Linear power amplifiers using dynistors or trinistors

The development of solid-state 2- and 3-terminal switching devices has made possible the design of physically small linear power amplifiers which have a large power-handling capability. Two-and 3-terminal switching devices will be referred to as “dynistors” and “trinistors” throughout most of this paper. Germanium dynistors and trinistors make excellent output devices for the linear power amplifier because: 1. The OFF state impedances are approximately 50,000 ohms; 2. The ON state impedances are approximately 0.05 ohm; 3. The dynistors and trinistors can be operated at much higher current densities than transistors; 4. The dynistors and trinistors need only a pulse to turn on. Once the dynistor or trinistor is on, the device can be turned off by reducing the current through it to a very small value. The characteristics of the germanium dynistor and trinistor are summarized in Appendix I.