Patent ID: 8021947

Claim:
A method of forming a semiconductor device comprising the steps of: providing a semiconductor substrate having a major surface; forming a dielectric stack overlying the major surface, wherein the dielectric stack comprises at least two layers of different material, and wherein the dielectric stack has a first surface; forming first openings in the dielectric stack; forming trenches in the semiconductor substrate through the first openings to a first depth; forming insulated shield electrodes in lower portions of the trenches; forming insulated gate electrodes in the trenches above the insulated shield electrodes, wherein the insulated gate electrodes comprise a conductive gate material having upper surfaces in proximity to the first surface; removing at least portions of the dielectric stack thereby leaving portions of the conductive gate material extending above the major surface; forming first spacers adjacent to the portions of the conductive gate material, wherein segments of the major surface are exposed between adjacent trenches; removing portions of conductive gate material and portions of the semiconductor substrate self-aligned to the first spacers, wherein the removing step forms first recessed portions overlying the conductive gate material, and second recessed portions within the semiconductor substrate; forming second spacers in the first and second recessed portions; forming enhancement regions in the first and second recessed portions self-aligned to the second spacers; forming insulating regions overlying the first recessed portions; and forming a first conductive layer coupled to the semiconductor substrate through the second recessed portions.