Patent ID: 9000550
Filing Date: 2015-04-07
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A semiconductor component, comprising: a first semiconductor material of a first conductivity type having first and second major surfaces, wherein the first semiconductor material comprises a semiconductor substrate of the first conductivity type and a first dopant concentration having an epitaxial layer formed thereon, the epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type and a second dopant concentration, wherein the second dopant concentration is less than the first dopant concentration; a first trench extending from the first major surface into a first portion of the first semiconductor material, the at least one first trench having a sidewall and a floor, wherein a first portion of the first semiconductor material serves as the sidewall and the floor; a second trench extending from the first major surface into a second portion of the first semiconductor material, the second trench having a floor and first and second opposing sidewalls, wherein the second sidewall of the first trench is spaced apart from the first sidewall of the second trench by a first lateral distance, and wherein a first figure of merit is a product of the first lateral distance and the second dopant concentration; a layer of intrinsic semiconductor material adjacent to and in direct contact with the sidewall and the floor of the first trench and in direct contact with the sidewall and the floor of the second trench, wherein the intrinsic semiconductor material is a separate material from the first semiconductor material and the sidewalls and the floors of the first trench and the second trench are not formed by the layer of intrinsic material, and wherein a first portion of the layer of intrinsic semiconductor material balances charge in a first direction and a second portion of the layer of intrinsic semiconductor material balances charge in a second direction; a semiconductor layer on the layer of intrinsic material, wherein a first portion of the semiconductor layer that is adjacent to the sidewall serves to balance charge in the first direction and the second portion of the semiconductor layer serves to balance charge in a second direction; and an electrically conductive material in direct contact with the first semiconductor material and the layer of intrinsic semiconductor material; further including a capacitance modulation structure adjacent to the sidewall and the floor of the at least one trench, wherein the layer of intrinsic semiconductor material is between the capacitance modulation structure and the first semiconductor material; wherein the capacitance modulation structure comprises an air gap; further including a third semiconductor material adjacent to the second semiconductor material, wherein the third semiconductor material cooperates with the second semiconductor material to balance the charge with the second semiconductor material and wherein the second semiconductor material is of the first conductivity type and the third semiconductor material is of a second conductivity type; and wherein a dopant concentration of the second and third semiconductor materials is at least ten times greater than a dopant concentration of the first semiconductor material.