A semiconductor device that has a common border between P and N wells is susceptible
to photovoltaic current that is believed to be primarily generated from photons
that strike this common border. Photons that strike the border are believed to
create electron/hole pairs that separate when created at the PN junction of the
border. The photovoltaic current can have a sufficient current density to be destructive
to the metal connections to a well if the area of these metal connections to the
well is small relative to the length of the border. This photovoltaic current can
be reduced below destructive levels by covering the common border sufficiently
to reduce the number of photons hitting the common border. The surface area of
the connections can also be increased to alleviate the problem.