VIDAP · VCSEL Pilot Line for IR Illumination, Datacom and Power Applications

Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (“VCSEL”) drive and enable a number of fast growing markets, such as data transmission, camera surveillance, optical sensors and industrial processes. They are III-V semiconductor components made from GaAs, that can be processed in a way that resembles LED or CMOS processing. Yet, the status of VCSEL manufacturing is still embryonic when compared to LED manufacturing or CMOS silicon manufacturing processes. This VIDaP project will bring VCSEL manufacturing to a level comparable to LED manufacturing. The result will be a pilot line, targeting: • A 50% reduction in the cost of processed GaAs surface• Up to 200% increase of key performance parameters of the VCSEL devices. In order to achieve this result, work has to be done in the following areas:• Defining Epi structures and expected yields.• Install a robust statistical process control system to map control charts, minimize process drift and improve wafer yields.• Upgrading manufacturing capabilities in front- and back-end, and in packaging activity, and tighten process control.• Development of dedicated testing procedures of the VCSEL devices.• Specify and test VCELs for the different applications.The impact of the project is manifold:• The project helps to significantly reduce energy consumption in data centres and in thermal industrial processes.• The project helps to enable radically new solutions (e.g. high speed data communication, 3d recognition)• The project will generate employment at the involved companies, but also at other companies using VCSELs• The project helps to secure the leading European position in this growing segment of opto-electronics.The consortium consists of a two production facilities and four end customers, that will design the VCSELs into their products.