What is gallium nitride (GaN)? – the next step in semiconductors
Summary
Their work overcame significant challenges related to the materials crystal growth and doping, leading to the development of the first practical blue LEDs in the early 1990s. As previously mentioned, being a wide-bandgap material has many advantages, allowing it to sustain higher voltages and electric fields without breaking down, crucial for high-power applications. This wide bandgap also contributes to GaNs superior thermal conductivity, enabling devices to operate at higher temperatures and dissipate heat more effectively, making them suitable for demanding environments. Additionally, GaN devices are known for their robustness, capable of handling over-voltage and over-temperature conditions better than many other semiconductor materials, thus offering enhanced durability and reliability. • Electric vehicles: GaN components are used in EV powertrains, including onboard chargers and DC-DC converters, contributing to more efficient power management and longer driving ranges.