Polar, IC-Link by imec Partner on 8-Inch GaN Manufacturing

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Polar Semiconductor, LLC (Polar), a U.S.-owned and operated foundry specializing in high-voltage, power, and sensor technologies, and IC-Link by imec, imec’s design and manufacturing service, announced they are collaborating to provide 8-inch production of enhancement-mode (e-mode) GaN devices to serve critical markets such as AI data centers, automotive, aerospace & defense, and the industrial grid.

The new offering is enabled through a license transfer agreement with imec for its GaN-on-Si process, device and epitaxy to Polar to manufacture e-mode GaN devices at Polar’s world-class power and sensor foundry in Bloomington, Minnesota. The initial agreement focuses on voltage ranges from 40 to 650V with future expansion towards lower and higher voltages to serve key market trends such as 800V to 12V conversion in data centers.

Through IC-Link, imec’s design and manufacturing division, customers can gain early access to the GaN technology, allowing them to accelerate development today and move seamlessly into full manufacturing services. The technology from imec and the service from IC-Link, coupled with the manufacturing excellence of Polar will provide a unique prototyping to high volume production service. Together, imec’s technology, IC-Link’s design-to-manufacturing services, and Polar’s commercial reach and manufacturing excellence will provide an integrated offering to its shared customer base.

Reza Kazerounian, executive chairman of Polar, said, “This partnership reinforces Polar’s strategy and ongoing investments to establish a leading U.S.-based GaN Center of Excellence, delivering innovative power technologies that strengthen domestic supply chains for critical industries including defense, artificial intelligence, and automotive. Given imec’s world-class expertise and leadership in semiconductor innovation, it is the ideal partner to accelerate Polar’s GaN roadmap and technology ambitions.”

Thomas Piliszczuk, chief R&D programs & portfolio officer at imec, said, “Building on more than 15 years of GaN research and development, imec is excited to combine its GaN technology with IC-Link’s design-to-manufacturing services and Polar’s manufacturing capabilities. Together with partners across our international ecosystem, this will create a scalable GaN offering that helps customers accelerate high-efficiency, high-speed power solutions for growing markets including AI and data infrastructure, automotive, industrial systems, aerospace and other adjacent markets.”