See-Through Semiconductors
Kirt's Cogitations™ #47

RF Cafe University "Factoids," "Kirt's Cogitations," and "Tech Topics Smorgasbord" are all manifestations of my ranting on various subjects relevant (usually) to the overall RF Cafe theme. All may be accessed on these pages:

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See-Through Semiconductors

If you think you've had trouble in the past trying to find small components that you drop in the lab, you haven't seen anything yet - literally. The new Gallium Nitride (GaN) ICs that feature both high frequency and high power density are as clear as glass. Their high energy band gaps allow visible light photons to pass right through without absorption, which we perceive as color. The only visible feature on the chips will be the metallized bonding pads. It will be interesting to "see" what kind of chip graffiti shows up on these devices!

Anatech Electronics RF & Microwave Filters - RF Cafe Website

RF Cafe began life in 1996 as "RF Tools" in an AOL screen name web space totaling 2 MB. Its primary purpose was to provide me with ready access to commonly needed formulas and reference material while performing my work as an RF system and circuit design engineer. The World Wide Web (Internet) was largely an unknown entity at the time and bandwidth was a scarce commodity. Dial-up modems blazed along at 14.4 kbps while tying up your telephone line, and a lady's voice announced "You've Got Mail" when a new message arrived...