MTO/sup TM/ thyristor: an efficient replacement for the standard GTO

The MOS turn-off (MTO/sup TM/) thyristor is a novel hybrid MOS-bipolar high power semiconductor device with the advantages of the gate turn-off thyristor's (GTO) high voltage and high current capabilities, and the ease of control of a MOS gate. Voltage controlled turn-off of the GTO is realized by turning on the MOSFET. Significant simplification in the drive circuit is therefore expected for the MTO/sup TM/. Reduction or elimination of the dV/dt snubber is also demonstrated for the MTO. This paper analyzes the performance of the MTO/sup TM/ and compares that with the conventional GTO.