BMFET VERSUS BJT IN REVERSE BIAS SAFE OPERATIONS

An experimental comparison between the RBSOA performances of a BMFET a nd two families of power BJTs is presented. All the measurements were performed by means of a non-destructive tester which allowed the acqui sition of a homogeneous set of measurements, keeping stray parameters under control. The behaviour of the devices is put in relation to the test conditions and it is shown that the size of the safe region of op eration is a function of the geometrical parameters of the device, amo ng which there are metallization lay-out and geometry of its elementar y cell. Moreover, superior RBSOA performance of BMFET due to geometry of base diffusion, which was predicted by simulation, is experimentall y confirmed.