Introduction
Wolfspeed, a Cree Company, is a leading innovator in the semiconductor technology and lighting solutions industry. With a rich history of more than 30 years, Wolfspeed is known for its high-performance silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) products that enable power and radio frequency (RF) applications. In this blog post, we will explore the history, products, and future plans of Wolfspeed.
History of Wolfspeed
Founding of Cree
Cree, the parent company of Wolfspeed, was founded in 1987 by Dr. John Edmond, who was a professor of materials science and engineering at North Carolina State University. Initially, Cree focused on developing blue LEDs, which were considered a breakthrough in the lighting industry. Over the years, Cree expanded its product portfolio to include power and RF devices, and in 2016, Cree spun off its power and RF division into a separate entity called Wolfspeed.
Acquisition by Infineon
In 2018, Wolfspeed was acquired by Infineon Technologies, a German semiconductor manufacturer. The acquisition was aimed at strengthening Infineon’s position in the power electronics market and expanding its product portfolio to include SiC and GaN products. Wolfspeed continues to operate as a separate entity under the Infineon umbrella.
Products Offered by Wolfspeed
Silicon Carbide (SiC) Products
Wolfspeed’s SiC products are used in a wide range of applications, including electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and industrial power supplies. SiC offers several advantages over traditional silicon-based devices, such as higher efficiency, faster switching speeds, and higher temperature tolerance. Wolfspeed’s SiC products include MOSFETs, Schottky diodes, and power modules.
Gallium Nitride (GaN) Products
Wolfspeed’s GaN products are primarily used in RF applications, such as cellular base stations and radar systems. GaN offers several advantages over traditional gallium arsenide (GaAs) devices, such as higher power density and higher efficiency. Wolfspeed’s GaN products include transistors and amplifiers.
Future Plans for Wolfspeed
Expansion of SiC Production Capacity
Wolfspeed is currently in the process of expanding its SiC production capacity to meet the growing demand for SiC devices. The company is investing $1 billion in a new manufacturing facility in New York, which is expected to be operational by 2022. The new facility will be capable of producing up to 200mm SiC wafers, which will enable Wolfspeed to produce larger and more complex SiC devices.
Development of GaN-on-Si Technology
Wolfspeed is also working on developing GaN-on-Si technology, which involves growing GaN crystals on silicon substrates. This technology has the potential to significantly reduce the cost of GaN devices, as silicon wafers are much cheaper than GaN wafers. Wolfspeed has already demonstrated GaN-on-Si devices with performance comparable to GaN-on-GaN devices, and is working on further improving the technology.
Conclusion
Wolfspeed, a Cree Company, is a leading innovator in the semiconductor technology and lighting solutions industry. With a rich history of more than 30 years, Wolfspeed is known for its high-performance SiC and GaN products that enable power and RF applications. The company is continuously expanding its product portfolio and production capacity, and is poised to play a key role in the future of the semiconductor industry.
