Patent ID: 8497552
Filing Date: 2013-07-30
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor buffer layer having a first conductivity type and a buffer layer surface; a semiconductor mesa having the first conductivity type on the buffer layer surface of the semiconductor buffer layer, wherein portions of the buffer layer surface are free of the semiconductor mesa, and wherein the semiconductor mesa includes a mesa surface spaced apart from the buffer layer surface and a mesa sidewall extending between the mesa surface and the buffer layer surface to define a mesa corner between the mesa sidewall and the buffer layer surface; a semiconductor current shifting region having a second conductivity type adjacent a base of the semiconductor mesa, wherein the first and second conductivity types are different conductivity types; and a metal electrode on the mesa surface, wherein the semiconductor mesa is between the metal electrode and the semiconductor buffer layer, and wherein central portions of the semiconductor mesa adjacent the semiconductor buffer layer are free of the semiconductor current shifting region to provide a continuous electrical current path of the first conductivity type from the metal electrode to a surface of the semiconductor buffer layer opposite the semiconductor mesa and/or to provide a continuous electrical current path of the first conductivity type from the surface of the semiconductor buffer layer opposite the semiconductor mesa to the metal electrode.