Silicon is the traditional material of choice for semiconductors, but its close relative, silicon carbide (SiC), has appeared recently as a fierce competitor. The characteristics of SiC lend themselves especially well to high-heat, high-voltage applications. It offers higher efficiency and expands capabilities in areas like power density and operating temperatures.
This unique material is helping to make power supplies smaller and more efficient. Let's explore how that's happening and what SiC has to offer in the world of power supplies.
There are six major benefits to SiC over Si, such as:
These benefits make SiC an ideal material for power applications across industries. Two common power supply components that use SiC are diodes and metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs).
One of the main reasons SiC is so useful in power supplies is that it functions as a wide bandgap material. A material with a wide bandgap requires more energy before it moves an electron from the valence band to the conduction band. When this happens, the material becomes a conductor. Silicon only has a bandgap of 1.12 electron volts (eV), while SiC has a bandgap of 3.2 eV. The wider bandgap means that SiC can sustain the same voltage as a silicon semiconductor in a much thinner design.
The thinner material of SiC offers several advantages for power supplies. It reduces losses from conduction and switching, which can increase switching speeds and reduce heat for smaller, more efficient and longer-lasting power supplies.
Virtually every industry benefits from these compact, efficient power supplies since there is a growing need for technology like automated equipment and data gathering. Industrial applications, data centers and other high-heat, high-voltage users are particularly interested in SiC, which can significantly reduce the costs of running and cooling facilities — which often operate 24/7 — while making the most of valuable space.
SiC can also improve performance over time, as it stands up well to thermal stress. Greater efficiency helps to minimize heat, giving SiC a longer life span and making it more reliable. These characteristics can be especially useful in demanding or mission-critical applications like ruggedized power supplies or military devices.
The benefits of using silicon carbide power devices are extensive and affect everything from operating temperatures to design flexibility. SiC advantages include:
Silicon has been around for decades, and many designers rely on it as a tried-and-true material. While it works well in low-powered applications, its limitations become clear when working with high-powered devices. Where silicon starts to break down, SiC keeps going. It can operate at higher temperatures, frequencies and voltages thanks to its wide bandgap.
While silicon operates up to 150 degrees Celsius, SiC can go an extra 50 degrees Celsius higher. It can support switching frequencies and voltages up to 10 times higher than silicon.
In many cases, silicon reduces the turn-on resistance that can occur at high breakdown voltages. However, this can increase switching losses and problems with heat generation. These issues prevent silicon from being effective in high-frequency applications. SiC can offer these low turn-on resistances at high voltages and high speeds.
Some areas where SiC shines include:
SiC-based power supplies offer significant advantages over their silicon counterparts. If you work with high-powered applications, using SiC can help you meet your goals, such as reducing costs, improving efficiency and boosting reliability. At Astrodyne TDI, we specialize in power supplies optimized for your application.
We serve some of the strictest, most demanding industries like the military, industrial and medical fields. Our knowledgeable team can help you make the most of SiC with off-the-shelf and custom solutions, all backed by top-tier certifications. To learn more about SiC equipment and how we can help you on your next project, please reach out to an expert today!