24 October 2013

IQE wins three-year VCSEL epiwafer supply contract from Philips

Epiwafer foundry and substrate maker IQE plc of Cardiff, Wales, UK has signed an initial three-year supply contract with Philips Technologie GmbH for epitaxial wafers used for the manufacturing of vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) devices.

VCSEL chips can be produced on a mass scale, in a similar process flow to LED chips, says IQE, opening the way for very cost-effective, high-performance laser devices that can be used in a wide variety of applications, including optical data communication, industrial sensing, illumination, gesture recognition and heating applications.

Together with partners like IQE, Philips aims to scale up its activities in order to meet the increasing global demand for solid-state lasers.

IQE says that the supply contract adds significantly to its photonics business, underlines the long-term relationship between the two companies, and reflects the strengthening market for photonic devices. The contract, which provides IQE with the majority supply of epiwafers to Philips, is renewable after the initial three-year term, and also includes a joint development agreement.

“VCSELs are expected to show rapid growth in the coming years,” notes Philips Photonics’ general manager Dr Joseph Pankert. “This growth is driven by a variety of applications, and Philips is committed to address the growing demand. Teaming up with IQE is an essential element of our growth strategy and enables us to meet the required volume and quality levels,” he adds.

“Many of the applications that are enabled by IQE’s VCSEL wafers are at an inflection point where growth is expected to significantly ramp up over the coming months and years,” comments IQE’s CEO Dr Drew Nelson. “IQE is able to offer many attractive USPs, including a comprehensive product range, scale of operation, multiple manufacturing locations, and long experience in laser diode epiwafer manufacturing.”

Tags: IQE VCSELs

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