Semiconductor Switch: Key Components and Future Developments in Power Electronics

The rapid development of modern industry has led to the expansion of the demand for high-end devices in a wider range of fields. Semiconductor switches have also become a popular research area as key components in electronic engineering. It also plays an important role in controlling current and regulating power transmission. The performance requirements for semiconductor switches have gradually increased to meet higher current controlling and power transmission requirements. This paper provides a comprehensive introduction to the basic operating principles and structural components of semiconductor switches, compares the characteristics and applicable scenarios of common types of switches, including metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), bipolar junction transistor (BJT) and insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), and the emerging types of semiconductors switching devices in recent years. The paper also concerns the key parameters affecting their performance and their applications in power electronics. Finally, recent research progress in the field and future research trends are reviewed as well.