Failure Analysis of Solid-State Switches in High-Power Laser Power Conditioning System

The power conditioning system is a critical component in large-scale, high-power laser facilities. Due to its high-voltage, high-current operation, the system is prone to unexpected failures that can disrupt normal facility operation. This study analyzed failure mechanisms by examining malfunction incidents in thyristor-based solid-state switches within this system. Failure replication experiments identified inconsistent reverse recovery characteristics and inadequate resistance to voltage spikes as the primary causes of thyristor overvoltage damage. Consequently, corrective measures were implemented, including reverse-recovery characteristic matching and passivation treatment processes. The effectiveness of these improvements was subsequently confirmed through comparative experiments.