1 February 2012

Cree launches packaged 1700V SiC Schottky diodes

Cree Inc of Durham, NC, USA has introduced a series of packaged diodes that deliver what is claimed to be the industry’s highest blocking voltage available in silicon carbide (SiC) Schottky technology. The 1700V Z-Rec Schottky diodes virtually eliminate the reverse recovery losses suffered in silicon PiN diode alternatives, it is claimed, enabling ultra-efficient, smaller and lighter systems - all with improved reliability. The new packaged products extend the performance improvements and system cost savings enabled by Z-Rec technology at 1700V to lower-power applications designed with discrete components.

“Cree’s 1700V silicon carbide Schottky diodes are ideal for high-efficiency power electronics systems,” reckons Cengiz Balkas, Cree VP & general manager, Power and RF. “They provide all the proven benefits of Cree’s Z-Rec SiC Schottky diodes - zero reverse recovery losses, temperature-independent switching and higher-frequency operation,” he adds.

While the 1700V bare die have been available for customers designing their own custom power modules, the new TO-247-2 packages allow customers to take advantage of SiC for lower-power 1700V designs, enable more design flexibility in choosing current levels, and support a faster time to market.

“The availability of 1700V SiC Schottky diodes provides a number of advantages for design engineers in high-voltage power applications,” says Balkas. “Silicon carbide diodes enable maximum power efficiency and better EMI performance. The switching-loss improvement allows for increased system frequencies that can reduce the size of magnetic and capacitive components,” he adds. “Significant reductions in system size, weight and cost can be achieved. Moreover, the availability of 1700V SiC diodes can eliminate the need for stacking multiple lower-voltage silicon diodes, thereby cutting component count, improving thermal performance and increasing reliability.”

Designated the C3Dxx170H Series, the new SiC Schottky diodes are rated for 10A/1700V and 25A/1700V and are available in an industry-standard TO-247-2 package. Operating junction temperature is rated for –55°C to +175°C.

Tags: Cree SiC Schottky diode SiC

Visit: www.cree.com/power