III-V optoelectronic foundry Compound Semiconductor Technologies Global Ltd (CST Global) of Hamilton International Technology Park, Blantyre, near Glasgow, Scotland, UK (a subsidiary of Sweden-based Sivers IMA Holding AB) has announced a collaboration with the University of Glasgow to run a metal-organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) reactor within its foundry facility. The university will own the system, which CST Global will install and operate. Usage and operating costs will be shared.
“This MOCVD machine facilitates research projects in advanced semiconductor materials and devices, in both electronics and photonics,” says CST Global’s CEO Neil Martin. “It is increasingly critical to successful photonics research to consider the needs of volume production. Our collaboration provides a route for research projects to reach commercially viable volumes, leveraging CST Global’s worldwide customer base. Installing the MOCVD machine at CST Global also means our foundry services are readily available for projects, when required and safely managed within an ISO 9001:2015 quality environment,” he adds.
“Our agreement with the University of Glasgow means we can use the MOCVD to provide epitaxial ‘overgrowth’ services to customers, when it is not being used for research projects. It brings this process in-house and within our control, reducing our laser production cost-base and improving delivery times,” Martin continues.
“Joint academic and commercial partnerships of this type are new in the photonics industry, providing a lower-risk alternative to conventional commercialization routes. Additionally, students have the opportunity to gain experience of working within a commercial environment, learning about adjacent technologies and rubbing shoulders with our expert team. It also provides CST Global with a potential, specialist, post-graduate recruitment pool of exceptional staff.
Martin reckons that the MOCVD collaboration will pave the way for further academic commercial partnerships.
