We disclose a III-nitride semiconductor based heterojunction power device, comprising: a first heterojunction transistor formed on a substrate, the first heterojunction transistor comprising: a first III-nitride semiconductor region formed over the substrate, wherein the first III-nitride semiconductor region comprises a first heterojunction comprising at least one two dimensional carrier gas of second conductivity type; a first terminal operatively connected to the first III-nitride semiconductor region; a second terminal laterally spaced from the first terminal and operatively connected to the first III-nitride semiconductor region; a first gate terminal formed over the first III-nitride semiconductor region between the first terminal and the second terminal. The device also includes a second heterojunction transistor formed on a substrate, the second heterojunction transistor comprising: a second III-nitride semiconductor region formed over the substrate, wherein the second III-nitride semiconductor region comprises a second heterojunction comprising at least one two dimensional carrier gas of second conductivity type; a third terminal operatively connected to the second III-nitride semiconductor region; a fourth terminal laterally spaced from the third terminal in a first dimension and operatively connected to the second III-nitride semiconductor region, wherein the fourth terminal is operatively connected to the first gate terminal; and a second gate terminal formed over the second III-nitride semiconductor region between the third terminal and the fourth terminal and wherein the second heterojunction transistor is used in sensing and protection functions of the first power heterojunction transistor.

We disclose a III-nitride semiconductor based heterojunction power device, comprising: a first heterojunction transistor formed on a substrate, the first heterojunction transistor comprising: a first III-nitride semiconductor region formed over the substrate, wherein the first III-nitride semiconductor region comprises a first heterojunction comprising at least one two dimensional carrier gas of second conductivity type; a first terminal operatively connected to the first III-nitride semiconductor region; a second terminal laterally spaced from the first terminal and operatively connected to the first III-nitride semiconductor region; a first gate terminal formed over the first III-nitride semiconductor region between the first terminal and the second terminal. The device also includes a second heterojunction transistor formed on a substrate, the second heterojunction transistor comprising: a second III-nitride semiconductor region formed over the substrate, wherein the second III-nitride semiconductor region comprises a second heterojunction comprising at least one two dimensional carrier gas of second conductivity type; a third terminal operatively connected to the second III-nitride semiconductor region; a fourth terminal laterally spaced from the third terminal in a first dimension and operatively connected to the second III-nitride semiconductor region, wherein the fourth terminal is operatively connected to the first gate terminal; and a second gate terminal formed over the second III-nitride semiconductor region between the third terminal and the fourth terminal and wherein the second heterojunction transistor is used in sensing and protection functions of the first power heterojunction transistor.

A dielectric and isolation lower fin material is described that is useful for fin-based electronics. In some examples, a dielectric layer is on first and second sidewalls of a lower fin. The dielectric layer has a first upper end portion laterally adjacent to the first sidewall of the lower fin and a second upper end portion laterally adjacent to the second sidewall of the lower fin. An isolation material is laterally adjacent to the dielectric layer directly on the first and second sidewalls of the lower fin and a gate electrode is over a top of and laterally adjacent to sidewalls of an upper fin. The gate electrode is over the first and second upper end portions of the dielectric layer and the isolation material.

A dielectric and isolation lower fin material is described that is useful for fin-based electronics. In some examples, a dielectric layer is on first and second sidewalls of a lower fin. The dielectric layer has a first upper end portion laterally adjacent to the first sidewall of the lower fin and a second upper end portion laterally adjacent to the second sidewall of the lower fin. An isolation material is laterally adjacent to the dielectric layer directly on the first and second sidewalls of the lower fin and a gate electrode is over a top of and laterally adjacent to sidewalls of an upper fin. The gate electrode is over the first and second upper end portions of the dielectric layer and the isolation material.

A pseudo-resistor structure, comprises: a first and a second PMOS transistor or PN diode configured as two-terminal devices, wherein the positive terminal of the first PMOS transistor or PN diode is connected to the positive terminal of the second PMOS transistor or PN diode, and wherein the negative terminal of the first PMOS transistor or PN diode is connected to an input (A) of the pseudo-resistor structure and wherein the negative terminal of the second PMOS transistor or PN diode is connected to an output (C) of the pseudo-resistor structure, and a dummy transistor or dummy diode connected to the input (A), wherein the dummy transistor or dummy diode is further connected to a bias voltage for compensating a leakage current through the first and the second PMOS transistors or PN diodes. A closed-loop operational amplifier circuit comprising the pseudo-resistor structure is provided. Also, a bio-potential sensor comprising the closed-loop operational amplifier circuit is provided.

A pseudo-resistor structure, comprises: a first and a second PMOS transistor or PN diode configured as two-terminal devices, wherein the positive terminal of the first PMOS transistor or PN diode is connected to the positive terminal of the second PMOS transistor or PN diode, and wherein the negative terminal of the first PMOS transistor or PN diode is connected to an input (A) of the pseudo-resistor structure and wherein the negative terminal of the second PMOS transistor or PN diode is connected to an output (C) of the pseudo-resistor structure, and a dummy transistor or dummy diode connected to the input (A), wherein the dummy transistor or dummy diode is further connected to a bias voltage for compensating a leakage current through the first and the second PMOS transistors or PN diodes. A closed-loop operational amplifier circuit comprising the pseudo-resistor structure is provided. Also, a bio-potential sensor comprising the closed-loop operational amplifier circuit is provided.

A semiconductor integrated circuit includes: a semiconductor monocrystalline region; an insulating film provided on a main surface of the semiconductor monocrystalline region; a conductive layer having a rectangular shape provided on the insulating film and including at least a polycrystalline layer of p-type; electric-field relaxing layers having a lower specific resistivity than the conductive layer and each including a polycrystalline layer of n-type so as to be arranged on both sides of the conductive layer in a direction perpendicular to a current-flowing direction; a high-potential-side electrode in ohmic contact with the conductive layer at one end of the conductive layer in the current-flowing direction; and a low-potential-side electrode in ohmic contact with the conductive layer and the respective electric-field relaxing layers at another end of the conductive layer opposed to the one end in the current-flowing direction, and having a lower potential than the high-potential-side electrode.

An electronic device can include a substrate defining a trench. In an embodiment, a semiconductor body can be within the trench, wherein the semiconductor body has a resistivity of at least 0.05 ohm-cm and is electrically isolated from the substrate. In an embodiment, an electronic component can be within the semiconductor body. The electronic component can be a resistor or a diode. In a particular embodiment, the semiconductor body has an upper surface, the electronic component is within and along an upper surface and spaced apart from a bottom of the semiconductor body. In a further embodiment, the electronic device can further include a first electronic component within an active region of the substrate, an isolation structure within the trench, and a second electronic component within the isolation structure.

An electronic device can include a substrate defining a trench. In an embodiment, a semiconductor body can be within the trench, wherein the semiconductor body has a resistivity of at least 0.05 ohm-cm and is electrically isolated from the substrate. In an embodiment, an electronic component can be within the semiconductor body. The electronic component can be a resistor or a diode. In a particular embodiment, the semiconductor body has an upper surface, the electronic component is within and along an upper surface and spaced apart from a bottom of the semiconductor body. In a further embodiment, the electronic device can further include a first electronic component within an active region of the substrate, an isolation structure within the trench, and a second electronic component within the isolation structure.

An integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate with an electrically isolated semiconductor well. An upper trench isolation extends from a front face of the semiconductor well to a depth located a distance from the bottom of the well. Two additional isolating zones are electrically insulated from the semiconductor well and extending inside the semiconductor well in a first direction and vertically from the front face to the bottom of the semiconductor well. At least one hemmed resistive region is bounded by the two additional isolating zones, the upper trench isolation and the bottom of the semiconductor well. Electrical contacts are electrically coupled to the hemmed resistive region.