Electronic – Why is Junction Temperature called so

power electronicssemiconductorssolid-state-devices

Why is the silicon die temperature inside a semiconductor device referred to as "Junction" Temperature ?

Though this name may make sense for minority carrier devices where there is maximum power loss at the junction. But for majority carrier devices like MOS is makes less sense.

Best Answer

For a given current flowing through any device, maximum dissipation and so highest temperature occurs where there's maximum voltage drop.

The word 'junction' doesn't have to only apply to BJT P-N junctions, it also describes well the region between source area and the drain area in a FET, which is where the bulk of the inter-terminal voltage drop occurs. You could call it the gate channel if you like, but most people are quite happy calling it a junction.

The point at issue is that it's the very small volume of the die where all the action happens. It's not the heatsink temperature, it not even the average die temperature. Because it's so small, it has little thermal capacity, and so dominates the single short pulse power handling specifications.