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Characteristics of current filamentation in high gain photoconductive semiconductor switching

Conference ·
OSTI ID:7115476
; ; ; ; ;

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:
DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
7115476
Report Number(s):
SAND-92-0254C; CONF-920671--7; ON: DE92018277
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360606 -- Other Materials-- Physical Properties-- (1992-)
42 ENGINEERING
426000* -- Engineering-- Components
Electron Devices & Circuits-- (1990-)
440600 -- Optical Instrumentation-- (1990-)
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
ARSENIC COMPOUNDS
ARSENIDES
CHROMIUM
CURRENT DENSITY
CURRENTS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRIC CONTACTS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
FIBER OPTICS
FILAMENTS
GALLIUM ARSENIDES
GALLIUM COMPOUNDS
LASER RADIATION
LUMINESCENCE
METALS
PHOTOCONDUCTIVITY
PHOTOCONDUCTORS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PNICTIDES
PULSES
RADIATIONS
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
SEMICONDUCTOR SWITCHES
SWITCHES
SWITCHING CIRCUITS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS