Projects
Project title: APEX-G (Advanced high-power, extended wavelength VCSEL arrays for volume infrared and green laser applications)
Project value: £915,080
Project partners: Compound Semiconductor Centre (CSC), Integrated Compound Semiconductors (ICS, Lead), Microchip Technology Caldicot, National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
Project summary: please visit the APEX-G project webpage
Project title: QFoundry (Quantum Foundry)
Project value: £5,777,425
Project partners: Compound Semiconductor Centre (CSC), Amethyst Research, Bay Photonics, Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult, Cardiff University, Integrated Compound Semiconductors (ICS), IQE, Microchip Technology Caldicot, National Physical Laboratory (NPL), Toshiba Europe, National Epitaxy Facility, University of Cambridge, University of Cambridge
Project summary: please visit https://csconnected.com/projects/projects/qfoundry
Project title: MAGV: Enabling Volume Quantum Magnetometer Applications through Component Optimisation & System Miniaturisation
Project value: £2,661,681
Project partners: Microchip Technology Caldicot, Cardiff University, Compound Semiconductor Centre, INEX Microtechnology, National Physical Laboratory, Sivers Semiconductors and University of Nottingham
Project title: DiLAN: Diode LAser manufacture using Nano-imprint lithography
Project value: £1,088,373
Project partners: Compound Semiconductor Centre Ltd, Sivers Semiconductors, Cardiff University, University of Swansea
Project title: MacV: Miniaturised Atomic Clocks using VCSEL pump sources
Project value: £1,173,079
Project partners: Compound Semiconductor Centre Ltd, National Physics Laboratory, Cardiff University, Compound Semiconductor Technologies Ltd
Project title: SUPER8 (A scalable 200Gb/s Super-thermal, 8 channel CWDM architecture)
Project partners: Compound Semiconductor Centre Ltd, Kaiam, Compound Semiconductor Technologies
Project summary: Project SUPER8: (A scalable 200Gb/s Super-thermal, 8 channel CWDM architecture) will focus on the development of new ultra-high speed transceiver platform to service the enormous growth market in optical data communications in hyper-scale Cloud data centres. The consortium comprising CSC (Cardiff), Kaiam (Livingston) and Compound Semiconductor Technologies (Glasgow) will collaborate to deliver a commercial grade solution with the target of transfer to high volume manufacturing in a timescale of 30 months.
Project title: CS MAGIC: (Compound Semiconductor MAGnetic Integrated Circuits)
Project partners: Compound Semiconductor Centre Ltd, Advanced Hall Sensors (AHS), TWI, Renishaw, Swansea University
Project title: A Feasibility Study for the Development of GaN - based High Frequency RF Devices
Project value: £207,176
Project Partners: Compound Semiconductor Centre Ltd, Glasgow University, Cardiff University
Project summary: The ambition of this feasibility project is to de-risk a sovereign GaN on SiC process capability and provide UK designers with access to the rapidly growing GaN-based RF market (currently worth $350M and forecast to grow to $750M by 2022). This capability is strategically important to the development of next generation of high performance RF devices within the UK. It is especially critical to space and defense applications including military communication and guidance systems where access to best in class technology is now restricted by ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations).
The developed GaN on SiC process will target Ka-band (26.5–40.0GHz) communication frequencies and deliver much higher power density than currently available gallium arsenide or GaN on silicon devices. This will enable communication at longer range and higher data rate as well as radar systems with higher definition and longer-range detection. This same capability will also be critical in developing device technologies for the imminent "5G" communications revolution.
Project title: HEMAN V: High Efficiency MANufacturing of VCSELs
Project value: £426,794
Project Partners: Compound Semiconductor Centre Ltd, SPTS Technologies Ltd, University of Swansea, Cardiff University
Project summary: Affordable and reliable laser technologies have revolutionised consumer electronics and telecommunications over the last 30 years, enabling mass market adoption of ICT technology such as fibre optical communications, CD and DVD storage. It is now at the heart of new advances in laser based manufacturing methods, medical diagnosis, surgery, cosmetics and sensing. The Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) is an advanced laser device which enables multiple lasers to be integrated for high performance applications whilst leading to further miniaturisation and cost reduction opportunities. The HEMAN V project will leverage an existing world leading UK capability in VCSEL materials technology to drive the next wave of consumer, industrial and automotive applications such as gesture recognition, high resolution 3D imaging and projection displays. The project partners offer world-class capabilities in compound semiconductor materials, device fabrication and capital equipment specialists to facilitate the step change in manufacturing methods required to accelerate the adoption of VCSEL solutions in truly mass market products.
Project title: C4ST: Centre for Cosmetic & Curative applications of Compound Semiconductor Technology
Project value: £422,035
Project partners: Compound Semiconductor Centre Ltd, CyDen Ltd, PulmonIR Ltd, University of Swansea
Project summary: There is a growing demand for curative, cosmetic and diagnostic technologies to transition from the clinical environment to the home. Photonic solutions are enabling high-end consumer products such as laser hair removal, anti-wrinkle treatments, acne and blemish reduction. LED solutions have enabled consumer self-diagnostics such as pulse oxymetry, and are now being used routinely in fitness and lifestyle monitors. Next generation photonic applications on the short term horizon include non-invasive glucose monitoring, hydration evaluation and breath analysis as wearable technology. Compound semiconductor based lasers are emerging as the only viable solution. This project brings together device specialists and clinical application scientists in the cosmetic, curative and diagnostic domain in order to address the huge opportunities for accelerating the use of compound semiconductors in the home healthcare, lifestyle and diagnostic markets.
Project title: (CORONA) Compound Semiconductor Lasers for Mid-Infrared Gas-Sensing Applications
Project value: £100,000
Project partners: Stratium Limited
Project summary: Cascade Laser (CL) technology has advanced to the point of being a practical solution for the development of compact gas-sensing systems and handheld sensing applications. Large scale commercial businesses are beginning to integrate CL technology into their product portfolios, which will continue to drive adoption and price reduction. The global market for CL based sensing systems is predicted to increase to $1.7 billion by 2024 (Optics.org, 2015). This project will result in a completely new approach to the packaging of cascade lasers, simultaneously driving down costs and reducing manufacturing complexity, whilst meeting the increasing spectral purity requirements of gas-sensing system manufacturers.
Project title: CS MAGIC: Compound Semiconductor MAGnetic Integrated Circuits
Project value: £367,153
Project partners: Compound Semiconductor Centre Ltd, Advanced Hall Sensors Ltd, TWI, Renishaw Plc, Swansea University
Project summary: The global market for magnetic field sensors is expected to reach up to $2.9 billion by year 2020, with a wide rage of applications in metrology, imaging and industrial and automotive sensing. This project will explore the feasibility of producing highly miniaturised magnetic sensors which have the advantage of integrated ancillary electronics on a Compound Semiconductor (CS) millimetre-scale chip solution.
One concept will aim to converge advances in CS electronics with a novel Quantum Well Hall Effect magnetic sensor, combined monolithically on a Gallium Arsenide based material platform. The resulting Magnetic Integrated Circuit (MAGIC) has the potential to have a large dynamic operating range, high sensitivity and ultra-compact footprint. Another concept we will investigate is the feasibility of a radically new Gallium Nitride (GaN) magnetic sensor which has the potential for ultra-high temperature operation, monolithic integration with GaN based electronics and scalability on Silicon and Silicon Carbide large wafer formats. The project will aim to verify whether these concepts can be manufactured in a commercially viable manner in order to challenge traditional, bulky magnetic sensing solutions such as Giant Magneto Resistance sensors and low spec-low cost solutions such as Silicon Hall sensors. Target applications include: current sensing, embedded cable detection, high resolution metrology and magneto-imaging for medical & Non-Destructive Testing.
Project title: Process module development for GaN RF power and sensor devices
Project value: £60,000
Project Partners: University of Swansea, Cardiff University
Project summary: This collaborative project builds on the successful progress of two projects already funded by the National Research Network in Advanced Engineering and Materials. It utilizes the combined fabrication capabilities of CU and SU in an integrated process flow to extend the existing GaN capabilities into power and sensor applications.
The power control devices being developed exhibit improved conversion efficiency compared to currently available silicon devices and will target the rapidly growing electric vehicle market. (By the end of 2016, over 35,000 plug-in cars had been registered in the UK over the course of the year, the highest number ever.)
The new sensors use patented technology from Swansea University and are suited to harsh environment, automotive and aerospace applications by virtue of their improved sensitivity and temperature tolerance.
Further details on these and other projects can be found on the partners and Innovate UK websites.