28 November 2016

Monocrystal ships 5 millionth 4"-equivalent sapphire wafer

Monocrystal Inc of Stavropol, Russia (which manufactures large-diameter sapphire substrates and cores for LEDs, optical products and RFIC applications) has shipped its 5 millionth 4-inch equivalent (FIE) sapphire wafer.

Large-diameter wafers have recently become a mainstream product, driven by LED makers benefitting from a 30% increase in metal-organic chemical vapor phase deposition (MOCVD) reactor throughput and higher binning yields. At the same time, says the firm, sapphire wafer shape and cleanness are crucial in achieving high epitaxial yields and getting the benefits of using large diameters.

Monocrystal's large-diameter substrates are used for high-brightness gallium nitride (GaN) LEDs. As well as having a crystal structure that benefits from low-stress ultra-large crystals, Monocrystal says that low thermal bow during the epitaxial process provides tight wavelength uniformity, leading to yields increasing by 2-3%, it is reckoned. Low internal stress results in zero breakage rates during nitride growth, improving equipment uptime, the firm adds. An ultraclean wafer surface eliminates the need for a pre-cleaning step, saving $1 per wafer, it is claimed. Also, a low etch-pit density contributes to longer LED lifetime. 

"Our landmark of 5 million FIE is the best testimonial that our large-diameter wafers help our customers reduce costs and strengthen their competiveness in the highly competitive LED market," says CEO Oleg Kachalov.

Tags: Monocrystal Sapphire substrates

Visit: www.monocrystal.com