[Amps] Re: Equalizing resistors with HV diodes

[R.Measures]

On Sep 22, 2004, at 1:03 AM, peter.chadwick at Zarlink.Com wrote:

>
>
>
>
> G8WRB said:
>
>> the rate of metal migration would decrease
>> exponentially with increasing thickness
>
> There is a limit to how thick you can deposit metal. The Unitrode 
> process,
> which uses the end of the lead in direct contact has some advantages 
> here.
> At least in diodes, you don't tend to get the step coverage problem 
> that
> you get in ICs. However, metal migration is also a temperature related
> phenomena, so depending on the diode construction, and the temperature 
> and
> the operating time, it might or might not be a problem.
>
> Operating in avalanche mode is not desirable for a semiconductor 
> junction
> that hasn't been designed to so do,

As I see it, with good engineering practice, rectifiers are not 
operated anywhere near their avalanche Vr.
...
> ...
Richard L. Measures, AG6K, 805.386.3734.  www.somis.org