Could Diamond Semiconductors Replace SiC (Silicon Carbide) and GaN (Gallium Nitride) as the Future of HighPower Electronics?

High-power electronics involve high working temperatures, huge currents, and rapid switching which demand high-performance semiconductor materials. The industry standard Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductors are good, cost-effective, and easily reliable. But they have physical limits that prevent the development of power electronics with better performance. Today, this gap is being filled by the emerging synthetic Diamond semiconductors.

Will Diamond Semiconductors Replace SiC and GaN in High Power Electronics?

Diamond Semiconductors have the potential to replace the standard SiC and GaN in high-power electronics due to the following physical properties:

Higher Bandgap

When compared to SiC and GaN, synthetic diamond semiconductors have a bandgap of 5.47eV which allows devices to operate at higher voltages and temperatures. This ultra-wide band gap (UWBG) enables high power converters to work under strenuous conditions with higher stability.

High Breakdown Field

Diamond has a breakdown field of 10 MV/cm which is four times higher than SiC or GaN. This allows reduction in on-resistance eight times better than traditional semiconductors. Even at higher temperatures, the device can be safely operated without failure.

Increased Electron Mobility

The charge carriers in Diamond semiconductors move two to six times faster than SiC and GaN which enables higher switching speed and better energy efficiency. This is really important to manufacture efficient electronic devices with high operating ranges.

Higher Thermal Conductivity

Thermal conductivity of Diamond semiconductor is five times better than silicon which makes it an excellent material for making smaller, faster, and efficient power devices. Because of higher thermal conductivity, it helps in compact design without the risk of overheating.

How does Diamond Compare with SiC and GaN in Real-life Applications?

Commercially, SiC and GaN are currently being used in Electric vehicles, renewable energy, RF applications, power supply for data centers, and much more. But industries have started to test, experiment, and use synthetic diamond in their applications in which high-power electronics are at the forefront.

We can witness diamond semiconductors in Grid-level circuit breakers which handle more than 10kV and massive currents for utility and industrial power distribution. In several extreme environments, for instance, jet engines, deep geothermal drilling, and space explorations, diamonds perform extremely well. Similarly, in satellites and nuclear reactors, where radiation exposure is extremely high, diamonds are preferred. Therefore, several industries have started to adopt diamond semiconductors for their use cases.

Since diamonds have better physical properties, high-power electronics have already started to adopt them. Even if SiC and GaN have a sweet spot due to availability and manufacturing advantages, diamonds are also capturing the market.

Why Diamond Semiconductors Haven’t Replaced SiC and GaN Already?

SiC and GaN have been optimized for several applications through years of usage. Also, they are highly affordable and easily available. On the other hand, diamond is currently preferred for certain applications like high-power electronics due to the following reasons:

Doping Asymmetry

It is easier to make p-type diamonds by adding boron. But the process of making n-type requires addition of phosphorus and it is quite inefficient. So, the device usage gets limited.

Wafer Stress and Defects

Growing diamond on substrates like Silicon or Iridium leads to stress and possible cracking. But recently, several manufacturers have refined the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method in producing diamond wafers which have better quality.

Cost Reduction

ncreasing the production of diamond wafers and cutting down the costs is highly capital-intensive.So earlier, the cost was way higher than SiC and GaN. Currently, the production has increased and it has started to grab attention with better prices

Will SiC and GaN decline in future?

Diamonds are not taking over all industries since SiC and GaN are highly optimized for automotive and consumer electronics. Active research is being done to improve the wafer size and manufacturing process of SiC and GaN. So, they will not decline in the near future right away.Diamond’s rise in the market is gradual and it has only started to capture the high-power electronics and other demanding niches

Although diamonds may overtake silicon in certain industries, many companies are exploring hybrid devices where diamond is being used as a drift layer or to spread heat by pairing them with SiC or GaN. This helps in leveraging the advantages of diamond. Also, the inefficiency in the production of n-type diamond transistors is being supported with this hybrid approach.

Therefore, SiC and GaN will not be declined and they will thrive due to their affordability, at least in devices or products that involve common everyday users.

What advantages can Diamond semiconductors offer in consumer electronics?

Diamond Heat Dissipation is better and faster than any other semiconductor material. So it reduces the risk of overheating and allows smaller, lighter, and powerful devices without any necessity for bulk cooling systems. Especially in consumer devices such as laptops, smartphones, chargers, etc., diamonds can increase energy efficiency and produce less heat.

Diamonds allow faster movement of electrons and holes that enables higher switching speeds and high-frequency operation. This will pave the way for advanced processors, communication chips, and high-speed charging circuits. Also, it can help create efficient home electronic devices which significantly reduces energy bills.

Final Thoughts

Diamond semiconductors have started to gain popularity in the market with their exceptional physical properties and operational limits. They are very likely to replace the traditionalsemiconductor materials in high-power electronics and in several industries that demand working in extreme environments. Even if diamonds have exceptional properties, a total replacement of traditional players in every niche will not happen in the near future right away.