IQE plc

Reach

Cardiff, UK

2 October 2023

IQE launches industry first 6" InP DFB Laser Platform for AI and data centre applications

IQE plc (AIM:  IQE, "IQE" or the "Group"), the leading supplier of compound semiconductor wafer products and advanced material solutions to the global semiconductor industry, is pleased to announce the industry's first 150 mm (6") Indium Phosphide (InP) platform enabling the scaled production of electro-optic devices at the core of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and cloud data centre networks.

In collaboration with Kelvin Nanotechnology and the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre, IQE has developed a process-ready 6" Distributed Feedback (DFB) InP laser wafer platform, enabling customers to deliver high-volume laser solutions supporting the rapid growth in high-speed optical data links. 

IQE's data infrastructure semiconductor materials are employed across a diverse range of transceiver platforms. As a pioneer in InP, IQE is further demonstrating the technology's scalability, enabling a step change in volume manufacturing to satisfy an increasing demand for DFB lasers. This also ensures optical interconnect technology remains cost competitive, as network traffic scales to meet the requirements of generative AI and data intensive applications.

Peter Rabbeni, Senior Vice President, Communications Infrastructure and Security Business Unit of IQE, commented:

''We are pleased to be able to offer our data infrastructure customers an industry first, laser epitaxy on a 6" InP wafer platform. Scaling our current laser materials technology to deliver a fab-ready service at this size provides an immediate competitive advantage and faster time to market."

Dr. Brendan Casey, CEO of Kelvin Nanotechnology, commented:

"We are delighted to be able to demonstrate a DFB grating technology fully deployed on a 6" InP platform with high yield and uniformity, and we look forward to working with IQE in bringing this capability to the market."

Contacts:

IQE plc

+44 (0) 29 2083 9400

Americo Lemos

Neil Rummings

Amy Barlow

Headland Consultancy (Financial PR)
+ 44 (0) 20 38054822

Andy Rivett-Carnac: +44 (0) 7968 997 365

Chloe Francklin: +44 (0)78 3497 4624

ABOUT IQE

http://iqep.com

IQE is the leading global supplier of advanced compound semiconductor wafers and materials solutions that enable a diverse range of applications across:

·    Smart Connected Devices

·    Communications Infrastructure

·    Automotive and Industrial

·    Aerospace and Security

As a scaled global epitaxy wafer manufacturer, IQE is uniquely positioned in this market which has high barriers to entry. IQE supplies the global market and is enabling customers to innovate at chip and OEM level. By leveraging the Group's intellectual property portfolio including know-how and patents, it produces epitaxy wafers of superior quality, yield and unit economics.

IQE is headquartered in Cardiff UK, with employees across manufacturing locations in the UK, US and Taiwan, and is listed on the AIM Stock Exchange in London.

ABOUT KELVIN NANOTECHNOLOGY

https://kntnano.com

Kelvin Nanotechnology is a leading supplier of nanofabrication services for prototyping and production and is the commercial arm of the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre at the University of Glasgow.