Investigating the electrothermal characteristics of a Gate Turn Off thyristor during turn-off using SILVACO ATLAS™
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Authors
Vineyard, Gerald E.
Subjects
Advisors
Weatherford, Todd R.
Ciezki, John G.
Date of Issue
2009-06
Date
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
This thesis presents data from a simulation study of the thermal and electrical characteristics of a Gate Turn Off (GTO) thyristor. At present, most of the research on GTO thyristors has focused on their use in power electronic systems at high switching frequencies. As a result, the behavior of GTO thyristors at very low switching frequencies is not well understood. Previous research projects have shown experimentally that GTO thyristors are capable of interrupting significantly more than their nominal turn-off current rating when used in pulsed power applications at low switching frequencies. This work demonstrates the use of physics-based computer simulation to study the electrothermal turn-off characteristics of a GTO thyristor at low switching frequencies. The computer model used in this project simulated both the electrical and the thermal characteristics of a GTO thyristor and allowed its internal properties - such as current density, electric fields, and lattice temperature - to be investigated. The model was used to track the generation, transfer, and dissipation of energy within the structure of the device and show that the current interruption capability of a GTO thyristor may depend on its switching frequency due to the thermal energy that is generated and stored in the device during turn-off.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funding
Format
xviii, 129 : ill. ;
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.