• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.37-43
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• 2017

This review investigates the basic principle of physical interactions and failure mechanisms introduced in the materials and inner parts of semiconducting components under electromagnetic pulses (EMPs). The transfer process of EMPs at the semiconducting component level can be explained based on three layer structures (air, dielectric, and conductor layers). The theoretically absorbed energy can be predicted by the complex reflection coefficient. The main failure mechanisms of semiconductor components are also described based on the Joule heating energy generated by the coupling between materials and the applied EMPs. Breakdown of the P-N junction, burnout of the circuit pattern in the semiconductor chip, and damage to connecting wires between the lead frame and semiconducting chips can result from dielectric heating and eddy current loss due to electric and magnetic fields. To summarize, the EMPs transferred to the semiconductor components interact with the chip material in a semiconductor, and dipolar polarization and ionic conduction happen at the same time. Destruction of the P-N junction can result from excessive reverse voltage. Further EMP research at the semiconducting component level is needed to improve the reliability and susceptibility of electric and electronic systems.