A physical model for the correlation between holding voltage and holding current in epitaxial CMOS latch-up

A new physical model concerning the holding points for latch-up in epitaxial CMOS structures is established by combining the lateral p-i-n high level injection and the vertical BJT base push-out formula. The model matches adequately the correlation between holding voltage and holding current extensively measured from different combinations of temperatures, epitaxial layer thicknesses, and anode-to-cathode spacings. This is also the case for the two-dimensional device simulations. A quantitative analysis based on the model consistently judges the crucial role of the vertical BJT base push-out width in producing the observed correlation. The potential merits of the model in extended applications are outlined.