Crystal IS, an Asahi Kasei company, has announced the successful commencement of serial production for 100 mm diameter single-crystal aluminum nitride (AlN) substrates, achieving an impressive 99% usable area. This milestone meets the current requirements for UVC LEDs and marks a significant advancement in manufacturing capabilities within the United States. The exceptional properties of AlN, including its ultra-wide bandgap and high thermal conductivity, enhance device reliability and performance not only in UVC LEDs but also in next-generation RF and power devices.
Eoin Connolly, President and CEO of Crystal IS, emphasized the progress made in substrate quality: “The improved quality of our large diameter substrates over the past nine months underscores the expertise of our Crystal Growth team. The inherent thermal advantages of aluminum nitride can facilitate higher performance in RF and power devices for critical missions and telecommunications applications. We are enthusiastic about collaborating with our partners to further refine this material to meet their evolving needs.”
This achievement follows Crystal IS’s groundbreaking introduction of the first-ever recorded 100 mm diameter substrate in August 2023, which earned the Grand Prize in the Electronic Materials for Semiconductors category at the 2024 Semiconductor of the Year Awards. These awards are hosted by Electronic Device Industry News, a publication of Sangyo Times, Inc., based in Tokyo.
Crystal IS manufactures bulk single-crystal AlN substrates at its headquarters in Green Island, New York. The company commenced sales of 2-inch diameter substrates for RF and power device research and development in late 2023. The successful production of 100 mm diameter substrates accelerates the adoption of AlN in new applications, integrating seamlessly into existing fabrication lines for RF and power devices currently utilizing alternative materials. Crystal IS plans to provide these 100 mm diameter substrates exclusively from its US facility to key partners this year, marking a significant expansion beyond UVC LEDs.
