Category Archives: LEDs

UPDATED February 8, 2012 — The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing US semiconductor manufacturing and design, shows 2011 worldwide semiconductor sales hit $299.5 billion, a 0.4% year-on-year (YOY) increase and new record. This comes despite natural disasters in major semiconductor hubs of Japan and Thailand, and an overall weak global economy, noted Brian Toohey, president, SIA.

Semico Research’s forecast for 2012 shows a 10.11% growth in semiconductors revenues over 2011. Semico believes that the bottom of the cycle is occurring now, in Q1 2012, with pent-up PC demand and other factors carrying 2012 growth starting in Q2.

Figure. Worldwide semiconductor industry revenues. SOURCE: SIA, WSTS.

Worldwide semiconductor sales in December amounted to $23.8 billion, a decrease of 5.5% from November and down 4.5% YOY, with units steadily lower coupled with a slight increase in ASP, says SIA. Excluding memory, however, semi revenues were down just 1% YOY, Barclays Capital noted.

Q4 sales of $71.5 billion represent a 7.7% decline from Q3, and a 5.3% decrease over the same period in 2010. All monthly sales numbers represent a 3-month moving average.

The Semico IPI report indicates that semiconductor sales will jump 6.3% in Q1 2012. "We continue to look for 1Q12 to mark the inflection (average guide from semi makers is -3% at midpoint), and supported by 5-8% average Q/Q CAGR for revenues in 2Q-4Q12 (6-10% ex-Memory), we model semi revenues at Flat to +4% in CY12," commented Barclays Capital. "SIA data, coupled with 1Q outlook from chipmakers, suggest…the inventory correction [is] largely resolved." Semiconductors are expected to outpace end markets in 2Q12.

"The health of the industry is a direct reflection of the pervasiveness of semiconductor innovations and their applications in almost every aspect of modern society," Toohey said. The semiconductor industry saw strong demand for optoelectronics, sensors and actuators, as well as microprocessors in 2011. The memory segment underperformed, Barclays Capital pointed out.

What to expect in 2012? Semico points to new memory technologies, MEMS oscillator emergence, and new growth in system on chips (SoC). In 2012, the semiconductor industry will "invest billions in capital expenditures and in R&D," SIA’s Toohey added. This will pay off early, and in the long term.

Also read: Semiconductor industry revenue targets $323.2B in 2012

Lamps and image sensors drove 2011 growth in the optoelectronic market to $23.1B, a 6.4% increase over 2010. Despite generally positive results and continuing development activities in the optoelectronics industry, the LED segment appeared to slow toward the end of 2011, according to Strategy Analytics GaAs and Compound Semiconductor Technologies Service (GaAs), http://www.strategyanalytics.com/. "Mid- to long-term prospects for the LED market remain positive, but continuing economic turmoil and rapidly dropping prices have manufacturers in the LED supply chain on edge," said Eric Higham, Director of the Strategy Analytics GaAs and Compound Semiconductor Technologies Service.

"The optoelectronics market appears poised for growth. Optical device and network manufacturers are targeting 40 and 100Gbps systems, a number of new LED products have been introduced and the US Department of Energy continues to make large investments in solar energy," Asif Anwar, Director, Strategy Analytics Strategic Technologies Practice added. Optoelectronic applications bring energy efficiency and low cost in a wide range of products including mobile devices and cameras.

Sensors and actuators, currently the smallest semiconductor market segment, showed the highest YOY growth at 15.5% to $8.0B in 2011, as the technologies are adopted for consumer electronics, medical devices and automotive systems. Sensors include the growing micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) devices, increasingly used in smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, and other consumer electronic products.

MOS Microprocessors, part of the integrated circuit category, which are predominantly used in PCs and other devices that need processing capabilities, experienced 7.5% in revenue to $65.2B YOY, making it the second largest semiconductor market segment for 2011, behind logic. Strong demand in the enterprise computing segment drove microprocessor sales.

In 2012, the industry is expected to experience further recovery due to increased demand across a broad range of end market segments combined with the delayed sales impact from the supply chain disruptions in H2 2011. Additionally, several large semiconductor companies announced plans for new facilities and new R&D projects that will serve to fuel the industry’s long-term growth expectations (see Samsung, Intel reports).

The Semiconductor Industry Association represents US leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and design. Learn more at http://www.sia-online.org/.

Semico released its expanded version of the IPI report, which now contains end market forecasts from Semico’s MAP Model database, along with semiconductor bill of materials, semiconductor total available market in dollars and units, and wafer demand reports. The IPI Report will continue to publish Semico’s semiconductor forecast every quarter while the other two months in each quarter will be bolstered with articles from Semico’s analysts providing additional topical research enhancing the information provided in the IPI report. Semico is a semiconductor marketing & consulting research company, and can be reached at www.semico.com.

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February 8, 2012 — JP Sercel Associates, Inc. (JPSA), advanced laser micro machining provider, expanded its Ultrafast processing capabilities, using Pico-second lasers with innovative laser beam delivery techniques. The technology is used for high-volume production of light-emitting diodes (LED), semiconductors, solar products, and bio-medical devices.

The Pico-second laser systems operate at wavelengths ranging from UV to IR (355-1064nm) for precision machining, cutting, and hole drilling, with minimized thermal effects. JPSA Pico-second laser systems provide high peak energy intensity, resulting from the short pulse duration. JPSA’s proprietary beam delivery technologies speed the Pico-second laser machining throughputs up to 10X.

JPSA shipped its first IX-6168 Micromachining System configured with a Pico-second laser and Galvanometer to a manufacturer. The tool can cut, drill holes and vias, apply texture, ablate or pattern thin films, and machine 3D features.

JPSA supplies industrial grade UV excimer, DPSS, and Pico-second laser micromachining systems and materials processing services. Learn more at http://www.jpsalaser.com/.

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February 8, 2012 — The 2012 Strategies in Light conference kicked off today at the Santa Clara Convention Center with a series of five workshops, two tutorials and one all-day investor forum. The investor forum is where I chose to spend my day, as it provided the opportunity for solid state lighting and related startups to talk about their technologies, products and implicitly the opportunities they provide for investment. The forum was well populated by actual investors looking for opportunities to trade-in their Maseratis for something a bit more upscale.

Vrinda Bhandarkar at Strategies Unlimited presented a global market review for LED lighting. Not surprisingly, the largest available market is China, but the greatest number of individual LED replacement lights sold last year was in Japan, their high price notwithstanding. The market for luminaries is expected to be $20B by 2016 with a CAGR of 19%. Over the same period replacement lights will grow to $3B with a CAGR of 23%. The LED lighting cost index has the potential to drop from 100 today to 20 by 2015, but that will require achievement of efficiencies across the entire component set.

HelioDel is a spin out of CEA-LETI that claims a 5x cost reduction breakthrough by using grown GaN nanowires in place of planar device structures. This enables the generation of a range of controlled colors on a single chip, with the prospect of eventually eliminating the need for phosphors altogether.

Just as CFL technology was met with consumer resistance due to the its color, LED lighting is subject to consumer criticism due to flickering associated with the incoming alternating current. In an environment that is illuminated totally by LEDs, there is a segment of the population that reacts adversely with symptoms ranging from headache and eyestrain to epileptic seizures. Privately-held iWatt Inc. is a four year old company that manufactures digital control LED power supplies that are already implemented worldwide to improve the human factors associated with LED lighting.

Xicato has taken the novel approach of separating the photon generation from the color tuning by using commodity LEDs with something called Corrected Cold Phosphor Technology™. The color temperature of the lighting unit is determined by placing the phosphors in a translucent cover disk that is spatially separated from the LED devices. Furthermore, the disk is integrated into the cooling system, so that its color remains constant over a lifetime of several years and is highly uniform from one device to the next.

CoolEdge Lighting is a stealth startup spun out from the University of Illinois that is commercializing an all-plastic flexible “light engine” that does not require heat sinks or wire bonding. Small commodity LEDs are used from four foundries. General Manager Wade Sheen assured the audience that development of the product is based entirely on good engineering; magic was not invoked.

The conference continues for the next two days with a technical conference and supplier exhibition. Read Fury’s reports from Days 2 and 3:

Michael A. Fury, Ph.D., is director & senior technology analyst, Techcet Group in North Plains, OR.

February 7, 2012 – BUSINESS WIRE — eMagin Corporation (NYSE Amex:EMAN), organic light-emitting diode (OLED) microdisplay and virtual imaging technologies company, was awarded a $1.12 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract from the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). eMagin is tasked with optimizing its WUXGA OLED micro display for mass production.

The SBIR project aims to make the 1920 x 1200 pixel OLED microdisplay affordable for commercial and military applications, such as high-performance simulation and training, gaming, electronic viewfinders (EVFs) in digital cameras, entertainment, and more. The contract includes a $435k option. The base period of the SBIR project is scheduled for 7 months, beginning in February 2012, with an additional 6-month option period to further optimize the display.

Also read: OLED displays gain on LCDs

The WUXGA OLED microdisplay development was originally funded through the U.S. Army Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) and the display is currently available as an engineering sample to commercial OEM customers and military contractors. It boasts the highest resolution produced on a full-color microdisplay. “With HD 1080P and higher resolution, extremely high-contrast (>10,000 to 1), and low power (<350 mW), the WUXGA microdisplay is our most advanced OLED product,” said Andrew Sculley, eMagin president and CEO.

eMagin integrates high-resolution OLED microdisplays with magnifying optics to deliver virtual images comparable to large-screen computer and television displays in portable, low-power, lightweight personal displays. More information about eMagin is available at www.emagin.com.

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February 7, 2012 — Plessey has acquired CamGaN Limited, a University of Cambridge spin-out with novel gallium nitride (GaN) technology for high-brightness light-emitting diodes (HB-LEDs) on large-area silicon substrates. Plessey will bring the technology into its 6" wafer processing facility in Plymouth, England to produce GaN-on-Si HB-LEDs.

"To date, the biggest technological challenge preventing the commercialization of HB-LEDs grown on large-area silicon substrates has been the large lattice mismatch between GaN and silicon. Plessey’s new GaN-on-silicon process has overcome this challenge," said Dr. John Ellis, chief engineer at Plessey.

The CamGaN technology enables growth of thin HB-LED structures on standard silicon substrates instead of silicon carbide (SiC) or sapphire substrates, which can cost 80% more than Si. It reduces scrap rates, minimizes batch time, and enables use of automated semiconductor processing equipment.

Also read: GaN-on-Si advances from Translucent and Bridgelux  and GaN-on-Si HB-LED demo from Lattice Power, ShineOn

The LEDs will target 150 lumens per watt output, which Plessey expects to achieve later this year with white LEDs. Plessey’s first samples of a blue LED are characterized by peak emission at 460nm. The technology extends to other emission wavelengths such as cyan and green. Being able to achieve such high brightness at the blue end of the spectrum enables phosphors to be used to produce white light with a balanced spectrum of light emission that is better for the eye. The devices will suit domestic, architectural, medical and automotive lighting.

Plessey also announced its plan to release a range of products for smart lighting concepts that incorporate existing Plessey sensing and control technologies including its EPIC sensor. These smart lighting products will enable intelligent energy management, remote control, controlled dimming and automated response to ambient conditions.

Plessey Semiconductors develops and manufactures semiconductor products used in sensing, measurement and control applications.

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January 7, 2012 – PRNewswire — Semiconductor fab equipment supplier EV Group (EVG) uncrated the EVG620HBL Gen II fully automated lithography mask alignment system for volume manufacturing of high-brightness light-emitting diodes (HB-LEDs). The second generation EVG620HBL addresses ongoing cost-of-ownership reduction in the LED manufacturing industry, with 55% higher wafer output per square meter of cleanroom space occupied, EVG reports.

The EVG620HBL Gen II offers new features for high-volume manufacturing (HVM), enabling a reported 20% reduction in cost-per-processed wafer.

  • An enhanced microscope supports automated mask pattern search to reduce lithography mask set up and change time.
  • Updated robotic handling layout with wafer mapping capability increases wafer traceability.
  • Improved alignment capability (line alignment) leverages the grids that mark LED die orientation instead of requiring separate alignment marks on the wafer.
  • The system footprint is also reduced overall.

The new generation is part of EVG’s EVG620HBL lithography tool series.

  • The tools feature a high-intensity ultraviolet (UV) light source and an optional filter fan unit.
  • Wafer throughput is up to 165 6" wafers per hour (up to 220 WPH in first print mode).
  • Special recipe-controlled microscopes are available with tailored illumination spectra for the best pattern contrast with various wafer and layer materials, such as sapphire, silicon carbide (SiC), aluminum nitride (AlN), metal and ceramic.
  • The EVG620HBL series processes 2" to 6" wafers.

Today, EVG’s bonders and mask aligners are being deployed by four of the top five major HB-LED manufacturers.

The EVG620HBL Gen II will be part of EVG’s offering at Strategies in Light, February 7-9 in Santa Clara, CA. EVG’s Dr. Thomas Uhrmann will present on "High Throughput Lithography and Metal Wafer Bonding: Two Enabling Technologies for Future High-Brightness LEDs" on February 9, 8:30AM.

EV Group (EVG) provides wafer-processing equipment for semiconductor, MEMS and nanotechnology applications, including wafer bonding, lithography/nanoimprint lithography (NIL) and metrology equipment, as well as photoresist coaters, cleaners, and inspection systems. More information is available at www.EVGroup.com.

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February 7, 2012 — Veeco Instruments Inc. (Nasdaq:VECO) reported three major wins for its TurboDisc K465i gallium nitride (GaN) metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) tools at light emitting diode (LED) makers and electronics manufacturing materials suppliers. The same tool will be used for high-volume LED fab, GaN-on-Si research, and Si-based LED development.

The K465i achieves up to 90% yield (5nm bin) with high uniformity and run-to-run repeatability from its Uniform FlowFlange technology. It also offers full automation and shortened recovery period after maintenance.

SemiLEDs Corporation (Nasdaq:LEDS) qualified the TurboDisc K465i GaN MOCVD system for high-volume production of high brightness light emitting diodes (HB-LEDs) at its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Taiwan. Chuong A. Tran, Ph.D., president and COO, SemiLEDs, noted that Veeco offers "enhanced local support with their technology center in Hsinchu" for this Taiwan installation. Veeco is a new supplier for SemiLEDs.

SemiLEDs develops and manufactures LED chips and LED components primarily for general lighting applications. Internet: http://www.semileds.com/.

LG Siltron, a South Korean epi wafer manufacturer, selected the TurboDisc K465i tool to make gallium nitride on silicon (GaN-on-Si) wafers for power electronics and LED devices. GaN is an alternative to traditional silicon-based power transistors. GaN-on-Si may also offer an alternative approach to LED manufacturing. Dr. Hee Bog Kang, GM, LG Siltron R&D, noted that this is their first GaN-on-Si production system, praising the tool’s throughput, uniformity, and low particle count.

LG Siltron is a major electronics materials manufacturer providing epitaxial wafers in 150mm, 200mm and 300mm diameters and solar substrates. For more information, visit http://www.lgsiltron.co.kr.

Epistar Corporation installed the K465i TurboDisc to develop LEDs on silicon substrates. Epistar is moving to larger wafer sizes for higher-yield LED production, with the GaN-on-Si development, noted M. J. Jou, Ph.D., president of Epistar. "Large-diameter silicon wafers offer…a low-cost alternative to sapphire for volume production of lower-cost LEDs," added William J. Miller, Ph.D., Veeco EVP, process equipment.

Epistar Corporation manufactures HB-LEDs for diverse applications. Go to http://www.epistar.com.tw/about-e.htm

Veeco makes equipment to develop and manufacture LEDs, solar cells, hard disk drives (HDDs) and other devices. Watch a video of the TurboDisc K465i at http://www.veeco.com/movies/TurboDisk_01_K465GAN.swf

Visit the new LEDs Manufacturing Channel on ElectroIQ.com!

February 6, 2012 — Eastman Kodak Co. and the Conductive Polymers Division of Heraeus Precious Metals GmbH & Co. KG will demonstrate a 3.5” touchscreen panel for cell phone applications using Kodak HCF-225 Film/ESTAR Base as the transparent conductive component at the FlexTech Alliance 2012 Flexible Electronics & Displays Conference & Exhibition in Phoenix, AZ, February 6-9 at Heraeus booth #31.

A conductive pattern is screen printed onto Kodak HCF-225 Film/ESTAR Base using Heraeus Clevios SET S masking polymer. Clevios Etch is then used to create the non-conductive areas, and the masking polymer that protected the conductive pattern is removed. The etch technology enables invisible conductive traces, demonstrated in projected capacitive display designs and in LED displays on curved substrates.

“Today’s PEDOT films are up to 100 times more conductive than they were 10 years ago,” said John Bayley, European Sales & Marketing Manager for Heraeus Precious Metals GmbH & Co. KG’s Conductive Polymers Division.

The companies demonstrated these transparent conductive films first in 2011 on a 14” display at the IDTechEX Printed Electronics USA 2011 show, November 30-December 1 in Santa Clara, CA. Read Kodak, Heraeus touchscreen conductive film proves completely invisible to understand the benefits over indium tin oxide (ITO).

“The advent of invisible patterning technology enables PEDOT-based films to satisfy the design goals of smart phone and tablet makers in markets that require very high optical clarity and multi-touch response,” said Dr. Stephan Kirchmeyer, Head of the Functional Coatings Business Unit from Heraeus Conductive Polymers Division.

“The cost and performance of this new technology opens the door to the production of a new generation of touch screens built for electronic devices using high volume web coating manufacturing processes,” said Brian Marks, General Manager, Functional Printing, Eastman Kodak Company. “It is positioned to utilize in-line patterning processes creating substantial cost advantages compared to the sputtering and patterning techniques required in the manufacture of ITO films.”

Kodak’s Industrial Materials Group offers a portfolio of functional films support customers in the electronic, optical and related industrial markets. For more information, visit http://www.kodak.com.

Heraeus supplies precious metals, materials and technologies; sensors; biomaterials; and medical products, as well as dental products, quartz glass, and specialty light sources. Visit the Conductive Polymers Division of Heraeus at www.clevios.com.

February 3, 2012 – BUSINESS WIRE — Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) and Samsung Mobile Display Co. Ltd. will establish a new equity venture for the manufacture of specialty glass substrates for organic light emitting diode (OLED) devices. The new business will be located in Korea.

The entity combines Corning’s Lotus Glass substrate technology and Samsung Mobile Display’s OLED display expertise to meet the OLED needs for handheld and IT devices, large TVs, and other applications. It will supply OLED backplane glass substrates for Samsung Mobile Display, as well as for the broader Korean market. Corning’s Lotus Glass substrates deliver the higher processing temperatures and improved dimensional stability needed to produce next-generation high-performance displays.

Samsung uses OLED technology in its Galaxy mobile device products and Super OLED TVs.

Corning and Samsung have partnered in the display industry for almost 40 years, noted Wendell P. Weeks, Corning’s chairman, chief executive officer, and president. The parent companies Corning and Samsung recently renewed major agreements related to LCD glass substrates.

Samsung Mobile Display Co., Ltd. (SMD) was established in January 2009 as a core Samsung company that provides cutting-edge display solutions. With highly advanced technological capabilities, SMD offers a comprehensive range of displays including those featuring AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode) and LCD technologies.

SMD has become a global leader in visual technology and its state-of-the-art AMOLED displays are being widely applied to smartphones, digital cameras, gaming devices and media players.

As a total solution provider, SMD strives to advance the future with next-generation technologies including flexible, foldable and transparent displays. Recognized as a catalyst for visual innovation, SMD continually works to change how we view our world.

For more information about Samsung Mobile Display, visit www.samsungsmd.com.

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And the new Displays Manufacturing Channel!

February 3, 2012 — The global market for power supplies used in LED lighting is forecast to reach $10 billion in 2016, according to a new report from IMS Research.

"Opportunities for Power Components in LED Lighting" from IMS Research reveals that rapid uptake of LED lighting, driven by legislation and rising costs of electricity, will result in a potential market of 4 billion power supply units by 2016, worth an astounding $10 billion. Report co-author and senior market analyst, Ryan Sanderson, commented “Demand for LED lighting solutions is increasing rapidly for all applications from low-power residential retrofit LED lamps and bulbs to high-power commercial and industrial LED luminaires for applications such as street lighting.”

Figure. World market for power supplies in LED lighting by revenue. SOURCE: IMS Research January 2012.

The report also found that the traditional lamp and luminaire market is well established. Manufacturers are faced with new challenges when it comes to powering LED lamps and luminaires and often require significant power electronics expertise, opening up opportunities for power supply manufacturers. The requirements to power new LED lighting products varies widely, depending on design factors including power rating, the number of LEDs or LED strings and the environment in which the solution will be placed. Sanderson added, ”These design requirements, coupled with the lack of clear standards for LED lighting means that LED lamp and luminaire manufacturers need considerable power electronics expertise, either via employing specialists or from a merchant power supply manufacturer.”

The market report found that LED lighting would become a unique opportunity, despite the fact that general lighting has always been a relatively small and low-growth market for the power supply industry. Competition in lighting, however, is already fierce and some of the largest manufacturers of LED lamps and luminaires are positioning themselves to cope with these challenges internally. Report co-author and market analyst, Jonathon Eykyn, commented “Some of the largest manufacturers of LED lamps and luminaires already have the capability to design and manufacture power circuitry in-house, either via subsidiaries or through the acquisition of power supply manufacturers. Philips Advance is a prime example”. This means that a portion of the total power supply opportunity is absorbed by these vertically integrated companies and becomes “captive”. Eykyn added, “Designing and manufacturing the power solution in-house, however, only really makes sense in high-volume, low-cost markets and where the design is simple; for example, LED retrofit lamps. In medium and high-power applications, design becomes more complex and it often makes more financial sense to outsource the power supply design to a merchant vendor.” As a result, the report from IMS Research forecasts that more than 50% of the market in 2016 will be controlled merchant power supply manufacturers.

IMS Research is a leading independent provider of market research and consultancy to the global electronics industry.

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