학술논문

Carrier lifetime modulation on current capability of SiC PiN diodes in a pulsed system
Document Type
article
Source
Discover Nano, Vol 18, Iss 1, Pp 1-7 (2023)
Subject
Silicon carbide
PiN diodes
Carrier lifetime modulation
Pulse current
Defect engineering
Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials
TA401-492
Language
English
ISSN
2731-9229
Abstract
Abstract Silicon carbide (SiC) PiN diode has shown substantial promise as the freewheel diode for switch protection in a pulsed system. In this paper, we investigate the carrier lifetime (τ) modulation on pulsed current capability of SiC PiN diodes. The carrier lifetime in 4H–SiC is modulated by the generation of the Z 1/2 center through neutron irradiation. Surprisingly, we found that the pulsed current of SiC PiN diodes shows a limited improvement when the carrier lifetime (τ) increases from 0.22 to 1.3 μs, while is significantly promoted as the carrier lifetime increases from 0.03 to 0.22 μs. This changing trend is obviously different from the on-state resistance, which decreases with the increased carrier lifetime. The simulation result indicates that the heat generation (i.e., maximum temperature rise) inside the PiN diodes, especially in the drift layer, is remarkably aggravated in the pulse tests for τ