Patent ID: 8288220

Claim:
A method of forming a semiconductor device, the method comprising: providing a terminal region of a first conductivity type within a semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type; providing a well region of a second conductivity type within the semiconductor layer wherein the well region is adjacent at least a portion of the terminal region within the semiconductor layer, wherein a depth of the well region into the semiconductor layer is greater than a depth of the terminal region into the semiconductor layer, and wherein the first and second conductivity types are different; providing an epitaxial semiconductor layer on the semiconductor layer, wherein the epitaxial semiconductor layer has opposing first and second surfaces, wherein the first surface is adjacent the semiconductor layer, and wherein the second surface is remote from the semiconductor layer so that the first surface is between the second surface and the semiconductor layer; providing a terminal contact region of the first conductivity type in the epitaxial semiconductor layer, wherein the terminal contact region provides electrical contact with the terminal region; and providing an ohmic contact on the terminal contact region; wherein an outer edge of the terminal contact region adjacent the second surface of the epitaxial semiconductor layer that is remote from the semiconductor layer is set back from an outer edge of the terminal region around a perimeter of the terminal region in a direction parallel to a surface of the semiconductor layer.