A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor part, first and second electrodes, and first and second protective films. The first electrode is provided on the semiconductor part. The first protective film is provided on the semiconductor part and covers an outer edge of the first electrode. The second electrode is provided on the first electrode. The second electrode includes an outer edge partially covering the first protective film. The second protective film is provided on the semiconductor part and covers the first protective film and the outer edge of the second electrode.

A method includes disposing a series of protrusions on a rectangular side panel of an open four-sided box-like structure in a frame, and attaching an electronic substrate to the frame. The electronic substrate carries one or more circuit components. The series of protrusions acts as a spring-like compensator to compensate plastic deformation, twisting or warping of the frame, and to limit propagation of stress to the electronic substrate via the frame.

A switching component configured to switch an electrical signal, the switching component includes a substrate bearing several elementary components each ensuring the switching of the electrical signal, a baseplate onto which the substrate is fixed, the baseplate being configured to discharge heat emitted in the switchings of the switching component, two electrical conductors each connected to one of the elementary components and respectively ensuring the input and the output of the elementary component concerned for the signal (I.sub.C) to be switched, a magnetic core produced in a ferromagnetic material, the magnetic core surrounding the elementary component concerned without surrounding others of the elementary components and being disposed in the component in such a way that a displacement current between the surrounded elementary component and the baseplate induces a magnetic induction in the magnetic core, and in such a way that the path followed by a conduction current of the electrical signal switched by the component does not form a turn around the magnetic core.

A power semiconductor module includes an insulating substrate, a first conductive circuit pattern, a second conductive circuit pattern, a first semiconductor device, a second semiconductor device, a sealing member, and a first barrier layer. The sealing member seals the first semiconductor device, the second semiconductor device, the first conductive circuit pattern, and the second conductive circuit pattern. At least one of the first barrier layer and the sealing member includes a first stress relaxation portion. This configuration improves the reliability of the power semiconductor module.

A semiconductor device, including a semiconductor chip having a first electrode on a rear surface thereof, a laminated substrate including a heat dissipation board laminated on a rear surface of an insulating board, and a case. The case includes a frame surrounding an opening penetrating the case from a front surface to a rear surface thereof, the frame being in contact with a periphery of the laminated substrate covering the opening from the rear surface of the case, and a first terminal penetrating the frame. The first terminal includes a first connection part penetrating the frame and extending out of the frame, and a first wiring part provided in the opening. The first wiring part has a wiring rear surface disposed on a front surface of the insulating board, and a wiring front surface mechanically and electrically connected to the first electrode of the semiconductor chip.

A method for producing a power semiconductor module arrangement includes: arranging at least one semiconductor substrate in a housing, each semiconductor substrate including a first metallization layer attached to a dielectric insulation layer, the housing including a through hole extending through a component of the housing; inserting a fastener into the through hole such that an upper portion of the fastener is not inserted into the through hole; arranging a printed circuit board on the housing; arranging the housing on a mounting surface, the mounting surface comprising a hole, wherein the housing is arranged on the mounting surface such that the through hole is aligned with the hole in the mounting surface; and exerting a force on the printed circuit board such that the force causes the fastener to be pressed into the hole in the mounting surface so as to secure the housing to the mounting surface.

A power module includes an insulating substrate, a heat dissipation member, and an electrode plate. An IGBT and a diode are mounted on the insulating substrate. The heat dissipation member is bonded to the insulating substrate by first solder. The electrode plate is disposed so as to overlap at least a part of the semiconductor element. The main surface of the insulating substrate is curved so as to have a shape convex toward the heat dissipation member. The first solder is thicker at the edges than at the center in a plan view. The semiconductor element is bonded to the electrode plate by second solder.

An electric circuit board includes an insulating substrate, a metal plate, and a brazing material with which the insulating substrate and the metal plate are joined together. The metal plate has a side surface over which recessed portions are scattered. The side surface of the metal plate has lines in regions around the recessed portions. The metal plate is made of copper or a copper alloy. The brazing material has a side surface that is continuous with the side surface of the metal plate. The brazing material is a silver-copper brazing alloy. A ratio of copper on the side surface of the brazing material is higher than a copper component ratio of the silver-copper brazing alloy.

Provided is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device which connects a first bond point and a second bond point by a wire. The method includes: a ball bonding step in which a crimping ball and a ball neck are formed at the first bond point by ball bonding; a thin-walled portion forming step in which a thin-walled portion having a reduced cross-sectional area is formed between the ball neck and the crimping ball; a wire tail separating step in which after a capillary is raised to unroll a wire tail, the capillary is moved in a direction to the second bond point, and the wire tail and the crimping ball are separated in the thin-walled portion; and a wire tail joining step in which the capillary is lowered and a side surface of the separated wire tail is joined onto the crimping ball.

An ultrasonic bonding apparatus includes an ultrasonic bonding machine having an ultrasonic tool for applying an ultrasonic wave to a bonding target member mounted on a fixed object fixed to a jig, while pressing a bonding member against the bonding target member; and a bonding inspection apparatus for inspecting a bonding quality of the bonding target member and the bonding member. The bonding inspection apparatus includes: a bonded-state measuring device for detecting a vibration in the jig or a housing of the ultrasonic bonding machine equipped with the jig, to thereby output a detection signal; and a bonded-state determination device for determining, in a bonding process for the bonding target member and the bonding member, a bonded state between the bonding target member and the bonding member on the basis of the detection signal outputted by the bonded-state measuring device.