Challenges for large-scale deployment of WBG in power electronics

Lavrič, Henrik (author), Zajec, Peter (author), Drobnič, Klemen (author), Rihar, Andraž (author), Ambrožič, Vanja (author), Vončina, Danijel (author), Nemec, Mitja (author)

As the demand for efficient and high-performance power electronic devices continues to grow, wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductors have emerged as a promising solution due to their superior characteristics. However, realizing their full potential requires not only the development of advanced semiconductor materials but also the optimization of packaging techniques. This paper examines the crucial role of packaging in leveraging the benefits of WBG devices, with a particular focus on mitigating inductance and addressing other critical concerns. Drawing from previous research and discussions, we explore various strategies to minimize inductance effects, enhance thermal management, ensure reliability, and optimize electrical performance. Through an interdisciplinary approach that encompasses electrical engineering, materials science, and mechanical engineering principles, this paper highlights the latest advancements in WBG device packaging, providing valuable insights for researchers and engineers working towards more efficient and reliable power electronic systems.

• Language: English
• Keywords: wide bandgap, semiconductors, power electronics, packaging, design
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FE - Faculty of Electrical Engineering
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: Str. 3-23
• Numbering: Vol. 55, no. 1
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-167767
• UDC: 621.3
• ISSN on article: 2232-6979
• DOI: 10.33180/InfMIDEM2025.101
• COBISS.SI-ID: 228550915
• Publication date in RUL: 11.03.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Informacije MIDEM
• Publisher: MIDEM
• ISSN: 2232-6979
• COBISS.SI-ID: 264503552

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Polprevodniki s širokim prepovedanim pasom v pretvornikih močnostne elektronike

Abstract

Ob nenehno naraščajočem povpraševanju po učinkovitih in visokozmogljivih napravah močnostne elektronike, se polprevodniki s širokim prepovedanim pasom (WBG) zaradi svojih izjemnih karakteristik kažejo kot obetavna rešitev. Uresničitev njihovega polnega potenciala poleg razvoja naprednih polprevodniških materialov zahteva tudi optimizacijo tehnik načrtovanja in pakiranja. Članek predstavi ključno vlogo načrtovanja pri izkoriščanju prednosti WBG naprav, s posebnim poudarkom na zmanjševanju induktivnosti in obravnavanju drugih ključnih vprašanj. Na podlagi prejšnjih raziskav in razprav raziskuje različne strategije za zmanjšanje učinkov parazitnih parametrov, izboljšanje odvoda toplote izgubnih moči, zagotavljanje zanesljivosti in optimizacijo električnih zmogljivosti. S pomočjo interdisciplinarnega pristopa, ki zajema načela elektrotehnike, materialov in strojništva, članek poudarja najnovejši napredek pri načrtovanju WBG naprav ter ponuja dragocen vpogled raziskovalcem in inženirjem, ki si prizadevajo za bolj učinkovite in zanesljive sisteme močnostne elektronike.

• Keywords: širok prepovedan pas, polprevodniki, močnostna elektronika, pakiranje, načrtovanje

Projects

• Funder: ARIS - Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
• Project number: P2-0258
• Name: Pretvorniki električne energije in regulirani pogoni