Specialized Silicon Carbide Devices and Applications

The unique characteristics of SiC make it attractive for a variety of applications that are not well served by existing silicon technology. One such application is high-power, moderate-frequency microwave amplifiers and power sources based on devices such as MESFETs (metal-semiconductor field-effect transistors), static induction transistors (SITs), and IMPATT (impact ionization avalanche transit-time) diodes. Another important application involves high-temperature integrated circuits for sensing and control, where SiC bipolar and JFET (junction field-effect transistor) integrated circuits are the preferred implementations. A major emerging opportunity for SiC lies in the area of sensors for hostile environments. Developments to date include MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical sensor) devices for motion sensors, gas sensors for combustion control, and solar-blind UV optical detectors. In each area we describe the application requirements, highlight the advantages of SiC, and report the current status of SiC technology.