Semiconductor components & solid state switches for pulsed power applications

• Published in: Conference Record of the Twenty-Sixth International Power Modulator Symposium, 2004 and 2004 High-Voltage Workshop pp. 174 - 177
• Main Authors: Welleman, A., Waldmeyer, J., Fleischmann, W.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Piscataway NJ IEEE 2004
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Assembly; Circuit properties; Connection and protection apparatus; Cooling; Design optimization; Design. Technologies. Operation analysis. Testing; Electric, optical and optoelectronic circuits; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electronic circuits; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; Frequency; Insulated gate bipolar transistors; Integrated circuits; Other multijunction devices. Power transistors. Thyristors; Power semiconductor switches; Semiconductor devices; Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices; Solid state circuits; Switching, multiplexing, switched capacity circuits; Thyratrons; Voltage; Cooling; Semiconductor materials; Circuit design; Thermal management (packaging); Insulated gate bipolar transistor; Thyristor; Thyratron; Durability; Power electronics; Maintenance; Switching; Field experiment; Optimization; Power transistor; Optimal design; Micro-s range; Machine design; Semiconductor device; High voltage; Switching conditions; Cooling system; Selector switch; Reliability; Pulsed power switches
• ISBN: 0780385861; 9780780385863
• DOI: 10.1109/MODSYM.2004.1433536

A presentation is given about semiconductor components and a typical example of a solid state switch assembly will be described. The semiconductor devices are optimized for repetitive pulse applications in the microsecond and millisecond range. Significant field experience has led to further improvement for switches using thyristor- or high voltage press pack IGBT technology, designed for up to 50 kV, current capabilities of several kA, high di/dt, and higher repetition rate switching. Pulse repetition frequencies of over 1 kHz are easily possible if combined with adequate cooling. The switches built with these optimized components are designed as alternatives to thyratron solutions but offer a superior lifetime, practically no maintenance and (despite higher cost) a more economical solution.