Solutions with Solid State Switches for Pulse Modulators

This presentation will show solutions with solid state switches designed and produced for pulse modulators in applications like particle beam accelerators, radar power supplies, medical modulators etc. Examples of semiconductor switches using IGCT (integrated gate commutated thyristor) technology for long pulse modulators as well as switches using fast, high di/dt discharge devices for radar power supplies, Environmental applications and medical modulators with their advantages and disadvantages are presented. Because of the large field experience with the presented switches, also reliability information is included. For on-off switching with reaction times of less than 5 mus the trend with newer technologies like IGBT will be discussed and stackable pressure contact IGBT devices with increased collector-emitter voltage of 4500 V will be presented. These devices, which are in volume production with Vces=2500 V and are mainly in use for high voltage DC power transmission systems, will now become available with Vces=4500 V for pulsed power applications.