In brief: IQE, SiGe and Anadigics
A UK consortium including epiwafer supplier IQE has been awarded £1 million to develop optical techniques for investigating the surfaces of epitaxial wafers and thin-film coatings that may enable the establishment of international standards for nano-surface roughness.
Other partners in the project, entitled "Semiconductor and Optical Layer Analysis and Definition using Interference Microscopy (SOLADIM)", include Taylor Hobson, the National Physical Laboratory, and the University of Huddersfield.
Chris Meadows, IQE s corporate communications manager, explained that the company s role is to evaluate the Talysurf CCI non-contact instrument provided by Taylor Hobson using its own epiwafers.
The non-contact optical technique, said to be an enhanced version of AFM, is able to map the wafer surface at a faster rate and may also provide information on layers below the surface.
SiGe to strengthen Asian operationsWireless components firm SiGe Semiconductor intends to expand operations in Asia in response to an increasing demand for its wireless PAs and RF modules.
The Canadian-based company is continuing to move production to mainland China, and will also add operations and applications development teams to its office in Hong Kong.
SiGe says that it has already shipped more than 20 million PAs and RF modules this year to companies in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Anadigics attempts to raise $30 millionAnadigics, the US-based RFIC component manufacturer, is aiming to generate $30 million through the issue of convertible notes.
The company intends to use the funds for general corporate purchases, including a reduction of its outstanding debt.
