Diamond Foundry to Invest $850 Million in Diamond Wafer Plant in Spain

On December 17, EEnews Europe reported that the Spanish government has secured approval from the European Commission to grant €81 million (approximately 613 million RMB) in subsidies to the Spanish subsidiary of Diamond Foundry, a US-based synthetic diamond manufacturer. This funding will support the construction of an $850 million (approximately 6.2 billion RMB) diamond wafer fabrication plant in Trujillo, Spain.

The new facility, operated by Diamond Foundry Europe, is expected to commence production of single-crystal diamond chips in 2025 using plasma reactor technology.

Why Diamond Semiconductors Matter

Diamond, often regarded as the “ultimate semiconductor material,” offers exceptional properties that make it a game-changer in advanced electronics:

Ultra-Wide Bandgap (5.45 eV): Enables high voltage operation.

High Breakdown Electric Field (10 MV/cm): Ensures device stability under extreme conditions.

Superior Thermal Conductivity (2000 W/m·K): Ideal for dissipating heat in high-power applications.

High Carrier Mobility: Facilitates faster electronic transport.

Resistance to High Pressure and Temperature: Ideal for rugged applications.

These properties make diamond semiconductors ideal for high-temperature, high-frequency, high-power, and radiation-resistant electronic devices. Furthermore, diamond’s optical transparency and mechanical durability enhance its potential for optoelectronic devices, complex circuit designs, and extreme operational environments.

Global Progress in Diamond Semiconductor Development

The development and industrialization of diamond semiconductors are accelerating worldwide:

Diamond Foundry: Following its 2022 acquisition of Germany's Audiatec, it pioneered the first single-crystal diamond wafer globally.

Element Six (UK): Successfully executed the UWBGS project for diamond semiconductor research.

Advent Diamond (US): Achieved breakthroughs in phosphorus-doped diamond technology.

Diamfab (France): Plans to mass-produce 4-inch diamond wafers by 2025.

Asia’s Efforts: Japan, South Korea, and China are heavily investing in diamond semiconductor R&D.

China’s Push in Diamond Semiconductors

In China, companies like QiJing Technology and KeZhiCheng have already developed large-diameter, high-quality diamond wafers. These advancements position China as a key player in this transformative technology.

Future Applications and Industry Potential

Diamond wafers are expected to redefine the semiconductor landscape with applications in:

High-power electronics: Mitigating "self-heating" and "avalanche breakdown" issues.

Optoelectronics: Leveraging diamond's optical properties for advanced sensors and lasers.

Thermal management: Providing superior heat dissipation for compact, high-density devices.

Aerospace and Defense: Withstanding extreme conditions for advanced communication and radar systems.

As the demand for sustainable and high-performance materials grows, diamond semiconductors are set to become a cornerstone of the next-generation semiconductor industry.