A semiconductor device is manufactured in a semiconductor body by forming an initial mask on a process surface of a semiconductor layer, openings in the mask exposing a part of the semiconductor layer in alignment structure and super-junction structure areas. A recess structure is formed in the semiconductor layer at portions of the process surface that are exposed by the openings, the recess structure in the alignment structure area constituting an initial alignment structure. Dopants are introduced into the semiconductor layer through portions of the process surface that are exposed by the openings of the initial mask. The dopants introduced in the super-junction area constitute part of a super-junction structure. A thickness of the semiconductor layer is increased by growing an epitaxial layer. The initial alignment structure is imaged into the process surface. Dopants are introduced into the semiconductor layer by using a mask aligned to the initial alignment structure.

A semiconductor device includes: a first semiconductor layer formed at a surface of a semiconductor substrate; an insulating layer formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate; a first electrode that is electrically connected to the first semiconductor layer; a second semiconductor layer formed to a surface of a region, which is adjacent to the first semiconductor layer; a second electrode formed above a part of the second semiconductor layer; a third semiconductor layer adjacent to the second semiconductor layer in the one direction; a fourth semiconductor layer formed to a surface of a region, which is adjacent to the third semiconductor layer in the one direction; a third electrode that is electrically connected to the fourth semiconductor layer; and a conductor that is separated from the second electrode in the one direction and is kept at the same potential as the first electrode.

A semiconductor device includes a transistor cell area with active transistor cells including source zones electrically connected to a first load electrode. The source zones have a first conductivity type. An edge area surrounds the active transistor cell area and includes an edge construction that includes straight sections and a corner section connecting neighboring straight sections. A second dopant ratio between a mean concentration of dopants of a complementary second conductivity type and a mean concentration of dopants of the first conductivity type in the corner section exceeds a first dopant ratio between a mean concentration of dopants of the second conductivity type and a mean concentration of dopants of the first conductivity type in the straight sections by at least 0.2% in relation to the first dopant ratio.

Semiconductor devices are formed using a thin epitaxial layer (nanotube) formed on sidewalls of dielectric-filled trenches. In one embodiment, a method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first epitaxial layer on sidewalls of trenches and forming second epitaxial layer on the first epitaxial layer where charges in the doped regions along the sidewalls of the first and second trenches achieve charge balance in operation. In another embodiment, the semiconductor device includes a termination structure including an array of termination cells.

A VDMOS includes a substrate; an epitaxial layer; first and second trenches defined in the epitaxial layer; a shielding gate and a control gate formed in the trenches; a body region formed at the epitaxial layer and between the first and second trenches; a N+ source region formed at the body region; a distinct doping region formed in the epitaxial layer underneath the body region, extending towards bottoms of the trenches; a channel defined between the N+ source region and epitaxial layer adjacent to the trenches; an insulating layer defining a contact hole extending into the body region and the first trench; a P+ body pickup region formed in the body region corresponding to the contact hole; and a metal layer haying a butting contact filled in the contact hole, connecting the N+ source region, P+ body pickup region, and control gate and/or shielding gate in the first trench.

According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a plurality of first semiconductor regions of a first conductivity type, a plurality of second semiconductor regions of a second conductivity type, a third semiconductor region of the second conductivity type, a fourth semiconductor region of the second conductivity type, a fifth semiconductor region of the first conductivity type, and a gate electrode. An impurity concentration of the second conductivity type of the third semiconductor region is higher than an impurity concentration of the second conductivity type of the second semiconductor regions. The fourth semiconductor region is provided on the first semiconductor regions. The gate electrode provided on the fourth semiconductor region with a gate insulation layer interposed. The gate electrode extends in a third direction. The third direction intersects the first direction. The third direction is parallel to a plane including the first direction and the second direction.

According to various embodiments, a method may include: structuring a semiconductor region to form a structured surface of the semiconductor region; disposing a dopant in the semiconductor region; and activating the dopant at least partially by irradiating the structured surface at least partially with electromagnetic radiation having at least one discrete wavelength to heat the semiconductor region at least partially.

Embodiments of semiconductor devices and driver circuits include a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type, an isolation structure (including a sinker region and a buried layer), an active device within a portion of the substrate contained by the isolation structure, and a resistor circuit. The buried layer is positioned below the top substrate surface, and has a second conductivity type. The sinker region extends between the top substrate surface and the buried layer, and has the second conductivity type. The active device includes a body region, which is separated from the isolation structure by a portion of the semiconductor substrate having the first conductivity type. The resistor circuit is connected between the isolation structure and the body region. The resistor circuit may include one or more resistor networks and, optionally, a Schottky diode and/or one or more PN diode(s) in series and/or parallel with the resistor network(s).

A silicon carbide semiconductor device, including a silicon carbide semiconductor structure, an insulated gate structure including a gate insulating film contacting the silicon carbide semiconductor structure and a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating film, an interlayer insulating film covering the insulated gate structure, a metal layer provided on the interlayer insulating film for absorbing or blocking hydrogen, and a main electrode provided on the metal layer and electrically connected to the silicon carbide semiconductor structure.

According to various embodiments, a method may include: structuring a semiconductor region to form a structured surface of the semiconductor region; disposing a dopant in the semiconductor region; and activating the dopant at least partially by irradiating the structured surface at least partially with electromagnetic radiation having at least one discrete wavelength to heat the semiconductor region at least partially.