Wide Bandgap High Power Optically Triggered Switch

"Reliable optically activated, high gain semiconductor switches (PCSS) are being explored for multiple applications, including ground penetrating radar (GPR) and firing set switches. The ability of a PCSS to deliver fast risetime pulses suits them fortheir use in radars that rely on fast impulses. This type of direct time domain radar is uniquely suited for detecting buried items because it can operate at low frequency, high average power, and close to the ground, greatly increasing power on target.Utilizing wide band gap semiconductors such as SiC and GaN and its alloys, it is very likely that GaAs switch lifetime issues can be eliminated. Wide bandgap semiconductor switches can also handle much higher peak voltages and currents. This proposalseeks funding to exploit and develop switches based on nitrides and carbides. Of particular interest is AlN on SiC with a near lattice match and good interface quality. This combination is already being explored for MIS (Metal-Insulator-Semiconductor)devices in SiC. Similar approaches will be used for a lateral photoconductive switch. The proposed structure will benefit from the high thermal conductivity and robustness of SiC and AlN surface passivation, allowing large switching voltages. Using GaNfor ohmic contacts on AlN with uniform current flow will prevent filamentation and premature burn out. Immediate replacement parts for commercial applications include switches for pulsed lasers