The static induction thyristor (SIT, SITh) is a
thyristor
A thyristor () is a solid-state semiconductor device with four layers of alternating P- and N-type materials used for high-power applications. It acts exclusively as a bistable switch (or a latch), conducting when the gate receives a current t ...
with a buried gate structure in which the gate electrodes are placed in n-base region. Since they are normally on-state, gate electrodes must be negatively or anode biased to hold off-state. It has low noise, low distortion, high audio frequency power capability. The turn-on and turn-off times are very short, typically 0.25 microseconds.
History
The first static induction thyristor was invented by Japanese engineer
Jun-ichi Nishizawa in 1975. It was capable of conducting large currents with a low
forward bias and had a small turn-off time. It had a self controlled
gate turn-off thyristor
A gate turn-off thyristor (GTO) is a special type of thyristor, which is a high-power (.e.g. 1200V AC) semiconductor device. It was invented by General Electric. GTOs, as opposed to normal thyristors, are fully controllable switches which can b ...
that was commercially available through Tokyo Electric Co. (now
Toyo Engineering Corporation
is a Japanese engineering, procurement and construction company serving mainly the hydrocarbons ( oil and natural gas) and petrochemical sectors worldwide.
It was established in 1961. Its various business include R&D collaboration, design, engin ...
) in 1988. The initial device consisted of a p+nn+ diode and a buried p+ grid.
In 1999, an analytical model of the SITh was developed for the
PSPICE circuit simulator. In 2010, a newer version of SITh was developed by Zhang Caizhen, Wang Yongshun, Liu Chunjuan and Wang Zaixing, the new feature of which was its high forward blocking voltage.
See also
*
Static induction transistor
*
MOS composite static induction thyristor
MOS composite static induction thyristor (CSMT or MCS) is a combination of a MOS transistor connected in cascode relation to the SI-thyristor.
The SI thyristor (SITh) unit has a gate to which a source of MOS transistor is connected through a v ...
References
External links
Static induction thyristor
Semiconductor devices
Solid state switches
Power electronics
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