A new high current mode of transistor operation

An analysis is given of a new type of solid-state phenomena which appears as an abrupt transition to a low voltage circuit mode at high current densities under appropriate conditions. It is shown that a knowledge of this effect makes possible not only the consideration of a new family of thyratron devices, but also an understanding of heretofore inexplicable failures that have appeared in the form of collector-to-emitter shorts under particular circuit conditions.