Introduction Predicting gallium arsenide (GaAs) semiconductor temperature is imperative since it affects the performance and reliability of the chip and the design as a whole. In many circumstances, the thermal engineer will be asked to provide expeditious and accurate answers to trade studies regarding various FET layouts and geometry, metallization schemes, and conduction … [Read more...]
Thermal Strain In Semiconductor Packages, Part I
Introduction Silicon became the semiconductor of choice for ICs because of its electrical properties, not because of its mechanical properties. In the earliest days of ICs when chips were small and power levels were low, the mechanical properties of silicon were of little consequence. However, for some time, the opposite situation has been the norm. Now, there are much larger … [Read more...]
Thermal Challenges In LED Cooling
Introduction During the last ten years, developments in LED semiconductors have led to an important change in LED applications from that of luminous indicator to that of illuminator. With LEDs now advancing into several lighting fields, LEDs have become one of the standard methods of producing light, joining more traditional sources such as incandescent, fluorescent and … [Read more...]
Thermal Conductivity of III-V Semiconductors
Silicon dominates the electronics industry as the semiconductor of choice for most applications, but some electrical functions require electronic properties different from those of silicon. A grouping of semiconductors termed "III-V" have desirable electrical properties for applications such as microwave integrated circuits, light emitting diodes and laser diodes. Some of the … [Read more...]
The Temperature Ratings Of Electronic Parts
Introduction Semiconductor parts are most often specified for use in the "commercial" 0 to 70°C and, to a lesser extent, in the "industrial" -40 to 85°C operating temperature range. These operating temperature ratings generally satisfy the demands of the dominant semiconductor customers in the computer, telecommunications, and consumer electronic industries. There is also a … [Read more...]
