Novel Punch-through Diode Triggered SCR for Low Voltage ESD Protection Applications

This research presented the concept of employing the punch-through diode triggered SCRs (PTTSCR) for low voltage ESD applications such as transient voltage suppression (TVS) devices. In order to demonstrate the better electrical properties, various traditional ESD protection devices, including a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) and Zener diode, were simulated and analyzed by using the TCAD simulation software. The simulation result demonstrates that the novel PTTSCR device has better performance in responding to ESD properties, including DC dynamic resistance and capacitance, compared to SCR and Zener diode. Furthermore, the proposed PTTSCR device has a low reverse leakage current that is below 10-12 A, a low capacitance of 0.07 fF/mu m(2), and low triggering voltage of 8.5 V at 5.6x10(-5) A. The typical properties couple with the holding voltage of 4.8 V, while the novel PTTSCR device is compatible for protecting the low voltage, high speed ESD protection applications. It proves to be good candidates as ultra-low capacitance TVS devices.