Abstract:
An additional p-n junction diode, having a forward bias voltage smaller than a forward bias voltage between the base and emitter of a first-stage specific transistor of 3-stage Darlington connected npn transistors, is electrically connected in parallel between a p-type base layer and an n-type collector layer of the specific transistor. The polarities of the p-type and n-type layers of the diode are respectively the same as those of the parallel-connected p-type base and n-type collector layers of the specific transistor.