Summary of Plessey is first to release GaN on silicon LEDs
Plessey has released the world's first commercially available Gallium Nitride (GaN) on silicon LEDs, manufactured on 6-inch substrates at its Plymouth facility. Utilizing proprietary MAGIC technology, these products offer over 95% yield and significant cost advantages over sapphire or silicon carbide alternatives. Supported by a government Regional Growth Fund to create 100 new jobs, Plessey aims for aggressive growth in solid-state lighting markets, with entry-level products targeting indicating and accent lighting applications while planning further efficiency improvements throughout the year.
Parts used in the GaN on Silicon LED Project:
- Gallium Nitride (GaN) on silicon LED products (p/n PLW111010)
- 6-inch GaN on silicon substrates
- MAGIC (Manufactured on GaN I/C) line
- MOCVD reactor
- Semiconductor manufacturing processing equipment
- Regional Growth Fund capital
Plymouth, England – 8th April 2013 – Plessey announced that samples of its Gallium Nitride (GaN) on silicon LED products (p/n PLW111010) are available today. These entry level products are the first LEDs manufactured on 6-inch GaN on silicon substrates to be commercially available anywhere in the world. Plessey is using its proprietary large diameter GaN on silicon process technology to manufacture the LEDs on its 6-inch MAGIC (Manufactured on GaN I/C) line at its Plymouth, England facility. The use of Plessey’s MAGIC GaN line using standard semiconductor manufacturing processing provides yield entitlements of greater than 95% and fast processing times providing a significant cost advantage over sapphire and silicon carbide based solutions for LEDs of similar quality.
The release of the availability of Plessey’s GaN on silicon LEDs was coincident with a visit to the Plessey Plymouth facility by the Rt. Hon. Dr. Vince Cable, MP, Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills and President of the Board of Trade. Business Secretary Vince Cable commented, “The government is supporting innovative companies like Plessey who are growing, creating jobs and exporting their products all over the world. That’s why we selected Plessey’s £3.25 million Regional Growth Fund bid for Government support, which will create 100 new, high tech and highly skilled jobs in the region.”
Michael LeGoff, CEO Plessey said, “We are very pleased to welcome Secretary of State Vince Cable today. The department of Business Innovation and Skills has been very supportive of our efforts to date and with the launch of our first range of LEDs today we are now looking towards aggressive growth in the solid state lighting markets.”
“Today is a significant step for us”, said Barry Dennington, Plessey’s COO. “From acquiring our first MOCVD reactor in August 2012 to having our first product in April 2013 is excellent progress. These entry level products will be used in indicating and accent lighting applications. We will continue to make progress in output efficiency and are on plan to release further improvements in light output throughout this year and into next. The operating and unit costs are on plan and we are seeing a number of routes to enhance our cost advantage over competing technologies.”
For more detail: Plessey is first to release GaN on silicon LEDs
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What is unique about Plessey's new LED products?
They are the first LEDs manufactured on 6-inch GaN on silicon substrates to be commercially available anywhere in the world. -
How does the manufacturing process affect costs compared to competitors?
The standard semiconductor manufacturing processing provides yield entitlements of greater than 95% and fast processing times, offering a significant cost advantage over sapphire and silicon carbide solutions. -
What specific applications are the current entry-level products designed for?
These entry level products will be used in indicating and accent lighting applications. -
What government support did Plessey receive for this project?
The company received support through the £3.25 million Regional Growth Fund bid to create 100 new high tech and highly skilled jobs. -
When was the MOCVD reactor acquired and when were the first products released?
Plessey acquired its first MOCVD reactor in August 2012 and had its first product ready by April 2013. -
Can customers expect further improvements in light output soon?
Yes, Plessey is on plan to release further improvements in light output throughout this year and into next.
