SweGaN and Chalmers University demonstrate high-voltage GaN power devices with a high breakdown voltage of >1600V and low leakage current of 22nA/mm on QuanFINE® epitaxial solutions

  • The results place QuanFINE® buffer-free GaN-on-SiC materials in pole position to service the high-voltage power market

Linköping, Sweden, June 21, 2022: Chalmers University of Technology and SweGaN AB, manufacturer of custom-made GaN-on-SiC epitaxial wafers for the devices used in telecom, satellite, defense and power electronics, announces a publication in Electron Device Letters, demonstrating new state-of-the-art results of high-voltage GaN power devices enabled by Chalmers MIS-HEMT technology and SweGaN QuanFINE® buffer-free GaN-on-SiC materials. 

Among key findings, the research identifies QuanFINE® epiwafers as a highly competitive candidate for high-voltage power devices used for 1200V applications, in addition to its strong traction in the RF market at present.

-”With excellent results establishing  the robust capability of our material, we anticipate there will be growing opportunities for SweGaN in this era of electric vehicles, where the power devices are critical for the vehicle’s performance. We are currently in discussions with early-adopter GaN power device companies to launch high-voltage power solutions that harvest the true advantages of GaN.” says Dr. Jr-Tai Chen, CTO, SweGaN. 

Sample of Abstract Highlights

The performance of a novel ‘buffer-free’ GaN-on-SiC MIS-HEMTs for power switching applications is demonstrated in this letter. In addition, high voltage operation with exceptionally low gate and drain leakage currents is shown and specific on-resistance of 3.61 m Ω⋅ cm 2 and a breakdown voltage of 1622 V at a drain current of 22 nA/mm are achieved.

-“SweGaN has developed highly robust and innovative GaN-on-SiC materials, says Prof. Niklas Rorsman, Chalmers University of Technology. We are happy to collaborate with SweGaN on a continuous basis to perform joint research and development. The collaboration has been very successful to developing III-nitride materials and devices.“

What will the key new findings mean for the GaN high-voltage market?

  • Results obtained in this work demonstrated the significant potential of SweGaN’s QuanFINE® epitaxial solutions for high-voltage GaN power devices used in the applications where the performance and the reliability of the devices are both strictly required, for example, on-board chargers and power inverters of EVs.
  • GaN power devices available in the market have been limited up to 650V rated, due to the GaN material quality and the low-breakdown Si substrates.
  • A specific on-resistance of 3.61 mΩ*cm2, an off-state breakdown voltage of over 1600 V of the MIS-HEMTs at a drain leakage current of 22 nA/mm, plus a vertical breakdown voltage of more than 3000 V were achieved. (See Figure 4)

In this work, we demonstrated new state-of-the-art performance in terms of the on-resistance and the breakdown voltage of the GaN power devices fabricated on our buffer-free GaN-on-SiC materials with total epilayer thickness of roughly 20 times thinner than that of the commercial GaN-on-Si epiwafers. (See Figure 5)

  

(Click on image(s) to enlarge)

-”the collaboration of Chalmers and SweGaN have been successful on numerous research projects. Harnessing the combined expertise from the material level to the device level is the key behind this achievement, which will also further enhance SweGaN’s long-term market strategy and product innovation – and provide significant benefits to our global customer base,” says Jonas Nilsson, CEO, SweGaN.   

Project framework, Swedish Centre for III-Nitride Technology.

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About SweGaN

SweGaN provides a unique solution for GaN-on-SiC epiwafers based on its ground-breaking epitaxial growth technology for manufacturers of RF components and devices for satellite, communications, and defense  and for power device makers. The high performance of SweGaN QuanFINE® material enables our customers to quickly adapt to the evolving challenges of next-generation high power and high frequency devices, and to create future-oriented solutions. For more information, visit us as www.swegan.se and LinkedIn.

Media Contacts

SweGaN
Leslie Johnsen
Communications Advisor
Mob: +47 41 45 80 43
Email: leslie.johnsen@swegan.se

Chalmers University of Technology
Robert Karlsson
Communications Partner, Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience
Mob +46(0)768-564905
Email robert.k.karlsson@chalmers.se