Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a structure including a trigger element within a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, and a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) under a buried insulator layer of the SOI substrate. The trigger element is between an anode and a cathode of the SCR.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a circuit structure including an electrically programmable fuse (efuse) and lateral bipolar transistor. A structure of the disclosure includes a lateral bipolar transistor within a semiconductor layer and over a substrate. An insulator layer is over a portion of the semiconductor layer. An efuse structure is within a polycrystalline semiconductor layer and over the insulator layer. The efuse structure is over a current path through the lateral bipolar transistor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a semiconductor controlled rectifier (SCR) structure and methods to form the same. The SCR structure may include a first polycrystalline semiconductor material on a first insulator and includes a first well therein. A monocrystalline semiconductor material is adjacent the first polycrystalline semiconductor material and includes an anode region and a cathode region therein. A second polycrystalline semiconductor material is on a second insulator and includes a second well therein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide an integrated circuit (IC) structure with a diode over a lateral bipolar transistor. A structure according to the disclosure may include a lateral bipolar transistor within a monocrystalline semiconductor over a substrate. An insulator layer is over a portion of the monocrystalline semiconductor. A diode is within a polycrystalline semiconductor on the insulator layer. A cathode of the diode is coupled to a first well within the monocrystalline semiconductor. The first well defines one of an emitter terminal and a collector terminal of the lateral bipolar transistor.

Abstract: A process design kit (PDK) is supplied to a layout design tool. The PDK includes parameterized cells (Pcells) adapted to cause the layout design tool to automatically add labels to device layouts in the graphic design system (GDS) file that is being created by the layout design tool. Each corresponding label lists parameters used when creating the corresponding device layout. The GDS file is receive back from the layout design tool. The parameters from the labels is applied to corresponding ones of the Pcells within the PDK to create a device verification layout for each of the device layouts in the GDS file. Each of the device layouts in the GDS file is compared to a corresponding device verification layout. The device layouts within the GDS file that fail to match the corresponding device verification layout are thereby identified.

Abstract: A structure includes trigger control circuitry for an SCR including: a first transistor having two P-type semiconductor terminals connected to an Nwell and a Pwell of the SCR; a second transistor having two N-type semiconductor terminals connected to the Pwell and ground; and, optionally, an additional transistor having two P-type semiconductor terminals connected to the Nwell and ground. Control terminals of the transistors receive the same control signal (e.g., RST from a power-on-reset). When a circuit connected to the SCR for ESD protection is powered on, ESD risk is limited so RST switches to high. Thus, the first transistor and optional additional transistor turn off and the second transistor turns on, reducing leakage. When the circuit is powered down, the ESD risk increases so RST switches to low. Thus, the first transistor and optional additional transistor turn on and the second transistor turns off, lowering the trigger voltage and current.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to electrostatic discharge (ESD) devices and methods of manufacture. The structure (ESD device) includes: a bipolar transistor comprising a collector region, an emitter region and a base region; and a lateral ballasting resistance comprising semiconductor material adjacent to the collector region.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to an eFuse and gate structure on a triple-well and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a substrate comprising a bounded region; a gate structure formed within the bounded region; and an eFuse formed within the bounded region and electrically connected to the gate structure.

Abstract: Disclosed are a structure and method. The structure includes a substrate having monocrystalline lower and upper portions and a high resistance portion (e.g., a trap-rich amorphous portion) between the lower and upper portions. An isolation region extends through the upper portion, is above the high resistance portion, and is positioned laterally adjacent to a device section of the upper portion also above the high resistance portion. One or more devices (e.g., a diode, multiple diodes, a diode string, multiple diode strings, etc.) are on the trench isolation region, on the device section, and/or within the device section. The device(s) are separated from the lower portion by the high resistance portion and, potentially, by the isolation region or the device section. Such device(s) can be employed for electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection on RFIC chips and can sustain a larger RF voltage, provide area savings, reduce parasitic capacitance, improve harmonics, etc.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to electrostatic discharge (ESD) devices and methods of manufacture. The structure (ESD device) includes: a bipolar transistor comprising a collector region, an emitter region and a base region; and a lateral ballasting resistance comprising semiconductor material adjacent to the collector region.

Abstract: A circuit structure includes: a network of clamps; sense elements in series with the clamps and configured to sense a turn-on of at least one clamp of the network of clamps; and feedback elements connected to the clamps to facilitate triggering of remaining clamps of the network of clamps.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to diode triggered Silicon controlled rectifiers and methods of manufacture. The structure includes a diode string comprising a first type of diodes and a second type of diode in bulk technology in series with the diode string of the first type of diodes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to an eFuse and gate structure on a triple-well and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a substrate comprising a bounded region; a gate structure formed within the bounded region; and an eFuse formed within the bounded region and electrically connected to the gate structure.

Abstract: An electrical fuse (e-fuse) includes a fuse link including a silicided semiconductor layer over a dielectric layer covering a gate conductor. The silicided semiconductor layer is non-planar and extends orthogonally over the gate conductor. A first terminal is electrically coupled to a first end of the fuse link, and a second terminal is electrically coupled to a second end of the fuse link. The fuse link may be formed in the same layer as an intrinsic and/or extrinsic base of a bipolar transistor. The gate conductor may control a current source for programming the e-fuse. The e-fuse reduces the footprint and the required programming energy compared to conventional e-fuses.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide an integrated circuit (IC) structure, including a triple well structure within a semiconductor substrate. A base region is within a doped well of the triple well structure, a collector terminal is within the doped well and laterally separated from the base region by a first insulator and a first avalanche junction is defined between a first pair of oppositely-doped semiconductor regions within the collector terminal. An emitter terminal is within the third doped well of the triple well structure and laterally separated from the collector terminal by a second insulator. A second avalanche junction is defined between a second pair of oppositely-doped semiconductor regions of the emitter terminal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide an integrated circuit (IC) structure, including a doped well in a semiconductor substrate, in addition to a base region, emitter region, and collector region in the doped well. An insulative material is within the doped well, with a first end horizontally adjacent the collector region and a second end opposite the first end. A doped semiconductor region is within the doped well adjacent the second end of the insulative material. The doped semiconductor region is positioned to define an avalanche junction between the collector region and the doped semiconductor region across the doped well.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a polysilicon-diode triggered compact silicon controlled rectifier. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a structure including a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) which includes an n-well adjacent and in direct contact with a p-well, the SCR includes at least one shallow trench isolation (STI) region, and at least one polysilicon diode on top of the at least one STI region.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to electrostatic discharge (ESD) devices and methods of manufacture. The structure (ESD device) includes: a bipolar transistor comprising a collector region, an emitter region and a base region; and a lateral ballasting resistance comprising semiconductor material adjacent to the collector region.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to diode triggered Silicon controlled rectifiers and methods of manufacture. The structure includes a diode string comprising a first type of diodes and a second type of diode in bulk technology in series with the diode string of the first type of diodes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a circuit structure and method to control electrostatic discharge (ESD) events in a resistor-capacitor (RC) circuit. Circuit structures according to the disclosure may include a trigger transistor coupled in parallel with the RC circuit, and a gate terminal coupled to part of the RC circuit. A mirror transistor coupled in parallel with the RC circuit transmits a current that is less than a current through the trigger transistor. A snapback device has a gate terminal coupled to a source or drain of the mirror transistor, and a pair of anode/cathode terminals coupled in parallel with the RC circuit. A current at the gate terminal of the snapback device, derived from current in the mirror transistor, controls an anode/cathode current flow in the snapback device.