Abstract:
Diodes having long minority carrier lifetimes are connected between active switching elements in a monostable or astable regenerative switching circuit. When the circuit is in one state, a forward current flows through the diode, and charge is stored near the junction thereof. When the circuit is triggered to its other state, current through the diode is reversed and the diode acts as a voltage clamp to maintain one of the switching elements in a nonconductive state.