AXT Renews Substrate Agreement With IQE
CompoundSemi News StaffJanuary 5, 2009...AXT, a maker of compoundsemi substrates announced an order from IQE for semi-insulating gallium arsenide (GaAs) substrates. According to AXT, the approximately $14.3 million order is for IQE's 2009 worldwide substrate requirements. The renewed order this year reportedly includes 4-inch and 6-inch diameter semi-insulating GaAs substrates. IQE is a global supplier of semiconductor wafers that is supported by outsource foundry services.
"We are very pleased to have been awarded a new contract from our valued customer, IQE, for their 2009 substrate needs," said Phil Yin, chairman and CEO of AXT. "As the industry continues to move towards larger diameter substrates, we have made a firm commitment to supporting this transition through targeted capacity increases in our 6" manufacturing capability. We believe we are well positioned to support IQE's substrate needs in the coming year and we look forward to continued close collaboration between our two companies." AXT News Release January 5, 2009...Structured Materials Industries (SMI) reports that it has licensed silicon carbide (SiC) MOCVD enabling technology from Veeco. SMI indicated that it would use the technology to enhance its SiC production tools that it hopes to offer soon.
SMI reports that it is presently developing SiC production tools scaled at multiple 2-inch, 4-inch, and 6-inch production scales. The company contends its tools feature compatibility with advanced processes featuring high and efficient deposition rates. Dr. Gary S. Tompa was quoted as saying “SMI’s licensing of Veeco SiC MOCVD technology will greatly further and expand our efforts in helping to commercialize SiC MOCVD production tools. Over the past few years, SMI has made teamings for the development of SiC processes and dedicated device enabling materials production tools.” SiC is the only solution for highest power and/or high temperature devices in small packages. Applications include solar, automotive, military, and other industries. SMI says that its new SiC tool will help enable this important industry.
SMI News Release Leading-Tech Laser Co., LTD Debuts New 473nm Blue Lasers
CompoundSemi News StaffJanuary 5, 2009...Leading-Tech Laser Co., Ltd., based in Shanghai, China, has introduced a new temperature stabilized and output power stabilized diode-pumped solid state (dpss) 473nm blue laser system. The company says that the lasers could be used for high precision measurement, holography and data storage. Additionally, because of the high beam quality and power stability, the company says that it could be used in laser fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, and cell sequencing.
The company is a manufacturer for OEM and ODM laser modules.
The company boasts that its new laser offers high power stability and high beam quality. The blue laser system reportedly consists of a laser diode, optical collimation components and high accuracy temperature control components, and laser power monitoring components. The company says that the output power of the devices is now up to 200mW. The blue laser system also can be combined with polarization maintaining fiber, single mode fiber and multi-mode fiber coupling options to get much lower M2 value.
The 473nm laser system features a laser head measuring 160mm(L)X78mm(W)X60mm(H), and it comes with a separated power supply with an input voltage range from AC 80V ~ 265V pr DC 5V. The modulation is TTL or analog optional and up to 30KHZ. Company News Release Mimix Broadband Introduces 1.6 GHz 30W Power Amplifier Module
CompoundSemi News StaffJanuary 5, 2009...Mimix Broadband of Houston, Texas USA, has introduced a linear, 3-stage power amplifier module with 30W of peak-power and 38 dB small signal gain. This power amplifier, identified as XP9003, operates at 1.6 GHz. The company says that it is fully matched internally and requires no external components. The module is housed in a 40x36mm, RoHS compliant, surface mount, thermally efficient package with a shielded metal lid. It offers active bias circuit and control voltage, allowing for current setting and minimizing variation over temperature and voltage. The company says that the XP9003 is specifically designed for satellite communications transmitters with high peak to average ratio signals.
"The XP9003 offers a great deal of integration, enabling users to reduce component count, save valuable board space and minimize system size while achieving high linear performance," stated Amer Droubi, Product Manager, Mimix Broadband, Inc. "In addition, this surface mount amplifier module has excellent thermal performance due to its high power efficiency combined with a copper heat spreader attached to the bottom of the package." Company News Release SUSS MicroTec Test Systems Announces Alliance
CompoundSemi News StaffJanuary 2, 2009...Suss MicroTec Test Systems of Dresden, Germany, has entered into a strategic alliance with MPI Corporation and Chain Logic International Corporation of Taiwan. Suss MicroTec is a provider of test solutions for packaging, nanotechnology, and compound semiconductors. According to Suss MicroTec, the relationship among the organizations covers channel distribution of semiconductor test related technologies and products and outsourcing as well as mutually beneficial development projects.
“This is a win-win agreement for all organizations as well as our valued customer base,” stated Michael Knopp, CFO and member of the management board of SUSS MicroTec AG. “It is in alignment with our business objectives of optimized distribution efficiencies as well as highest product quality with lower cost structures that can be passed along to customers and manufacturing partners. The proven success of the MPI organization will help us better support our Asian customers and at the same time provide a powerful ally in our continuing efforts to improve manufacturing efficiencies.”
“MPI is very excited about this agreement as it is in direct alignment with the organization’s strategy for global expansion.” said Brian Green, Chairman of the MPI Group. “SUSS MicroTec is exactly the type of high-quality organization that will help us improve business practices at home and abroad while offering customers the highest return on their investments.” Suss MicroTec News Release AU Optronics to begin e-paper Display Production
CompoundSemi News StaffJanuary 2, 2009...AU Optronics, a TFT-LCD maker based in Tawain expects to begin shipping electronic paper (e-paper) displays soon, according to a recent Digitimes article. AU Optronics (AUO) has reportedly been developing e-paper displays for some time. After Oprah Winfrey called Amazon's Kindle one of her favorite gadgets, sales of the devices took off. The increasing popularity of devices from Amazon and Sony has led AUO to set aside a portion of its production capacity to make e-paper displays. It was not clear from the article or from the company's web site which form of e-paper it will be producing. ThalesRaytheonSystems Awarded $217 Million to Upgrade U.S. Army Firefinder Radar
CompoundSemi News StaffDecember 29, 2008...ThalesRaytheonSystems, an equally owned transatlantic joint venture between Raytheon Company and Thales Group, was awarded $217 million to upgrade the U.S. Army's Firefinder Radar.
Under the terms of the contract, the company will provide modification kits and power amplifier modules for the AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder long distance weapon locating radar.
This contract follows the April 2008 initial production award. Combined, the AN/TPQ-37 RMI production contracts total more than $285 million.
In addition to the power amplifier modules, the upgrade will include modular, aircooled transmitter and new common radar processors that will be applied to the Army's entire fleet of AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder radar systems as well as to the fleet of agile AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radars.
The company contends that the upgrades will significantly reduce lifecycle costs and provide higher system availability, extending the expected life of the radar to year 2030. According to the company, the RMI program could potentially save the U.S. Army more than $5 billion. ThalesRaytheonSystems News Release Sumitomo Aquires Full Ownership of Eudyna Devices
CompoundSemi News StaffDecember 29, 2008...Sumitomo Electric has agreed to acquire Fujitsu Limited's share of a 50/50 joint venture, Eudyna Devices Inc. Eudyna Devices was established in April of 2004 as a Sumitomo and Fujitsu 50/50 joint venture. Since that time, Eudyna has become dominant producer of optoelectronics-based on compound semiconductors. Sumitomo says that the aquisition of Eudyna will increase its market share and add new products. Furthermore, Sumitomo contends that the additional R&D resources together with a larger scale of manufacturing operations will ensure a more competitive and sustainable business for the future. Sumitomo Electric and Fujitsu will reportedly continue negotiations based on the basic agreement. The companies plan to complete the transfer of the shares on April 1, 2009. Fujitsu says it plans to maintain a strong business relationship with Eudyna after the transfer. Sumitomo News Release Emcore Faces Class Action Law Suit Over Alleged SEC Violations
CompoundSemi News StaffDecember 29, 2008...An Emcore stock holder and a law firm are bringing a class action lawsuit against Emcore Corporation on behalf of Emcore stockholders, and another law firm is investigating. Both law firms point to the reduction in Emcore's order backlog and the subsequent drop in the price of Emcore's common stock. Emcore's order backlog was reduced after the U.S. government canceled $5.3 million in orders. Additionally, the law firms point to Emcore's "largest customer", Green and Gold Energy who would not be able to afford its orders due to changing market conditions. The lawsuit by one law firm alleges that Emcore "filed materially false and misleading information regarding its financial position, business prospects and revenue expectations. "
Specifically, the complaint alleges that Emcore Corp's public statements overstated the value of the order backlog in its terrestrial solar energy division. The law suit further alleges that those misstatements and omissions resulted in an artificially inflated price for Emcore's common stock between June 12, 2007, through March 17, 2008. Then on March 18, 2008, the price of Emcore Corp's common stock dropped over 23%. The lawsuit says that this drop resulted from news that Emcore's largest customer, Green and Gold Energy, which accounted for $78 million of Emcore's $86 million backlog in terrestrial solar technology, would not be able to afford those transactions. Law Firm News Release First Solar Completes 10MW Thin Film CdTe Power Plant for Sempra Generation
CompoundSemi News StaffDecember 29, 2008...First Solar, makers of CdTe thin-film solar cells, reports having completed a 10MW thin film ground-mounted photovoltaic power plant for Sempra Generation. According to the First Solar, the plant in Boulder City, Nevada USA, is the largest thin film solar plant in the United States. First Solar constructed the 10 MW PV power plant adjacent to Sempra's existing 480 MW El Dorado Energy power plant about 40 miles southeast of Las Vegas. Sempra Generation reportedly developed the project and will own and operate the PV power plant. First Solar reportedly served as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the PV power plant, which was constructed in six months. First Solar also agreed to supply monitoring and maintenance services over the lifetime of the plant. First Solar's solar modules that were deployed for the project were manufacturing at First Solar's facility in Perrysburg, Ohio.
"The build out of this 10MW solar power plant from start to finish in less than six months marks the successful completion of our first utility scale EPC project," said John Carrington, First Solar executive vice president marketing and business development. "We applaud Sempra's commitment to expand their renewable energy portfolio--investing in clean energy infrastructure while creating green jobs and addressing climate change and energy independence." First Solar News Release Our news features are reported
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