SCS-Silicon Controlled Switch

Silicon controlled switch (SCS), like the SCR, is a unilateral, four layer three
junction P-N-P-N silicon device with four electrodes namely cathode C, cathode
gate Gx, anode gate G2 and the anode A, as shown in figure. Infact, the SCS is a
low power device compared with the SCR. It handles currents in milli amperes
rather than amperes. SCS differs from an SCR in the following aspects. It has an
additional gate—the anode gate.It is physically smaller than SCR.It has smaller
leakage and holding currents than SCR.It needs small triggering signals. It gives
more uniform triggering characteristics from sample to sample.
The basic structure and schematic symbol of SCS are shown in the figures. It
may be fabricated by using either the grown junction technique or the planar
technique.

Operation of a Silicon Controlled Switch

The easiest way to understand how it operates is to realize it to be formed of
two transistors Q1 and Q2 placed back-to-back, as shown in figure.b
In a two-transistor equivalent circuit shown in figure.c, it is seen that a negative
pulse at the anode gate G2 causes transistor Q1 to switch on. Transistor
Q1 supplies base current to transistor Q2, and both transistors switch-on.
Similarly, a positive pulse at the cathode gate G1 can switch the device on. Since
only small currents are involved, the SCS may be switched off by an appropriate
polarity pulse at one of the gates. At the cathode gate a negative pulse is
required for switching-off while at the anode gate a positive pulse is needed.

Volt-Ampere Characteristic of SCS

The volt-ampere characteristic of an SCS is similar to that of an SCR and is shown
in figure. With the increase in applied voltage, the current first increases slowly
upto point A and then rapidly in the region AB, as shown in the figure. At point
B, the product β1β2 exceeds unity and the device is suddenly switched on. In the
on-state, the current increases enormously and is limited by the external series
resistor. SCS also exhibits negative differential resistance in the on region similar
to SCR. SCS gets switched on accidentally if the anode voltage gets applied
suddenly. This is known as rate effect, which is caused by inter-electrode
capacitance between electrodes G1 and G2, known as transition capacitance.

Advantages and Applications of SCS

An advantage of SCS over an SCR is the reduced turn-off time, typically within
the range of 1 to 10 micro seconds for the SCS and 5 to 30 micro seconds for
the SCR. Other advantages of the SCS over SCR are increased control and
triggering sensitivity and a more predictable firing situation. However, the SCS
is limited to low power, current, and voltage ratings (typical maximum anode
currents range from 100 mA to 300 mA with dissipation rating of 100 to 500
mW).
A few of the more common areas of application of SCS include a variety of
computer circuits (such as counters, registers, and timing circuits) voltage
sensors, pulse generators, oscillators etc.