Patent ID: 8482028

Claim:
A semiconductor device comprising: a first semiconductor layer of a first conductive type; a periodic array structure having a second semiconductor layer of a first conductive type and a third semiconductor layer of a second conductive type periodically arrayed on the first semiconductor layer in a direction parallel with a major surface of the first semiconductor layer; a fourth semiconductor layer of a second conductive type provided on the third semiconductor layer; a fifth semiconductor layer of a first conductive type selectively provided on a surface of the fourth semiconductor layer; a control electrode facing a part of the second semiconductor layer, the fourth semiconductor layer, and a part of the fifth semiconductor layer via an insulating film; a sixth semiconductor layer of a first conductive type provided on the first semiconductor layer on an outer side of the periodic array structure, a concentration of an impurity contained in the sixth semiconductor layer being lower than a concentration of an impurity contained in the periodic array structure; a first major electrode electrically connected to the first semiconductor layer; and a second major electrode connected to the fourth semiconductor layer and the fifth semiconductor layer, the second semiconductor layer and the third semiconductor layer being disposed in dots on the first semiconductor layer, a periodic structure in the outermost peripheral portion of the periodic array structure being different from a periodic structure of the periodic array structure in a portion other than the outermost peripheral portion.