A Modified Boost Converter Topology for Dynamic Characterization of Hot Carrier and Trap Generation in GaN HEMTs

Fuente: arXiv
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Auteurs principaux: Azoulay, Moshe, Orr, Gilad, Golan, Gady
Format: Preprint
Publié: 2025
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author Azoulay, Moshe
Orr, Gilad
Golan, Gady
author_facet Azoulay, Moshe
Orr, Gilad
Golan, Gady
contents Modern microelectronic systems require long term operational stability, necessitating precise reliability models to predict device lifecycles and identify governing failure mechanisms. This is particularly critical for high power GaN High-Electron-Mobility Transistors (HEMTs), where reliability research has historically trailed behind low power digital counterparts. This study introduces a novel application of a modified boost converter circuit designed to investigate GaN failure mechanisms, specifically targeting the determination of reliability factors for the MTOL model. By utilizing a high duty cycle, the circuit stresses the device at maximum rated voltages and currents with minimal input requirements, accelerating hot carrier and trap generation without immediate detrimental failure. Experimental validation was conducted using an EPC 2038 GaN transistor under a constant drain current of 400 mA and a duty cycle of 0.7. The results confirmed that the increase in Drain-Source on-resistance ($R_{DS(on)}$) follows a logarithmic trend over time, consistent with the EPC Phase 12 reliability model. While initial tests at 40V did not successfully validate the longitudinal optical phonon scattering energy ($\hbarω_{LO}$), but were reasonably acceptable, subsequent stress tests at 70V and 100V yielded $\hbarω_{LO}$ values that were successfully validated against existing theoretical and experimental data. This methodology provides a robust framework for predicting performance and lifetime across varying operational parameters in modern power electronics.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2512_01683
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle A Modified Boost Converter Topology for Dynamic Characterization of Hot Carrier and Trap Generation in GaN HEMTs
Azoulay, Moshe
Orr, Gilad
Golan, Gady
Systems and Control
Modern microelectronic systems require long term operational stability, necessitating precise reliability models to predict device lifecycles and identify governing failure mechanisms. This is particularly critical for high power GaN High-Electron-Mobility Transistors (HEMTs), where reliability research has historically trailed behind low power digital counterparts. This study introduces a novel application of a modified boost converter circuit designed to investigate GaN failure mechanisms, specifically targeting the determination of reliability factors for the MTOL model. By utilizing a high duty cycle, the circuit stresses the device at maximum rated voltages and currents with minimal input requirements, accelerating hot carrier and trap generation without immediate detrimental failure. Experimental validation was conducted using an EPC 2038 GaN transistor under a constant drain current of 400 mA and a duty cycle of 0.7. The results confirmed that the increase in Drain-Source on-resistance ($R_{DS(on)}$) follows a logarithmic trend over time, consistent with the EPC Phase 12 reliability model. While initial tests at 40V did not successfully validate the longitudinal optical phonon scattering energy ($\hbarω_{LO}$), but were reasonably acceptable, subsequent stress tests at 70V and 100V yielded $\hbarω_{LO}$ values that were successfully validated against existing theoretical and experimental data. This methodology provides a robust framework for predicting performance and lifetime across varying operational parameters in modern power electronics.
title A Modified Boost Converter Topology for Dynamic Characterization of Hot Carrier and Trap Generation in GaN HEMTs
topic Systems and Control
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.01683