IQE's VCSEL material produces highest power ever for

850nm single-mode device

20 Jan 2005

IQE plc, the leading global outsource supplier of customised epitaxial wafers to the semiconductor industry is pleased to have been closely associated with Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden for the production of single-mode VCSEL devices with an output power exceeding 6mW, which is the highest power ever for an 850nm single-mode device. The results of the collaboration were reported by Anders Larsson of Chalmers at a recent Lasers and Electro Optics Society (LEOS) meeting in Puerto Rico and reported in the IEEE Photonics Technology Letters journal (Vol 16, No2).

The importance of VCSELs cannot be overstated as they are deployed in an ever increasing range of industrial and commercial products and IQE has been a leader in VCSEL materials since 1996. IQE’s VCSELs are in production for a number of customers and can be found in products including laser printers, advanced photocopiers, optical sensing devices (mouse pointers), Gigabit Ethernet systems and even a range of DIY products such as range-finders and “laser-levels”. Future applications nearing production include VCSEL arrays for board-to-board optical communications.

Andrew Joel, Product Manager for VCSELs at IQE commented “IQE has been at the forefront of VCSEL epi supply for almost 10 years. This product range is a particularly appropriate for us since epitaxial growth is the most challenging production step and requires state of the art precision and control.

Although much of our work is commercially sensitive, our close interaction with Prof Larsson and his group at Chalmers University allows us to publicize something of our capability in this field.

As with previous developments with Chalmers both the design and material samples are available immediately to our customers. The technology developed through our interaction with Chalmers provides our partners with an accelerated entry in to this market.”

The design and fabrication of the high power VCSEL devices was carried out by staff at the Photonics Laboratory within the Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience at Chalmers University using material produced by IQE Europe Ltd at its manufacturing facility in Cardiff, Wales.

Anders Larsson said that IQE’s contribution in growing the epitaxial structures was critical to the success of the project and has offered IQE the use of the Chalmers design for its customers.

Dr Drew Nelson, IQE’s CEO said, “IQE has made a significant investment in VCSEL technology over the last 8 years and we have established an enviable position in terms of our technology know-how in this field. This latest work with a highly respected institution such as Chalmers helps demonstrate both IQE’s technical skills and our ability to work closely with our partners and customers to achieve world beating results”

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About Chalmers University of Technology

Based in Sweden, Chalmers University of Technology was founded in 1829 and offers a wide range of engineering and technology based programmes. Around 13,100 people work and study at Chalmers, including more than 10,500 undergraduates and around 40% of Sweden's graduate engineers and architects were educated at Chalmers. Chalmers' turnover is approximately SEK 2.1 billion per year, around two-thirds of which is related to research.
 

About IQE

IQE is a leading outsource supplier of customised epitaxial wafers and compound semiconductor substrates to the global semiconductor industry. Materials produced by the Group operate at the forefront of technology, typically in high speed electronics and optical systems for a diverse range of devices including those used for data/audio/visual storage, optical communications, wireless and RF devices and systems as well as an increasing range of automotive, medical and industrial applications

Contacts:

IQE plc
Chris Meadows (Investor Relations) .... tel: +44 (0) 29 2083 9400
Andrew Joel (VCSEL Product Manager) .... tel: +44 (0) 29 2083 9400