Sgs-Thomson Microelectronics S.a.

Jacques Mille

Philippe Meunier

Daniel Quessada

A high voltage avalanche diode formed in an integrated circuit includes vertical power components. The integrated circuit is formed in an N-type semiconductor substrate. The rear surface of the substrate corresponds to a first main electrode of the power components, whose second main electrodes correspond to regions formed in P-type wells which are formed in the front surface of the substrate. The diode includes a P-type region wound substantially as a spiral that is formed in the front surface of the substrate; non-overlapping N-type regions formed in equal number in each turn of the spiral and forming with the spiral elemental avalanche diodes; metallizations connecting in series the elemental diodes; and a connection between an end of the spiral and the first electrode.

Protection diode for a vertical semiconductor component

A resistor constituted by a spiral region (4) of a second conductivity type and having a determined doping level, formed on a first surface of a semiconductor substrate (1) of the first conductivity type, having a first terminal on the first surface of the substrate and a second terminal electrically connected to the opposite surface of the substrate through an overdoped region of the same conductivity type as the substrate, more conductive areas (11) being formed at determined places of the spiral.

Growing community of inventors

Aix-en-Provence, France

Jacques Mille