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Research on Application of diamond MOSFET in DCDC converter

MetadataDetails
Publication Date2025-01-15
JournalApplied and Computational Engineering
AuthorsRuitong Gao
InstitutionsJilin University
AnalysisFull AI Review Included

Technical Documentation & Analysis: Diamond MOSFETs for DCDC Converters

Section titled “Technical Documentation & Analysis: Diamond MOSFETs for DCDC Converters”

This research paper validates the critical need for diamond semiconductor materials to overcome the inherent performance limitations of silicon, SiC, and GaN in high-performance DCDC converters. 6CCVD is uniquely positioned to supply the advanced MPCVD diamond required for this next generation of power electronics.

  • Core Value Proposition: Diamond MOSFETs, leveraging a 5.47 eV band gap and superior thermal conductivity, are essential for achieving higher operating frequency, increased voltage tolerance, and greater efficiency in DCDC converters.
  • Performance Benchmarks: Cited diamond devices demonstrate exceptional metrics, including breakdown voltages up to 3659 V and intrinsic transconductance reaching 650 mS/mm.
  • Addressing Si Limitations: Diamond’s high breakdown electric field (up to 10x that of GaN) and high thermal conductivity enable operation in harsh environments (high temperature, high pressure) unsuitable for silicon.
  • Material Challenge & Opportunity: The primary barrier to industrial adoption is the high cost and immaturity of large-scale, high-quality diamond growth and precise doping (especially N-type).
  • 6CCVD Solution: We provide Electronic Grade Single Crystal Diamond (SCD) and large-area Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD) substrates (up to 125mm) necessary for both R&D and future industrial scaling of diamond power devices.

The following data points highlight the superior material properties and device performance achieved using MPCVD diamond, validating its role as the “ultimate semiconductor” for DCDC applications.

ParameterValueUnitContext
Band Gap Width5.47eVPure Diamond Semiconductor
Breakdown Electric Field10x-Compared to GaN (Wider Band Gap)
Breakdown Electric Field3x-Compared to SiC
Insulation Strength33x-Compared to Silicon
Maximum Breakdown Voltage3659VM. Kasu et al. (2020) Diamond MOSFET
Intrinsic Transconductance650mS/mmD.A.J. Moran et al. (2011) Sub-100 nm gate SCD FET
Saturation Leakage Current290mA/mmD.A.J. Moran et al. (2011)
Figure of Merit (FOM)> 673V·mS/mmUSTC H-terminated device (2022)
High-Temperature Operation450°CA. Daicho et al. (2014) (In vacuum)
Thermal ConductivityHighestW/m·KNear Room Temperature (Approx. 2200 W/m·K)

The research reviewed emphasizes advanced material engineering and device fabrication techniques required to realize high-performance diamond MOSFETs suitable for DCDC converter integration.

  1. High-Quality Single Crystal Growth: Effective diameter expansion of Single Crystal Diamond (SCD) via CVD to achieve large-area substrates (e.g., 10mm side length cited) necessary for device scaling.
  2. Surface Termination for 2D Hole Gas: Utilizing hydrogen-terminated (H-terminated) diamond surfaces to create a highly conductive two-dimensional hole gas (2DHG) channel for high-mobility FETs.
  3. Gate Dielectric Integration: Deposition of high-k dielectric films (e.g., alumina, Al2O3) or MoO3 gate media to enable stable MOSFET operation and improve thermal stability (up to 200°C operating temperature).
  4. Advanced Doping Techniques: Development of novel methods for obtaining impurity elements and precise doping to achieve low-resistivity N-type diamond channels, a critical breakthrough for complementary circuits.
  5. Device Structure Optimization: Fabrication of sub-100 nm gate length devices and p-type doped MOSFETs on misoriented heteroepitaxial diamond substrates to maximize transconductance and current density.
  6. Circuit Simulation and Loss Analysis: Proposed use of tools like Simulink and Simscape Electrical to model the LLC resonant converter using diamond MOSFET parameters, focusing on reducing on-loss and switching loss.

6CCVD provides the foundational MPCVD diamond materials and customization services required to accelerate the transition of diamond MOSFETs from laboratory research to industrial DCDC converter applications.

Research Requirement / Challenge6CCVD Solution & CapabilityApplicable Materials
High-Performance SCD SubstratesWe supply Electronic Grade SCD with ultra-low defect density, essential for maximizing breakdown voltage and carrier mobility (up to 500”m thick).Electronic Grade SCD
Industrial Scaling & High Power DensityWe offer Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD) wafers up to 125mm in diameter, providing the highest thermal spreading capability for large-scale power modules.High Purity PCD (Up to 125mm)
Low-Resistivity Doping (P-type/N-type)Our CVD process allows for precise, heavy Boron Doping (BDD) for stable P-type channels. We support R&D efforts requiring specific doping profiles for N-type breakthroughs.Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD)
Gate & Ohmic Contact IntegrationWe offer internal, custom metalization services, including deposition of Au, Pt, Pd, Ti, W, and Cu, critical for forming stable, low-resistance ohmic contacts and gate stacks.SCD/PCD with Custom Metalization
Surface Quality for H-TerminationWe guarantee superior surface finishes, achieving Ra < 1nm on SCD and Ra < 5nm on inch-size PCD, minimizing interface scattering losses.Polished SCD (Ra < 1nm)
Custom Device DimensionsWe provide custom thickness (0.1”m to 500”m) and precise laser cutting services to match specific DCDC converter circuit topologies and packaging requirements.Custom Dimensions & Thickness

The paper highlights the need for researchers to focus on material growth, device fabrication, and drive circuit redesign. 6CCVD supports these efforts by providing:

  • Material Consultation: Our in-house PhD team offers expert guidance on selecting the optimal diamond material (SCD vs. PCD, doping level, orientation) to meet the specific requirements of high-frequency, high-voltage MOSFET projects.
  • Global Supply Chain: We ensure reliable, DDU (Delivery Duty Unpaid) default global shipping, with DDP (Delivery Duty Paid) options available, streamlining the supply chain for international research groups.

For custom specifications or material consultation, visit 6ccvd.com or contact our engineering team directly.

View Original Abstract

This paper focuses on the industrial application of diamond power devices and DCDC converters, carries out the application research of diamond MOSFET in DCDC converters, analyzes the limitations of current silicon-based DCDC converters and how diamond MOSFET should make up for this limitation. This paper summarizes the research on the practical application of diamond power devices at home and abroad and points out that there is a gap in the application of diamond MOSFETs in DCDC converters. Diamond has the advantages of a large band gap, high carrier mobility, high temperature and high pressure resistance, so the application of diamond MOSFET in a DCDC converter can improve its operating frequency, input and output voltage and efficiency. This paper also discusses the difficulties encountered by diamond semiconductor materials and diamond power devices in the research and industrial fields, as well as the research status of diamond semiconductor materials at home and abroad, and gives the research method for the future application of diamond MOSFET in DCDC converters. The study can use the analogy of applying SiC or GaN to DCDC converters improving their performance, and redesigning the drive circuit to match the limiting performance of diamond power devices. By applying diamond MOSFET into the DCDC converter, its operating voltage, operating frequency, output power and efficiency will be greatly improved.