LEDs ♦ news digest
superior electron mobility, high breakdown voltage and good thermal conductivity and is particularly suitable for optoelectronics and advanced power semiconductors.
These are used, for example, in wind power turbines, solar power systems, electric vehicles and energy-saving kitchen appliances. In comparison with conventional, silicon-based applications, structures with GaN/(Al)GaN layers evidence a very efficient switching behaviour.
However, GaN technology still needs further refinement to also be economically competitive. To achieve this, inexpensive and efficient production methods for epitaxial deposition of GaN/(Al)GaN structures on larger-diameter silicon wafers are very promising.
As a global provider of silicon wafers, Siltronic AG can draw on decades of experience in epitaxial deposition of materials on silicon substrates. Imec is a pioneer in the area of GaN deposition on silicon substrates with diameters of 2-6 inches. Economies of scale in the production of 200 mm wafers could significantly reduce the manufacturing costs for GaN-based LEDs and power semiconductors.
In addition to Siltronic, other participants such as integrated device manufacturers, foundries, silicon compound producers and substrate manufacturers are also involved in this multinational research platform. Siltronic will actively use the facilities and technical resources of imec in Leuven, Belgium.
This coordinated on-site approach enables inter- company collaboration between all involved partners, while at the same time providing very early access to process and equipment technology for the next generation of LEDs and power semiconductors.
“We are delighted to welcome Siltronic into our research network,” said Rudi Cartuyvels, Vice President R&D Business Lines at imec. “Siltronic has an enormous amount of experience in epitaxial deposition on silicon wafers that will increase the momentum of our GaN program to deliver a manufacturable GaN technology on 200 mm silicon wafers.”
“Siltronic is already the world market leader for silicon wafers used to manufacture discrete and
integrated power devices,” points out Rüdiger Schmolke, Senior Vice President Technology at Siltronic. “This research project will help us to further consolidate our leadership position in this market.”
Early payback on investment in science
Oxford Instruments says that the scientific commercial and academic sectors can unite to solve many of society’s problems and turn smart science into commercially successful products.
Investment in science can pay dividends right now, as well as driving long term prosperity. That was the key message given by Jonathan Flint, Chief Executive of Oxford Instruments, speaking at an event in Parliament on 28 June.
He said, “My position as Chief Executive of a publicly listed company and as a council member of the Institute of Physics allows me to straddle the commercial and scientific worlds. It gives me a perspective on the difficult path between the spark of a new idea, and seeing the effects of that idea in society at large.”
“The global challenges we face today cannot be addressed without a partnership between the commercial and the academic sectors. I see businesses forming the bridge between science and the consumer. Science is capable of coming up with the solutions to many of society’s problems and companies like Oxford Instruments will turn that smart science into commercially successful products.”
Speaking on behalf of the Institute of Physics at the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Parliamentary Links Day, Flint identified examples where his company’s advanced technology is contributing to future energy options, from fusion power to low energy lighting, and testing for hazardous materials in the environment. But his key message was that investment in science is delivering real economic benefits, today, through the manufacture of the high technology equipment involved.
He continued, “Supplying high performance equipment gives real revenues, real jobs, today. We
July 2011
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