A PN junction diode has a substrate 1 of a first conductivity type, and
first and second stripe diffusion regions 2, 3 which are the first conductivity
type and second conductivity type, respectively. The stripe diffusion regions are
alternately arranged at a regular interval in a surface layer of the semiconductor
substrate. The diode further includes first and second stripe electrodes 7a,
7b connected to the first and second diffusion regions along the longitudinal
sides thereof, respectively. The diode further includes a third electrode 7b
which covers through an insulation film 5, 5 the neighboring ends
of the first and second diffusion regions and of which a potential is equalized
to that of the second electrode 7b having a different conductivity
type from the substrate.