Method to improve charge pump reliability, efficiency and size

A dynamic clamp is used in conjunction with capacitors with thinner dielectric or with deep trench capacitors to solve the problem of dielectric breakdown in high stress capacitors. The dynamic clamp is realized using a two stage pump operation cycle such that, during a first stage pump cycle, a middle node of a pair of series connected capacitors is pre-charged to a supply voltage and, during a second stage pump cycle, the middle node is coupled by a boost clock. Thus, at any moment in the pump operation cycle, the voltage across the capacitors is held within a safety range.