In an embodiment, a semiconductor device is provided that includes a main transistor having a load path, a sense transistor configured to sense a main current flowing in the load path of the main transistor, and at least one bypass diode structure configured to protect the sense transistor. The at least one bypass diode structure is electrically coupled in parallel with the sense transistor.

Structures for a bidirectional switch and methods of forming such structures. A substrate contact is formed in a trench defined in a substrate. A substrate includes a trench and a substrate contact in the trench. A bidirectional switch, which is on the substrate, includes a first source/drain electrode, a second source/drain electrode, an extension region between the first source/drain electrode and the second source/drain electrode, and a gate structure. A substrate-bias switch, which is on the substrate, includes a gate structure, a first source/drain electrode coupled to the substrate contact, a second source/drain electrode coupled to the first source/drain electrode of the bidirectional switch, and an extension region laterally between the gate structure and the first source/drain electrode.

In some examples, a transistor includes a drain, a channel, and a gate. The channel surrounds the drain and has a channel length to width ratio. The gate is over the channel to provide an active channel region that has an active channel region length to width ratio that is greater than the channel length to width ratio.

A chip part includes a substrate, an element formed on the substrate, and an electrode formed on the substrate. A recess and/or projection expressing information related to the element is formed at a peripheral edge portion of the substrate.

A semiconductor device is provided with one or more gate fingers (20) that are provided in an active region on a semiconductor substrate (1), and a source finger (30) and a drain finger (40) that are provided in the active region and arranged alternately to allow each gate finger to be sandwiched between the source and drain fingers. The semiconductor device includes terminal circuit (60) that has inductive impedance at the frequency of a signal input to an input terminal of the one or more gate fingers, and is directly or indirectly connected to the one or more gate fingers at an area being spaced away from a connecting position of the input terminal (21a) of the one or more gate fingers (20).

A power converter includes a semiconductor element disposed on a substrate, a thermistor element for detecting the temperature of the substrate, the thermistor element being disposed on the substrate, a current detection resistor having one end connected to a ground side node and another end that is grounded, a first voltage detection unit configured to detect a first potential at the other end of the current detection resistor and a second potential at the ground side node, and output a first detection signal, a control unit configured to control the semiconductor element based on the first detection signal, a temperature detection resistor having one end that is connected to a reference potential and another end that is connected to a detection node, and a temperature detection unit configured to detect a temperature based on a third potential at the detection node, and output a temperature information signal.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to circuitry operable with enhanced capacitance and mitigation of avalanche breakdown. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, an apparatus and/or method involves respective transistors of a cascode circuit, one of which controls the other in an off state by applying a voltage to a gate thereof. A plurality of doped regions are separated by trenches, with the conductive trenches being configured and arranged with the doped regions to provide capacitance across the source and the drain of the second transistor, and restricting voltage at one of the source and the drain of the second transistor, therein mitigating avalanche breakdown of the second transistor.

A diode includes a plurality of fins defined in a semiconductor substrate. An anode region is defined by a doped region in a first surface portion of each of the plurality of fins and in a second surface portion of the semiconductor substrate disposed between adjacent fins in the plurality of fins. The doped region includes a first dopant having a first conductivity type and is contiguous between the adjacent fins. A cathode region is defined by an inner portion of each of the plurality of fins positioned below and contacting the first surface portion and a third portion of the semiconductor substrate positioned below and contacting the second surface portion. The cathode region is contiguous and the dopants in the cathode region and anode region have opposite conductivity types. A junction is defined between the anode region and the cathode region. A first contact interfaces with the anode region.

Provided is a digital circuit (30) that comprises: a switching circuit (31) having first transistors (32, 33) supplied with power supply potentials (VDD, VSS): correcting circuits (34, 36) connected between an input terminal (IN) inputted with an input signal and control terminals (gates) of the first transistors; capacitors (C2, C3) connected between the control terminals and the input terminal; diode-connected second transistors (35, 37) that are provided between nodes (N5, N6) between the capacitors and the control terminals and the power supply potentials and have the substantially same threshold voltage as the first transistors; and switches (SW2, SW3) connected in series with the second transistors.

On a single-crystal semiconductor substrate with an upper surface including a first direction in which an inverted mesa step extends and a second direction in which a forward mesa step extends in response to anisotropic etching in which an etching rate depends on crystal plane orientation, a bipolar transistor including a collector layer, a base layer, and an emitter layer that are epitaxially grown, and a base wire connected to the base layer are arranged. A step is provided at an edge of the base layer, and the base wire is extended from inside to outside of the base layer in a direction intersecting the first direction in a plan view. An intersection of the edge of the base layer and the base wire has a disconnection prevention structure that makes it difficult for step-caused disconnection of the base wire to occur.