SCR Thyristor Structure & Fabrication

The structure of a thyristor / silicon controlled rectifier, SCR gives some indication of how it works and how it can be used.

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The thyristor or silicon controlled rectifier, SCR has a structure that consists of four layers: it contains a PNPN sandwich.

The thyristor structure is relatively straightforward and normally relies on processes that are well established. As a result thyristors are plentiful and generally low cost.

Basic thyristor / SCR structure

The thyristor consists of a four layer PNPN structure with the outer layers are referred to as the anode (P-type) and cathode (N-type). The control terminal of the thyristor is named the gate and it is connected to the P-type layer located next to the cathode.

Basic structure of a thyristor or SCR - silicon controlled rectifier showing junctions J1, J2, J3 — Basic structure of a thyristor / SCR

As a result the thyristor has three junctions rather than the one junction of a diode, and two within transistors.

The three junctions are normally denoted as J₁, J₂, and J₃. They are numbered serially with J₁ being nearest to the anode.

Thyristor / SCR materials

Although it is possible to use a variety of different materials for thyristors, silicon is the most popular. The trade name for this type of device - silicon controlled rectifier - also indicates that silicon is the most popular material.

Silicon provides good thermal conductivity as well as a high voltage and current capability. Another advantage is that the processes for silicon are more mature, and hence cheaper to run, than those for other materials.

However, other materials including silicon carbide, SiC; gallium nitride, GaN; diamond, C; and semi-wide-gap semiconductor material gallium arsenide, GaAs as well, have been investigated and according to the research they demonstrated promising properties under extreme conditions of high power, high temperature and high frequency. Nevertheless silicon still remains the most popular substance.

Thyristor semiconductor structure and fabrication

The level of doping varies between the different layers of the thyristor. The cathode is the most heavily doped. The gate and anode are the next heavily doped. The lowest doping level is within the central N type layer. This is also thicker than the other layers and these two factors enable a large blocking voltage to be supported. Thinner layers would mean that the device would break down at lower voltages.

fabrication structure of a thyristor or SCR - silicon controlled rectifier showing junctions J1, J2, J3 — Fabrication structure of a thyristor / SCR

In view of the very high currents and power levels that some thyristors are used to switch, thermal considerations are of paramount importance. The anode of the SCR or silicon controlled rectifier is usually bonded to the package since the gate terminal is near the cathode and needs to be connected separately. This is accomplished in such a way that heat is removed from the silicon to the package. Apart from the internal considerations, the external heat-sinking considerations for the thyristor must be carefully implemented otherwise the device may overheat and fail.

Many smaller thyristors are mounted in the standard TO cans, and larger thyristors have much larger outlines, but are designed to bolt to a heatsink to remove the power. Despite their efficiency, power is still dissipated and needs to be removed.

Asymmetric thyristor / SCR structure

The asymmetric thyristor is characterised by what is termed a cathode short and an anode short. It can be seen from the diagram that both the cathode and anode connections connect to N+ and the P regions in the case of the cathode and the P+ and N regions on the case of the anode.

The "short" between the P and N regions has the effect of adding a resistor between the junctions, i.e. cathode to gate in the case of the cathode connection. This has a variety of effects including reducing carrier lifetime and improving the transient response time.

Asymmetric fabrication structure of a thyristor or SCR - silicon controlled rectifier showing junctions J1, J2, J3 — Asymmetric structure of a thyristor / SCR

Different structures are used by different manufacturers for different applications. Also silicon is by far the most widely used material for thyristors.

Thyristors or SCRs, silicon controlled rectifiers are well established and the technology is very stable. The devices are widely used for power switching, an application to which they are very suited.