Patent ID: 7851830

Claim:
A multigate Schottky diode comprising: an electrically conducting active semiconductor region that forms part of the semiconductor substrate, such that an electrically insulating substrate region splits the active semiconductor region into sub portions; first and second metallic contact arms on the active semiconductor region forming ohmic contacts therewith, the ohmic contacts being spaced apart on the active semiconductor region to define a gate receiving channel therebetween; a base, which electrically connects the first metallic contact arm to the second metallic contact arm; and a single metallic gate strip comprising: a plurality of metallic gate fingers, such that a gate finger is on at least two of the sub portions, the metallic gate fingers being electrically connected to one another by the single metallic gate strip and being in contact with the active semiconductor region to form Schottky junctions, the Schottky junctions being spaced apart on the active semiconductor region and extending at least partially along the gate receiving channel; and a contact portion at least partially along the gate receiving channel and between the metallic gate fingers is supported directly by the insulating substrate region, such that the contact portion is separated from the active semiconductor region.