Power semiconductor is a semiconductor device that can withstand high voltage and high current. It plays an important role in modern electronic industry. Power semiconductor devices are widely used in various fields, such as power electronics, automotive electronics, industrial automation, etc., and are an indispensable key component of modern society. In this paper, the basic principles, main devices, application fields and technical trends of power semiconductors will be comprehensively and thoroughly introduced.
1、 Basic Principles of Power Semiconductor
In fact, power semiconductor devices are devices that use the characteristics of semiconductor materials to control current and voltage. Thyristors are common in power semiconductor devices（ CM8870PI ）Insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET), etc.
Thyristor is the first power semiconductor device, and its basic structure is a four layer PNPN structure. Thyristors have self-locking characteristics and reversible conductive characteristics, which are widely used in AC control. However, the withstand voltage capability of thyristor is relatively weak and the switching speed is slow.
IGBT is a high performance power semiconductor device, which combines the advantages of bipolar transistor and MOSFET. IGBT has the characteristics of high voltage withstand capability, low conduction voltage drop and fast switching speed, and is suitable for high voltage and large current control applications.
MOSFET is a power semiconductor device based on metal oxide semiconductor structure. It has the advantages of low on resistance, fast switching speed and good temperature characteristics, and is widely used in various high-frequency power electronic equipment.
2、 Application fields of power semiconductor devices
1. Power electronics: power semiconductor devices are widely used in power electronics. For example, in power transmission and distribution systems, power semiconductor devices are used for variable frequency speed regulation, power conversion and power quality control. At the same time, in the field of renewable energy, power semiconductor devices also play an important role, such as inverters in solar power generation, wind power generation and other systems.
2. Automotive electronics: The application of power semiconductor devices in automotive electronics is increasing. For example, in new energy vehicles such as electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles, power semiconductor devices are widely used in motor drive, charging and discharge control, etc. In addition, the control, lighting system and vehicle entertainment system in the automotive electronic system are also inseparable from the support of power semiconductor devices.
3. Industrial automation field: In the industrial automation field, power semiconductor devices are widely used in servo drive, variable frequency speed regulation, inverter and other equipment. These devices can improve production efficiency, save energy and reduce emissions, and are conducive to intelligent manufacturing.
4. Other fields: power semiconductor devices also play an important role in other fields. For example, the power management module in consumer electronics and the transformer control module in household appliances are inseparable from the application of power semiconductor devices.
3、 Development trend of power semiconductor devices
1. High integration: With the continuous progress of science and technology, the integration of power semiconductor devices continues to improve. In the future, power semiconductor devices will tend to be more integrated to reduce volume, improve performance and reduce cost.
2. High power density: The power density of power semiconductor devices is also an important development direction. At present, power semiconductor devices have achieved high power density, but there is still room for improvement. In the future, power semiconductor devices will continue to pursue higher power density to meet the needs of high-performance and miniaturization.
3. High temperature operation: The high temperature operation capability of power semiconductor devices is a development trend in the future. With the increasing requirements for power semiconductor devices in various application fields, their reliability and stability in high temperature environment will become an important consideration.
4. New materials and new structures: The research of new materials and new structures is one of the development directions of power semiconductor devices. For example, the application of new materials such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) can significantly improve the performance of power semiconductor devices, such as reducing switching loss and increasing switching speed.
5. Intelligence and reliability: power semiconductor devices in the future will be more intelligent and reliable. By introducing intelligent control circuit and self diagnosis function, the reliability and fault diagnosis ability of power semiconductor devices can be improved.
To sum up, power semiconductor, as the "heart" of modern electronic industry, plays an important role in all fields. In the future, power semiconductor devices will continue to pursue higher integration, power density and reliability, and at the same time, new materials and new structures will be used to meet the needs of society for high-performance, miniaturization, energy conservation and environmental protection.
