High-power robust semiconductor electronics technologies in the new millennium

This paper presents an overview of power semiconductor devices for the development of advanced robust high-performance power electronic systems for the new millennium. Material and device technologies on silicon and wide energy band-gap semiconductors are discussed along with switching circuits and topologies. Short-term and long-term reliability issues of power semiconductor devices are discussed. An approach is presented to correlate converter field failures to dynamic switching stresses, residual defects and contaminants left in the semiconductor power switch, packaging, and thermal management. Component and system level simulation, modeling and CAD requirements are evaluated. System-level optimization is proposed as an essential requirement to develop robust power systems at affordable cost. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.