An Experimental Study on Single Pulse Avalanche Characteristics of Si/SiC Hybrid Switch

This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of the single-pulse avalanche behavior of the Si/SiC hybrid switch through experimental testing. Based on the fundamental operating principles of the hybrid switch, both nondestructive and destructive single-pulse avalanche tests are performed under the optimal gate turn-on and turn-off delay time between the two device branches. The branch that primarily determines the unclamped inductive switching (UIS) characteristics and consequently limits the single-pulse avalanche withstand capability of the Si/SiC hybrid switch is identified, and the dominating mechanisms are revealed. Additionally, the effect of gate turn-off delay time on the UIS performance of the hybrid switch is extensively investigated and analyzed through experimental tests. The findings of this study provide valuable evidences for the long-term reliable application of the Si/SiC hybrid switch in power conversion systems.