What's Happening?
Element Six and Orbray have successfully developed a 50 mm diameter single crystal synthetic diamond wafer, marking a significant milestone in semiconductor technology. This achievement combines high-quality and large-area substrates, which have been
elusive in the industry. The synthetic diamond wafers exhibit exceptional thermal conductivity, surface roughness, and flatness, making them suitable for integration with high-power semiconductor applications such as gallium nitride (GaN). The collaboration between Element Six and Orbray aims to address the thermal management challenges faced by high-performance semiconductor devices, including AI accelerators and RF amplifiers. The partnership leverages Orbray's diamond heteroepitaxial growth technology and Element Six's expertise in diamond synthesis and polishing.
Why It's Important?
The development of synthetic diamond wafers is crucial for advancing semiconductor technology, particularly in thermal management. As chip power densities increase, existing cooling solutions struggle to keep pace, leading to performance throttling, reduced reliability, and high cooling costs. Synthetic diamonds offer transformative solutions with unmatched thermal conductivity, potentially improving chip performance and reliability. Beyond thermal management, synthetic diamonds hold promise as ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor materials for high-frequency, high-voltage applications. This milestone by Element Six and Orbray lays the groundwork for future innovation, providing a competitive advantage in the semiconductor industry, which is vital for national security and technological sovereignty.
What's Next?
Element Six and Orbray plan to continue their collaboration to further improve the size and defect density of synthetic diamond wafers, aiming to meet the stringent requirements of diamond-based electronic devices. The partnership is expected to explore new applications for synthetic diamonds in semiconductor packaging and thermal management, potentially collaborating with industry partners to unlock the full potential of diamond-enabled technologies. As the semiconductor industry faces demands from AI, 5G, electrification, and defense modernization, synthetic diamonds will play a crucial role in addressing these challenges.
Beyond the Headlines
The development of synthetic diamond wafers represents more than a technical achievement; it is a platform for innovation and competitive advantage in the semiconductor industry. As semiconductors increasingly underpin critical infrastructure and strategic capabilities, synthetic diamond-enabled technologies can contribute to securing future technological sovereignty, a key national security priority. The collaboration between Element Six and Orbray exemplifies the innovative meeting of minds necessary to accelerate the realization of a more sustainable society.
