Ensuring Reliability in High-Performance Silicon Carbide Applications
Introduction to eSiC Wafer Handling Solutions
As silicon carbide (SiC) technology continues to drive advancements in high-temperature and high-frequency devices, ePAK’s eSiC wafer handling solutions offer critical protection and precise handling for silicon carbide wafers in applications such as power electronics, renewable energy systems, and electric vehicles.
Our eSiC solutions are meticulously engineered for SiC wafers, offering advanced protection against surface defects, contamination, and physical stress. This ensures greater efficiency and superior performance in the semiconductor industry and enhances the reliability of SiC-based devices in demanding conditions.
As a material, silicon carbide is valued for its high-temperature resilience, excellent thermal conductivity, and robust structural integrity. However, SiC wafers also require careful handling to avoid damage during manufacturing and transport stages.
ePAK’s eSiC solutions offer tailored protection to meet these needs, enabling safer, contamination-free handling across each stage of silicon carbide wafer processing. Our comprehensive solutions support SiC production from boule growth to wafer dicing and final packaging.
Download Catalog
Contact Us
Comprehensive Solutions for Each Production Stage
1. Boule Storage and Shipping
The first step in handling silicon carbide wafers involves preserving the structural integrity of SiC substrates during boule storage and shipping. Proper containment in this stage is essential to protect crystal structure and prevent surface roughness from developing.
ePAK’s solutions for boule storage are designed to protect large silicon carbide boules during growth and cooling, ensuring they remain uncontaminated and structurally sound for subsequent processing stages.
Our Wafer Jars provide robust containment, featuring anti-static and contamination control properties. This combination ensures SiC wafers are handled in an environment that mitigates the risks of particle contamination.
For more specialized storage needs, eLX Jars are engineered from static-dissipative polymers. These jars are ideal for high-temperature environments, where stability and resilience are required.
2. Wafering and Raw Wafer Shipping
The wafering stage is where SiC wafers are sliced, cleaned, and packaged for initial transport. This stage involves handling raw wafers, which are highly susceptible to surface defects and contamination during transit.
ePAK’s ePRO Raw Wafer Shipping Boxes are designed to securely transport raw silicon carbide wafers by offering dual-row cushioning for enhanced impact absorption.
These boxes are built to withstand high voltage and high temperature applications, providing a reliable solution for protecting SiC wafers as they move between production stages.
Our overPAKs add an extra layer of protection, making them suitable for long-distance transport in harsh conditions where environmental control is crucial to wafer integrity.
3. Epitaxial Growth and Device Fabrication
The epitaxial growth phase is one of the most critical stages in silicon carbide wafer production. This process involves adding layers of silicon carbide to create high-performance devices tailored for demanding applications.
To support this delicate stage, ePAK provides the SMIF Style ePOD Pro, which ensures SiC wafers are handled in a contamination-free, cleanroom-compatible environment.
The ePOD Pro is also designed to maintain electrical conductivity in wide bandgap silicon carbide materials, which is essential for producing semiconductors with superior performance.
Our Process Cassettes are crafted from low-shedding materials, which minimize particle generation and enhance handling efficiency, enabling precise and contamination-free SiC wafer processing.
4. Shipping of Processed Wafers
Once wafers are processed, they need secure transport to dicing and packaging facilities. ePAK’s solutions ensure that high-value silicon carbide wafers retain their superior performance and structural integrity during transit.
The eLX Canisters feature ring separators that prevent wafer-to-wafer contact, which is essential for maintaining surface roughness and ensuring long-term device reliability.
For flexible transport needs, our Vertical/Horizontal Frame Shippers are customizable for both vertical and horizontal orientations. These solutions are ideal for thick wafer layers, providing a tailored solution for semiconductor technology requirements.
5. Wafer Dicing and Packaging
Dicing and packaging are the final steps in silicon carbide wafer handling, where wafers are cut and packed into devices. This phase requires structural support to prevent damage while allowing efficient handling.
Our Plastic and Metal Frames, Hoop Rings deliver structural stability and contamination control, essential for precise, high-speed dicing operations.
To support packaging, JEDEC Trays and Tape & Reel offer standardized solutions for contamination-free handling of SiC wafers in applications spanning defense industries, electric vehicles, and renewable energy sectors.