Patent ID: 6495421
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor material with a zone having p-conductivity type and n-conductivity type regions with dopant concentrations and dimensions such that, when the n and p-conductivity type regions are depleted of free charge carriers the space charge per unit area of the regions balances at least to the extent that the resulting electric field is lower than that at which avalanche breakdown would occur in the area, the method comprising the steps of:(a) providing a semiconductor body having first and second opposed major surfaces and having adjacent the first major surface a first semiconductor region of one conductivity type; (b) providing on the first major surface a mask having at least one mask area masking a part of the first region; (c) removing at least a part of the unmasked first region to provide at least one opening in the first region; (d) selectively depositing a first layer of doped epitaxial semiconductor material of the opposite conductivity type on the walls of the at least one opening so as to fill the at least one opening and to provide at least a second region of the opposite conductivity type; (e) selectively depositing epitaxial semiconductor material of the one conductivity type into the at least one opening so as to fill the opening; and (f) removing material from the first major surface using at least a part of the mask as an etch stop layer so as to provide a planar surface so that the at least one opening contains regions of the opposite conductivity type separated by a region of the one conductivity type.