The effects of emitter-tied field plates on lateral PNP ionizing radiation response

Radiation response comparisons of lateral PNP bipolar devices manufactured with and without emitter-tied field plates are presented. The experimental results reveal that the devices with an emitter-tied field plate have higher current gain prior to exposure to ionizing radiation. However, the use of an emitter-tied field plate in total dose environments may provide no higher reliability against current gain degradation after significant amounts of radiation exposure.