Abstract: Micropipe-free, single crystal, silicon carbide (SiC) and related methods of manufacture are disclosed. The SiC is grown by placing a source material and seed material on a seed holder in a reaction crucible of the sublimation system, wherein constituent components of the sublimation system including the source material, reaction crucible, and seed holder are substantially free from unintentional impurities. By controlling growth temperature, growth pressure, SiC sublimation flux and composition, and a temperature gradient between the source material and the seed material or the SiC crystal growing on the seed material during the PVT process, micropipe-inducing process instabilities are eliminated and micropipe-free SiC crystal is grown on the seed material.

Abstract: A process is described for producing silicon carbide crystals having increased minority carrier lifetimes. The process includes the steps of heating and slowly cooling a silicon carbide crystal having a first concentration of minority carrier recombination centers such that the resultant concentration of minority carrier recombination centers is lower than the first concentration.

Abstract: Micropipe-free, single crystal, silicon carbide (SiC) and related methods of manufacture are disclosed. The SiC is grown by placing a source material and seed material on a seed holder in a reaction crucible of the sublimation system, wherein constituent components of the sublimation system including the source material, reaction crucible, and seed holder are substantially free from unintentional impurities. By controlling growth temperature, growth pressure, SiC sublimation flux and composition, and a temperature gradient between the source material and the seed material or the SiC crystal growing on the seed material during the PVT process, micropipe-inducing process instabilities are eliminated and micropipe-free SiC crystal is grown on the seed material.

Abstract: A process is described for producing silicon carbide crystals having increased minority carrier lifetimes. The process includes the steps of heating and slowly cooling a silicon carbide crystal having a first concentration of minority carrier recombination centers such that the resultant concentration of minority carrier recombination centers is lower than the first concentration.

Abstract: A process is described for producing silicon carbide crystals having increased minority carrier lifetimes. The process includes the steps of heating and slowly cooling a silicon carbide crystal having a first concentration of minority carrier recombination centers such that the resultant concentration of minority carrier recombination centers is lower than the first concentration.

Abstract: High voltage silicon carbide (SiC) devices, for example, thyristors, are provided. A first SiC layer having a first conductivity type is provided on a first surface of a voltage blocking SiC substrate having a second conductivity type. A first region of SiC is provided on the first SiC layer and has the second conductivity type. A second region of SiC is provided in the first SiC layer, has the first conductivity type and is adjacent to the first region of SiC. A second SiC layer having the first conductivity type is provided on a second surface of the voltage blocking SiC substrate. A third region of SiC is provided on the second SiC layer and has the second conductivity type. A fourth region of SiC is provided in the second SiC layer, has the first conductivity type and is adjacent to the third region of SiC. First and second contacts are provided on the first and third regions of SiC, respectively. Related methods of fabricating high voltage SiC devices are also provided.

Abstract: Silicon carbide high voltage semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating such devices are provided. The devices include a voltage blocking substrate. Insulated gate bipolar transistors are provided that have a voltage blocking substrate. Planar and beveled edge termination may be provided.

Abstract: High voltage silicon carbide (SiC) devices, for example, thyristors, are provided. A first SiC layer having a first conductivity type is provided on a first surface of a voltage blocking SiC substrate having a second conductivity type. A first region of SiC is provided on the first SiC layer and has the second conductivity type. A second region of SiC is provided in the first SiC layer. The second region of SiC has the first conductivity type and is adjacent to the first region of SiC. A second SiC layer having the first conductivity type is provided on a second surface, opposite the first surface, of the voltage blocking SiC substrate. First, second and third contacts are provided on the first region of SiC, the second region of SiC and the second SiC layer, respectively. Related methods of fabricating high voltage SiC devices are also provided.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a high quality bulk single crystal of silicon carbide in a seeded growth system. The method includes positioning a seed crystal on the seed holder with a low porosity backing material that provides a vapor barrier to silicon carbide sublimation from the seed and that minimizes the difference in thermal conductivity between the seed and the backing material to minimize or eliminate temperature differences across the seed and likewise minimize or eliminate vapor transport from the rear of the seed that would otherwise initiate and propagate defects in the growing crystal.

Abstract: The invention herein relates to controlling the nitrogen content in silicon carbide crystals and in particular relates to reducing the incorporation of nitrogen during sublimation growth of silicon carbide. The invention controls nitrogen concentration in a growing silicon carbide crystal by providing an ambient atmosphere of hydrogen in the growth chamber. The hydrogen atoms, in effect, block, reduce, or otherwise hinder the incorporation of nitrogen atoms at the surface of the growing crystal.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing highly uniform semi-insulating characteristics in single crystal silicon carbide for semiconductor applications. The method includes irradiating a silicon carbide single crystal having net p-type doping and deep levels with neutrons until the concentration of 31P equals or exceeds the original net p-type doping while remaining equal to or less than the sum of the concentration of deep levels and the original net p-type doping.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing highly uniform semi-insulating characteristics in single crystal silicon carbide for semiconductor applications. The method includes irradiating a silicon carbide single crystal having net p-type doping and deep levels with neutrons until the concentration of 31P equals or exceeds the original net p-type doping while remaining equal to or less than the sum of the concentration of deep levels and the original net p-type doping.