Thyristor

A rectangular semiconductor thyristor element having at least four zones of alternate conductivity type with an outer zone forming an emitter and with an adjacent inner zone forming a base, said emitter zone extending over a substantial portion of said base zone and spaced from one marginal edge of said base zone, an emitter electrode in contact with said emitter zone and covering a substantial portion thereof, a strip control electrode on said base adjacent said one marginal edge thereof, said emitter having a large number of openings therethrough through which portions of said base extend into contact with said emitter electrode thereby providing shunts for disruptive discharges during operation, said shunts being located in a series of equally spaced first lines which form an angle with said control electrode of from 0.degree. to 45.degree., said shunts also being along a series of equally spaced parallel second lines which make a second angle smaller than 90.degree. and larger than 45.degree. with respect to said strip shaped control electrode, each of said shunts lying in both a first line and in a second line, said arrangement of said first and second lines forming a grid-like pattern.