MIET scientists developed transistors for power electronics

Recently the main direction of power electronics in the world is the development of wide-gap semiconductor technologies. This technology is primarily needed for super-power and ultra-high-voltage devices operating in the range of 1.5 kilovolts and more.

Devices of the first, vertical, type are transistors based on silicon carbide and designed for voltages of tens of kilovolts. The second type of devices are transistors made laterally on the basis of wide-gap semiconductors, they operate at a lower voltage level - 100, 200, 400, 600 volts.

Today transistors of the second type (with a lower voltage) are more in demand in the market. Therefore, in recent years, MIET has been developing them (up to 600 volts with a current load of about 20 amperes).

For the last three years a scientific group led by Vladimir Egorkin, Associate Professor of the Department of Quantum Physics and Nanoelectronics, has been developing special heterostructural compounds based on wide-gap semiconductors - gallium nitride and its heterostructural compounds on various types of substrates. Gallium nitride technology is the most popular today - it is generally more economical, its dimensions are smaller, and the frequency range is higher.

“We have developed transistor crystals for high voltage applications. Today, these crystals still need to be packaged in final transistor products. In addition, in high-voltage electronics, there is a division according to the type of transistors: normally open and normally closed, it is determined by the initial heterostructures. MIET was one of the first in Russia to model and manufacture both types. Moreover, we developed hybrid assemblies based on silicon low-current high-voltage transistors and normally open gallium nitride; they showed operational characteristics as imported counterparts,” commented Vladimir Egorkin.

In 2020 at the technological base of Zelenograd Nanotechnology Center this scientific group developed 150 mm prototypes. Next year ZNTC is planning to upgrade its production facilities and to start production manufacturing in 2023.

These transistors can be used for the manufacture of household appliances, power supplies of various types, electric vehicles and other devices in the field of electricity conversion.