Switching properties of series connected static induction thyristor stack

Summary form only given. The Static Induction Thyristor (SI Thy) has properties of high rated off voltage, high current capacity and sub micro-second switching time. And for its applications of such as exhaust gas processing, we are developing a short pulse width (/spl sim/100 ns) pulse power generator using SI Thy and pulse forming lines. Its turn on time depend on a gate current, applying voltage and switching flow current, where turn on time of 80 ns-100 ns is achieved for one element using high current and low inductance gate circuit. In this study, we investigate switching property of series connected SI Thy stack for a closing switch of high rated-off voltage. The specification of used SI Thy is 4 kV of off voltage, 2 kA of non-repetitive surge current produced by NGK Insulators, Ltd in Japan. As a result, in the case of 3 SI Thy connected in series, almost the same turn-on time (-100 ns) is obtained at higher applied voltages.