Evaluation of Enhanced Low Dose Rate Sensitivity in Fourth-Generation SiGe HBTs

The total ionizing dose response of 4th-generation SiGe HBTs is assessed at both low and high dose rates to evaluate enhanced low dose rate sensitivity (ELDRS) in a new SiGe BiCMOS technology. Both device and circuit results are presented. A bandgap reference circuit topology is chosen to monitor for ELDRS in TID-induced collector current shifts, which have previously been reported in low dose rate studies of SiGe HBTs. The results in this paper also cover previous technology generations from this foundry in order to incorporate a broader view of dose rate effects in SiGe HBTs. No indication of ELDRS was found in any technology generation.