A semiconductor memory cell includes a floating body region configured to be charged to a level indicative of a state of the memory cell selected from at least first and second states. A first region of the memory cell is in electrical contact with the floating body region. A second region of the memory cell is spaced apart from the first region and is also in electrical contact with the floating body region. A gate is positioned between the first and second regions. A back-bias region is configured to generate impact ionization when the memory cell is in one of the first and second states, and the back-bias region is configured so as not to generate impact ionization when the memory cell is in the other of the first and second states.

A semiconductor memory instance is provided that includes an array of memory cells. The array includes a plurality of semiconductor memory cells arranged in at least one column and at least one row. Each of the semiconductor memory cells includes a floating body region configured to be charged to a level indicative of a state of the memory cell. Further includes are a plurality of buried well regions, wherein each of the buried well regions can be individually selected, and a decoder circuit to select at least one of the buried well regions.

A transient voltage suppression device includes a lightly-doped semiconductor structure, a first doped well, a first heavily-doped area, a first buried area, and a second heavily-doped area. The lightly-doped semiconductor structure has a first conductivity type. The first doped well has a second conductivity type and is formed in the lightly-doped semiconductor structure. The first heavily-doped area has the second conductivity type and is formed in the first doped well. The first buried area has the first conductivity type and is formed in the lightly-doped semiconductor structure and under the first doped well, and the first buried area is adjacent to the first doped well. The second heavily-doped area has the second conductivity type and is formed in the lightly-doped semiconductor structure.

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body comprising a first surface and an edge surface, a contact electrode formed on the first surface and comprising an outer edge side, and a passivation layer section conformally covering the outer edge side of the contact electrode. The passivation layer section is a multi-layer stack comprising a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. Each of the first, second and third layers include outer edge sides facing the edge surface and opposite facing inner edge sides. The outer edge side of the contact electrode is disposed laterally between the inner edge sides and the outer edge sides of each layer.

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body comprising a first surface and an edge surface, a contact electrode formed on the first surface and comprising an outer edge side, and a passivation layer section conformally covering the outer edge side of the contact electrode. The passivation layer section is a multi-layer stack comprising a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. Each of the first, second and third layers include outer edge sides facing the edge surface and opposite facing inner edge sides. The outer edge side of the contact electrode is disposed laterally between the inner edge sides and the outer edge sides of each layer.

Semiconductor memory cells, array and methods of operating are disclosed. In one instance, a memory cell includes a bi-stable floating body transistor and an access device; wherein the bi-stable floating body transistor and the access device are electrically connected in series.

Semiconductor memory cells, array and methods of operating are disclosed. In one instance, a memory cell includes a bi-stable floating body transistor and an access device; wherein the bi-stable floating body transistor and the access device are electrically connected in series.

According to an embodiment, in a semiconductor device, a total value of a change amount of chemical potential of the semiconductor device with respect to a expansion direction of a stacking fault and the stacking fault energy of the stacking fault is zero or more.

According to an embodiment, in a semiconductor device, a total value of a change amount of chemical potential of the semiconductor device with respect to a expansion direction of a stacking fault and the stacking fault energy of the stacking fault is zero or more.

Apparatus and other embodiments associated with high speed and high breakdown voltage MOS rectifier are disclosed. A Junction All Around structure, where a deep trench structure surrounds and encloses a P-N junction or a MOS structure, is created and applied in various rectifiers. In one embodiment, multiple deep trenches in concentric ring circles enclosed several horizontal P-N junctions in concentric ring circles. In another embodiment, an enclosed deep trench in ring circle surrounds a horizontal P-N junction, which results in a planar N-channel MOS during forward bias. This structure can be extended to multiple deep trenches with associated horizontal P-N junctions.