Patent Description:
The vertical power device has a source and a drain region at opposite sides of a semiconductor body. Via a gate electrode, a channel path formation in its body region and, in consequence, the current flow can be controlled. Depending on the specific application, the die with the vertical power device can be co-packaged with other dies, e. with another power device and/or a driver chip. A DC-DC converter can for example comprise two discrete power transistors and the driver chip in a common package.

<CIT> describes a circuit with a main FET and a pull-down FET, which can be integrated in the same die.

<CIT> discloses a vertical FET and a lateral FET in the same die, wherein the lateral FET is used as a variable resistor connecting a field electrode of the vertical FET to its gate or source terminal.

<CIT> and <CIT> disclose vertical FETs having their gate and field electrodes in the trenches.

It is an object of the present application to provide an improved semiconductor die with a vertical power device as well as a method of manufacturing the same.

This object is achieved by the semiconductor die of claim <NUM>. Moreover, it is achieved by the method of claim <NUM>. In addition to the vertical power device, the die comprises a pull-down transistor device, which is switchable between a conducting and a blocking state via a control terminal. It is connected between the gate electrode of the vertical device and a ground terminal and grounds the gate electrode of the vertical device in the conducting state. To trigger or switch the pull-down transistor into the conducting state, a capacitor is provided between its control terminal and a load terminal of the vertical device, namely either its source region or in particular its drain region.

During a switching event of the vertical device, the potential at the respective load terminal rises and charges the capacitor. In consequence, e. in an overshoot event, the control terminal of the pull-down device is also charged. It switches into the conducting state, pulling the gate potential of the vertical device to ground. This can for instance limit a capacitive charging of the gate electrode of the vertical device, which could for example result from a rising drain potential during the overshoot event. By grounding the gate electrode, e. gate oscillations of the power device can be minimized.

The monolithic integration of the vertical and the pull-down device, together with the capacitor coupling these two devices, in the same die can enable a higher order integration, reducing for instance the complexity on package level. in comparison to an external driver for the pull-down device, the integrated capacitor can be a self-controlling setup, triggered by an overshoot on the load terminal, e. drain region. In other words, the pull-down transistor is directly driven by the overshoot event, e. without an external control circuit, which can reduce the number of external connections or interfaces.

In general words, an approach of this application is to combine a vertical power transistor device with a pull-down device and a trigger circuit connecting the control terminal of the pull-down device to the vertical device monolithically in the same die. Particular embodiments and features are presented throughout this disclosure and in the dependent claims. Thereby, the individual features shall be disclosed independently of a specific claim category, the disclosure relates to apparatus and device aspects, but also to method and use aspects. If for instance a device or die manufactured in a specific way is described, this is also a disclosure of a respective manufacturing process, and vice versa.

Source and drain of the vertical device are arranged at opposite sides of the die, in particular the source region at the frontside and the drain region at the backside. Its channel region can extend vertically, namely be arranged laterally aside a gate region formed for example in a vertical gate trench. In particular, however, the channel can extend laterally and, in consequence, be aligned vertically with the gate region, see in detail below. Providing the vertical device with a lateral gate can for instance simplify the integration of the lateral device into the same die, e. allow for a certain process integration ("re-use" of one or more power device process steps for the pull-down device).

The more generic term "load terminal" is used to comprise both, the source and the drain region of the vertical power device. In particular, however, the capacitor is connected between the control terminal of the pull-down device and the drain region of the vertical device. In general, the power device can be used in a so-called high side configuration, namely be connected between the supply voltage and the load, the pull-down device allowing for instance for a slightly increased switching speed or loss reduction (on the other hand, an avalanche of the vertical device could occur at lower currents, which could affect the long-term stability). In particular, the power device is used in a low side configuration, connected between load and ground, wherein the pull-down device can for instance minimize the gate oscillations, see above.

In an embodiment, a first resistor is formed in the die and connected between the capacitor and the control terminal of the pull-down device. in an overshoot event, the control terminal of the pull-down device is charged via the first resistor, for instance when the drain potential rises and charges the capacitor. The first resistor can for example be formed in a metallization layer arranged on a smaller vertical height than a frontside metallization of the vertical device, in the same metallization layer e. a gate redistribution or a gate liner or finger of the vertical device can be formed. The resistance can also be adjusted via polysilicon in a trench, for instance of the second capacitor trench electrode, see below.

In an embodiment, a second resistor is formed in the die and connected between the control terminal of the pull-down device and the ground terminal. During normal operation, the control terminal is grounded via the second resistor. during an overshoot, it gets charged and the pull-down device is switched into the conducting state, before the control terminal reverts back to ground when the charge floats off via the second resistor. Like the first resistor, the second resistor can be formed in the metallization layer and/or in particular via vertical interconnects, e. interconnects to the frontside metallization. The resistance can also be adjusted via polysilicon, e. gate polysilicon, arranged in a trench or hole.

In general, the power device can be a p-channel device having an n-doped body region. In a particular embodiment, it is an n-channel device, the body region being p-doped and the source and the drain region being n-doped. The source region can in particular be connected to the ground terminal of the die, the capacitor being connected between the control terminal of the pull-down device and the drain region of the power device. In other words, the pull-down device electrically connects the gate electrode to the source region of the vertical device, when in the conducting state. Due to the low-side configuration, where source is on ground, the pull-down device grounds the gate electrode.

In an embodiment not covered by the granted claims but belonging to the disclosure nevertheless, the embodiment relating to the capacitor connected to the drain region of the power device, this drain region is arranged at a backside of the die or semiconductor body and forms a first capacitor electrode of the capacitor. In other words, the drain region itself is part of the capacitor, an overshoot being picked up directly. The drain region can in particular extend over the whole backside of the die ("common drain backside"), see in detail below.

In an embodiment not covered by the granted claims but belonging to the disclosure nevertheless, the embodiment relating to the capacitor connected to the drain region, the source regions of the vertical device and of the pull-down device are connected with each other via the frontside metallization of the vertical device. The frontside metallization can be made of copper or in particular aluminum, e. It can basically cover the area of the die, in which the power device is formed. In addition, it can extend above an area where the pull-down device is formed, covering the latter for instance completely. The gate metallization layer mentioned above can be arranged on a smaller vertical height, e. extend at least partially below the frontside metallization, and it can have a smaller vertical thickness.

In an embodiment, not covered by the granted claims but belonging to the disclosure nevertheless, the drain region of the pull-down device is connected to the gate electrode of the vertical device via a gate metallization layer. For the vertical power device, a gate pad of die, e. a bond pad, and/or a gate runner can be formed in the gate metallization layer. The gate runner can, seen in a vertical top view, extend for instance laterally aside the vertical device, e. I-, L-or U-shaped aside or around the cell field. Using the gate metallization layer for the connection between the gate electrode of the vertical device and the pull-down device can allow for a "re-use" of existing layers, enabling for example a process integration.

In an embodiment, the pull-down device is a lateral device, having a source and a drain region formed at the frontside of the semiconductor body. Below the pull-down device, a well region and/or a shielding field electrode region can be formed in the semiconductor body. In particular, seen in a vertical cross-section, at least two shielding field electrode regions can be formed in a respective trench, the well region extending laterally between the trenches. At least a portion of the lateral pull-down device can be arranged above the well region and/or the shielding field electrode region. The well and/or shielding field electrode regions can be arranged vertically between the lateral pull-down device and a common drain backside of the semiconductor die or body.

The well region can be doped with an opposite conductivity type as the source and the drain region of the vertical device, e. be p-doped in case of an n-channel power device. It can in particular be electrically connected to the source region of the vertical device and reduce or compensate the backside potential, in particular common drain potential. The same applies for the shielding field electrode region, which can be provided as an alternative or in particular in combination with the well region. The shielding field electrode or electrodes can be made of polysilicon or metal or both. A common drain backside can be advantageous in view of the manufacturing or packaging effort, also in view of a process integration, wherein the well or shielding field electrode region can allow for a safe and stable operation of the lateral pull-down device (e. without deep trenches for an electrical isolation between the devices).

According to the invention, a second capacitor electrode connected to the control terminal of the pull-down device comprises a trench electrode formed in a capacitor trench extending into the semiconductor body. The electrode can for instance be made of polysilicon or metal or both. The capacitor trench can in particular extend into a lower semiconductor body, in particular into a lower epitaxial layer, in which for instance the drift region of the vertical device can be formed (in another area of the die). In addition to the capacitor electrode, e. a capacitor dielectric can be formed in the capacitor trench, and the capacity can for instance be tuned via the capacitor electrode depth and/or width, and also via the dielectric properties. The capacitor trench electrode or electrodes can form the capacitor together with a backside of the die, in particular together with the drain region (see above). In case of a common drain backside, the capacitor trench can be arranged outside an area of the vertical device, e. laterally aside the pull-down device and/or the vertical device. In general, e. as an alternative to the capacitor trench electrodes, a metal plate on the frontside could pick up the backside potential which can reach up to the frontside.

In an embodiment, the vertical power device comprises a field electrode region formed in a field electrode trench extending into the drift region. The field electrode region comprises a field electrode, e. made of polysilicon or metal or both, and a field dielectric separating the field electrode from the drift region. Seen in a vertical top view, the field electrode trench can for instance have a longitudinal extension, a plurality trenches being for instance arranged as parallel stripes. Alternatively, the field electrode trench can be a needle trench, wherein needle-shaped and longitudinal trenches can also be combined across the die. Depending on the application, the field electrode can for instance be connected to the source region, e. to the frontside metallization.

The field electrode trench of the vertical device and the capacitor trench, and/or the field electrode trench of the vertical device and the shielding field electrode trench, can in particular be etched simultaneously, allowing for an integration of process steps. Alternatively or in addition, the respective field dielectrics and/or electrodes can be formed simultaneously. The field electrode trench and the capacitor electrode trench can in particular have the same vertical depth, alternatively or in addition the shielding field electrode trench can be deeper than the field electrode trench.

In an embodiment, the capacitor electrode is contacted via a vertical interconnect intersecting an insulating layer formed on the frontside of semiconductor body. The vertical interconnect can be made of metal, e. In particular, a plurality of trench electrodes can be provided, each formed in a respective capacitor trench and contacted by a respective vertical interconnect. A metallization layer formed on the insulating layer can connect the vertical interconnects and, in consequence, the capacitor trench electrodes with each other, in particular a gate metallization layer (see above). The vertical interconnects can form the first resistor, see above. Seen in a vertical top view, a metallization plate can be formed above the capacity trenches, one or a plurality of gate fingers being for instance formed on one lateral side of the plate and extending above the pull-down device cell field, contacting the control electrode or electrodes of the pull-down device.

In an embodiment, the semiconductor body comprises a lower semiconductor body and an upper epitaxial layer deposited onto the lower semiconductor body. Therein, the trenches, e. field electrode and/or capacitor and/or shielding field electrode trenches, are etched into the lower semiconductor body. In particular, the trenches solely extend in the lower semiconductor body, the upper epitaxial layer being for instance deposited after the trench etch and fill. The lower semiconductor body can for instance comprise a semiconductor substrate, e. silicon substrate, and a lower epitaxial layer deposited onto the substrate, wherein the trenches can particularly be formed solely in the lower epitaxial layer.

In the upper epitaxial layer, e. above the shielding field electrode trench and the well region, the lateral device can be formed. In particular, the source, body and drain region of the lateral device can be formed by respective implantations in the upper epitaxial layer. The lateral gate region can be formed subsequently on the upper epitaxial layer, e. by depositing and structuring a field dielectric layer and depositing and structuring a field electrode layer.

In an embodiment, the vertical power device comprises a lateral channel and gate region, wherein the former can in particular be formed in the upper epitaxial layer. Due to the lateral design, the gate and the channel region are vertically aligned, in particular the gate region above the channel region. Particularly, at least a portion of the lateral channel and gate region can be arranged above a field electrode region of the vertical device, seen in a vertical cross-section e. a portion of at least <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>% or <NUM>%, in particular the whole channel region can be vertically aligned with the field electrode region. As illustrated in the exemplary embodiments in detail, the vertical device can in particular comprise a first gate region formed above a first side of the field electrode region or trench, and it can comprise a second gate region formed above a second side thereof, the first side lying at a first sidewall and the second side lying at a laterally opposite second sidewall of the field electrode trench of the vertical device, seen in a vertical cross-section.

Generally, the lateral channel and gate region of the vertical device, and in particular the at least proportional arrangement above the field electrode trench, can allow for an efficient area use. With a vertical channel, which can be an alternative in general, the possibilities for a further lateral shrink can be limited, e. because the field electrode trench itself requires a certain lateral width. This limitation can be circumvented at least to some extent by arranging the channel region of the vertical power device above the field electrode trench. Providing not only the lateral but also the vertical transistor device with a lateral gate region can also allow for a certain process integration, e. a simultaneous formation of the gate dielectrics and/or the gate electrodes of the vertical and the lateral device.

As mentioned, the application relates also to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor die disclosed above comprising the steps:.

Regarding further possible process details, reference is made to the description above and to the exemplary embodiments. For instance, the first and/or second resistor can be formed in addition. Step iii) can in particular comprise a plurality of sub steps, e. the drain formation at the backside (first capacitor electrode) and the capacitor trench and trench electrode formation (second capacitor electrode). Thereby, the field electrode and/or shielding field electrode trenches can be etched and/or filled simultaneously. Steps i) and ii) can also comprise simultaneous sub steps, e. a gate dielectric and/or gate electrode formation in case of the vertical power device with the lateral channel.

Below, the semiconductor die with the vertical and the pull-down devices and the manufacturing are explained in further detail by means of exemplary embodiments. Therein, the individual features can also be relevant in a different combination.

The circuit diagram of <FIG> illustrates a vertical power device <NUM> having two load terminals <NUM>, one being its source region <NUM> and the other one its drain region <NUM>. In the low side configuration shown, the drain region <NUM> is connected to a load <NUM> and the source region <NUM> is connected to a ground terminal <NUM>. A gate electrode <NUM> of the power device <NUM> is controllable via a gate terminal <NUM>.

Integrated in the same die with the power device <NUM>, a pull-down transistor device <NUM> and a capacitor C are formed. The latter comprises a first capacitor electrode <NUM> connected to a load terminal <NUM> of the vertical power device <NUM>, namely to the drain region <NUM> in this example. A second capacitor electrode <NUM> is connected to a control terminal <NUM> of the pull-down device <NUM>. In case of an overshoot event, namely an increasing potential at the drain region <NUM>, the capacitor C is charged. In consequence, the control terminal <NUM> of the pull-down device is charged as well, switching the pull-down device <NUM> into the conducting state. It consequently connects the gate electrode <NUM> of the vertical power device <NUM> to the ground terminal <NUM>, which can for instance limit gate oscillations (the connection is indicated by the reference numerals <NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>, <NUM>, see <FIG> and <FIG> for comparison).

The control terminal <NUM> of the pull-down device <NUM> is discharged via a second resistor R<NUM>, it is grounded in steady-state operation. Consequently, the pull-down device <NUM> is switched to the blocking state again, and the gate electrode <NUM> of the vertical power device <NUM> is no longer grounded.

<FIG> shows a sectional view of a semiconductor die <NUM>, into which the vertical power transistor device <NUM> and the pull-down transistor device <NUM> are integrated. The vertical power device <NUM> has a source region <NUM> formed at a frontside 10a and a drain region <NUM> formed at a backside 10b of a semiconductor body <NUM>. Though being a vertical device with the source and the drain region <NUM>, <NUM> at opposite sides 10a, b, a channel region <NUM> formed in a body region <NUM> of the vertical power device <NUM> extends laterally. For an efficient area use, it is arranged vertically above a field electrode region <NUM> formed in a field electrode trench <NUM>. The latter extends into a drift region <NUM> and comprises a field electrode <NUM> and a field dielectric <NUM>.

On the frontside 10a of the semiconductor body <NUM>, an insulating layer <NUM> is arranged, e. a silicon oxide layer. It is intersected by a contact <NUM> of the vertical device <NUM>, which is arranged vertically above the field electrode <NUM>. The contact <NUM> electrically connects the source region <NUM> to a frontside metallization (not shown). On the frontside 10a, covered by the insulating layer <NUM>, a gate region <NUM> is arranged, it comprises a gate electrode <NUM> and a gate dielectric <NUM>.

In addition to the vertical device <NUM>, the pull-down device <NUM> is formed in the die <NUM>, namely as a lateral device. It has a body region <NUM> with a lateral channel region <NUM>, as well as a source and a drain region <NUM>, <NUM>, see <FIG> in detail. Due to the lateral design, the source and the drain region <NUM>, <NUM> are both arranged at the frontside 10a of the semiconductor body <NUM>. They are formed in an upper epitaxial layer <NUM>, in which also the source region <NUM> and body region <NUM> of the vertical device <NUM> are arranged.

Below the pull-down device <NUM>, in a lower semiconductor body <NUM>, <NUM>, in particular in a lower epitaxial layer <NUM>, a shielding field electrode region <NUM> with a shielding field electrode <NUM> is formed in a shielding field electrode trench <NUM>. The shielding field electrode or electrodes <NUM> shield the pull-down device <NUM> with respect to the backside 10b, namely with respect to the backside drain potential, which can enable a common drain backside. The shielding field electrodes <NUM> can be contacted outside the sectional plane shown, e. outside the cell of the pull-down device (see <FIG>). Between the shielding field electrode trenches <NUM>, a well region <NUM> is arranged, which is electrically connected to the vertical power FET source, see in detail <FIG>. In addition, an additional implant region <NUM> can be formed below the well region <NUM> to optimize the breakdown voltage.

The shielding field electrode trenches <NUM> have a larger lateral width than the field electrode trenches <NUM> of the vertical device2. In consequence, since these trenches <NUM>, <NUM> are in particular etched simultaneously, the shielding field electrode trenches <NUM> extend deeper into the semiconductor body <NUM>, in particular the lower epitaxial layer <NUM>. To shorten a vertical current path in the drift region <NUM> of the vertical device <NUM>, a bridge implant region <NUM> is formed below its field electrode trenches <NUM>, namely between the drift region <NUM> and the drain region <NUM>. It is of the same conductivity type as the drift region <NUM>, n-type in this example, but has a higher doping concentration.

<FIG> illustrates the pull-down device <NUM> in a detailed view. Above the body region <NUM> with the channel region <NUM>, formed between the source and drain region <NUM>, <NUM>, a lateral gate region <NUM> is arranged. It comprises a lateral gate electrode <NUM> and a lateral gate dielectric <NUM>. The gate region <NUM> is covered by the insulating layer <NUM>, on which a metallization layer <NUM> is shown partly with dashed lines. On the metallization layer <NUM>, an additional insulating layer <NUM> is arranged, on which a frontside metallization <NUM> is formed. Above the vertical power device <NUM>, the frontside metallization <NUM> forms a source plate (see below). In the area of the lateral device, it is connected to the source region <NUM> of the pull-down device <NUM> via a source contact <NUM>. The latter intersects the insulating layers <NUM>, <NUM>, the source region <NUM> being consequently connected to the source region <NUM> of the vertical device <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>.

In addition, the source contact <NUM> contacts the well region <NUM> via a vertical implant region <NUM>, the well region <NUM> being connected to the power device source in consequence. In the example shown, the pull-down device <NUM> is an n-channel device, the source and the drain region <NUM>, <NUM> being n-doped, and the body region <NUM> being p-doped. The vertical implant region <NUM> and the well region <NUM> are also p-doped.

The drain region <NUM> is connected via a drain contact <NUM>, which extends through the insulating layer <NUM>. The drain contact <NUM> is contacted via a drain metallization <NUM> formed in the metallization layer <NUM> and connected to the gate electrode <NUM> of the vertical device outside the drawing plane, see <FIG>. The gate electrode <NUM> of the pull-down device <NUM>, forming its control terminal <NUM>, is connected to the second capacitor electrode <NUM>, namely is coupled to the drain region <NUM> of the vertical device <NUM> via the resistor R<NUM> and the capacitor C.

<FIG> illustrates the capacitor, namely the first and the second capacitor electrode <NUM>, <NUM>. The first capacitor electrode <NUM> is formed by the drain region <NUM>, which extends over the whole backside of the die (common drain backside). The second capacitor electrode <NUM> comprises trench electrodes <NUM> formed in a capacitor trench <NUM> respectively. The capacitor trenches <NUM> are etched into the lower epitaxial layer <NUM>, the upper epitaxial layer <NUM> is formed subsequently above. In this region of the die, the lower epitaxial layer <NUM> can for instance be doped as in the region of the power device, e. like the drift region. Via vertical interconnects <NUM> extending through the insulating layer <NUM>, the trench electrodes <NUM> are connected to the metallization layer <NUM>. There, a wiring to the gate electrode <NUM> of the pull-down device <NUM> is realised (which is different from the drain metallization <NUM> realised in the same metallization layer <NUM>). In case of an overshoot event, the common drain backside is charged, which is picked up by the trench electrodes <NUM>, such that the pull-down device <NUM> is switched into the conducting state and grounds the gate of the power device. Via highly doped contact regions <NUM>, the interconnects <NUM> are connected to embedded regions <NUM> of the same conductivity type like the body region <NUM>, p-type in the example here, and connected to the latter. Alternatively, the interconnect <NUM> could extend through an isolator.

<FIG> illustrates the wiring and connection between the devices <NUM>, <NUM> in a top view. In the layer of the frontside metallization <NUM>, two source plates <NUM> are formed. Laterally in between, but at a smaller vertical height, a gate runner <NUM> extends, which is formed in the metallization layer <NUM>. All structures shown cross-hatched are formed in the same layer, the source plates <NUM> lying above and separated via the second insulating layer <NUM> (not shown here). The capacitor metallization <NUM> is formed above the capacitor trenches <NUM> (see <FIG>), via fingers <NUM> it contacts the gate electrode or electrodes <NUM> of the lateral devices <NUM>.

The small rectangles below the pull-down device <NUM> indicate field electrode contacts <NUM>, which connect the shielding field electrodes to the frontside metallization <NUM>, namely to source potential. Via the first and the second resistor R<NUM> and R<NUM> shown in <FIG>, e. the required timing for the charging and discharging of the control terminal <NUM> of the pull-down device <NUM> can be adjusted. The resistance of R<NUM> can for instance be influenced by the capacitor metallization <NUM> and the fingers <NUM>, and also via the vertical interconnects <NUM> and the resistance of the trench electrode <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The second resistor R<NUM> can for instance be adjusted via vertical trenches or holes extending through the additional insulating layer <NUM> and connecting the capacitor metallization <NUM> and/or the fingers <NUM> to the frontside metallization <NUM>, the trenches or holes being for instance filled with polysilicon to achieve a required resistance (which will depend on the application and the capacity and can for instance lie in a range of <NUM> - <NUM>Ω).

Laterally in between, respectively, the source contact <NUM> is shown (not cross-hatched, with horizontal stripes), connecting the source region <NUM> to the source plate <NUM>. Moreover, the drain metallization <NUM> of the pull-down device <NUM> is shown, connecting the pull-down device <NUM> to the gate runner <NUM>. When the pull-down device <NUM> is in the conducting state, it connects the gate runner <NUM>, namely the gate of the vertical device, to the source plate <NUM>, namely to ground potential. For the purpose of illustration, a gate pad <NUM> is shown additionally.

<FIG> illustrates a section through the field electrode contacts <NUM> shown in <FIG>. They extend through the first and the second insulating layer <NUM>, <NUM>, connecting the shielding field electrodes <NUM> to the frontside metallization <NUM>, namely to source potential. Together with the well regions <NUM>, which are contacted inside the cell field of the pull-down device <NUM> (see <FIG> or <FIG>), they shield the lateral device from the backside potential of the drain region <NUM>. Via highly doped contact regions <NUM>, the field electrode contacts <NUM> are connected to embedded regions <NUM> (p-type in the example here) and in consequence to the well regions <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate some manufacturing steps that can apply for both, the vertical and the lateral device. In <FIG>, the respective trench <NUM>, <NUM> has been etched into the lower epitaxial layer <NUM>, and the respective field electrode region <NUM>, <NUM> has been formed. Then, the upper epitaxial layer <NUM> is deposited, covering the respective trench <NUM>, <NUM>, see <FIG>. Subsequently, a dielectric layer <NUM> is deposited (<FIG>), followed by a deposition of an electrically conductive layer <NUM>. By structuring the latter, e. prior to the deposition by a mask or in a subsequent etch back step, the gate electrode or electrodes can be defined. The dielectric layer <NUM> defines the gate dielectric, it can be removed from other locations of the die in an etch back step after the gate electrode formation. Implantations forming the different regions in the upper epitaxial layer <NUM> can be performed in between steps 7b and c and/or after the gate electrode formation. The upper epitaxial layer <NUM> can be doped in situ or in particular after its deposition to form the regions required for the respective device.

Claim 1:
A semiconductor die (<NUM>), comprising
a vertical power transistor device (<NUM>),
the vertical power transistor device (<NUM>) having a source region (<NUM>) and a drain region (<NUM>) at opposite sides (<NUM>.a, <NUM>.b) of a semiconductor body (<NUM>), forming a load terminal (<NUM>) respectively, and a gate electrode (<NUM>);
a pull-down transistor device (<NUM>),
the pull-down transistor device (<NUM>) having a control terminal (<NUM>) and being switchable between a conducting state and a blocking state via the control terminal (<NUM>), and
a capacitor (C),
wherein the pull-down transistor device (<NUM>) is connected between the gate electrode (<NUM>) of the vertical power transistor device (<NUM>) and a ground terminal (<NUM>) and connects the gate electrode (<NUM>) to the ground terminal (<NUM>) in the conducting state, and wherein the capacitor (C) is connected between one of the load terminals (<NUM>) of the vertical power transistor device (<NUM>) and the control terminal (<NUM>) of the pull-down transistor device (<NUM>) and capacitively couples the one load terminal (<NUM>) to the control terminal (<NUM>),
characterized in that a second capacitor electrode (<NUM>) of the capacitor (C), which is connected to the control terminal (<NUM>) of the pull-down transistor device (<NUM>), comprises a trench electrode (<NUM>) formed in a capacitor trench (<NUM>) in the semiconductor body (<NUM>).