Wolfspeed Releases TSiC Transparent Silicon Carbide
Wolfspeed Incorporated, trading on the New York Stock Exchange, has announced the commercial release of a proprietary optical-grade material known as TSiC™. This transparent silicon carbide technology is engineered to support advanced applications within the augmented reality and quantum computing sectors. The launch builds on more than 35 years of corporate research and development in silicon carbide materials. Previous applications of the organisation’s semiconductor research include early developments in light-emitting diode technology. The firm also draws on extensive historical experience manufacturing high-purity, semi-insulating wafers for industrial use.
The newly introduced TSiC™ substrates are manufactured to achieve exceptionally low optical absorption while maintaining superior wafer flatness. As a base material, silicon carbide has specific optical characteristics, including a high refractive index and low birefringence. The material also has high hardness and high thermal conductivity. These inherent material properties make transparent silicon carbide substrates suitable for producing waveguides for augmented reality devices. In augmented reality hardware, these characteristics enable a wider field of view and improved image quality. This technology also allows manufacturers to design more compact wearable devices.
The high refractive index of the silicon carbide material provides a specific structural advantage in optical design. According to Barry Silverstein, an industry specialist in display systems and optics at the University of Rochester, optical materials have generally limited the development of immersive augmented reality eyewear. Engineers previously struggled to achieve a wide field of view, high image quality, and a lightweight wearable form factor at the same time. Silverstein noted that silicon carbide meets these historical constraints by enabling a single-layer waveguide. This single-layer approach performs the optical functions that previously required multiple stacked optical layers, facilitating the production of everyday augmented reality eyewear.
Beyond augmented reality hardware, TSiC™ technology also applies directly to quantum computing. The physical structure of the silicon carbide crystal can host quantum bits and preserve their quantum states. The material also facilitates the transmission of quantum information through light. A single silicon carbide crystal can support all three of these quantum computing functions simultaneously, distinguishing it from alternative materials used in the sector. Katrin Feurle, vice president of the Beyond Power division at Wolfspeed, said the release expands the company’s focus beyond traditional semiconductor applications into emerging markets.
The company maintains a comprehensive intellectual property portfolio to secure its technological developments in these optical and quantum sectors. It is currently advancing the production of its 200mm optical-grade substrates. Concurrently, the firm is developing 300mm TSiC™ technology to meet prospective market demands.
