Silicon carbide (SiC), a material long known with potential for high-temperature, high-power, high-frequency, and radiation hardened applications, has emerged as the most mature of the wide-bandgap (2.0 eV ≲ Eg ≲ 7.0 eV) semiconductors since the release of commercial 6HSiC bulk substrates in 1991 and 4HSiC substrates in 1994. Following a brief introduction to SiC material properties, the status of SiC in terms of bulk crystal growth, unit device fabrication processes, device performance, circuits and sensors is discussed. Emphasis is placed upon demonstrated high-temperature applications, such as power transistors and rectifiers, turbine engine combustion monitoring, temperature sensors, analog and digital circuitry, flame detectors, and accelerometers. While individual device performances have been impressive (e.g. 4HSiC MESFETs with fmax of 42 GHz and over 2.8 W mm−1 power density; 4HSiC static induction transistors with 225 W power output at 600 MHz, 47% power added efficiency (PAE), and 200 V forward blocking voltage), material defects in SiC, in particular micropipe defects, remain the primary impediment to wide-spread application in commercial markets. Micropipe defect densities have been reduced from near the 1000 cm−2 order of magnitude in 1992 to 3.5 cm−2 at the research level in 1995.

Status of silicon carbide (SiC) as a wide-bandgap semiconductor for high-temperature applications: A review

The fact that wide bandgap semiconductors are capable of electronic functionality at much higher temperatures than silicon has partially fueled their development, particularly in the case of SiC. It appears unlikely that wide bandgap semiconductor devices will find much use in low-power transistor applications until the ambient temperature exceeds approximately 300/spl deg/C, as commercially available silicon and silicon-on-insulator technologies are already satisfying requirements for digital and analog VLSI in this temperature range. However practical operation of silicon power devices at ambient temperatures above 200/spl deg/C appears problematic, as self-heating at higher power levels results in high internal junction temperatures and leakages. Thus, most electronic subsystems that simultaneously require high-temperature and high-power operation will necessarily be realized using wide bandgap devices, once they become widely available. Technological challenges impeding the realization of beneficial wide bandgap high ambient temperature electronics, including material growth, contacts, and packaging, are briefly discussed.

High-temperature electronics - a role for wide bandgap semiconductors?

Materials issues in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)

This paper provides a detailed overview of developments in transducer materials technology relating to their current and future applications in micro-scale devices. Recent advances in piezoelectric, magnetostrictive and shape-memory alloy systems are discussed and emerging transducer materials such as magnetic nanoparticles, expandable micro-spheres and conductive polymers are introduced. Materials properties, transducer mechanisms and end applications are described and the potential for integration of the materials with ancillary systems components is viewed as an essential consideration. The review concludes with a short discussion of structural polymers that are extending the range of micro-fabrication techniques available to designers and production engineers beyond the limitations of silicon fabrication technology.

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New materials for micro-scale sensors and actuators An engineering review

In recent years, silicon carbide has received increased attention because of its potential for high-power devices. The unique material properties of SiC, high electric breakdown field, high saturated electron drift velocity, and high thermal conductivity are what give this material its tremendous potential in the power device arena. 4H-SiC Schottky barrier diodes (1400 V) with forward current densities over 700 A/cm/sup 2/ at 2 V have been demonstrated. Packaged SITs have produced 57 W of output power at 500 MHz, SiC UMOSFETs (1200 V) are projected to have 15 times the current density of Si IGBTs (1200 V). Submicron gate length 4H-SiC MESFETs have achieved f/sub max/=32 GHz, f/sub T/=14.0 GHz, and power density=2.8 W/mm @ 1.8 GHz. The performances of a wide variety of SiC devices are compared to that of similar Si and GaAs devices and to theoretically expected results.

Silicon carbide high-power devices

Growth of large SiC single crystals

A realistic performance projection of 4H-SiC UMOSFET structures based on electric field in the gate insulator consistent with long-term reliability of insulator is provided for the breakdown voltage in the range of 600 to 1500 V. The use of P/sup +/ polysilicon gate leads to higher breakdown voltage as the Fowler Nordheim injection from the gate electrode is reduced. It is concluded that the insulator reliability is the limiting factor and therefore the high temperature operation of these devices may not be practical.

A critical look at the performance advantages and limitations of 4H-SiC power UMOSFET structures

State-of-the art SiC MESFET's showing a record high f/sub max/ of 26 GHz and RF gain of 8.5 dB at 10 GHz are described in this paper. These results were obtained by using high-resistivity SiC substrates for the first time to minimize substrate parasitics. The fabrication and characterization of these devices are discussed. >

RF performance of SiC MESFET's on high resistivity substrates

The long-term reliability of gate insulator under high field stress of either polarity presents a constraint on the highest electric field that can be tolerated in a 4H-SiC UMOSFET under on or off condition. A realistic performance projection of 41H-SiC UMOSFET structures based on electric field in the gate insulator (1.5 MV/cm under on-condition and 3 MV/cm under offcondition) consistent with long-term reliability of insulator is provided for the breakdown voltage in the range of 600 to 1500 V. The use of P+ polysilicon gate allows us to use a higher field of 3 MV/cm in the insulator under off-condition and leads to a higher breakdown voltage as the Fowler Nordheim (FN) injection from the gate electrode is reduced. FN injection data is presented for p type 4H-SiC MOS capacitor under inversion at room temperature and at 325°C. It is concluded that the insulator reliability, and not the SiC, is the limiting factor and therefore the high temperature operation of these devices may not be practical.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S194642740019671X

Critical Materials, Device Design, Performance and Reliability Issues in 4H-SiC Power Umosfet Structures

High-power density, temperature tolerant silicon carbide (SiC) electronics offer an exceptional opportunity to increase the performance and lower the cost of many existing and emerging military and commercial products. Surveillance and tactical radar systems, compact electric tank and aircraft engine controls, high reliability aviation electronics, and radiation resistance satellite components are some examples. Recent technology advances have brought this potential payoff closer to reality. These include the fabrication of a record-setting MESFET device with 12 dB gain at 2 GHz and 2 W/mm of power at 1 GHz and the world's first 2-inch diameter high-resistivity SiC wafers for planar devices and low resistivity substrates for power devices. Vertical transistor structures have also been fabricated using both Schottky barrier and MOS gates. >

P.G. McMullin

Papers

Growth of large SiC single crystals

A critical look at the performance advantages and limitations of 4H-SiC power UMOSFET structures

RF performance of SiC MESFET's on high resistivity substrates

Critical Materials, Device Design, Performance and Reliability Issues in 4H-SiC Power Umosfet Structures

Advances in silicon carbide (SiC) device processing and substrate fabrication for high power microwave and high temperature electronics