There is a new semiconductor in town and I didn't get the memo. Sicone carbide. Evidently they make IGBT's and MOSFET's in a new flavor, SiC. I haven't seen any mention of this in my text book. Where can I go to learn about these new age semiconductors?

 

They have been around since 1998 evidentally!.
SiC is the way of representing Silicone Carbide, nothing new.
Max.

 

Google shows many references.

 

Silicon carbide and germanium nitride and silicon germanium are the three emerging technologies for HEMT transistors and semiconductors.

HEMT stands for high electron mobility semiconductors. They are essentially low on-resistance devices. For CPUs, this allows speed well beyond the 3.4 GHz limit that we have plateaued at for the last 10 years in doped silicon. Expect to see speeds to 60 - 100 GHz range. IBM and intel are starting with Silicon Germanium for power efficiency and less heat. I don't know if the demand is there yet for high speed. More servers are generally the solution lately instead of faster servers.

For power transistors, it allows lower on-resistance and, therefore, smaller motor controls for eVehicles. More efficient inverters for solar farms and direct-drive wind turbines.

Also, higher switching speed in power transistors for SMPS, smaller, lighter transformers and inductors. Less heat dissipation from power supplies.

Gallium nitride is also used in high brightness LEDs.

 

Gallium nitride transistors are already available fro Digikey - made by EPC (efficient power conversion). A startup launched by the former CEO of international rectifier. There is some IP dispute between the two companies. IR will have their own GaN transistors shortly.

 

HEMT stands for high electron mobility semiconductors. They are essentially low on-resistance devices. For CPUs, this allows speed well beyond the 3.4 GHz limit that we have plateaued at for the last 10 years in doped silicon. Expect to see speeds to 60 - 100 GHz range.

Are you sure about that? At 60-100 GHz, light itself (whose speed is close to the maximum speed at which electrical signals can propagate) will only be able to travel 3-5mm . Also, how would that clock frequency likely be generated? I'm sure it's possible, maybe via transmission lines to "sync" the clock phase across the entire PCB? I dunno. It'd be crazy to see such high clock rates though, makes me excited for the future!

 

Are you sure about that? At 60-100 GHz, light itself (whose speed is close to the maximum speed at which electrical signals can propagate) will only be able to travel 3-5mm . Also, how would that clock frequency likely be generated? I'm sure it's possible, maybe via transmission lines to "sync" the clock phase across the entire PCB? I dunno. It'd be crazy to see such high clock rates though, makes me excited for the future!

Some products are already there. 60 GHz Ethernet bridge...

http://www.bridgewave.com/products/60ghz.cfm


http://www.pcworld.com/article/2030...anely-fast-future-of-wireless-networking.html

Rf micro devices sells GaN foundry services.

https://www.rfmd.com/openfoundry/process.aspx
>20 GHz with current technology.

Also, W-band microwave radar is up to 100 GHz
W-Band (allowed in some countries for parking assist & blind spot detection)

 

They have been around since 1998 evidentally!.
SiC is the way of representing Silicone Carbide, nothing new.
Max.

Silicone Carbide?

Is that like, you know, implants that really, uhmmm, firm?

 

Silicone Carbide?

Is that like, you know, implants that really, uhmmm, firm?

Ok, I didn't see the extra "e". Then maybe not 100 GHz and used, as you suggest, to simulate a particular excited state instead.