What are Compound Semiconductors?
Most people are familiar with silicon, the material that has powered the electronics revolution since the 1960s. Silicon — a single element from the periodic table — remains fundamental to everyday electronics such as computers, smartphones and consumer devices.
Compound semiconductors build on this foundation.
Instead of using a single element, they combine two or more elements to create materials with enhanced electrical and physical properties. These elements can include gallium (Ga), indium (In), aluminium (Al), nitrogen (N), arsenic (As), phosphorus (P), silicon (Si) and carbon (C).
By combining elements in different ways, engineers can design materials tailored for specific performance requirements.
What makes them different?
Compound semiconductors enable three critical capabilities:
Power
Highly efficient power electronics used in electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, renewable energy systems and industrial equipment.
Speed
High-frequency radio and microwave devices used in 5G networks, satellite communications and radar systems.
Light
Optoelectronic and photonic devices used in fibre-optic communications, sensing technologies and advanced imaging systems.
Compared with conventional silicon, compound semiconductors can operate at higher voltages, higher temperatures and faster switching speeds. This means improved energy efficiency, smaller systems and enhanced performance — all of which are essential for electrification, digital connectivity and advanced manufacturing.
Compound semiconductors are part of everyday life
Although often invisible to the end user, compound semiconductors underpin many of today’s most important technologies, including:
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Electric and autonomous vehicles
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Renewable energy and smart grids
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5G and next-generation communications
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Artificial intelligence and high-performance computing
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Aerospace and defence systems
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The Internet of Things (IoT)
They are a critical enabling technology for a more connected, efficient and electrified world.