The triangular barrier switch

We set out to understand the operation of the triangular barrier switch. The device uses a regenerative feedback mechanism to attain abrupt switching. The switching characteristics suggest the presence of "safe" hole traps in the device. The effect of these traps upon the current conduction is taken into account in a simplified but illustrative analysis which we will carry out and predict the threshold switching current density. Comparison between the experimental data and the analysis shows a reasonably good agreement. This device can be easily integrated with the triangular barrier photodiode to form a light level switch.