Compound semiconductors (such as GaN, SiC, VCSEL, LED, etc.) possess high electron mobility, high breakdown voltage, high-frequency operation, and thermal resistance characteristics, and are widely used in automotive power modules, high-efficiency power conversion (SMPS / fast charging), laser light sources, optical communication, and sensors.
Unlike silicon (Si), compound materials themselves have characteristics such as lattice mismatch, high defect density, and significant differences in thermal expansion coefficients. These inherent conditions make their process control, interface quality, and long-term reliability more sensitive.
In the processes of crystal growth, epitaxial deposition, etching, metal contact formation, and packaging, crystal structure defects, the interface quality between conductive layers and barrier layers, contact resistance stability, and thermal management capability will directly affect component efficiency, power density, and lifespan. Therefore, the mass production capability of compound semiconductors depends on the ability to accurately grasp the material and interface states and to establish measurable and traceable reliability verification methods.
MA-tek assists customers in the field of compound semiconductors to evaluate crystal structure quality (defect density and orientation distribution), material diffusion behavior, electrical conduction interfaces, packaging thermal stress, and long-term reliability. Through high-resolution structural analysis, electrical behavior correlation, and accelerated lifetime testing, it can confirm the performance degradation of components, turning points, and the fundamental mechanisms leading to failure, and provide directions for process and material adjustments.
| Service Areas | Analysis / Testing Purpose | Common Problem Scenarios | Analysis / Verification that MA-tek can provide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal quality and defect analysis | dislocation density, lattice defects, uniformity of epitaxial layer structure | Component efficiency is low / Significant differences in epitaxial batches | TEM, STEM, XRD, EBSD, CL (Cathodoluminescence) structural feature determination |
| Material and interface behavior analysis | Metal contact layer, barrier layer, junction interface structure and diffusion behavior | Contact resistance instability / Conduction performance degradation after long-term use | STEM-EDS/EELS, SIMS in-depth analysis and element diffusion monitoring |
| Thermal management and packaging impact analysis | thermal resistance, stress distribution, packaging interface integrity | Structural fatigue or packaging cracking under high power operation | X-ray, SAM, cross-sectional comparison, thermal/stress behavior structural analysis |
| Long-term reliability and lifespan verification | Stability under high temperature, high voltage, and high frequency environments | Automotive / Industrial Control Application Lifetime Assessment Requirements | HTOL, H3TRB, TC, HAST, Power Cycling lifetime model establishment |