Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) master's student In-hwa Kim (College of Engineering, Division of Electronics and Information Engineering) received the Excellent Poster Award at the international conference SERESSA 2025 (International School on the Effects of Radiation on Embedded Systems for Space Applications) for research on diamond power semiconductor design.

SERESSA is an internationally respected conference that focuses on the reliability and extreme-environment operational characteristics of semiconductor devices applied to aerospace and defense. Each year, aerospace researchers and defense industry experts from around the world participate to share the latest research outcomes and technological trends. It is especially regarded as a specialized conference that concentrates on semiconductor device stability and design techniques for space environments.

At the conference, In-hwa Kim presented a poster titled "Design and Optimization of Field Plate Structures for Diamond Schottky Barrier Diodes." The study applied a double-stack field plate structure combining low-k and high-k dielectrics to diamond Schottky barrier diodes and quantitatively demonstrated through TCAD simulations that it effectively mitigates electric-field crowding under high-voltage and extreme environmental conditions and improves breakdown characteristics. The findings were evaluated as a meaningful approach to design high-reliability, radiation-tolerant power semiconductor devices required in the aerospace and defense sectors.

Diamond semiconductors, with an ultra-wide bandgap, excellent thermal conductivity, and high breakdown field, are attracting attention as the next-generation power semiconductor material that surpasses conventional silicon (Si) and silicon carbide (SiC). The proposed device structure allows stable operation even in high-temperature and high-radiation environments, suggesting potential application across various strategic future industries such as aerospace and defense power systems, satellite power conversion units, and next-generation electric propulsion systems.

Master's student In-hwa Kim said, "I am honored that my research was recognized at such a prestigious international conference," and added, "I hope to contribute to the aerospace and defense fields through continued research to improve the reliability and practicality of diamond-based power semiconductor devices."

This research was supported by the Phase 4 BK21 project.