Editing Power semiconductor device (section)

== Common devices ==

Some common power devices are the [[power MOSFET]], power [[diode]], [[thyristor]], and [[IGBT]]. The power diode and power MOSFET operate on similar principles to their low-power counterparts, but are able to carry a larger amount of current and are typically able to withstand a larger [[Bias voltage|reverse-bias]] voltage in the ''off-state''.

Structural changes are often made in a power device in order to accommodate the higher current density, higher power dissipation, and/or higher reverse breakdown voltage. The vast majority of the [[Discrete component|discrete]] (i.e., non-integrated) power devices are built using a vertical structure, whereas small-signal devices employ a lateral structure. With the vertical structure, the current rating of the device is proportional to its area, and the voltage blocking capability is achieved in the height of the die. With this structure, one of the connections of the device is located on the bottom of the [[Die (integrated circuit)|semiconductor die]].

The power MOSFET is the most common power device in the world, due to its low gate drive power, fast switching speed, and advanced paralleling capability.<ref>{{cite web |title=Power MOSFET Basics |url=http://www.aosmd.com/res/application_notes/mosfets/Power_MOSFET_Basics.pdf |website=Alpha & Omega Semiconductor |access-date=29 July 2019}}</ref> It has a wide range of [[power electronics|power electronic]] applications, such as portable [[information appliances]], power integrated circuits, [[cell phones]], [[notebook computers]], and the [[communications infrastructure]] that enables the [[Internet]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Whiteley |first1=Carol |last2=McLaughlin |first2=John Robert |title=Technology, Entrepreneurs, and Silicon Valley |date=2002 |publisher=Institute for the History of Technology |isbn=9780964921719 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x9koAQAAIAAJ |quote=These active electronic components, or power semiconductor products, from [[Siliconix]] are used to switch and convert power in a wide range of systems, from portable information appliances to the communications infrastructure that enables the Internet. The company's power MOSFETs — tiny solid-state switches, or metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors — and power integrated circuits are widely used in cell phones and notebook computers to manage battery power efficiently}}</ref> As of 2010, the power MOSFET accounts for the majority (53%) of the power transistor market, followed by the IGBT (27%), then the [[RF amplifier]] (11%), and then the bipolar junction transistor (9%).<ref>{{cite news |title=Power Transistor Market Will Cross $13.0 Billion in 2011 |url=http://www.icinsights.com/news/bulletins/Power-Transistor-Market-Will-Cross-130-Billion-In-2011/ |access-date=15 October 2019 |work=IC Insights |date=June 21, 2011}}</ref>