Patent ID: 8013452

Claim:
A semiconductor component comprising: discrete semiconductor device comprising: a silicon substrate having an emitter and a base; the emitter having an emitter contact formed thereon, the emitter contact comprising: a reinforcing system formed directly on the emitter in an open grid structure within an emitter contact window, wherein the open grid structure forms individual grid openings that leave portions of the emitter exposed within the emitter contact window; and a connection metallization formed in between the open grid structure of the reinforcing system and directly on the emitter; wherein the reinforcing system and the connection metallization have different physical properties; the base having a base contact formed thereon, the base contact comprising: a reinforcing system formed directly on the base in an open grid structure within a base contact window, wherein the open grid structure forms individual grid openings that leave portions of the base exposed within the base contact window; and a connection metallization formed in between the open grid structure of the reinforcing system and directly on the base; wherein the reinforcing system and the connection metallization have different physical properties a leadframe having connection pins; and a bond wire connected between the emitter contact and a connection pin of the leadframe; and a bond wire connected between the base contact and a connection pin of the leadframe.