Characteristics of current filamentation in high gain photoconductive semiconductor switching
Characteristics of current filamentation are reported for high gain photoconductive semiconductor switches (PCSS). Infrared photoluminescence is used to monitor carrier recombination radiation during fast initiation of high gain switching in large (1.5 cm gap) lateral GaAs PCSS. Spatial modulation of the optical trigger, a 200--300 ps pulse width laser, is examined. Effects on the location and number of current filaments, rise time, and delay to high gain switching, minimum trigger energy, and degradation of switch contacts are presented. Implications of these measurements for the theoretical understanding and practical development of these switches are discussed. Efforts to increase current density and reduce switch size and optical trigger energy requirements are described. Results from contact development and device lifetime testing are presented and the impact of these results on practical device applications is discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 7115476
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-92-0254C; CONF-920671-7; ON: DE92018277
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 20. international power modulator symposium, Myrtle Beach, SC (United States), 23-25 Jun 1992
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Optically controlled current filamentation in GaAs photoconductive semiconductor switches
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Related Subjects
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
GALLIUM ARSENIDES
PHOTOCONDUCTIVITY
SEMICONDUCTOR SWITCHES
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
CHROMIUM
CURRENT DENSITY
ELECTRIC CONTACTS
FIBER OPTICS
FILAMENTS
LASER RADIATION
LUMINESCENCE
PHOTOCONDUCTORS
PULSES
SWITCHING CIRCUITS
ARSENIC COMPOUNDS
ARSENIDES
CURRENTS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
GALLIUM COMPOUNDS
METALS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PNICTIDES
RADIATIONS
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
SWITCHES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
426000* - Engineering- Components
Electron Devices & Circuits- (1990-)
360606 - Other Materials- Physical Properties- (1992-)
440600 - Optical Instrumentation- (1990-)