Silicon Thyristors for Ultrahigh Power (GW) Applications (Invited Paper)

Abstract

Evolution of thyristor technology and the design concepts, which brought and maintain the phase control thyristor (PCT) at the top of a power pyramid, are discussed. The state-of-the-art device concepts like electrically triggered thyristor and light triggered thyristor are described for voltage classes up to 8.5 kV and maximal onstate rated current of 6 kA. Main focus is laid on the PCTs for high-voltage direct current transmission, the enabler of power transmission beyond the 10-GW level.