EL SEGUNDO, CA, September 1996 - International Rectifier (IR), the leading supplier of advanced semiconductors for power conversion applications, has made a significant advance in semiconductor process technology, developing a new generation of IGBTs -- the switching component widely used in motor controls, power supplies , UPS, welding and other power conversion applications.

Designated Gen 4 IGBTs, the new devices provide 20 to 40 percent performance improvement in efficiency, with reductions in both switching losses and V_CE(on), when compared with IR's previous Gen 3 and competing devices. Yet since they exhibit virtually the same thermal characteristics as older generation parts, IR's Gen 4 IGBTs are ideal drop-in replacements for these older devices.

"Using our new Gen 4 IGBTs, customers will be able to increase efficiency of their current power conversion stages without re-engineering," said Chris Ambarian, director of switch strategic marketing at International Rectifier.

Ambarian explained that Gen 4 IGBTs are fabricated using a new process that reduces masking steps from eight to six, and results in a 75 percent reduction in manufacturing cycle time when compared to the Gen 3 process. Then new Gen 4 process also increases wafer size from 5 inches to 6 inches, and reduces critical alignments to just one step. The reduction in critical alignment steps also results in a 2/3 reduction in manufacturing variability in key parameters such as V_CE(on) and total switching energy.

"The Gen 4 process shares in much of the technological advances made in the manufacturing of IR's Gen 5 HEXFET^® power MOSFET switches, " Ambarian noted. "We are producing Gen 4 IGBTs at our new HEXFET America facility in Temecula, California -- which sets the industry standard for efficient power semiconductor manufacturing. Advancements in automated process control and out in-line production layout significantly improved overall product yields."

International Rectifier is in the process of releasing Gen 4 versions of all their popular 600-Volt IGBT products. The first units available in volume are ultrafast devices, including the IRG4BC40U (TO-220), the IRG4PC40U (TO-247), and the IRG4PC40UD (TO-247), for switching power applications in the 20 to 75 kHz range. Devices for low and medium frequency applications, as well as those for other voltage ratings up to 1200 Volts, will be available beginning late this summer.

While Gen 4 IGBTs offer increased performance, pricing remains the same as Gen 3 devices. The price/performance ratio of IR's Gen 4 IGBTs is superior to other technologies available on the market. All of these ultrafast devices are now available off-the-shelf in volume.

IRG4BC40U (TO-220),
IRG4PC40U (TO-247),
IRG4PC40UD (TO-247),

Contact the Technical Assistance Center or your local Sales Rep.