Single-event charge collection and upset in 65-nm and 40-nm dual- and triple-well bulk CMOS SRAMS

Abstract

CMOS technologies can be either dual-well or triple-well. Triple-well technology has several advantages compared to dual-well technology in terms of electrical performance. Differences in the ion-induced single-event response between these two technology options, however, are not well understood. This work presents a comparative analysis of heavy ion-induced upsets in dual-well and triple-well 40-nm CMOS SRAMs. Primary factors affecting the charge-collection mechanisms for a wide range of particle energies are investigated, showing that triple-well technologies are more vulnerable to low-LET particles, while dual-well technologies are more vulnerable to high-LET particles. For the triple-well technology, charge confinement and multiple-transistor charge collection triggers the “Single Event Upset Reversal” mechanism that reduces sensitivity at high LETs.