POET signs Collaboration Agreement with BAE Systems
POET Technologies, which has developed technology for monolithic fabrication of integrated circuit devices containing both electronic and optical elements, today announced a collaboration agreement with BAE Systems Microelectronics.
Under the agreement, BAE Systems will provide non-exclusive third-party foundry services in support of the company's Lab-to-Fab transition plan. The current phase of the work will be performed between March 2015 and August 2015.
POET believes that using BAE Systems' manufacturing and test capabilities will help the company to build devices that dramatically demonstrate the disruptive nature of the technology.
"The POET technology incorporates silicon processes into GaAs integrated circuits, producing multifunction chips such as photonics and electronics that will provide enhanced commercial and military products," said P.C. Chao, Technical Director at BAE Systems. "Working with BAE Systems will enable the acceleration and maturation of the POET fabrication process for a faster prototype demonstration and a smoother transition to manufacturing."
Key aims of the collaboration include process transfer, prototype builds and design kit development. Using BAE Systems' ISO Certified manufacturing facility will improve the quality, process control and analytical capacity of prototype builds. The result will be both a more manufacturable process and improved optimisation of the device structures included in the POET technology.
Initial phases of the program will be performed using 3-inch wafers but from the onset the program will work towards the objective of achieving the full process flow on 6-inch wafers. Virtually all production GaAs-based processes are currently manufactured using 6-inch wafers.
Daniel DeSimone, POET's Chief Technology Officer noted: "Our agreement with BAE Systems is a significant step in our "Lab-to-Fab" transition. BAE Systems has a long history of high quality manufacturing with III-V materials, and brings process development expertise and manufacturing discipline to the relationship. We have collaborated with BAE Systems numerous times over the last two years, most recently to successfully transfer our most critical process loop into their facility. Encouraged by this track record, we are excited to be extending this collaboration to develop the full flow on 3-inch and later 6-inch wafers."
To optimise and accelerate the company's Lab-to-fab transition and commercialisation plans, POET has also announced the formation of a Technology Roadmap Advisory Board comprising Geoff Taylor, Ajit Manocha, and Tony Blevins. The Advisory Board will act as advisors to the Board of Directors and the Executive team.
