UIC-2005-086 – Fully Optically Controlled Heterojunction Power Semiconductor Device For Fast Repetitive Switching

This discovery is an optically controlled power semiconductor device that turns the device both on and off in a non-latched fashion using a single, monochromatic light source. The discovery is applicable for both narrow and wide bandgap materials e.g., GaAs/Si and SiC/GaN, respectively. The device can also be used for an EMI immune system thereby reducing shielding cost, weight, and footprint space. In addition it can be used for optical isolation between the controller and the power stage. The device overcomes two key bottlenecks of SiC power devices: i) it eliminates the problem with insulated gate devices and ii) it eliminates the problem with gate referencing. Mark Krivchenia krivchen@otm.uic.edu (312) 996-6626