Definition
A sudden, large increase in electrical conductivity of an insulating dielectric caused by electrical stress that creates a conductive failure path through the material.
Application
Used as a reliability limit and qualification metric for gate dielectrics, capacitor dielectrics and other insulating films; breakdown voltage or field and time-dependent dielectric breakdown behavior are monitored because defects, field and accumulated stress can reduce lifetime.
Related search terms
Insulator breakdown; oxide breakdown
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Related concepts
Evidence and further reading
- Evidence from nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41578-024-00702-0
- Evidence from nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41928-026-01644-x