Polar and IC-Link by imec collaborate on 8-inch e-mode GaN manufacturing
Bloomington, 13 October 2026. Polar Semiconductor LLC of Bloomington, MN, USA and IC-Link by imec are collaborating to provide 8-inch production of enhancement-mode (e-mode) gallium nitride (GaN) devices. IC-Link by imec is the design and manufacturing division of nanoelectronics research center imec of Leuven, Belgium.
The offering is enabled through a license transfer agreement with imec for its GaN-on-silicon process, device and epitaxy to Polar to manufacture e-mode GaN devices at Polar's power and sensor foundry. The initial agreement focuses on voltage ranges from 40V to 650V, with future expansion towards lower and higher voltages.
The companies say the work targets markets such as AI data centers, automotive, aerospace & defense, and the industrial grid. Through IC-Link, customers can gain early access to the GaN technology, allowing them to accelerate development now and move into full manufacturing services.
"This partnership reinforces Polar's strategy and ongoing investments to establish a leading US-based GaN Center of Excellence, delivering innovative power technologies that strengthen domestic supply chains for critical industries including defense, artificial intelligence, and automotive," says Polar's executive chairman Reza Kazerounian.
"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," says imec's chief R&D programs & portfolio officer Thomas Piliszczuk.
Source: Semiconductor Today