Thermal Management of GaN Electronics

Gallium nitride based transistors are a disruptive technology in high-power RF and power conversion applications. Maintaining device temperatures within a safe operating area is critically important to ensure reliable long term operation, although this becomes ever more challenging as increasing power densities are required. We review recent developments in thermal management, from understanding where heat is generated during different modes of transistor operation (DC versus RF), to near junction thermal management strategies, including high thermal conductivity diamond substrates.