Patent ID: 6403988
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A semiconductor device having reverse conducting faculty comprising:a switching element including a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type having first and second major surfaces, a first main electrode region of the first conductivity type formed in the first major surface of the semiconductor substrate, a first main electrode connected to said first main electrode region, a second main electrode region of a second conductivity type formed in the second major surface of the semiconductor substrate, a second main electrode connected to said second main electrode region, a control electrode region of the second conductivity type formed in the first major surface of the semiconductor substrate for controlling a current passing between the first and second main electrode regions, and a control electrode connected to said control region; and a series arrangement of a plurality of diodes connected between said first main electrode and said second main electrode in an opposite polarity to a current flowing between said first main electrode region and said second main electrode region, each of said plurality of diodes having a breakdown voltage lower than a breakdown voltage of said switching element.