Epiwafer foundry and substrate maker IQE plc of Cardiff, Wales, UK has announced the launch of the new division IQE Infrared, which aims to provide customers with a complete 'one-stop shop' for infrared substrate and epitaxial wafer materials covering the short- to very-long-wavelength (SWIR to VLWIR) regimes.
The move is part of an overall rebranding exercise to enable the group to enhance its customers' experiences in its key markets.
IQE is reckoned to be the leading supplier of substrates and epiwafers for infrared sensing applications ranging from night-vision and thermal imaging devices to energy conversion solutions for both military and consumer products.
The new IQE Infrared division will bring together similar product groups from across IQE's multiple operations to provide a unique focus on IR detector materials based on gallium antimonide and indium antimonide (GaSb and InSb) and indium phosphide (InP).
IQE notes that it is already active in a number of government and industrial research programs for next-generation applications which include the development of larger wafer diameters to meet the expected growth in demand for GaSb, InSb and InP-based wafer products.
Dr Mark J. Furlong, currently general manager of IQE's substrate divisions, will be vice president IQE Infrared as head of the new division, which will offer products from across the IQE Group of companies.
"IQE is the only supplier offering a complete range of substrate and epitaxial wafer supply solutions spanning SWIR to VLWIR regimes," claims Furlong. "The opportunity to establish a new business unit with an exclusive focus on infrared materials will give IQE better opportunities to combine its substrate and epitaxial wafer products for serving a broader range of customers and even broader range of infrared device applications."
