The 6.5 kV clustered insulated gate bipolar transistor in homogeneous base technology

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the performance of a new power semiconductor device called the clustered insulated gate bipolar transistor (CIGBT) in the homogeneous base (HB) technology for high power applications. The CIGBT belongs to a new family of MOS controlled power devices with thyristor mode of operation in the on-state and current saturation characteristics even at high gate biases. The saturation characteristics are achieved through a unique ‘self-clamping’ phenomenon at a predetermined anode voltage. This inherent feature enables a wide FBSOA and low loss during switching. Our detailed analysis of the CIGBT using a 2-D mixed device-circuit simulation tool indicates that 525 μm of lightly doped silicon is adequate to block 6.5 kV in the HB technology. The thin substrate improves the trade-off between conduction and switching losses even further. With an on-state voltage drop as low as 2 V at 30 A cm −2 and 3.1 V at 100 A cm −2 the device is able to turn off under inductive switching conditions at a 3 kV line voltage, with significantly low energy losses in comparison to an optimised homogeneous base insulated gate bipolar transistor (HB-IGBT). Further, the device shows good short circuit withstand capability and its positive temperature coefficient of the forward voltage drop eases parallel integration.