LEIDEN, Netherlands and CHIPPENHAM, United Kingdom, Nov. 30, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IXYS Corporation (NASDAQ:IXYS) an international power and IC semiconductor company, today announced that its UK subsidiary introduced a new addition to its family of 4.5kV fast recovery diodes (HP-sonic FRD) with a very high rate of change of current capability and soft recovery characteristics. The new diode has a nominal operating current of 460 amperes and is optimised to be used in conjunction with IXYS UK’s extensive range of press-pack IGBTs.

The new diodes incorporate IXYS UKs most advanced process and assembly technology, replacing older designs based on floating silicon. The new bonded die design offers a diode with improved thermal stability and very robust mechanical properties. The silicon is optimised with advanced processing to give unrivalled di/dt, change of current capability, more than 2kA per microsecond, while retaining a soft recovery characteristic and low switching losses.

The diodes are packaged in fully hermetic 26mm thick ceramic packages with copper electrodes and are compatible for series clamping in the same stack as IXYS UK’s range of very high current press-pack IGBTs. The 460 ampere device has a 43mm die and is packaged in a 38mm electrode package with an overall diameter of 60mm. The part number designation for the new diode is E0460QC45E.

The new HP sonic FRD is optimised for use with IXYS UK’s range of 4500 volt press pack IGBTs; as both anti-parallel and neutral point clamp diodes (for multi-level converters) with IXYS UKs press-pack IGBT types T0240NB45E, T0340VB45G and T0510VB45A. The new diode is also suitable to be used as a snubber diode with IXYS UKs larger press-pack IGBTs such as the T1600GB45G, T1800GB45A, T2400GB45E and the recently launched T2960BB45E.

“As well as applications using the press-pack IGBT the new diode is also suitable to be used as a snubber or clamp diode with other fast switching devices that require a diode with the capability for a rate of change of current greater than 500 amperes per microsecond,” commented Frank Wakeman, IXYS UK’s Marketing and Technical Support Manager.

Typical applications for this device include: utilities and HVDC applications such as flexible AC transition systems, HVDC transition, Statcoms, VSC SVC etc.; medium voltage AC drives for harsh environments and ultra-high power such as mining, marine and off shore, gas and oil installations; renewable energy for wind turbines, hydro generation, wave-generation and solar.

For data sheets please go to the IXYS UK website at www.ixysuk.com or please contact us at (email: sales@ixysuk.com) or telephone: +44 (0)1249 444524 for quotation.

About IXYS UK

Located in Chippenham, England, IXYS UK Westcode Ltd is the IXYS leading manufacturing site for very high power thyristors, SCRs and rectifiers ranging up to 7200 Volts and 15,000 Amps.  IXYS UK continues to supply high technology components for a wide range of applications such as wind and solar energy, welding, AC and DC motor drives for oil, marine and water treatment facilities, uninterruptible power supplies, motor soft starters, transportation, induction heating, mining equipment and many other industrial applications.

About IXYS Corporation

Since its founding, IXYS Corporation has been developing power semiconductors and mixed signal ICs to improve power conversion efficiency, generate solar and wind power and provide efficient motor control for industrial applications.  IXYS, and its subsidiary companies, offer a diversified product base that addresses worldwide needs for power control in the growing cleantech industries, renewable energy markets, telecommunications, medical devices, transportation applications, flexible displays and RF power.

Safe Harbor Statement

Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, including the performance, features, availability and suitability of products for various applications, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause the results of IXYS to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements, including, among others, risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including its Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2017. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements.

Contacts: 

Frank Wakeman, IXYS UK Westcode Limited, Chippenham, SN15 1GE, United Kingdom. +44 (0)1249 444524
Ray Segall, IXYS Long Beach 562-296-6584 (US sales enquiries only)