MOS-controlled thyristor

An MOS-controlled thyristor (MCT) is a voltage-controlled fully controllable thyristor. It was invented by V.A.K. Temple. MCTs are similar in operation to GTO thyristors, but have voltage controlled insulated gates. They have two MOSFETs of opposite conductivity types in their equivalent circuits. One is responsible for turn-on and the other for turn-off. A thyristor with only one MOSFET in its equivalent circuit, which can only be turned on (like normal SCRs), is called an MOS-gated thyristor.