These devices have three states: forward blocking, reverse blocking, and forward conducting, the last of which permits current flow even after the controlling current is turned off. For 10 points each:
[10h] Name these devices, which serve as bistable switches to control current in high-power applications. These devices consist of four layers with a P-N-P-N structure.
ANSWER: thyristors [accept silicon-controlled rectifiers]
[10e] The forward and reverse blocking states of a thyristor resemble the forward and reverse bias states of these devices, which permit current flow only in a single direction.
ANSWER: diodes
[10m] In a three-terminal thyristor, this terminal controls the current between the anode and cathode. Similarly, in a field-effect transistor, applying a voltage to the terminal with this name controls the current flow between the source and drain.
ANSWER: gate
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