The charge injection control (CIC) diodes: an original concept to improve fast power rectifiers

An original concept of a fast rectifier is presented based on charge injection control (CIC). Unlike the classical concept of a fast rectifier, CIC diodes have a long carrier lifetime in the bulk material and the minimisation of the stored charge is obtained by a low injection efficiency of emitters (which thickness are lower than 0.7 μm). The main assets of CIC to fast rectifiers are: (a) a better trade-off between stored charge and forward voltage drop at high current densities; and (b) a very low influence of the temperature on the electrical performances especially leakage current. Some experimental results compare the static and dynamic performances of the CIC diode versus an equivalent classical fast diode. Numerical simulations based on fundamental carrier transport equations have been performed to investigate the electrical behaviour and characteristics of these diodes