Patent ID: 7319263
Filing Date: 2008-01-15
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A semiconductor component comprising: a first semiconductor layer; a second semiconductor layer positioned adjacent the first semiconductor layer, having a doping opposite the first semiconductor layer; insulator structures provided in the second semiconductor layer and dividing the second semiconductor layer into a plurality of functional element semiconductor regions insulated from one another, where a semiconductor functional element is formed, at least in part, from one of the functional element semiconductor regions; and a switching element integrated as a field effect transistor in the semiconductor component between two functional element semiconductor regions and electrically connected between base and emitter terminals of a NPN/PNP structure which is formed by a respective part of the two functional element semiconductor regions and an intermediate part of the first semiconductor layer; said field effect transistor comprising: a source region provided within one of said insulator structures between said two functional element semiconductor regions; a gate region; a body region; and a drain region; the field effect transistor being driven actively when a negative voltage is applied to the drain region thereof, wherein the gate region induces a channel in the body region, which controls a current flowing from the source region through said one insulator structure to the adjoining functional element semiconductor to reduce a base/emitter voltage and whereby the parasitic flow of a current through that NPN/PNP structure.