An overview of silicon carbide (SiC) static induction transistor (SIT) development is presented. Basic conduction mechanisms are introduced and discussed, including ohmic exponential, and space charge limited conduction (SCLC) mechanisms. Additionally, the impact of velocity saturation and temperature effects on SCLC are reviewed. The small signal model. breakdown voltage, power density, and different gate structures are also discussed, before a final review of published SiC SIT results. Published S-band (3 4 GHz) results include 9.5 dB of gain and output power of 120 W, and L-band (1.3 GHz) results include 400 W output power 7.7 dB of gain, and power density of 16.7 W/cm. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.