Section 3: Working with devices and instruments
Model 8010 High Power Device Test Fixture User's Manual
3-10
8010-900-01 Rev. C / March 2017
Suppressing device oscillations
During on-state characterization of MOSFET and IGBT devices, high-current pulses that travel
through the channel of the device may cause the device gate to oscillate. The instability of the gate
voltage will result in unstable measurements through the device channel.
To dampen these oscillations and stabilize the gate, you can insert a resistor between the gate of the
device and the SourceMeter Instrument (SMU) connected to the gate. See
(on page 3-10) for details.
The appropriate gate resistor value is device-dependent. However, typical gate resistor values range
from tens to hundreds of ohms.
If the gate remains unstable after inserting a dampening resistor, enable the high-capacitance mode
(if available) on the SMU connected to the gate.
How to insert a resistor on a device terminal
The Model 8010 is equipped to connect a standard resistor with axial leads to any device terminal.
To connect a resistor to the Model 8010:
1. Loosen the screw-down clamp of the terminal post you want to connect to.
2. Insert one resistor lead into the hole below the screw-down clamp.
3. Tighten the screw-down clamp until the resistor is held firmly to the terminal post.
4. Connect an alligator clip (customer-supplied) to the banana plug of the jumper wire coming from
the force lead of the SMU to be connected.
5. Clip the alligator clip to the other end of the resistor.
Figure 18: Model 8010 two-wire test with a gate resistor installed
