Patent ID: 7329569

Claim:
A method of forming a semiconductor device, the method comprising: forming a semiconductor structure on a substrate, the semiconductor structure defining a mesa having a mesa surface opposite the substrate and mesa sidewalls between the mesa surface and the substrate wherein the mesa comprises a single crystal semiconductor mesa; forming a first insulating passivation layer on at least portions of the mesa sidewalls and on the substrate adjacent the mesa sidewalls wherein at least a portion of the mesa surface is free of the first insulating passivation layer and wherein the first insulating passivation layer comprises a first insulating material; and forming a second insulating passivation layer on the first insulating passivation layer wherein at least a portion of the mesa surface is free of the second insulating passivation layer, wherein the second insulating passivation layer comprises a second insulating material different than the first insulating material, wherein the first insulating passivation layer is between the second insulating passivation layer and the substrate in a direction perpendicular with respect to a surface of the substrate, wherein the first insulating passivation layer is at least as thick as the mesa, and wherein the semiconductor structure defines a current path through the mesa between the mesa surface and portions of the mesa opposite the mesa surface and wherein the current path extends beyond the mesa sidewalls opposite the mesa surface.