As technology advances, alongside society’s needs, various materials have been used as substrates for wafer manufacturing, some more widely spread than others. Silicon takes the crown, as its unique properties go hand-in-hand with an incredible abundance, making it a functional and affordable material to work with.
Not the same can be said about diamonds, though. The properties of this material make it ideal for power devices and devices operating in extreme environments, but its availability and challenges to work with make it not opt for mass production. Still, wafer manufacturers have been exploring the possibility of diamond wafers; here, we’ll analyze why.
Although challenges in mass production have limited diamonds' practical use, diamond semiconductors offer some unique properties that make them an attractive alternative for experimentation.
Diamond is often referred to as the “ultimate power semiconductor material” due to its exceptional physical properties. Some of these include:
These exceptional physical properties make diamond wafers ideal for control systems in devices operating under harsh conditions, such as:
The future of diamond wafers is still uncertain. While this material offers some incredible properties, several roadblocks—including its high cost—still limit its production. Nevertheless, this hasn’t stopped numerous research institutions from making significant advancements in diamond wafer production technology.
While we don’t offer diamond wafers here at Wafer World (yet), we’re always attentive to what’s happening in the semiconductor world. If you’d like to learn more about our products, don’t be afraid to contact us!
