Power Electronics Revolutionized: A Comprehensive Analysis of Emerging Wide and Ultrawide Bandgap Devices

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive review of wide and ultrawide bandgap power electronic semiconductor devices, comparing silicon (Si), silicon carbide (SiC), gallium nitride (GaN), and the emerging device diamond technology. Key parameters examined include bandgap, critical electric field, electron mobility, voltage/current ratings, switching frequency, and device packaging. The historical evolution of each material is traced from early research devices to current commercial offerings. Significant focus is given to SiC and GaN as they are now actively competing with Si devices in the market, enabled by their higher bandgaps. The paper details advancements in material growth, device architectures, reliability, and manufacturing that have allowed SiC and GaN adoption in electric vehicles, renewable energy, aerospace, and other applications requiring high power density, efficiency, and frequency operation. Performance enhancements over Si are quantified. However, the challenges associated with the advancements of these devices are also elaborately described: material availability, thermal management, gate drive design, electrical insulation, and electromagnetic interference. Alongside the cost reduction through improved manufacturing, material availability, thermal management, gate drive design, electrical insulation, and electromagnetic interference are critical hurdles of this technology. The review analyzes these issues and emerging solutions using advanced packaging, circuit integration, novel cooling techniques, and modeling. Overall, the manuscript provides a timely, rigorous examination of the state of the art in wide bandgap power semiconductors. It balances theoretical potential and practical limitations while assessing commercial readiness and mapping trajectories for further innovation. This article will benefit researchers and professionals advancing power electronic systems.