News Article
Johnson Matthey purge systems popular in U.S. and Europe
China and Taiwan are still the largest markets for the firm’s products used in compound semiconductor manufacturing. JM expects its GPT PureGuard V-Purge System sales to be strong in 2012 based on the fact that long-term LED market opportunities remain very positive.
Johnson Matthey's Gas Purification Technology (GPT) group announced that 2011 sales of its PureGuardTV-Purge System to compound semiconductor manufacturers are up in the U.S. and Europe.
Johnson Matthey, a designer, manufacturer and distribution of point-of-use gas purification equipment to the global electronics industry, has shipped its PureGuard V-Purge Systems, hydrogen purifiers and other offerings to new and expanding fabs for sensitive semiconductor and analytical applications, including compound semiconductor, crystal growth and PV deposition processes.
"While China and Taiwan are still the largest markets for our products," said Jeff Lucht, GPT group Business Manager, "V-Purge System sales are strong in the U.S. and Europe. These systems are designed to meet the needs of today's largest MOCVD production platforms, particularly for manufacturing high brightness (HB) and other types of LEDs."
Lucht said that he expects GPT PureGuard V-Purge System sales to be strong in 2012 "based on the fact that long-term LED market opportunities remain very positive."
The V-Purge System enhances the performance of Johnson Matthey and other hydrogen purifiers for higher flow rates typical in production fabs. The patented system employing palladium membrane technology offers flow rates between 1 and 200 slpm and removes water, oxygen, carbon monoxide, methane, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and THC to produce the purest possible hydrogen.
The system provides heat management capable of handling any flow change, superior protection from power failure and pressure surges and can switch from full nitrogen to full hydrogen immediately. When the automated purge is activated, it takes the V-Purge System minutes to remove all hydrogen.
Earlier this year Johnson Matthey's GPT group reported that 2010 Asia sales increased dramatically for its leading and highly reliable bulk and point-of-use PureGuard PSH Series hydrogen purifiers, thanks largely to the continuing rapid growth of LED production using MOCVD tools.
Lucht said the GPT group is committed to supporting the growth of the global semiconductor industry, especially in Asia, the area of greatest expansion for electronics. Palladium membrane technology is preferred by semiconductor fabs for use with the compressed hydrogen supply common in Asia and particularly in China. MOCVD processes are the most common application for palladium purifiers
