Device for detecting a laser attack in an integrated circuit chip

摘要

A device for detecting a laser attack made on an integrated circuit chip comprises a bipolar transistor of a first type formed in a semiconductor substrate, that bipolar transistor comprising a parasitic bipolar transistor of a second type. A buried region, forming the base of the parasitic bipolar transistor, operates as a detector of the variations in current flowing caused by impingement of laser light on the substrate.

主权项

1. A circuit, comprising:
a substrate of a first conductivity type; a bipolar transistor of a first type having a buried region within the substrate that is formed of the second conductivity type; wherein the buried region is configured to operate as a detector of variation in current flow between a base of said bipolar transistor and the substrate that are indicative of a laser beam directed at the substrate.