+the semiconductor material SiC has remarkable physical and chemical properties,
+which make it a promising new material in various fields of applications.
+the wide band gap and high breakdown field
+as well as the high electron mobility and saturation drift velocity
+in conjunction with its unique thermal stability and conductivity
+unveil SiC as the ideal candidate for
+high-temperature, high-power and high-frequency electronic
+and opto-electronic devices.
+
+in fact light emission from SiC crystal rectifiers was observed
+already in the very beginning of the 20th century
+constituting the brirth of solid state optoelectronics.
+and indeed, the first blue light emitting diodes in 1990 were based on SiC.
+(nowadays superceded by direct band gap materials like GaN).
+
+the focus of SiC based applications, however,
+is in the area of solid state electronic devices
+experiencing revolutionary performance improvements enabled by its capabilities.
+devices can be designed much thinner with increased dopant concentrations
+resulting in highly efficient rectifier diodes and switching transistors.
+one example is displayed: a SiC based inverter with an efficiency of 98.5%
+designed by the frauenhofer institute for solar energy systems.
+therefore, SiC constitutes a promising candidate to become the key technology
+towards an extensive development and use of regenerative energies and emobility.
+
+moreover, due to the large bonding energy,
+SiC is a hard and chemical inert material
+suitable for applications under extreme conditions
+and for microelectromechanical systems.
+its radiation hardness allows the operation as a first wall reactor material
+and as electronic devices in space.