Characteristics of TIL GTO thyristors using no lifetime killers

The investigation reported in this work was focused on the main characteristics of the recently developed two interdigitation level (TIL) gate turn-off (GTO) thyristors, which use neither lifetime killers nor anode shorts. The advantages of these TIL GTO´s with low on-state losses are outlined in comparison with their identical, yet gold-doped, counterparts. It is shown that, except for the turn-off time, the main electrical characteristics of TIL GTO´s using no induced recombination centers are superior to those of similar gold-doped devices. The current-handling capability of the former under tough electrothermal ratings is also better than that of gold-doped devices up to a commutation frequency of 5 kHz. The results of this work demonstrated that sought-for benefits could be obtained in TIL GTO´s which use neither induced recombination centers nor anode shorts.