Going with GaN

This little device is a double-pulse tester for gauging the switching speed of GaN devices. It could be found at the booth of GaN Systems Corp., Ann Arbor, Mich. In the background is visible a PCB containing an array of GaN power devices with typical current ratings of 8 to 20 A. The interesting thing about GaN devices is that they are completely passivated. This lets the GaN switch sit on a PCB without any additional packaging material. In the background behind the test setup, for example, lies a board containing GaN switches that are basically embedded in layers of PCB material without any additional packaging.