Silicon carbide power semiconductor manufacturers have seen explosive growth fueled by the increasing use of SiC devices in electric vehicles and its adoption by telecom companies – two key drivers of market expansion.
SiC power semiconductor manufacturers employ cold isostatic pressing as their go-to process for manufacturing substrates for these semiconductors.
STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics NV (STM) designs, manufactures and markets standard and application-specific semiconductor devices. Their portfolio consists of microcontrollers, memory, logic devices for automotive ADAS applications, power management devices as well as analog and MEMS technologies. STM also provides embedded design ecosystems and software to foster innovation within embedded systems – their products enable smarter lives around the globe.
Products manufactured by this company are used in numerous applications, including automotive, consumer, industrial and telecommunications. Their 1C business represents about 60% of their revenues with strong memory and logic sales being central to its strategy of expansion.
As well as increasing overall revenue, this company’s strategy aims to enhance profit margins and expand market share. They have invested in new fabs in order to lower production costs while expanding capacity, while increasing manufacturing capability both in Asia and Europe. Their products are used across numerous applications and are widely acclaimed for their reliability and quality.
STMicroelectronics is an outstanding long-term investment option in the semiconductor industry, with robust profitability and dividend payouts to provide investors with security against a fluctuating economic climate. Furthermore, its strong financial performance and industrial tailwinds could boost its stock price further; earning them an A rating from Morningstar. STMicroelectronics could make an excellent addition to any portfolio.
Infineon Technologies AG
Infineon Technologies AG produces and markets semiconductors – microchips found within computers, mobile phones and countless other electronic devices – which power computers, mobile phones and countless other digital devices. Their products have made possible the information age by enhancing speed, portability and capabilities of digital devices. Furthermore, Infineon produces application-oriented semiconductor solutions for speech/data communications peripherals automotive electronics chip cards security/memory products.
Memory devices provided by Infineon offer high-capacity storage in small packages, making them compatible with an array of applications. SecureLogic ICs help protect data against cyber threats by adding another layer of protection for software, hardware and network infrastructure; Infineon also created FingerTIP IC as a biometric sensor that registers and identifies fingerprints.
Power Management and Multimarket Division offers an expansive portfolio of power semiconductors that improve energy efficiency and conserve resources, such as those for use in energy sector applications, industrial automation applications, automotive applications and microcontrollers for consumer devices.
According to its Web site, Infineon became independent from Siemens in 1999. At first, however, Infineon encountered numerous obstacles – most notably with respect to chip markets which typically represented its growth drivers experiencing a steep decrease. Furthermore, Rambus, Inc. filed suit alleging that Infineon DRAM products infringed upon their patent rights.
Infineon Technologies GmbH (Infineon) is headquartered in Munich, Germany. Their memory business Qimonda operates from multiple facilities worldwide including Milpitas California, Singapore and Tokyo – employing approximately 48,000 worldwide. Their primary areas of focus include energy efficiency, mobility and security.
Wolfspeed
Silicon carbide is poised to revolutionize industries of the future. From electric vehicles to faster 5G networks, silicon carbide is making our world more sustainable and efficient – leading one company in particular by Wolfspeed on this journey.
Wolfspeed boasts an efficient and scalable production platform with manufacturing facilities located in North Carolina, California, Arkansas and New York. A significant expansion is currently under way with completion of Mohawk Valley fab and John Palmour Manufacturing Center underway – these state-of-the-art facilities will increase Wolfspeed’s silicon carbide materials and device fabrication capacity tenfold.
As part of its expansion plan, the Company is also employing advanced technology at existing facilities to increase productivity and quality. For instance, they are integrating onsemi EliteSiC power devices into VIPER modules in order to deliver higher efficiency and power density within a compact industry-standard footprint.
Wolfspeed’s leadership team boasts extensive expertise in power electronics, boasting more than two decades of experience. Joseph Roybal, Senior Vice President of Global Backend Operations, oversees post-fabrication operations. Joining Wolfspeed in 2021 after 26 years with Infineon Technologies where he held leadership roles.
Wolfspeed is an established leader in wide bandgap semiconductors, specializing in SiC and gallium nitride (GaN). The Company has earned prime federal contract awards, providing government agencies with silicon carbide components via purchase orders or IDVs. Furthermore, Wolfspeed provides advanced electronic solutions and services worldwide through design, development, engineering capabilities.
ON Semi
Silicon Carbide Semiconductors Ltd specializes in silicon carbide semiconductors, which offer superior electrical properties than their silicon equivalents. As one of the world’s largest power chip makers and an automotive image sensor supplier, they also boast an innovative vertically integrated supply chain to offer faster DC EV charging capability.
ON Semiconductor was established in Phoenix, Arizona as a spin-off from Motorola’s semiconductor division in 1999 and currently offers power management, analog, discrete and SiC semiconductor products as part of their portfolio. They place great importance on sustainability with ambitious environmental targets being established throughout their operations.
At its products are used in numerous applications, from automotive and computing to consumer electronics and industrial and medical devices. Furthermore, the company provides connectivity solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT), 5G cloud power infrastructures as well as wired and wireless communications networks; additionally analog/digital ICs along with optoelectronics imaging solutions are offered as part of its product offering.
ON Semi is committed to developing energy-saving innovations within the semiconductor industry. A member of the Environmental Business Council, they have set ambitious sustainability goals for their operations as well as championing diversity and inclusion at their workplace.
ON Semiconductor relies on its global network of manufacturing plants and sales offices to meet its customers worldwide. Additionally, they maintain a research and development facility which creates new products or improves existing ones; their offerings come backed with extensive tools, software and documentation packages; they’re sold both through distributors as well as directly to end users; while ON’s sourcing strategy uses multiple global sources in order to reduce costs and lead times while simultaneously prioritizing buying local parts whenever possible.
Semiconductor Components Industries
Semiconductors form the cornerstone of many modern electronics, including smartphones and tablets, as well as industrial applications that require automation, control and safety. Although ubiquitous, semiconductors require advanced technology for production; this presents machine shops like AccuRounds with an opportunity to specialize in producing tiny parts with tight tolerances such as AccuRounds with greater freedom to expand their businesses within the US market by manufacturing chips domestically. With passage of CHIPS and Science Act 2022 came additional opportunities to grow these businesses through manufacturing within America.
At the core of semiconductor production lies wafer fabrication: an ultrathin piece of silicon exposed to pure oxygen in diffusion furnaces and covered with photoresistor film for imprinting a pattern onto. Once complete, exposure to chemical solutions that dissolve away any areas not covered by photoresistor film renders any unwanted areas invisible and the remaining wafer may then be doped with either boron or phosphorus doping to alter its conductivity properties.
After doping, wafers are etched to create integrated circuits which perform various electronic functions. After completion, these circuits are packaged and sold to customers; typically an integrated circuit contains thousands of transistors, memory cells and diodes protected by an aluminum shield against external electrical interference.
The semiconductor industry is an essential part of global economy. It supports industries as varied as aerospace, automotive and consumer electronics – with numerous innovations like artificial intelligence and internet of things originating in this sector. Investors can keep tabs on its performance using indexes like PHLX Semiconductor Index or SOX funds as a proxy.