(19)

(11)

EP 0 970 526 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 26.08.1999 (43) Date of publication: 12.01.2000 Bulletin 2000/02 (21) Application number: 98957086.6 (22) Date of filing: 14.12.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H01L 29/78, H01L 29/423 (86) International application number: PCT/IB9802/027 (87) International publication number: WO 9933/119 (01.07.1999 Gazette 1999/26)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR GB IT NL (30) Priority: 19.12.1997 GB 9726829 (71) Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. 5621 BA Eindhoven (NL)	(72) Inventor: CUTTER, John, Roger NL-5656 AA Eindhoven (NL) (74) Representative: Stevens, Brian Thomas  Philips Electronics UK LimitedPatents and Trade Marks DepartmentCross Oak Lane Redhill, Surrey RH1 5HA Redhill, Surrey RH1 5HA (GB)