The fast power thyristors

Properties of two types of fast pulse power thyristors are presented. The first type, high current thyristors (HCT), have been designed for switching on pulse current from 500 A to 6000 A. The second type, medium current thyristors (MCT) have been designed for switching on pulse currents from 100 amperes to 1000 amperes. Operating voltage for both types of thyristors can be as high as 1800 V. Presented thyristors have reverse conductivity have been designed for short pulse application (submicrosecond range of pulse duration). Thyristor testing has been made in low inductance L/sub S/C/sub S/R/sub L/ circuits with active loads (R/sub L/). The following parameters have been registered: current rise time (at 0.1-0.9 levels), maximum pulse current, delay time and voltage. Pulse power and energy losses have been calculated by using current-time and voltage-time transient curves. It has been shown, that there is a range of currents in which current rise time is nearly constant and switching efficiency is high enough for both types of thyristors.