Novel Crystal Technology, Inc. is a carve-out venture from Tamura and a technology transfer venture from the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT). Novel Crystal Technology, Inc. is working on the R&D of β-type gallium oxide (β-Ga2O3), a promising candidate for semiconductor material in new-generation power devices. Gallium oxide power devices with medium to high breakdown voltage are highly expected to contribute to energy saving.
β-Ga2O3 SBDs on high-quality 100-mm β-Ga2O3 epitaxial wafer
Characteristics of β-Ga2O3
β-Ga
2O
3 is a new semiconductor material for power devices and has larger band-gap energy than SiC and GaN. Therefore, it will likely be used to make that can withstand high voltages and low resistance semiconductors. In addition, since growing β-Ga
2O
3 single crystal form a melt it is possible to provide high quality substrates with low cost compared with SiC and GaN to the market.
■Relationship between theoretical on-resistance and breakdown voltage
■Reasons for low cost of β-Ga2O3
| SiC, GaN | β-Ga2O3 |
Growth rate | Slow
|
Fast
|
Substrate process |
Difficult | Easy |
Growth method |
Vapor growth method |
Melt growth method |
Applications
1) Power electronics
Electric vehicles
|
Railroad vehicles
|
Renewable energy
|
Smart grid
|
2) Devices in extreme environment
Nuclear reactors (radiation)
|
Space (radiation, electromagnetic waves)
|
3) Other applications
High sensitivity image sensors
|
Scintillators (medical, security)
|
Ultraviolet sensors
|
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