Compound semiconductors

How does the thermal conductivity of GaAs compare with that of silicon?

  1. ALower (about one third of silicon's)
  2. BMuch higher than silicon's
  3. CThe same as silicon's
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Answer: A. Lower (about one third of silicon's)

The thermal conductivity of GaAs is about 46 W/(m·K), about one third of silicon's 150 W/(m·K). Heat dissipation design is therefore important for high-power GaAs devices. SiC's high thermal conductivity is one reason it is used as the substrate for high-power GaN devices.

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