The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 31, 1994
Filed:
Apr. 29, 1992
Mallikarjunaswamy S Shekar, Raleigh, NC (US);
Bantval J Baliga, Raleigh, NC (US);
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC (US);
Abstract
An emitter-switched thyristor structure includes a remote turn-off electrode for reducing turn-off time and increasing maximum controllable operating current. The switched thyristor structure further includes anode and cathode electrodes, with the remote electrode being connected to the cathode electrode. A multi-layer body of semiconductor material has a first surface, as well as regenerative and non-regenerative portions each operatively coupled between the anode and cathode electrodes. The regenerative portion includes adjacent first, second, third and fourth regions of alternating conductivity type arranged respectively in series. Electrical contacts exist between the remote electrode and the second region, as well as between the anode electrode and the fourth region. The thyristor is turned on by applying an enabling voltage to an insulated gate electrode disposed adjacent the first surface such that a conductive channel is created in the regenerative portion via modulation of the conductivity therein. Similarly, the termination of regenerative operation is initiated by applying a non-enabling voltage to the gate electrode. The remote electrode collects any charges remaining in the second region of the regenerative portion subsequent to application of the non-enabling voltage and thereby expedites turn off of the emitter-switched thyristor.