›8th Wide Bandgap Semiconductor and Components Workshop

Wide bandgap semiconductors such as gallium nitride (GaN), silicon carbide (SiC) and diamond have emerged as some of the most promising materials for future electronic components. They offer significant advantages in terms of power capability (DC, power switching and microwave), robustness against radiation, high temperature and high frequency operation, optical properties and even low noise capability. Therefore wide bandgap components are strategically important for the development of next generation space and defence systems.

The European Space Agency (ESA), CNES, EDA and the DGA are jointly organising the 8th Wide Bandgap Semiconductor and Components workshop to promote and facilitate information exchange on wide bandgap technologies for microwave, power switching, sensor and other emerging space/defence applications. This will be a 2 day event, to be held at ESA’s newest establishment ECSAT, Harwell, UK, on the 12th and 13th of September 2016. An exciting agenda is planned (see the preliminary program topic areas) with contributions expected from academia, industry and government research establishments. Attendance at this event will provide an excellent overview of the current status of wide bandgap semiconductor and component technology within Europe.

An important objective is to facilitate information exchange between aerospace, defence, Space Agency and EU funded research programmes in order to enhance visibility on latest developments, allowing for a proper coordination that ensures a rapid transition of the technology into manufacturing industry. To do so, an open discussion session is planned in which attendee viewpoints will be gathered in order to identify key problem areas and to help coordinate and plan future research and development work programmes.

Interested parties are cordially invited to attend this event and submit summary papers of interest to the wider community working in this topic area. Therefore, the conference organisers would be grateful if you could confirm attendance by using the on-line registration form available on chapter registration. Attendance at the workshop is restricted to participants from ESA member states only.