To date, as the WW state of the art, it is not clear what will be the mechanical behavior of the SiC 8 inches wafers as a result of the numerous process steps, deposition and heat treatment. It is still necessary to verify the work-ability of wafers in some critical steps (e.g. the photo-lithography phases). The evaluation of bow, warpage and flatness is and will be surely essential for the characterization of SiC 8 inches wafers and provide clear guidance on how to integrate all process steps. This characterization will become crucial after the thinning of the same wafers, because as is known, the warping is indirectly proportional to the wafers thickness. 8 inches SiC "mechanical" wafers were already produced and provided to REACTION Consortium by II-VI partner and it represents a relevant milestone already reached.
This is a tremendous leap in Silicon Carbide technology. If we consider that all REACTION manufacturing partners represent the engine that drives the economic growth and development of their countries of origin thanks to their ability to produce wealth and employment, making associated industries and services flourish, this big leap in technology will sure contribute to the financial, economic and social stability of their countries leading an undoubted social impact as consequences of the final REACTION results.
The improvement of SiC-MOSFET technology lays both in the efficiency and reliability issues. REACTION innovative and cost competitive technology will address, behind the high end application basically focused on the automotive arena and high efficiency power supply, the mass-market applications like smart energy and smart mobility, as well as all the rest of industrial markets. It will allow to meet the more and more increasing demanding requirements, quality and cost constraint for next generation of power electronics.
REACTION has already had a terrific potential impact on the semiconductors market, on the continental value-chain of system applications as well as on the European semiconductors manufacturing strength. This will include the IP assets gained during the build-up phase, with a positive fall-out on business and job hiring, differentiating from counterpart’s competition in Asia and USA.
This because the actual SiC state of the art is at 6" level, an american company in the 2019 (CREE) announced that it will be investing approximately $1 billion in construction, equipment and other related costs for the New York fab. New York state will provide a $500 million grant from Empire State Development and Cree will be eligible for additional local incentives and abatements as well as equipment and tooling from SUN* (State University of New York).
https://www.cree.com/news-events/news/article/cree-announces-update-to-capacity-expansion-plan(si apre in una nuova finestra) It demonstrates that REACTION, written and proposed in the 2017 has already changed SiC industry scenario.
Unfortunately USA (New York State) grant ($500 millions) is so far from our European funding level (one magnitude order less) but REACTION Consortium is still committed to deliver its goals.
