2. Elementary structures. Fundamental effects

The properties of semiconductor structures used in power components are essentially the unidirectional conduction of PN junctions and metal/Schottky semiconductor contacts, and the three effects that control and interrupt the flow of current in a semiconductor:

PNP or NPN bipolar transistor effect ;
MOS field effect (metal/oxide/semiconductor) ;
junction field effect.

2.1 PN junction

A PN junction is the transition, in a single crystal, between two regions of opposite type. Equipped with ohmic contacts, this structure offers a non-linear current/voltage characteristic that can be directly exploited in rectifier components (junction...

You do not have access to this resource.

Exclusive to subscribers. 97% yet to be discovered!

You do not have access to this resource.
Click here to request your free trial access!

Already subscribed? Log in!

The Ultimate Scientific and Technical Reference

A Comprehensive Knowledge Base, with over 1,200 authors and 100 scientific advisors

+ More than 10,000 articles and 1,000 how-to sheets, over 800 new or updated articles every year

From design to prototyping, right through to industrialization, the reference for securing the development of your industrial projects

This article is included in

Conversion of electrical energy

This offer includes: