Filamentary Thermal Breakdown in Thin Dielectrics

Abstract
A model of the breakdown of thin dielectric films is presented in which breakdown can result from thermal effects following a nondestructive electron avalanche. It is proposed that the avalanche leads to the generation of sufficient heat in a narrow channel for the ordinary electrical conductivity of the channel to be raised to a level at which thermal runaway could start, thus leading to destructive breakdown in a narrow region of the dielectric. The effects, on the time required for breakdown to occur, of input power, heat dissipation, and initial temperature rise caused by the avalanche are computed.

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