research institutions and industry associations across the globe .
While all IQE ’ s products can be traced back to one of its four core material families – gallium arsenide ( GaAs ), indium phosphide ( InP ), gallium antimonide ( GaSb ), and gallium nitride ( GaN ) – the business is constantly researching and testing new technology platforms . For instance , it has been involved in the development of dilute nitride materials for nearly 20 years . Made by adding small amounts of nitrogen to standard GaAs-based materials , dilute nitride materials can extend the range of accessible wavelengths and can be easily integrated with electronic and photonic based processes .
In terms of product offering , IQE ’ s portfolio of epitaxial wafer and substrate products is one of the most extensive in the industry . Its substrate division produces compound semiconductor substrates , the base material from which all photonics and wireless devices are fabricated . Also known as a ‘ wafer ,’ the substrate is composed of a unique combination of two elements from columns III and V of the periodic table .
As the foundation for all microelectronic devices , epitaxial layers are deposited to form structures that in turn undergo several microfabrication processes , resulting in the formation of the end product . Whether it be for a GaAs VCSEL for smartphone 3D sensing , an InP laser for high-speed broadband internet , or a GaSb sensor array for aircraft night vision , it all starts with a highly engineered substrate made by IQE .
In May 2023 , IQE revealed progress on its strategic commitment to diversify into GaN technologies for microLEDs . Its new portfolio of 200-millimeter red , green , and blue ( RGB )
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