Comprehensive evaluation on Si/SiC hybrid switch including single-pulse avalanche and short-circuit robustnessOA

In this paper,a comprehensive evaluation on the silicon/silicon carbide(Si/SiC)hybrid switch is performed through experimental tests in terms of both electrical performance and robustness under extreme stresses.Based on the optional turn-on and turn-off delay times under the efficiency control mode obtained from the double-pulse test(DPT),both nondestructive and destructive single-pulse avalanche tests are conducted on the Si/SiC hybrid switch as well as on the two discrete device branches inside the hybrid switch.In addition,the avalanche voltage,critical avalanche energy,and peak avalanche current,which intrinsically characterize the unclamped-inductive-switching(UIS)avalanche characteristics,are carefully examined.In this way,the physical factors dominating the UIS characteristics of the hybrid switch,thus limiting its single-pulse avalanche withstand capability,are specifically and comprehensively identified;the underlying physical mechanisms are analyzed and revealed in depth,and how the gate control sequence affects the UIS characteristics of the hybrid switch is extensively investigated.We additionally carry out short-circuit(SC)tests under the fault-under-load(FUL)condition and perform a parallel in-depth analysis to experimentally determine which branch dominates the SC withstand capability of the hybrid switch.Our experimental study indicates that,for both SC robustness and single-pulse avalanche capability,the limiting factor is a single device branch among the two parallel discrete devices,and the UIS behavior is sensitive to the variation of the gate turn-off delay time Toff_delay.The study conducted in this paper not only provides deep academic insights into the electrical performance and reliability of the Si/SiC hybrid switch,but also offers fundamental theoretical principles and technical evidence to support its more efficient and long-term reliable applications of the hybrid switch in the industrial fields.