The document discusses the insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), a three-terminal power semiconductor device primarily used as an electronic switch. IGBTs combine high efficiency and fast switching. They have lower conduction losses than other devices, can block larger voltages, and have small turn-on and turn-off times. The document describes the basic IGBT structure, punch-through and non-punch-through variations, and their off-state and on-state operations. It notes applications of IGBTs include medium-power devices like motor drives, solid-state relays, and high frequency signal choppers.