INDUSTRY MOCVD
manufacturing process are technically demanding. Market researchers, like IHS, forecast that the penetration of GaN- on-silicon wafers into the LED market will rise from just 1 percent today to 40 percent by 2020, and we feel we are very well positioned for that trend with our diversified MOCVD portfolio.
Q A
Do you believe that Aixtron has the best MOCVD tools on the market, or do you need new products?
Overall, due to our broad and innovative portfolio, we see ourselves very well positioned in all the market segments we address. Moreover, the new MOCVD products we have in the pipeline have the potential to lower the total cost of ownership of our customers, helping them to be successful in this competitive environment. We are confident that these tools will strengthen our position in MOCVD and we will continue to make significant investments. This is not only important in the new technologies aiming to the future markets, such as power electronics and OLEDs, but also in silicon semiconductors.
Q
Researchers at Sandia National Labs and the University of California, Santa Barbara, are arguing that lasers, rather than LEDs, are the optimum source for solid-state lighting. Does this concern you, given that laser chips deliver more intense light, and volumes of epitaxial material would diminish?
A
We are monitoring various technology developments and we continue to see the LED becoming the dominant lighting technology in the near future.
However, if the laser would replace it at some point in the future, we wouldn’t complain, since lasers also require MOCVD technology. As the manufacturing process for lasers requires longer deposition times and is more complex, it would require enhanced deposition systems, something we are able to offer. Overall, I would say that lasers could open the path to a broad range of new applications, which would then result in new opportunities for our company.
Aixtron’s R&D Center in Herzogenrath reflects the company’s strong focus on research and development
Q A
Could the power electronics market provide significant sales of MOCVD tools by the end of this decade?
We expect that the end markets for power electronics will grow strongly, due to the requirement for energy-efficient devices. With the increasing demand for higher-voltage applications, for hybrid electric vehicles, renewable energy, smart grids, and power management, compound materials like gallium nitride or silicon carbide provide higher efficiency. We know that many customers are developing compound-based devices and production processes on MOCVD equipment and when they move to mass- production we anticipate the demand to increase significantly.
Q A
Will OLEDs, carbon nanotubes and graphene ever represent significant markets for Aixtron?
We are optimistic about the commercial perspective of OLEDs, CNTs and graphene, and we have technological answers. We are investing extensively in these areas. Our deposition technology for manufacturing OLEDs has proven that it is more efficient, in terms of throughput and material consumption, than existing methods. This is why industry has shown great interest in our technologies that specifically target the production of large-area displays for TVs and lighting. This is a patented technology. On the carbon-based applications, it’s clearly still in an early phase. However, we have already delivered our systems to renowned universities, research institutes and research centres in companies. Aixtron also plays a leading role in
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www.compoundsemiconductor.net March 2014
the EU project, the graphene flagship programme. We are heading the production work package.
Q A
Aixtron has laid-off about 20 percent of its staff. Are you confident that following this restructuring there will be no need for further cuts?
Due to the prevailing uncertainties
and low visibility, particularly in the MOCVD market, we cannot give any detailed guidance when we can see any rebound of the market demand. Nevertheless, and I would like to emphasize this, we believe that we are on track to further strengthen the company. We continue to improve our key processes as well as our cost structure − at the same time − we are maintaining our investments into future technologies that offer significant market opportunities.
Q A
What do investors feel about the company’s current performance?
I know from various discussions with investors that they have acknowledged the subdued situation of the global MOCVD market. My impression is that they trust in our ability to reposition our company in the MOCVD market, to return to profitability, and to develop a strong position in future markets, such as OLEDs and power electronics. Moreover − I don’t know if you’ve heard about it − we have recently closed a capital raise that was over- subscribed by investors. I value this as a sign of confidence in our long-term strategy.
© 2014 Angel Business Communications. Permission required.
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