What is Gallium Nitride (GaN)

What is GaN? Gallium Nitride (GaN) Semiconductors Explained

Gallium Nitride GaN

What Is GaN-on-Silicon: Understanding Gallium Nitride Technology

Gallium nitride (GaN) is a very hard, mechanically stable, binary III/V direct bandgap semiconductor. With higher breakdown strength, faster switching speed, higher thermal conductivity, and lower on-resistance, power devices based on GaN significantly outperform silicon-based devices. Gallium nitride crystals can be grown on a variety of substrates, including sapphire, silicon carbide (SiC), and silicon (Si). By growing a GaN epi layer on top of silicon, the existing silicon manufacturing infrastructure can be used, eliminating the need for costly specialized production sites and leveraging readily available large diameter silicon wafers at low cost.

How Does Gallium Nitride Work?

Gallium nitride (GaN) has become a game-changer in the world of semiconductors, particularly for high-efficiency power transistors and integrated circuits. But how does this gallium nitride technology function?

  • Creation of 2DEG: By growing a thin layer of aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN) on top of a GaN crystal, a strain is created at the interface that induces a compensating two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). This 2DEG is used to efficiently conduct electrons when an electric field is applied across it.
  • Efficient Conduction: This 2DEG is highly conductive, in part due to the confinement of the electrons to a very small region at the interface. This confinement increases the mobility of electrons from about 1000 cm2/V·s in unstrained GaN to between 1500 and 2000 cm2/V·s in the 2DEG region.
  • Superior Performance: Gallium Nitride’s high conductivity produces transistors and integrated circuits that feature higher breakdown strength, faster switching speed, higher thermal conductivity and lower on-resistance than comparable silicon solutions.

The Evolution of GaN Technology

  1. LED Innovation

    In the early 1990s, GaN-based LEDs revolutionized the lighting industry with their efficiency and brightness. This breakthrough led to the development of energy-efficient lighting solutions that are now ubiquitous in our daily lives.

  2. RF and Microwave Applications

    GaN's high-frequency capabilities made it ideal for use in radio frequency (RF) and microwave applications. Its ability to handle high power densities and operate at high frequencies has been crucial in the advancement of wireless communication systems.

  3. Power Electronics Revolution

    In recent years, GaN has emerged as a game-changer in power electronics. Its superior performance characteristics, such as low on-resistance and high switching speed, have enabled the development of smaller, more efficient power converters and motor drives. This has significant implications for industries ranging from consumer electronics to renewable energy.


What are the Advantages of Gallium Nitride Over Silicon and Other Semiconductor Materials

Increase Efficiency

Increase Efficiency

Reduce Size

Reduce Size

Reduce Cost

Reduce Cost

  • Faster switching speeds = less switching losses and smaller solutions
  • Lower on-resistance = lower conduction losses and higher efficiency
  • Smaller / lower weight = less space and volume on printed circuit board
  • Lower cost = lower overall system and operational costs

Interactive Wall of GaN

Click on the image below to explore our range of GaN FETs and ICs, designed for efficiency and performance.

Interactive Wall of GaN

GaN’s Diverse Applications

Automotive Electronics

GaN technology significantly improves the performance, efficiency, and reliability of automotive electronics, contributing to the development of more advanced and efficient vehicles.

Advanced Computing

GaN technology improves power conversion in data centers for advanced computing applications like machine learning and artificial intelligence by enabling higher efficiency, higher power density, and reduced size and weight compared to traditional silicon-based power electronics. This results in reduced energy consumption, lower cooling requirements, and overall cost savings for data center operators.

Robotics and Drones

GaN-based motor drives can operate at higher frequencies, enabling smoother and more precise control of robotic movements. GaN technology enables more efficient, compact, and reliable motor drives, enhancing the performance of robotic and drone systems.

Renewable Energy

GaN-based power electronics can operate at higher frequencies, enabling more efficient conversion of solar energy into electricity. This results in higher energy yields and lower system costs for solar installations.

Consumer Electronics

GaN technology improves power conversion for consumer electronics by offering higher efficiency, smaller size, lighter weight, and faster charging capabilities compared to traditional silicon-based solutions.

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GaN for Aerospace and Defense

Aerospace and Defense

Consumer Electronics GaN

Consumer Electronics

GaN for Medical Technologies

MedTech

GaN for Communications

Communications

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