7 Aug 2008

IQE plc (AIM: IQE, “IQE” or the “Group”), the leading global supplier of advanced semiconductor wafer products and wafer services to the semiconductor industry, is pleased to announce the extension of their InGaAs SWIR (Short Wavelength Infra Red) detector product range to include 3" extended wavelength epitaxial materials.

Generic epitaxial structures are available with spectral response up to 2.2um, 2.4um and 2.6um in 2" and 3" wafer diameters. The 2.6um design has demonstrated responsivity > 1A/W in the range 1.6-2.5um, and a peak of 1.2A/W @ 2.3um. Such a spectral response is achieved using a highly strained InGaAs absorbing layer which is deposited on a proprietary graded buffer layer, grown by MOCVD on InP substrates.

Custom designs and variations of the generic structures can be accommodated from initial product development through to volume production.

Dr Wynne Jones, InP Product Manager at IQE Europe, commented:

"We are experiencing increased market demand for extended wavelength products produced on larger wafer diameters. This increased demand is largely driven by the need for large area arrays incorporated into low light and night vision systems, machine vision, spectroscopy, instrumentation and Image recognition

Our base epitaxial product offering will also be complemented by an in-reactor Zn diffusion service which has demonstrated superior device performance over closed ampoule diffusion process especially for larger area wafers up to 4” InP.

There will be further enhancements of the product range to include Zn diffusion of extended wavelength detectors which follows on from the successful launch of Zn diffused InP PiN diodes and APDs leading to a wide range of Pin detector products available in wafer sizes up to 4” in diameter."




Contacts:

IQE plc (+44 29 2083 9400)
Chris Meadows
Wynne Jones


NOTE TO EDITORS

About IQE
www.iqep.com


IQE is the leading global supplier of advanced semiconductor wafers with products that cover a diverse range of applications, supported by an innovative outsourced foundry services portfolio that allows the Group to provide a 'one stop shop' for the wafer needs of the world's leading semiconductor manufacturers.

IQE uses advanced crystal growth technology (epitaxy) to manufacture and supply bespoke semiconductor wafers ('epi-wafers') to the major chip manufacturing companies, who then use these wafers to make the chips which form the key components of virtually all high technology systems. IQE is unique in being able to supply wafers using all of the leading crystal growth technology platforms.

IQE's products are found in many leading-edge consumer, communication, computing and industrial applications, including a complete range of wafer products for the wireless industry, such as mobile handsets and wireless infrastructure, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, base stations, GPS, and satellite communications; optical communications, optical storage (CD, DVD), laser optical mouse, laser printers & photocopiers, thermal imagers, leading-edge medical products, barcode, high efficiency LEDs and a variety of advanced silicon based systems.

The manufacturers of these chips are increasingly seeking to outsource wafer production to specialist foundries such as IQE in order to reduce overall wafer costs and accelerate time to market.

IQE also provides bespoke R&D services to deliver customised materials for specific applications and offers specialist technical staff to manufacture to specification either at its own facilities or on the customer's own sites. The Group is also able to leverage its global purchasing volumes to reduce the cost of raw materials. In this way IQE's outsourced services, provide compelling benefits in terms of flexibility and predictability of cost, thereby significantly reducing operating risk.

IQE operates six manufacturing facilities located in Cardiff (two) and Milton Keynes in the UK; in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and Somerset, New Jersey in the USA; and Singapore. The Group also has 11 sales offices located in major economic centres worldwide.