Patent ID: 6956248
Filing Date: 2005-10-18
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. An overvoltage protection device, comprising: at least one base region formed in a semiconductor material; an emitter region formed in said base region such that a base-emitter junction is formed; at least one buried region forming a breakdown junction with said base region, said breakdown junction establishing a breakover voltage of said overvoltage protection device; said breakdown junction laterally offset from said emitter region so that said emitter region does not overlie the breakdown junction of said buried region; and an electrical insulator overlying the breakdown junction of said buried region, said electrical insulator functioning to prevent current flow from said breakdown junction through said insulator during initial breakover of said overvoltage protection device, wherein during initial turnon of said overvoltage protection device current flows generally laterally from the breakdown junction of said buried region toward said emitter region.