World's first trench-type SiC MOSFET minimizes size and power consumption

Rohm has announced the development and mass production of a SiC MOSFET that adopts the world's first trench structure. Compared to existing planar-type SiC MOSFETs, ON resistance is reduced by 50% in the same chip size, making it possible to significantly decrease power loss in a variety of equipment, from industrial inverters and power supplies to power conditioners for solar power systems, says the company. In recent years the demand for measures against power supply issues on a global scale has brought increased attention to power supply conversion and the efficient delivery of generated power. SiC power devices are expected to play a major role as key solutions that dramatically reduce loss during power conversion. Rohm, a pioneer in SiC development, was the first supplier to successfully mass produce SiC MOSFETs in 2010 and continues to lead the industry in developing products that achieve further reductions in power loss. As the performance and characteristics of silicon approach their theoretical limits, Rohm from early on has focused on SiC as a viable successor to silicon as a semiconductor material due to its higher voltage resistance and lower loss (higher efficiency). Rohm's latest offering, an SiC MOSFET featuring a trench structure that maximizes SiC characteristics, represents a ground-breaking milestone with significant implications worldwide. Optimum performance is achieved by combining exceedingly low loss with high-speed switching performance. As a result, efficiency during power conversion is improved and waste eliminated during production, contributing to increased miniaturization, lighter weight, and greater energy savings in a variety of equipment. And going forward Rohm is developing full SiC modules that integrate both SiC MOSFETs and SBDs, says the company.