1966IEEE Transactions on Electron DevicesRequires access

Avalanche characteristics and failure mechanism of high voltage diodes

Hiroyuki Egawa

Open publisher page 111 citations

Abstract

High voltage diodes made of PνN (or PπN) structures sometimes fail by second breakdown when high voltage pulses are applied. The avalanche characteristics of PνN junction diodes are analysed and it is theoretically shown that they have negative resistance regions caused by the space charge effect of the carriers. Experiments on the second breakdown are also reported and it is concluded that the current concentration induced by the negative resistance may cause diode failure.

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What this paper is about

High voltage diodes made of PνN (or PπN) structures sometimes fail by second breakdown when high voltage pulses are applied. The avalanche characteristics of PνN junction diodes are analysed and it is theoretically shown that they have negative resistance regions caused by the space charge effect of the carriers. Experiments on the second breakdown are also reported and it is concluded that the current concentration induced by the negative resistance may cause diode failure.

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Available abstract

High voltage diodes made of PνN (or PπN) structures sometimes fail by second breakdown when high voltage pulses are applied. The avalanche characteristics of PνN junction diodes are analysed and it is theoretically shown that they have negative resistance regions caused by the space charge effect of the carriers. Experiments on the second breakdown are also reported and it is concluded that the current concentration induced by the negative resistance may cause diode failure.

Key concepts: Avalanche diode, Diode, Breakdown voltage, Negative resistance, Avalanche breakdown, Materials science, Optoelectronics, Space charge

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