Compound semiconductors

What is the advantage of using semi-insulating GaAs substrates for GaAs RF ICs?

  1. AThe substrate resistance is very high, so parasitic capacitance and signal loss are small
  2. BThe substrate emits strong light
  3. CThe substrate is cheaper than silicon
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Answer: A. The substrate resistance is very high, so parasitic capacitance and signal loss are small

By controlling impurities and defects, GaAs can be made into semi-insulating substrates with very high resistance. Signal leakage through the substrate and parasitic capacitance are small, so high-frequency circuits and passive components such as inductors can be built with high performance on the same substrate.

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More Compound semiconductors questions

  1. Which is a characteristic of micro-LED displays?
  2. What structure do most of today's widely used GaN power devices adopt?
  3. Which is a characteristic of diamond, sometimes called the ultimate semiconductor material?
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  5. What is the advantage of growing InGaAs, with its composition adjusted, lattice-matched on an InP substrate?