Development Trends of Fourth-Generation Semiconductors: The Rise of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Materials
published on 2025-04-24
With the continuous evolution of semiconductor technology, each technological breakthrough, from first-generation silicon (Si) materials to third-generation wide bandgap semiconductors (SiC, GaN), has driven the application of electronic devices in extreme environments such as high frequency, high power, and high temperature. However, third-generation semiconductor materials still have limitations in breakdown field strength, thermal conductivity, and adaptability to extreme conditions, prompting researchers to explore the more promising fourth-generation semiconductor materials. These primarily include ultra-wide bandgap (UWBG) materials such as gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃), diamond, and aluminum nitride (AlN). With wider bandgaps, higher breakdown field strengths, and superior thermal stability, these materials are considered key enablers for next-generation high-power electronics, RF devices, and deep-ultraviolet optoelectronics.
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