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Non-LED applications set to bolster GaN sector

Although overwhelmingly dominated by LEDs currently, the GaN device market will be significantly strengthened by both laser and microelectronic applications by 2009.

The value of the worldwide GaN device sector is set to hit $7.2 million in 2009, by which time non-LED applications of the technology will account for 17% of the market.

According to a new report from the market analyst company Strategies Unlimited, the blue laser diode market will account for $900 million five years from now. That would equate to a 13% share of the overall GaN device industry, if the prediction is correct.

Significant shipments of GaN-based blue-violet laser diodes are expected in the second half of this year as the DVD industry launches its next-generation recorders and players.

Bob Steele, who compiled the report, told Compoundsemiconductor.net that the current GaN market, worth $3.2 billion in 2004, was overwhelmingly dominated by LED sales. And sales of blue, white and green LEDs will still account for 83% of the market, or $6 billion, in 2009, he said.

However, by that time GaN-based electronic devices will also be making their presence felt, with an expected market value of $300 million, or 4% of the overall sector.

"For GaN-based electronic devices, the principal application will be HEMTs for use in power amplifiers in base stations for mobile networks, and for the emerging WiMAX fixed wireless base station market," predicted Steele.

The industry analyst added that less significant applications will include power switches for high-voltage power supplies and high-voltage rectifiers.

Aside from regular visible-range LEDs, Steele is expecting some demand for ultraviolet LEDs based on GaN to emerge over the next five years. However, the market for applications such as water purification and UV curing is expected to remain relatively small during the forecast period.

GaN device development is proving to be a strong research topic among academics, with 394 universities and research centers now involved in the material - a 35% increase over the past two years.

And it s a similar picture in the commercial world, confirms the report, with 232 companies actively participating.

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