconductor element and joined to the plate-like member with solder; a second electrode formed on the semiconductor element and spaced from the first electrode, and including a metal capable of forming an alloy with the solder; and a metal film formed on the semiconductor element and spaced from the second electrode in a region on the first electrode side as seen from the second electrode, in a two-dimensional view of the semiconductor element as seen from the plate-like member, and including a metal capable of forming an alloy with the solder.

A semiconductor device includes: a substrate; a semiconductor element arranged on the substrate; a plate-like member electrically connected to the semiconductor element; a first electrode formed on the semiconductor element and joined to the plate-like member with solder; a second electrode formed on the semiconductor element and spaced from the first electrode, and including a metal capable of forming an alloy with the solder; and a metal film formed on the semiconductor element and spaced from the second electrode in a region on the first electrode side as seen from the second electrode, in a two-dimensional view of the semiconductor element as seen from the plate-like member, and including a metal capable of forming an alloy with the solder.

One aspect relates to a method for producing a substrate plate for a large-area semiconductor element, particularly for a thyristor wafer or a diode. At least one first layer made from a first material, with a first coefficient of expansion, and at least one second layer made from a second material of low expandability, with a second coefficient of expansion, which is smaller than the first coefficient of expansion, are bonded to one another by means of a low-temperature sintering method at a bonding temperature of 150° C.-300° C. At least one first bonding layer made from a bonding material is formed between the first layer and the second layer and the bonding temperature substantially corresponds to the mounting temperature during the bonding of the substrate plate produced with at least one large-area semiconductor element.

A semiconductor device includes an insulating support member, a first and a second conductive layer, a first semiconductor element, a first lead, a first detection conductor and a first gate conductor. The first and second conductive layers are disposed on a front surface of the insulating support member. The first semiconductor includes a first and a second electrode on the same side, and a third electrode disposed on the other side and electrically connected to the first conductive layer. The first lead is connected to the first and second conductive layer. The first detection conductor is connected to the first electrode. The first gate conductor is connected to the second electrode. At least one of the first detection conductor and the first gate conductor has an end connected to the first semiconductor element. The end has a coefficient of linear expansion smaller than that of the first conductive layer.

A semiconductor device includes an insulating support member, a first and a second conductive layer, a first semiconductor element, a first lead, a first detection conductor and a first gate conductor. The first and second conductive layers are disposed on a front surface of the insulating support member. The first semiconductor includes a first and a second electrode on the same side, and a third electrode disposed on the other side and electrically connected to the first conductive layer. The first lead is connected to the first and second conductive layer. The first detection conductor is connected to the first electrode. The first gate conductor is connected to the second electrode. At least one of the first detection conductor and the first gate conductor has an end connected to the first semiconductor element. The end has a coefficient of linear expansion smaller than that of the first conductive layer.

Systems and methods for achieving uniformity across a redistribution layer are described. One of the methods includes patterning a photoresist layer over a substrate. The patterning defines a region for a conductive line and a via disposed below the region for the conductive line. The method further includes depositing a conductive material in between the patterned photoresist layer, such that the conductive material fills the via and the region for the conductive line. The depositing causes an overgrowth of conductive material of the conductive line to form a bump of the conductive material over the via. The method also includes planarizing a top surface of the conductive line while maintaining the patterned photoresist layer present over the substrate. The planarizing is facilitated by exerting a horizontal shear force over the conductive line and the bump. The planarizing is performed to flatten the bump.

The power semiconductor apparatus includes: a semiconductor device 401; a bonding layer on chip 416 disposed on an upper surface of the semiconductor device; and a metal lead 419 disposed on the upper surface of the semiconductor device and bonded to the bonding layer on chip, wherein the metal lead 420 has a three-laminated structure including: a second metal layer 420b having a CTE equal to or less than 510.sup.6/ C., for example; and a first metal layer 420a and a third metal layer 420c sandwiching the second metal layer and having a CTE equal to or greater than the CTE of the second metal layer. Provided is a power semiconductor apparatus capable of improving reliability thereof by reducing a thermal stress to a bonding layer between a semiconductor power device and a metal lead positioned on an upper surface thereof, and reducing a resistance of the metal lead.

The power semiconductor apparatus includes: a semiconductor device 401; a bonding layer on chip 416 disposed on an upper surface of the semiconductor device; and a metal lead 419 disposed on the upper surface of the semiconductor device and bonded to the bonding layer on chip, wherein the metal lead 420 has a three-laminated structure including: a second metal layer 420b having a CTE equal to or less than 510.sup.6/ C., for example; and a first metal layer 420a and a third metal layer 420c sandwiching the second metal layer and having a CTE equal to or greater than the CTE of the second metal layer. Provided is a power semiconductor apparatus capable of improving reliability thereof by reducing a thermal stress to a bonding layer between a semiconductor power device and a metal lead positioned on an upper surface thereof, and reducing a resistance of the metal lead.

In a semiconductor module, first and second semiconductor chips each include a transistor and a temperature-detecting diode connected between first and second control pads. The first control pad of the first semiconductor chip is connected to a first control terminal, the second control pad of the first semiconductor chip and the first control pad of the second semiconductor chip are connected to a second control terminal, and the second control pad of the second semiconductor chip is connected to a third control terminal.

In a semiconductor module, first and second semiconductor chips each include a transistor and a temperature-detecting diode connected between first and second control pads. The first control pad of the first semiconductor chip is connected to a first control terminal, the second control pad of the first semiconductor chip and the first control pad of the second semiconductor chip are connected to a second control terminal, and the second control pad of the second semiconductor chip is connected to a third control terminal.