Pulse-Power Thyristor for High-Temperature Aerospace Applications

The proposed Pulse Power Thyristor (PPT) could replace spark gaps, vacuum switches, thyratrons and ignitrons at operating temperatures over 200¿ C. The Pulse Power Opening Switch Thyristor (the PPOST), a variation of the PPT, could also exceed the performance of MCT's, IGBT's and GTO's with improved Safe Operating Area (SOA) and off-state performance, approaching that of a recovering diode. Both the PPT and PPOST have lower on-state voltage and a lower chip size for lower cost. Champion Aviation Products has agreed to fund necessary post SBIR work to enable manufacture of the proposed switches for use in high ambiant temperature exciter/igniter applications for jet/turbine starting applications. This proposal is based on the P.I.'s recent experience of applying fine integrated circuit geometries and bonded lead frames to both cathode and anode regions of positive beveled asymmetric thyristors. The 10.07 subtopics specifically addressed are high temperature Electronic devices for PMAD systems i.e. npn/pnp transistors arranged as regenerative pairs as in thyristor technology for high temperature aerospace exciter/igniter and electrical actuation applications.