SMART Photonics to ramp production with Aixtron tool
Aixtron SE is supplying the Netherlands-based InP foundry SMART Photonics with its new G10-AsP system.
SMART Photonics, founded in 2012 in cooperation with the Eindhoven University of Technology, is a longstanding Aixtron customer.
It will use the MOCVD solution for high volume production of GaAs/InP materials to increase its capacity and capabilities manufacturing discrete and integrated photonic components.
Aixtron's G10-AsP system is widely used for Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) production. The platform is designed for arsenide/phosphide applications and is claimed to offer up to four times superior on-wafer-uniformity for critical layers compared to the previous generation, thanks to an innovative injector and advanced temperature control.
“We are thrilled that SMART Photonics has chosen our G10-AsP system to enhance their production capabilities in Eindhoven. This purchase underscores the industry’s confidence in our cutting-edge technology which can shorten the launch time for innovative products. The G10-AsP will enable SMART Photonics to achieve unparalleled efficiency and precision in manufacturing photonic components for advanced laser devices.", said Felix Grawert, CEO of Aixtron.
The market for InP based PICs, valued around $3 billion in 2023, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14 percent until 2027. InP PICs growth is primarily driven by 5G and 6G telecommunications, healthcare, and AI. Sensing technologies such as LiDAR in the automotive sector also play a vital role.
