Power semiconductor devices: design and manufacturing for improved field reliability (invited)

In the information age, power electronic systems need to demonstrate, "nine 9\´s" of field reliability. The current reliability performance of most power converters is at best is in the range of "six 9\´s." A dramatic improvement in device robustness is needed to successfully address the emerging market demand. In this paper, we discuss a new "top-down" system-level approach to identify and correct excessive field failures in compact high-frequency computer and telecom power supplies. We outline approaches to design and manufacture robust power semiconductor switches that guarantee "built-in" field reliability.