Russian scientists have successfully tested the first industrial installation for producing gallium nitride crystals on silicon substrates. This event marks an important step in the development of domestic microelectronics. Gallium nitride is a key material for creating high-frequency electronic components. Russia has become the fourth country in the world to start producing such equipment. Serial production of the installation is planned to launch this year.
How Crystal Growth Occurs
The installation was developed by scientists and engineers from JSC "NIITM", the Scientific and Technological Center of Microelectronics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Soft-Impact LLC. The created equipment allows obtaining crystals on substrates with a diameter of up to 200 mm. Experts emphasize that this process, known as epitaxy, has become the basis for creating microchips. In the process of crystal growth, special gases are used, which, at high temperature, are deposited on the substrate, forming the necessary layers.
The installation can produce up to 2000 plates per year, which will be a significant volume, considering that many transistors can be placed on one plate.
Advantages and Prospects
One of the main advantages of the new installation will be the possibility of its independent operation and maintenance by Russian specialists. Dependence on foreign suppliers will be significantly reduced, and new horizons for scientific research will open up.
The characteristics of gallium nitride allow it to be used in the most powerful devices. For example, in controlling microelectronics for fast charging stations.
According to her, components based on gallium nitride can be used in various devices, including charging stations and machine vision systems for unmanned vehicles.
Currently, the market for gallium nitride-based products is in the formation stage, but its potential is comparable to silicon electronics. Maxim Ganykin, Deputy General Director of JSC "NIIME", noted that the availability of domestic technologies will solve the problems with the purchase of equipment abroad and will provide a modern component base for various industries, including telecommunications and energy.
The new installation for growing gallium nitride crystals opens up opportunities for Russia to develop microelectronics and reduce dependence on imports. Its launch will be an important step towards creating high-tech production and strengthening the country's position in the global market.
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