30 October 2015

AXT acquires automated processing and cleaning equipment from Hitachi Metals

AXT Inc of Fremont, CA, USA, which makes gallium arsenide (GaAs, indium phosphide (InP) and germanium (Ge) substrates and raw materials, has acquired highly automated processing and cleaning equipment for GaAs substrates from Hitachi Metals.

The production line includes automated equipment for wax mounting/demounting, edge grinding, wafer sawing, polishing and cleaning. In addition, AXT licensed from Hitachi Metals associated technical information and applicable patents intended to enable it to use the equipment in full production. The equipment has been uninstalled in Japan and shipped to AXT's production facility in Beijing, China, where it is currently being installed. SCIOCS, the related spin-off from Hitachi Metals, is assisting in the installation and optimization process. The production line is suited to 4" and 6" GaAs and InP manufacturing processes, and AXT intends to supply GaAs substrates to SCIOCS and other customers.

"This acquisition comes at a time when AXT is making a concerted effort to invest in automated manufacturing equipment to increase sales of its InP substrates and 6" semi-insulating GaAs substrates," says CEO Dr Morris Young. "We plan to leverage the automation and manufacturing technology acquired to further enhance our product quality and consistency," he adds. "We are highly appreciative of the multi-faceted partnership between the two companies."

The terms of the acquisition are not being disclosed. However, it is not expected to have a meaningful impact on AXT's cost of operations going forward.

Tags: AXT GaAs substrate

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