Platinum Doping Cuts Diode Leakage, Raises Operating Temps

Dec. 8, 2004
Just like your credit cards, platinum trumps gold when it comes to ultra-fast high-voltage, medium-current diodes. The STTH series of diodes from STMicroelectronics is built with a planar, platinum-doped silicon process technology that helps...

Just like your credit cards, platinum trumps gold when it comes to ultra-fast high-voltage, medium-current diodes. The STTH series of diodes from STMicroelectronics is built with a planar, platinum-doped silicon process technology that helps optimize the combination of forward voltage drop (VF), leakage current (IR), and recovery time (tRR).

The principal advantage of the platinum doping is that it reduces leakage current by approximately 100 times compared to gold, providing scope to improve VF at a given tRR. A lower leakage current also helps with thermal runaway.

Optimizing VF in the new series cuts clamping-function power losses in standby mode. Also, the platinum process enables a 175°C maximum operating temperature.

The STTH diodes target applications that need ultra-fast diodes to handle voltages between 800 and 1200 V, but at relatively small currents. Such applications also require diodes with moderate recovery times (not more than 75 ns) and the best possible ratio of VF to IR.

There are five parts in the STTH family, with repetitive reverse voltage ratings from 800 to 1200 V and average forward current levels from 1 to 3 A. Unit prices range from $0.17 to $0.24 in quantities of 5000.

STMicroelectronics
www.st.com

Sponsored Recommendations

Highly Integrated 20A Digital Power Module for High Current Applications

March 20, 2024
Renesas latest power module delivers the highest efficiency (up to 94% peak) and fast time-to-market solution in an extremely small footprint. The RRM12120 is ideal for space...

Empowering Innovation: Your Power Partner for Tomorrow's Challenges

March 20, 2024
Discover how innovation, quality, and reliability are embedded into every aspect of Renesas' power products.

Article: Meeting the challenges of power conversion in e-bikes

March 18, 2024
Managing electrical noise in a compact and lightweight vehicle is a perpetual obstacle

Power modules provide high-efficiency conversion between 400V and 800V systems for electric vehicles

March 18, 2024
Porsche, Hyundai and GMC all are converting 400 – 800V today in very different ways. Learn more about how power modules stack up to these discrete designs.

Comments

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Electronic Design, create an account today!