Patent ID: 7154177

Claim:
A semiconductor device with an edge termination structure, comprising: a semiconductor body having opposed first and second surfaces and an edge termination region at the periphery of the semiconductor body; a plurality of edge termination trenches extending across the edge termination region of the semiconductor body and vertically from the first surface towards the second surface of the semiconductor body through a region of a first conductivity type; conductive material extending vertically at the edge termination trenches for depleting the region of a first conductivity type between adjacent trenches; insulating material extending vertically at the edge termination trenches; surface implants of second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type extending parallel to and along both sides of the edge termination trenches adjacent to the first surface; and an electrically conductive path associated with each edge termination trench forming an electrical connection between the surface implants on both sides of the edge termination trench.