29 November 2016

EpiWorks breaks ground on production expansion and wafer characterization and test lab

The II-VI EpiWorks Division of II‐VI Inc, which manufactures epitaxial wafers for optical components, wireless devices and high-speed communication applications, is breaking ground on a new production facility in Champaign, Illinois.

Due for completion by mid-2017, the expansion will enable a quadrupling of its capacity in Champaign over the next three years. In addition to substantial epiwafer production space, the new cleanroom will house a wafer characterization and test laboratory.

To operate the new facility, EpiWorks is recruiting experienced managers, engineers and technicians. The expansion supports the performance and volume requirements for several key components enabling multiple growing markets. These include indium phosphide (InP)- and gallium arsenide (GaAs)-based optoelectronic communication components for cloud computing and data-centers, vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) for 3D sensing and next-generation wide-bandgap devices for 5G wireless infrastructure.

"High-performance compound semiconductors are required to meet the performance needs of modern communication networks, sensors, smartphones, wireless communications networks, and datacenters. Our technology is being adopted in many applications, and we are ensuring that our capacity continues to meet customer demand now and in the future," says Giovanni Barbarossa, chief technology officer and president of the Laser Solutions Segment. "The new capacity will support our RF and photonics businesses, and we will have more resources to research and develop new materials and products," he adds.

"Immediately after merging with II-VI in February, we ordered three new MOCVD production tools and filled our current cleanroom space," say EpiWorks' co-founders Quesnell Hartmann and David Ahmari. "These systems have already been installed, and we have now moved into the next phase of growth by expanding our cleanroom space, launching an aggressive hiring plan, and working to build the industry's most technologically advanced and efficient manufacturing line," they add.

"This company has a strong Illinois history, having been founded by University of Illinois alumni," says Illinois governor Bruce Rauner. "EpiWorks' success in Illinois is a testament to our state's research universities, the ingenuity of our workforce, and the innovative community in Champaign Urbana," he adds. "We hope to continue to be a partner with them to help grow their business within our borders and build upon this success."

See related items:

II-VI Inc completes acquisition of EpiWorks

Tags: II-VI Inc EpiWorks Epitaxial wafers

Visit: www.epiworks.com