X-FAB and Soitec Collaborate on SiC Wafers

This exciting collaboration between Soitec and X-FAB comes on the heels of a successful assessment phase, where SiC power devices were produced at X-FAB Texas using 150mm SmartSiC™ wafers. As part of this partnership, Soitec will facilitate X-FAB’s customers' access to the innovative SmartSiC™ substrate through a joint supply chain consignment model.

SmartSiC™, a proprietary technology developed by Soitec, is based on the company’s SmartCut™ process. This process involves splitting off a thin layer of high-quality monocrystalline (mono-SiC) 'donor' wafer and bonding it to a low resistivity polycrystalline (poly-SiC) 'handle' wafer. The resulting substrate offers enhanced device performance and manufacturing yields. Moreover, the ability to reuse a single donor wafer multiple times significantly reduces costs and associated CO2 emissions.

In response to the growing demand in the market, Soitec is scaling up the production of SmartSiC™ substrates at its new facility in Bernin, near Grenoble, France. Concurrently, X-FAB is expanding its production capacity for SiC devices at the Lubbock plant. By utilizing the SmartSiC™ substrate, X-FAB’s customers can design smaller devices, leading to efficiency gains through an increased number of dies per wafer. Additionally, the reduction in CO2 emissions from the substrate manufacturing process aligns with X-FAB's commitment to lowering its overall carbon footprint.

Sophie Le-Guyadec, VP Procurement of X-FAB, emphasized the company's dedication to providing customers with opportunities to develop cutting-edge SiC devices for various applications. She stated, "As the leading SiC foundry, we want to offer our customers access to Soitec’s innovative SmartSiC™ through a consignment model, enabling them to leverage the most advanced silicon carbide processes and manufacturing capabilities."

Emmanuel Sabonnadiere, Soitec's Executive Vice President Automotive and Industry, highlighted the synergy between Soitec’s SmartSiC substrates and X-FAB’s foundry services in meeting the rising demand for new SiC products. He expressed, "This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the adoption of SmartSiC in the U.S. market and globally, leveraging X-FAB’s extensive international presence."