Silicon Carbide Substrate with Dual-Layer CVD Structure for Low Loss and Heat Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional silicon carbide substrates used for high-frequency semiconductor elements face challenges due to high loss in the high-frequency region and inadequate thermal conductivity, making them unsuitable for applications requiring both excellent insulation and heat dissipation.

Innovation Solution

A two-layer silicon carbide substrate structure is developed, where a first layer with higher thermal conductivity and a second layer with reduced high-frequency loss are formed using CVD processes in different atmospheres, with the second layer having a thickness of 10 µm or more accounting for up to 20% of the total substrate thickness, achieving low high-frequency loss and high thermal conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a silicon carbide substrate with high thermal conductivity is used, then heat dissipation is improved, but high-frequency loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidhigh-frequency loss
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is divided into two distinct layers: a first layer with high thermal conductivity for heat dissipation and a second layer with low high-frequency loss for signal transmission. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between thermal performance and electrical performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure combining two different silicon carbide materials with complementary properties. The first layer uses silicon carbide optimized for thermal conductivity, while the second layer uses silicon carbide optimized for low dielectric loss, creating a composite substrate that achieves both high heat dissipation and low high-frequency loss simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of energy

If a silicon carbide substrate with low high-frequency loss is used, then signal transmission is improved, but thermal conductivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh-frequency lossVSAvoidthermal conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is divided into two distinct layers: a first layer with high thermal conductivity for heat dissipation and a second layer with low high-frequency loss for signal transmission. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between thermal performance and electrical performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure combining two different silicon carbide materials with complementary properties. The first layer uses silicon carbide optimized for thermal conductivity, while the second layer uses silicon carbide optimized for low dielectric loss, creating a composite substrate that achieves both high heat dissipation and low high-frequency loss simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If a single-layer silicon carbide substrate is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but it cannot simultaneously achieve both high thermal conductivity and low high-frequency loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubstrate manufacturingVSAvoidcombined insulation and thermal properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is divided into two distinct layers: a first layer with high thermal conductivity for heat dissipation and a second layer with low high-frequency loss for signal transmission. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between thermal performance and electrical performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure combining two different silicon carbide materials with complementary properties. The first layer uses silicon carbide optimized for thermal conductivity, while the second layer uses silicon carbide optimized for low dielectric loss, creating a composite substrate that achieves both high heat dissipation and low high-frequency loss simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The substrate exhibits low high-frequency loss and excellent heat dissipation characteristics, enabling reliable operation of semiconductor devices and SOI wafers in high-frequency applications with improved insulation and thermal management.

Implementation Method 1

the first layer can be formed by a CVD process in an atmosphere containing nitrogen and the second layer can be formed by the CVD process in an atmosphere containing no nitrogen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical Vapour Deposition: Chemical Vapour Deposition

Data Source

PatentEP2592650B1Silicon carbide substrate, semiconductor device, and SOI wafer
Publication Date: 2016.09.07 MITSUI E&S SHIPBUILDING CO LTD
  • EP2592650B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2592650B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Disclosed is a silicon carbide substrate which has less high frequency loss and excellent heat dissipating characteristics. The silicon carbide substrate (S) is provided with a first silicon carbide layer (1), which is composed of a polycrystalline silicon carbide, and a second silicon carbide layer (2), which is composed of a polycrystalline silicon carbide formed on the surface of the first silicon carbide layer. The second silicon carbide layer (2) has a high-frequency loss smaller than that of the first silicon carbide layer (1), the first silicon carbide layer (1) has a thermal conductivity higher than that of the second silicon carbide layer (2), and on the surface side of the second silicon carbide layer (2), the high-frequency loss at a frequency of 20 GHz is 2 dB/mm or less, and the thermal conductivity is 200 W/mK or more.