Patent ID: 6376880
Filing Date: 2002-04-23
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A lateral bipolar transistor, comprising:a semiconductor layer overlying an electrically insulating material; and an insulating layer overlying a central portion of the semiconductor layer, wherein a contact hole resides therein, and wherein a conductive material overlies the insulating layer and makes electrical contact with the semiconductor layer through the contact hole, thereby forming a base contact; the semiconductor layer having a first conductivity type in a central region substantially underlying the conductive material, and having a second conductivity type in regions adjacent the central region, wherein the first region forms a base region and the adjacent regions form a collector region and an emitter region, respectively, wherein the base region has a length or a thickness defined by a distance between the collector region and the emitter region and a width extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the base region length, and wherein the base contact extends along substantially the entire width of the base region, thereby minimizing a base resistance of the lateral bipolar transistor.