High Current, High DI/DT, Solid State Switch Resistance Model

The efficiency of a solid state switch used in short pulse applications is determined by how rapidly the effective resistance decreases during turn-on. Applied Pulsed Power has examined the resistance fall for our high current, high di/dt, solid state switches and produced a useful model for the resistance versus time under various operating conditions. The model covers voltages up to 48 kV, currents up to 8 kA, di/dt up to 75 kA/mus, and pulse widths up to 1 mus. It has been implemented in SPICE circuit simulations, and using the SPICE model, the efficiency of the switch in different applications can be predicted. This paper will present data examining actual resistance measurements compared to the SPICE circuit simulations and discuss the solid state physics involved in the model.