SiC Photoconductive Switch Pulse Splitting for High-Current Waveform Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current pulse power technologies require numerous semiconductor components to manage high voltage and high current, resulting in large size, high power loss, and limited performance due to the physical limitations of silicon materials, making it difficult to achieve precise control of high current pulses.
Innovation Solution
A controllable splitting method for high current pulses using a silicon carbide photoconductive switch, where a laser pulse is used to trigger the switch between an on and off state, allowing for the regulation of the current pulse waveform by adjusting parameters such as light intensity and electrode spacing, enabling the splitting of a single pulse peak into multiple peaks with narrower widths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional semiconductor components are used to control high current pulses, then the system can achieve current pulse regulation, but the system size becomes large and power loss increases due to the need for numerous components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple semiconductor components into a single integrated silicon carbide photoconductive switch device. This merging of functions allows the system to control high current pulses without requiring numerous separate components, thereby reducing system size while maintaining current pulse regulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the unique physical parameters of silicon carbide material, specifically its high critical breakdown field strength and high thermal conductivity, to enable a single component to withstand tens to hundreds of kilovolts and kiloamperes. This parameter change from conventional silicon materials allows for compact system design with reduced component count.
2Reliability
If conventional semiconductor components are used to control high current pulses, then the system can achieve current pulse regulation, but power loss increases due to the large number of components required
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple component functions into a single silicon carbide photoconductive switch, the patent eliminates the power losses associated with multiple discrete components. The unified device structure reduces cumulative power loss while maintaining effective current pulse regulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The high thermal conductivity parameter of silicon carbide material enables efficient heat dissipation, reducing power loss in the system. This material parameter change allows the single component to handle high power loads with minimal energy loss compared to conventional silicon-based multi-component systems.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional silicon semiconductor materials are used, then the system can be constructed with existing technology, but the ability to withstand high voltage and high current is limited by physical properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional silicon to silicon carbide, which has fundamentally different physical properties including high critical breakdown field strength and high thermal conductivity. This parameter change enables the device to withstand tens to hundreds of kilovolts and kiloamperes while remaining manufacturable through established wide bandgap semiconductor fabrication processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes silicon carbide, a wide bandgap semiconductor material that combines superior electrical and thermal properties. This material choice creates a composite solution that overcomes the limitations of pure silicon while maintaining compatibility with existing manufacturing methodologies through adapted fabrication processes.
4Volume of stationary object
If a single silicon carbide photoconductive switch is used, then the system size is reduced and power loss is lowered, but precise control of current pulse waveform requires additional complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a laser signal as an intermediary to control the silicon carbide photoconductive switch. The laser provides precise temporal control of the switch operation, enabling accurate current pulse waveform control without requiring complex electrical control circuits. This optical intermediary simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining precise waveform control capability.
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
This approach results in a compact, simplified, and stable pulse power system capable of handling high currents with reduced size and power loss, improving control precision and efficiency by utilizing the high-purity semi-insulating silicon carbide photoconductive switch.
Implementation Method 1
a silicon carbide photoconductive switch, where a laser pulse is used to trigger the switch between an on and off state
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A controllable splitting method for a high current pulse and an apparatus therefor. The method comprises: electrically connecting a silicon carbide photoconductive switch between input and output ends of a current pulse; connecting a time domain signal of the input current pulse to an external triggering port of a pulse laser; the pulse laser emitting a laser pulse to irradiate a switch; when no current pulse is input at the input end, the pulse laser failing to receive an external triggering signal and not outputting the laser pulse, the switch being in a close state without the irradiation of the laser pulse, and no current being output at the output end; when the current pulse is input at the input end, the time domain signal triggering the pulse laser, so that the pulse laser synchronously outputs the laser pulse on a time domain, and the laser pulse irradiating the switch, so that the switch is in an on state and the current pulse is output from the output end; and the waveform of the output current pulse being controlled by a parameter of the switch, thereby forming, at the output end, a current pulse signal synchronous with a time domain of the input end and having a split waveform.