Patent ID: 7884395
Filing Date: 2011-02-08
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A semiconductor apparatus comprising: a first silicon layer of a first conductivity type; a second silicon layer provided on the first silicon layer and having a higher resistance than the first silicon layer; a third silicon layer of a second conductivity type provided on the second silicon layer; a first nitride semiconductor layer provided on the third silicon layer; a second nitride semiconductor layer provided on the first nitride semiconductor layer and having a larger bandgap than the first nitride semiconductor layer; a first main electrode being in contact with a surface of the second nitride semiconductor layer and the third silicon layer; a second main electrode being in contact with the surface of the second nitride semiconductor layer and connected to the first silicon layer; and a control electrode provided between the first main electrode and the second main electrode on the second nitride semiconductor layer, a diode including the first silicon layer, the second silicon layer, and the third silicon layer being connected in parallel between the first main electrode and the second main electrode of a transistor including the first nitride semiconductor layer, the second nitride semiconductor layer, the first main electrode, the second main electrode, and the control electrode, a breakdown voltage of the diode being lower than a breakdown voltage of the transistor between the second main electrode and the control electrode.