Article Tools

• 

IXYS Corporation has announced that its U.K.-based wholly-owned subsidiary, Westcode Semiconductors Ltd., has introduced a 1300 A, 5.5 kV extra-fast recovery diode. The diode is the first in a planned introduction of high-power, higher-voltage diodes using an advanced PIN structure. The device combines the low forward voltage drop of the PIN structure with fast soft recovery, thereby offering an energy-efficient solution for medium-voltage rectification applications.

The new design uses specialized processing techniques to realize a vertical PIN structure that optimizes the forward voltage drop, up to 200 V at a forward current of 1300 A, combined with a 5.5 kV blocking voltage. Advanced life-time control techniques result in an extra fast diode with a reverse recovery time of 15 microseconds and a di/dt capability greater than 1000 amperes per microsecond. This results in a 5.5 kV device with low on-state losses and extra fast switching — without compromising current rating or maximum operating temperature.

The device is available in three voltage grades, identified by part numbers F1300NC45P – 4.5 kV, F1300NC50P – 5 kV and F1300NC55P – 5.5 kV. All are encapsulated in a fully hermetic, ceramic-walled package with 47 mm diameter copper pole faces.

The low losses of the new device offer the opportunity to design more energy-efficient rectifiers in medium-voltage applications. Typical applications are as anti-parallel or clamp diodes in conjunction with IGBTs, IGCTs or other fast-switching devices in applications such as traction, medium-voltage drives. The high di/dt and low forward loss also make the device well suited for series operation as fast rectifiers in applications such as pulsed power and power conversion.