CURRENT AND TEMPERATURE SENSING VIA LIGHT EMISSION FROM GAN PN JUNCTIONS
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Authors
Broeg, Maeve A.
Subjects
bulk GaN
power converters
excitonic emission
impurity donor-acceptor recombination
power converters
excitonic emission
impurity donor-acceptor recombination
Advisors
Weatherford, Todd R.
Porter, Matthew A.
Date of Issue
2019-06
Date
June 2019
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
With the growing complexity of high-power converters, it has never been more important to have
accurate sensors for optimal control and stability. With significantly better power handling than silicon
materials, bulk gallium nitride–based devices can withstand high voltages and current while simultaneously
emitting a unique light spectrum, the characteristics of which are a function of the current and temperature
of the device. Using bulk GaN PN junctions, preliminary measurements of the emitted light showed a
distinct multi-peak spectrum corresponding to excitonic and impurity-assisted optical processes. Optical
filters and photodiodes are utilized to measure the light intensity of each spectral peak for up to 5 A applied
current at a temperature range of 20 °C – 100 °C. Linear polynomial models fitted to the filter output show a
strong relationship between the light intensity, current, and temperature, as well as a significant energy shift
in light emitted through exciton annihilation. The experimental data is then used to fit a linear polynomial
model estimating current from temperature and filter output. Mean errors of 2.5%, 2.7%, and 3.7% are
achieved for three of the four current models. Recommendations are made for future work in utilizing the
sensor data for real-time current and temperature measurements.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
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Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.