Thyristor

Thyristor is a type of 4 layer semiconductor and can be modeled as three diodes

connected in series back to back or 2 transistor with feedback position
it supports hysteresis phenomena and hysteresis here in thyristor is that the device
doesnt return to its original state even the cause of the action has been removed
and it back again under condition
thyristor can handle high voltage reach some kilovolts therefore its suitable in high
power application
types of thyristor :
1. Shockley diode
2. DIAC
3. Silicon Controlled rectifier SCR
4. TRIAC

Shockely diode
Like PN junction diode in the main concept of that it conducts with forward bias and
cut off with reverse but unlike PN junction diode it can handle high power .
And here the models of thyristor .

thyristor can be modeled as 3 PN junction diode connected back to back as

following .
And here all conducting condition :

Condition 1:
Forward blocking state (OFF) and here j1 and j3 are forward but the voltage
between anode and cathode not enough to breakdown j2 to become conducting and
breakdown here doesnt mean that the junction will Permanently damage, because
it fabricated to withstand excessive reverse voltage and conduct current like Zener
diode in reverse state
Condition 2:
Small reverse leakage current of J1 or J3 only and this stat can be considered
OFF state
Condition 3:
Forward conducting state (ON) and here J1 and J3 are forward and voltage
between anode and cathode are enough to breakdown J2 and thyristor is fully ON
and conduct current.
Then we can say that shockely diode conduct only if the voltage of anode is higher
than cathode with a value called break over voltage V BO then VAK VBO
Once conducts it stay on as long as the current is above the threshold called holding
current IH and we can explain that by BJT equivalent circuit , once we apply V AK
greater than VBO one of the BJT will switch on causing base current on the other BJT
then the other BJT works causing base current to the first BJT , we here in positive
feedback stat , this loop will continue as long as the current is greater than
holding current , and that explain the hysteresis phenomena , once current is
below IH one of the BJT will turn off causing base current in the other BJT to stop
then both BJT will stop and diode now OFF
And here the characteristic curve that explain what we have discussed.

The DIAC
It has the same characteristic of shockely diode but with one only difference
Shockely diode can allow current in one direction making it unidirectional device,
then two shockely diode can connect in parallel facing different direction to make a
device can allow current in two direction that device called DIAC
DIAC can now pass current in the two direction but first the voltage must be higher
than VBO , so the input wave to the output wave will be shown in the following figure

Also, the characteristic curve shown on the following figure

Its the same as the characteristic curve of the shockely diode but in the two
direction