Snapback and Postsnapback Saturation of Pseudomorphic High-Electron Mobility Transistor Subject to Transient Overstress

The snapback and postsnapback saturation characteristics in a pseudomorphic high-electron mobility transistor (PHEMT) subject to electrostatic discharge (ESD) transient overstress are studied. This is undertaken, for the first time, via transmission line pulsing (TLP)-like 2-D device simulations and benchmarked against TLP measurements. Physical mechanisms underlying the postsnapback behavior and ESD-induced failure are identified and discussed by analyzing TLP-like simulation results rather than extrapolating dc-like numerical simulation data.