Gate oxide breakdown under Current Limited Constant Voltage Stress

Ultra-thin oxide reliability has become an important issue in integrated circuit scaling. Present reliability methodology stresses oxides with a low impedance voltage source. This, though, does not represent the stress under circuit configurations, in which transistors are driven by other transistors. A Current Limited Constant Voltage Stress simulates circuit stress well. Limiting the current during the breakdown event reduces the post-breakdown conduction. Limiting the current to a sufficiently low value may prevent device failure, altogether.