Tech Files

Gallium arsenide (GaAs) has become the substrate material of choice for many electronic devices used in high frequency and optoelectronic applications. However, the processing of GaAs wafers is more difficult than many other substrate materials as it is softer and more fragile. When processing GaAs wafers, …

Silicon Carbide (SiC or carborundum) has become the material of choice in applications ranging from fibre optics and LEDs to power electronics. Devices based upon SiC can operate at a higher temperature, power level and voltage than other materials. This in turn enables improved energy efficiency …

Sapphire substrates are becoming widely used to grow III-V and II-VI compounds such as GaN for LEDs (light-emitting diodes). These are contributing to significant cost and energy savings, meaning that the volume of sapphire wafers being produced has increased dramatically in recent years. Synthetic sapphire has …

Preston's Law enables the prediction of lapping and polishing rates and using it to model system performance can help improve processing efficiency and performance. During the manufacture of semiconductor wafers, a number of physical processing steps are typically undertaken. After slicing the wafer from the crystal …

While lapping and polishing processes have become more predictable, there is often significant variation in the results obtained by different operators. Automated systems can remove this variability and help increase productivity, read on to learn more. Semiconductor wafers are expensive, with custom wafers often costing in …