Introduction to Power Semiconductor Devices

Understand the basic characteristics and types of power semiconductor devices.

Overview of semiconductor materials and doping. Electrical characteristics: voltage rating, current rating, switching speed. Types of devices: diodes, transistors (BJT, MOSFET, IGBT), thyristors (SCR, TRIAC).

Learn the principles of operation for key power semiconductor devices.

PN junction theory and its application in power devices. On-state, off-state, and switching characteristics. Device symbols, circuit representations, and basic equations.

Identify and describe the applications of diodes in power electronics.

Rectification: half-wave, full-wave, and bridge rectifiers. Freewheeling diodes in inductive circuits. Zener diodes for voltage regulation. Schottky diodes for high-speed switching applications.

Understand the operation and applications of transistors in power electronics.

Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJT): structure, operation, and switching characteristics. Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFET): types, operation, and advantages. Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBT): structure, operation, and applications. Applications: switching regulators, amplifiers, motor drivers.

Explore the operation and applications of thyristors in power electronics.

Silicon Controlled Rectifiers (SCR): structure, operation, and characteristics. TRIACs: bidirectional control, structure, and applications. Gate turn-off thyristors (GTO): operation and applications. Applications: AC/DC control, light dimmers, motor speed control.

Analyse the thermal management and protection techniques for power semiconductor devices.

Importance of thermal management in power devices. Heat sinks, thermal interface materials, and cooling techniques. Protection methods: snubber circuits, overcurrent protection, and overvoltage protection. Reliability considerations and failure modes of power semiconductor devices.