Patent ID: 7285470

Claim:
A method for the production of a bipolar semiconductor component, especially a bipolar transistor, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first semiconductor region of a first conduction type above a semiconductor substrate; (b) providing a terminal region of the first conduction type above the semiconductor region; (c) providing a first insulation region above the terminal region; (d) forming a window in the first insulation region and terminal region for the purpose of at least partly uncovering the semiconductor region; (e) providing a sidewall spacer in the window for the purpose of insulating the terminal region; (f) providing a second semiconductor region of the second conduction type in such a way that it covers the sidewall spacer and a part of the surrounding first insulation region; (g) removing the surrounding first insulation region and the sidewall spacer for the purpose of forming a gap between the terminal region and the second semiconductor region; and (h) closing off the gap with a second insulation region whilst simultaneously providing a gas or vacuum atmosphere in the closed-off gap.