III-V COMPOUNDS FOR HIGH-TEMPERATURE OPERATION

The latest results obtained by a number of authors from various labora tories are reviewed. A variety of sensors operating at increased tempe ratures have been developed in view of automotive and aircraft applica tions. Here, the special physical properties found with compound semic onductors are exploited with often good advantage. Similarly, electron ic circuits have been made and evaluated at increased temperatures. Of particular interest is of course when microwave radar circuits can al so be used with such hot environments, an example being hot-liquid lev el monitoring by FMCW radar. The semiconductors employed have not only been the classical GaAlAs, but also heterostructures with high conduc tion or valance-band offsets and materials such as GaN. (C) 1997 Elsev ier Science S.A.