New class of materials offer improved conductivity and
thermal management properties
ANDOVER,
Mass., Oct. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon, an
RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, has been awarded a three-year, two-phase
contract from DARPA to develop foundational ultra-wide bandgap
semiconductors, or UWBGS, based on diamond and aluminum nitride
technology that revolutionize semiconductor electronics with
increased power delivery and thermal management in sensors and
other electronic applications.
During phase one of the contract, the Raytheon Advanced
Technology team will develop diamond and aluminum nitride
semiconductor films and their integration onto electronic devices.
Phase two will focus on optimizing and maturing the diamond and
aluminum nitride technology onto larger diameter wafers for sensor
applications.
"This is a significant step forward that will once again
revolutionize semiconductor technology," said Colin Whelan, president of Advanced Technology
at Raytheon. "Raytheon has extensive proven experience developing
similar materials such as Gallium Arsenide and Gallium Nitride for
Department of Defense systems. By combining that pioneering history
and our expertise in advanced microelectronics, we'll
work to mature these
materials towards future applications."
The unique material properties of UWBGS offer several advantages
over traditional semiconductor technologies, enabling highly
compact, ultra-high power radio frequency switches, limiters, and
power amplifiers. Their high thermal conductivity also allows the
ability to operate at higher temperatures and in more extreme
environments.
The team's goal is to spearhead the development of these
materials towards devices that are well suited for both existing
and future radar and communication systems with extended capability
and range, including cooperative sensing, electronic warfare,
directed energy, and circuitry in high-speed weapon systems such as
hypersonics.
Work on this contract is being conducted at the company's
foundry in Andover,
Massachusetts.
About Raytheon
Raytheon, an RTX business, is a leading
provider of defense solutions to help the U.S. government, our
allies and partners defend their national sovereignty and ensure
their security. For more than 100 years, Raytheon has developed new
technologies and enhanced existing capabilities in integrated air
and missile defense, smart weapons, missiles, advanced sensors and
radars, interceptors, space-based systems, hypersonics and missile
defense across land, air, sea and space.
About RTX
With more than 185,000 global employees, RTX
pushes the limits of technology and science to redefine how we
connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses
– Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon – we are
advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems, and
developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing
to help global customers address their most critical challenges.
The company, with 2023 sales of $69
billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.
For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact
corporatepr@rtx.com
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SOURCE RTX