Wanju, South Korea – July 22 — Sigetronics, a leading Korean compound semiconductor company, announced that it has successfully developed a next-generation Schottky Barrier Diode (SBD) using gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃) — a breakthrough material in the field of ultra-fast switching power semiconductors.

Gallium oxide is a next-generation Ultra-Wide Bandgap (UWB) semiconductor material under active research in countries such as the United States and Japan. Compared to existing wide bandgap materials like silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN), gallium oxide features a wider energy bandgap and higher critical electric field strength, making it ideal for high-voltage, high-current, high-temperature, and high-efficiency applications. It overcomes the limitations of earlier materials such as low breakdown voltage (VB) and high leakage current (IL).

Sigetronics’ Gallium Oxide Schottky Barrier Diode Product (Photo = Sigetronics)

Through the Materials and Components Technology Development Program sponsored by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), Sigetronics became the first company in Korea to develop a 1200V-class gallium oxide power semiconductor. The government-backed R&D project was titled "Development of High-Quality, Low-Defect Gallium Oxide Epi-Wafers and Power Devices with Breakdown Voltage over 1kV."

The newly developed gallium oxide SBD minimizes leakage current and on-resistance, which are critical performance factors in power devices. Its unique properties make it suitable for power inverters and converters used in consumer electronics and IT equipment, with future expansion anticipated into electric vehicle charging modules. These applications are expected to benefit from improved power efficiency, miniaturization, and lightweight design.

Jong-Won Kim, Director of Marketing at Sigetronics, stated: “Our successful development of gallium oxide semiconductors positions us to lead in the next-generation power semiconductor industry. We will continue to engage with customers across various industries to tailor and mass-produce optimized solutions.”

ZDNET Korea, narilee@zdnet.co.kr, July 22, 2024