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Effect of ion energy upon dielectric breakdown of the capacitor response in vertical power MOSFETs

Journal Article · · IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/23.736490· OSTI ID:323925
;  [1];  [2]; ;  [3];  [4]
  1. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, IN (United States)
  2. Wheatley (C.F.), Drums, PA (United States)
  3. Harris Semiconductor, Mountaintop, PA (United States)
  4. Naval Research Lab., Washington, DC (United States)

The effect of ion energy upon the ion-induced dielectric breakdown response of the capacitor response in vertical power metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) was investigated. The single event gate rupture response was experimentally determined using mono-energetic ion beams of copper, niobium, and gold. Irradiations were conducted using an ion species tuned to different energies, producing a range of linear energy transfer (LET) values for that ion. Numerous MOSFETs were characterized to identify the onset of ion-induced dielectric breakdown. These data along with previously taken data demonstrated that the ion-induced dielectric breakdown cannot be adequately described in terms of LET, but is better described in terms of atomic number (Z). Based upon these observations, a new semi-empirical expression is presented describing the critical ion-induced breakdown response in terms of Z instead of LET. This expression is shown to be a better single event gate rupture model of the capacitor response.

OSTI ID:
323925
Report Number(s):
CONF-980705--
Journal Information:
IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, Journal Name: IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science Journal Issue: 6Pt1 Vol. 45; ISSN IETNAE; ISSN 0018-9499
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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