Everything you always wanted to know about SiC

Bosch is one of the leading semiconductor companies for the automotive industry and combines decades of experience with state-of-the-art SiC technology – and we want to share this knowledge with you. A team of experts has developed a comprehensive white paper, which takes you on the journey of Bosch’s SiC semiconductor technology.

Focus on global development and production

What is so special about Bosch’s MOSFET technology? How do we ensure the high performance of our semiconductors throughout the vehicle’s lifetime? And how are we scaling our technology for future innovations? The new white paper provides the answers to all these questions, and more.

Here are three takeaways from the white paper to give you a sneak peek:

1. Dual-channel trench MOSFET technology

We at Bosch are committed to a zero-defect strategy: our goal has always been to ensure safe and stable operation of our SiC power devices over the lifetime of the electric vehicle. The weak spot of any MOSFET technology is the gate oxide. By using the dual-channel trench technology, the gate oxide is shielded efficiently against high electric fields in the off-state while simultaneously achieving high reliability in the on-state. As the white paper further explains, this approach also improves the MOSFET’s performance.

2. Optimized balance of performance and longevity

There is always a trade-off between device performance and ruggedness. An example for one of these trade-offs is finding the balance between a low on-resistance – desirable for automotive traction inverter applications – and the short-circuit robustness of the chip which ensures its longevity. The white paper explains how Bosch has significantly improved these trade-offs with each generation.

3. Substrate quality control

The substrate is the foundation of any SiC device. Silicon carbide crystals contain a high number of defects – some of which can cause fatal failures. To gain insights into the quality and maturity of substrates from almost all suppliers, Bosch has installed dedicated metrology tools in its facilities. This deep knowledge of substrate quality allows Bosch to strategically select the best suppliers.