IQE, X-fab team for GaN to 1200V
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Belgian foundry X-fab is working with substrate supplier IQE to develop a European supply chain for gallium nitride (GaN) power devices up to 1200V.
The two have signed a two year Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to create a European-based GaN platform, starting with 650V devices. This will use IQE’s GaN epitaxy design and process expertise, which already supplies GaN developers. Devices can be fabricated at X-fab for automotive, datacentre and consumer applications.
X-fab already supplies 650V depletion mode (d-mode) and HEMT GaN devices on 200mm wafers at its fab in Dresden, Germany. This supports a customer’s process or standard process blocks for the process steps, and includes additional processing technologies such microtransfer printing (µTP), copper redistribution layer (Cu-redistribution layer), thick metal layers and wafer thinning.
The IQE deal will also serve as a foundation for future product development, extending beyond 650V. This is expected to target 1200V devices which will serve 800V electric vehicle designs
“By combining our long-standing expertise in GaN device fabrication and design enablement with IQE’s epitaxy leadership, we are creating a unique, turnkey GaN Power platform,” said Jörg Doblaski, Chief Technology Officer at X-Fab. “In addition to our existing GaN technology, this collaboration provides a compelling alternative to existing supply chain models and strengthens Europe’s position in next-generation power semiconductor technology.”
There is already significant GaN production in Europe. Nexperia has been upgrading its fab in Hamburg, Germany with 200mm wafer reactors to supply GaN in Europe and Infineon Technologies is also a major supplier of GaN from its European fabs, including 300mm wafers at Villach in Austria.
“Building on our GaN epitaxy expertise and recent investment in additional GaN reactor capacity, this agreement aligns with our GaN diversification strategy, expands our customer reach, and accelerates time-to-market for GaN Power applications,” said Jutta Meier, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of IQE following the departure of Americo Lemos last October.
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