Two Dimensional Modeling Of High Power Semiconductor Switches

Abstract

Photoconductive semiconductor switches (PCSS) have high voltage hold-off and fast rise times. When operated in the nonlinear mode the requirement for optical trigger energy is reduced. A two dimensional time dependent computer model has been developed to investigate laser triggering and gain of GaAs PCSS. The role of transport of band-to-band recombination radiation in switch operation is discussed. The location of the laser spot which activates the switch is also investigated.