Silicon Carbide Power Device Use in Spacecraft and Aircraft

To enable high power systems in future spacecraft and aircraft, radiation tolerant high voltage power switches are required. These radiation hardened devices are needed to address the capability of future performance goals of a) developing basic power building blocks for multiple applications, and b) distributing power at increased voltage to lower overall power system mass. Among alternatives, silicon carbide power devices offer a possible solution; however, the safe operating areas of these devices are needed to be quantified. To this end, we present the existing limits of this technology, and our solutions for higher altitude and space use versions of the silicon carbide technology.