Industry News

Silicon carbide is one of the ideal materials for making high-temperature, high-frequency, high-power and high-voltage devices. In order to improve production efficiency and reduce costs, the preparation of large-size silicon carbide substrates is an important development direction.

According to overseas news, two sources revealed on June 24 that ByteDance is working with US chip design company Broadcom to develop an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) computing processor, which will help ByteDance ensure an adequate supply of high-end chips amid tensions between China and the United States.

As a leading manufacturer in the SiC industry, Sanan Optoelectronics' related dynamics have received widespread attention in the industry. Recently, Sanan Optoelectronics disclosed a series of latest developments, involving 8-inch transformation, new substrate factory production, establishment of new companies, government subsidies and other aspects.

In the growth of SiC and AlN single crystals using the physical vapor transport (PVT) method, crucial components such as the crucible, seed holder, and guide ring play a vital role. As depicted in Figure 2 [1], during the PVT process, the seed crystal is positioned in the lower temperature region, while the SiC raw material is exposed to higher temperatures (above 2400 ℃).

Silicon carbide substrates have many defects and cannot be processed directly. A specific single crystal thin film needs to be grown on them through an epitaxial process to make chip wafers. This thin film is the epitaxial layer. Almost all silicon carbide devices are realized on epitaxial materials. High-quality silicon carbide homogeneous epitaxial materials are the basis for the development of silicon carbide devices. The performance of epitaxial materials directly determines the realization of the performance of silicon carbide devices.

Silicon carbide is reshaping the semiconductor industry for power and high-temperature applications, with its comprehensive properties, from epitaxial substrates to protective coatings to electric vehicles and renewable energy systems.