Punktkontakttüristors

Punktkontakttüristors, also known as a point-contact thyristor, is an early type of thyristor. Thyristors are semiconductor devices that act as a switch, capable of being triggered into conduction by a control signal. The point-contact thyristor is a predecessor to later, more robust thyristor designs like the silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR). Its construction typically involved making specific point contacts on a semiconductor wafer. These early devices were characterized by their sensitivity and limitations in terms of power handling and reliability compared to modern thyristors. The development of the point-contact thyristor was a significant step in the evolution of semiconductor switching technology, paving the way for more advanced and widely used thyristor devices. While largely superseded by newer technologies, understanding their basic principles offers insight into the historical progression of power electronics. Their operational mechanism relied on the unique properties of these point contacts to achieve regenerative feedback, a key characteristic of thyristor operation.