Power semiconductors

What is the main advantage of using SiC Schottky barrier diodes as freewheeling diodes in inverters and similar circuits?

  1. AThey are much cheaper than silicon diodes
  2. BThey emit light so their state can be seen
  3. CThey have almost no reverse recovery current, reducing switching loss
Show answer and explanation

Answer: C. They have almost no reverse recovery current, reducing switching loss

A Schottky barrier diode operates with majority carriers only, so it has almost no reverse recovery current caused by stored minority carriers, unlike a PN junction diode. SiC makes high-voltage Schottky diodes possible, reducing losses in high-voltage inverters and power supplies.

Practice this topic Back to topic

More Power semiconductors questions

  1. Which is a characteristic of a thyristor?
  2. In high-power modules, what is the main purpose of the insulating substrate (such as a ceramic substrate) placed under the power chips?
  3. When SiC or GaN power devices switch at high speed, which problem particularly needs countermeasures?
  4. If the current in a wire with a parasitic inductance of 10 nH changes by 10 A in 10 ns, approximately what voltage is induced?
  5. What is the purpose of a power factor correction (PFC) circuit used in power supplies?