Dynamic power density, wavelength, and switching time modulation of optically triggered power transistor (OTPT) performance parameters

Optical modulation by varying the intensity, wavelength, or switching time can dynamically alter the performance parameters of direct optically controlled power semiconductor device. Understanding the effect of optical parameters on these parameters from a first principle approach is necessary for making optimal design choices and gaining design insights. We focus on performance parameters whose variations with direct optical modulation have not been reported previously for a power semiconductor such as switching times and on-state resistance. We carry out analytical modeling and two-dimensional (2D) finite-element simulations for a GaAs/AlGaAs based superjunction lateral optically controlled power transistor that has been fabricated and successfully tested for high-voltage capability. It is shown that optical power density can modulate on-state resistance and more importantly the trade-off curve between breakdown voltage and on-state resistance. A closed-form analytical equation relating switching times with optical parameters via logarithmic function is derived and the nonlinear variation of on-state resistance and switching time with optical wavelength is illustrated. We also derive the analytical expression for power device rise time as a function of optical signal rise time and show that they are related by Lambert’s W-function with exponential coefficients. r 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd.