Transistor Collector Breakdown in the Presence of Conducted EMP and Gamma Radiation

Abstract

In this paper we develop expressions which describe breakdown, negative resistance and latch characteristics for a common emitter transistor when exposed to simultaneous conducted EMP and ionizing radiation. These expressions are derived from a modified Ebers-Moll model and show that common emitter breakdown voltage is reduced, latch (or sustaining voltage) remains unchanged, and that the negative resistance characteristics are changed. Using the modified Ebers-Moll model good agreement between predicted and observed circuit response is demonstrated when the circuits are exposed to a rising collector voltage (due to EMP) and simultaneous ionizing (gamma) radiation.