thyristorn.
/θʌɪˈrɪstə/, U.S. /θaɪˈrɪstər/ Electronics.
A three-terminal semiconductor rectifier made up of four layers, p-n-p-n, so that when the fourth is positive with respect to the first, a voltage pulse applied to the third layer initiates a flow of current through the device which continues as long as it is greater than some minimum value.
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the world > matter > physics > solid state physics > semiconductivity > [noun] > specific semiconductor devices
spacistor1957
thyristor1958
cryosar1959
SCR1963
transphasor1979
1958 Mueller & Hilibrand in IRE Trans. Electron Devices V. 2/2 Because of its thyratron-like properties, the device has been named a Thyristor.
1965 New Scientist 19 Aug. 446/2 Its transmission system eliminates the commutator by employing thyristors (silicon-controlled rectifiers) as inverters under electronic control.
1981 J. Seymour Electronic Devices & Components iv. 185 Industrial process control, the control of electrical machines and high voltage d.c. transmission are among the many areas in which thyristors are applied. They have superseded the thyratron..in all but the highest voltage applications.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1986; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1958