Functional integration of MOS and thyristor devices: a useful concept to create new light triggered integrated switches for power conversion

In power electronics converters, a galvanic insulation between the drive circuits and the power stage is usually needed, and it may be relatively delicate to implement it according to the application considered. When high galvanic insulation is required, a good solution consists of integrating optical control detection circuits with each power device. Integration is a natural way of enhancing design, performance and reliability, resulting in easier use. To illustrate this approach, the authors present in this paper a light triggered thyristor with a MOS amplifying gate whose conception is based on functional integration of MOS and thyristor elements. An application of this integrated switch in a power converter is also given