Isolator Insulating Layer Structure for High-Voltage Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing isolators face reliability issues due to metal diffusion and dielectric breakdown between electrodes, which are exacerbated by high voltage transmission, leading to reduced insulation life and increased leakage current.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating insulating layers made of silicon, carbon, and nitrogen, along with metal layers of tantalum and tantalum nitride, to suppress metal diffusion and reduce potential gradients, thereby enhancing the insulation reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high voltage is transmitted between electrodes, then signal transmission capability is improved, but metal diffusion and dielectric breakdown occur leading to reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
A conductive body is introduced as an intermediary between the first and second electrodes. This conductive body serves as a mediator that transmits the signal while preventing direct high-voltage stress on the insulating layers, thereby suppressing metal diffusion and dielectric breakdown. The conductive body acts as a buffer zone that maintains electrical isolation while enabling signal transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating layers are constructed using composite materials with specific material compositions. The first insulating layer includes a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion that are spatially separated, creating a composite structure that provides both insulation and controlled conductivity. This composite approach allows the structure to withstand high voltage while preventing metal diffusion.
2Volume of moving object
If insulating layers are made thinner to reduce device size, then miniaturization is achieved, but metal diffusion and dielectric breakdown become more severe
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating structure employs local quality differentiation through the conductive body configuration. The first conductive portion and second conductive portion are positioned at different locations within the insulating layer, creating zones with different electrical properties. This local differentiation allows thin overall structure while maintaining insulation integrity in critical regions where metal diffusion would occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive body serves as an intermediary structure that enables miniaturization without compromising insulation life. By introducing this intermediate conductive element, the design achieves compact dimensions while the conductive body prevents direct contact between opposing electrodes, thereby suppressing metal diffusion even in the thinned structure.
3Power
If metal layers are used to improve conductivity, then electrical performance is enhanced, but metal diffusion between electrodes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive body acts as an intermediary that provides the necessary electrical conductivity while preventing metal diffusion. Rather than using continuous metal layers that would facilitate diffusion, the conductive body is structured with separated conductive portions that provide localized conductivity without creating diffusion pathways between electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive body is segmented into a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion that are spatially separated. This segmentation provides electrical conductivity where needed while creating insulating gaps that prevent metal diffusion. The segmented structure breaks up continuous metal pathways that would otherwise enable diffusion between electrodes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively suppresses metal diffusion and reduces dielectric breakdown, increasing the insulation life and reliability of the isolator by minimizing leakage current and potential differences between electrodes.
Implementation Method 1
The first insulating layer is provided on the second electrode. The first insulating layer includes silicon, carbon, and nitrogen.
Implementation Method 2
An isolator transmits a signal by utilizing the change of a magnetic field or an electric field in a state in which the current is blocked.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an isolator includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a conductive body, and a first insulating layer. The second electrode is provided on the first electrode and separated from the first electrode. The conductive body is provided around the first and second electrodes along a first plane perpendicular to a first direction. The first direction is from the first electrode toward the second electrode. The first insulating layer is provided on the second electrode. The first insulating layer includes silicon, carbon, and nitrogen.