IP Library Granted Patent US 8,912,623
Granted Patent B2
US 8,912,623 · App. 12/942,476 · Granted Dec 16, 2014

Fast recovery diode

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,912,623
App. No.
12/942,476
Granted
Dec 16, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A fast recovery diode includes a base layer of a first conductivity type. The base layer has a cathode side and an anode side opposite the cathode side. An anode buffer layer of a second conductivity type having a first depth and a first maximum doping concentration is arranged on the anode side. An anode contact layer of the second conductivity type having a second depth, which is lower than the first depth, and a second maximum doping concentration, which is higher than the first maximum doping concentration, is also arranged on the anode side. A space charge region of the anode junction at a breakdown voltage is located in a third depth between the first and second depths. A defect layer with a defect peak is arranged between the second and third depths.

Claims (16)

1. A fast recovery diode comprising:

a base layer of a first conductivity type, the base layer having a cathode side and an anode side opposite the cathode side;

an anode buffer layer of a second conductivity type having a first depth and a first maximum doping concentration on the anode side;

an anode contact layer of the second conductivity type having a second depth, which is lower than the first depth, and a second maximum doping concentration, which is higher than the first maximum doping concentration;

a space charge region of the anode junction at a breakdown voltage, which is located between a third depth and the cathode side, the third depth being arranged between the first and the second depth, the first, second and third depths being measured from the anode side;

a defect layer with a defect peak, which is arranged in the anode buffer layer between the second depth and the third depth,

wherein the anode buffer layer has a first surface which borders the base layer at the first depth, a second surface which borders the anode contact layer at the second depth, and first and second ends, and

wherein the entirety of the defect layer extends continuously between the first and second surfaces and the first and second ends of the anode buffer layer.

2. The diode according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the anode buffer layer and the anode contact layer have a circular shape.

3. The diode according to claim 1 , wherein the diode comprises at least one termination layer of the second conductivity type, the at least one termination layer being arranged on the anode side in a termination area of the diode.

4. The diode according to claim 3 , wherein any of the at least one termination layer have at least one of a circular shape and a quadrilateral shape.

5. A device comprising an integrated gate commutated thyristor and the diode according to claim 1 .

6. The diode according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the anode buffer layer and the anode contact layer have a quadrilateral shape.

7. The diode according to claim 6 , wherein the diode comprises at least one termination layer of the second conductivity type, the at least one termination layer being arranged on the anode side in a termination area of the diode.

8. The diode according to claim 7 , wherein any of the at least one termination layer have at least one of a circular shape and a quadrilateral shape.

9. A device comprising an insulated gate bipolar transistor and the diode according to claim 1 .

Assignments (6)
MERGER Recorded Nov 13, 2023
From: HITACHI ENERGY SWITZERLAND AG
To: HITACHI ENERGY LTD
Reel/Frame 065549/0576 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE CONVEYING PARTY "ABB TECHNOLOGY LTD." SHOULD READ "ABB TECHNOLOGY AG" PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 040621 FRAME: 0714. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded May 11, 2022
From: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
To: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
Reel/Frame 059927/0580 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 31, 2021
From: ABB POWER GRIDS SWITZERLAND AG
To: HITACHI ENERGY SWITZERLAND AG
Reel/Frame 058666/0540 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 6, 2020
From: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
To: ABB POWER GRIDS SWITZERLAND AG
Reel/Frame 052916/0001 →
MERGER Recorded Nov 15, 2016
From: ABB TECHNOLOGY LTD.
To: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
Reel/Frame 040621/0714 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 9, 2010
From: VOBECKY, JAN; KOPTA, ARNOST; CAMMARATA, MARTA
To: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
Reel/Frame 025334/0528 →