POWER SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES OVERVIEW

Historical 1st thyristor SCR developed in 1957 Since 1970, various type of power electronic devices were developed and become commercially available.

Power semiconductor Devices Classification Classification by materials (carrier type)

The two-terminal devices (diodes), whose state is completely dependent on the external power circuit they are connected to; The three-terminal devices, whose state is not only dependent on their external power circuit, but also on the signal on their driving terminal (gate or base). Transistors and thyristors belong to that category. A second classification is less obvious, but has a strong influence on device performance: Some devices are majority carrier devices (Schottky diode, MOSFET), while the others are minority carrier devices (Thyristor, bipolar transistor, IGBT). The former use only one type of charge carriers, while the latter use both (i.e electrons and holes). The majority carrier devices are faster, but the charge injection of minority carrier devices allows for better On-state performance

SCR / Thyristor module, 6500V, 1,500A for 50us pulse Common power devices Some common power devices are the power diode, thyristor, power MOSFET and IGBT. A power diode or MOSFET operates on similar principles to its low-power counterpart, but is able to carry a larger amount of current and typically is able to support a larger reverse-bias voltage in the off-state. Structural changes are often made in power devices to accommodate the higher current density, higher power dissipation and higher reverse breakdown voltage. The vast majority of the discrete (non integrated) power devices are built using a vertical structure, whereas small-signal devices employ a lateral structure. With the vertical structure, the current rating of the device is proportional to its area, and the voltage blocking capability is achieved in the height of the die. With this structure, one of the connections of the device is located on the bottom of the semiconductor die SCR / Thyristor module, 6500V, 1,500A for 50us pulse

Power semiconductor Devices Classification Classification by control method

Power semiconductor Devices Classification Classification by operation (direction of current flow)

The Ideal Switch - The Power Electronics Engineer's Dream zero leakage current ð support infinite voltage zero forward voltage drop zero conduction loss instantaneous switching zero switching loss zero thermal resistance infinite temperature capability infinite current capability

The Ideal Switch - The Power Electronics Engineer's Dream (Cont..) An impossible dream but advances in device and packaging technology have produced conductivity modulated bipolar devices for high power applications at high temperatures mosfet fabrication for high frequency switching

Generic Switch Symbol Idealized switch symbol When on, current can flow only in the direction of the arrow Instantaneous switching from one state to the other Zero voltage drop in on-state Infinite voltage and current handling capabilities

Characteristics of Practical Devices Switching Power Loss is proportional to: switching frequency turn-on and turn-off times

POWER SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES Power Diode Thyristors (11 types) Transistors Power Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJTs) Power Metal Oxide Semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) Insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBTs) Static Induction Transistors (SITs)

Power Diode On and off states controlled by the power circuit An ideal diode should have the following characteristics: When forward-biased, the voltage across the end terminals of the diode should be zero, whatever the current that flows through it (on-state); When reverse-biased, the leakage current should be zero, whatever the voltage (off-state). The transition between on and off states should be instantaneous

Types of diode Shottky diodes. Fast-recovery diodes. Use where a low forward voltage drop is needed in very low output voltage circuit. blocking voltage capability to 50-100V. Fast-recovery diodes. Used in high f circuit in combination with controllable switches, small recovery time. At several hundred V and I, trr <μs Line-frequency diodes. On-state voltage is low as possible and as a sequence have larger trr which are acceptable for line-freq application. Blocking voltage=several kV, I rating=several kA Series and parallel for satisfy the requirement.

Power Diode Diode Turn-Off Fast-recovery diodes have a small reverse-recovery time

Thyristors Semi-controlled device Latches ON by a gate-current pulse if forward biased Turns-off if current tries to reverse

Thyristor in a Simple Circuit For successful turn-off, reverse voltage required for an interval greater than the turn-off interval

Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJT) Used commonly in the past Now used in specific applications Replaced by MOSFETs and IGBTs

Various Configurations of BJTs

MOSFETs Easy to control by the gate Optimal for low-voltage operation at high switching frequencies On-state resistance a concern at higher voltage ratings

Gate-Turn-Off Thyristors (GTO) Slow switching speeds Used at very high power levels Require elaborate gate control circuitry

GTO Turn-Off Need a turn-off snubber

IGBT

MCT

Comparison of Controllable Switches

Summary of Device Capabilities