Cree Introduces New MegaBright(TM) Blue Led
Brightness Increased 10x Over Three Year Period
DURHAM, N.C., May 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE - news) today announced the introduction of its new MegaBright(TM) blue light emitting diode (LED). The brightness level is increased two times over Cree's existing UltraBright(TM) devices which were introduced in October of 2000. The MegaBright device exhibits typical brightness of 10mW, a level that matches the highest brightness of competing sapphire-based devices. Target applications for the new MegaBright LEDs include full color outdoor video displays, automotive designs, PDA's and solid state illumination. The company is offering evaluation and qualification samples, with volume production expected to be available in June 2001. These LEDs will be offered to customers at a price point that is slightly higher than Cree's UltraBright LEDs.
Over the past three years, Cree has dramatically increased the brightness of its LED products by a factor of ten. As a result of this increased brightness, the company has been able to penetrate applications including full color outdoor displays, cell phones, automotive and other backlighting uses, white light conversion, and consumer products. New applications the company will be targeting with the MegaBright devices include new full color outdoor displays, backlighting of full color PDA's, replacement of cold cathode lamps in automotive backlighting and general illumination uses for architectural and contour lighting, patio and special effects lighting.
Neal Hunter, Chairman and CEO stated, ``We have made tremendous progress increasing the brightness of our silicon carbide-based LEDs. They now exceed sapphire-based devices at a price/performance point unequaled in the nitride industry. The brightness we've achieved places Cree squarely in the forefront of offering volume production at the 10 mW typical level.''
Norbert Hiller, Vice President and General Manager of Optoelectronics said, ``We are excited to be able introduce these new MegaBright devices as quickly as we have after the introduction of our UltraBright products just seven months ago with a fourfold improvement in brightness. We believe these new products offer exciting opportunities where extreme brightness is required such as early markets for solid state illumination.''
North Carolina-based Cree, Inc. develops and manufactures semiconductor materials and devices based on silicon carbide (SiC), gallium nitride (GaN) and related compounds. The company's products include blue and green LEDs, RF power transistors for use in wireless infrastructure applications, SiC crystals used in the production of unique gemstones and SiC wafers sold for use in research and development. Cree has new product initiatives based on its experience in SiC and GaN-based semiconductors, including blue laser diodes for optical storage applications, high frequency microwave devices for radar and other communications systems, and power devices for power conditioning and switching. For more information on Cree, visit cree.com .
This press release contains forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated. Actual results may differ materially due to a number of factors, including the risk we may encounter delays or other difficulties in ramping up production of the new products; the risk the company will be unable to manufacture the products with sufficiently low cost to offer them at competitive prices or with acceptable margins; the rapid development of new technology and competing products that may impair demand; and other factors discussed in Cree's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 25, 2000 and subsequent quarterly reports.
SOURCE: Cree, Inc. |
