Pre-firing electric field distribution in semi-insulating GaAs bulk avalanche switches

Robert B. Darling; R. Aaron Falk; C. David Capps; Jeff C. Adams

doi:10.1117/12.198668

4 January 1995 Pre-firing electric field distribution in semi-insulating GaAs bulk avalanche switches

Robert B. Darling, R. Aaron Falk, C. David Capps, Jeff C. Adams

Proceedings Volume 2343, Optically Activated Switching IV; (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.198668
Event: Photonics for Industrial Applications, 1994, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

The prefiring electric field distribution within a bulk avalanche semiconductor switch has a strong bearing upon the propagation of current filaments that form during the conduction state, the voltage breakdown limits for the off-state, and thus the overall peak power scalability of the switch. In this paper, we apply a detailed numerical model for semi-insulating GaAs which includes the full electronic structure of the deep levels to calculate the internal field distribution under prefiring bias voltages. We demonstrate that the electric field is far from homogeneous, with a potential barrier being formed at the cathode end, and the maximum field occurring at the anode end. The more specific details of this electric field distribution are found to depend greatly upon the type of semi-insulating compensation mechanism present in the GaAs substrate. This electric field distribution agrees qualitatively with that determined by a novel optical imaging technique based upon the Franz-Keldysh effect.

Citation Download Citation

Robert B. Darling, R. Aaron Falk, C. David Capps, and Jeff C. Adams "Pre-firing electric field distribution in semi-insulating GaAs bulk avalanche switches", Proc. SPIE 2343, Optically Activated Switching IV, (4 January 1995); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.198668

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available