Ge Trannys: How susceptible to ESD dammage?

[BDuguay]

I should know this but I don't, cuz I'm not knowing.
Anyone?
B.

[aron]

That is a good question.

http://web.telia.com/~u85920178/data/static.htm

Aha, Ge seems tougher than Si apparently.

[DDD]

I have some experience with Ge trannies, and I have to say they never have been damaged with ES.

[Sir H C]

Bipolar transistors in general are not very susceptible to ESD.  Maybe some of the high speed ones with really thin base regions.

Funny thing is in many ICs, bipolar transistors are used as the ESD protection devices.

Oh, and the real stress is to reverse biase the base-emitter.  That can kill beta.

[mac]

I never damaged a Ge with ESD.

BTW, what happens when you reverse the polarity of a Ge or Si transistor? ie, connecting the collector of a PNP to +Vcc and emitter to -Vcc?


mac

[Ge_Whiz]

Old Ge transistor - probably 'pop'.
New Si transistor - probably nothing.