Patent ID: 6921931

Claim:
An electrostatic discharge protection element to be used in a semiconductor integrated circuit comprising a MOSFET, the electrostatic discharge protection element comprising: a thyristor and a trigger diode for triggering the thyristor into an ON-state, wherein the trigger diode comprises an n-type cathode high concentration impurity region, a p-type anode high concentration impurity region and a gate formed at least partially between the two high concentration impurity regions as viewed from above, the gate being composed of the same material as that of a gate of the MOSFET of the semiconductor integrated circuit, wherein the thyristor comprises a p-type high concentration impurity region that forms a cathode provided in a p well and wherein the p-type high concentration impurity region is connected to a resistor, and an n-type high concentration impurity region that forms an anode, and wherein the resistor is electrically connected between the p-type high concentration impurity region of the thyristor and a metal inclusive conductive wiring located at least partially over the thyristor.