Although ELEMENT 3-5 GmbH is already breaking newground in semiconductor technology with the introduction of the Next Level Epitaxy, the company is pleased to be contributing another significant buildingblock to changing semiconductor production with the launch of the EPIWIN jointproject. EPIWIN stands for "epitaxy with integrated nanostructuring". The project aims to combine the Next Level Epitaxy of ELEMENT 3-5 GmbH with laser structuring processes in the sub-μm and ~10μm range in order to enable the production of low-dislocation layers infinished, isolated dies. This method will be much more cost-effective and also more environmentally friendly than the conventional method for the production of semiconductor components, which requires the use of several systems between which the wafer is repeatedly transported with an increased risk of contamination - in some cases even at different locations or outsourced to suppliers. In order to limit the risk of contamination to some extent, wafer transport is therefore carried out in vacuum-sealed disposable packaging in the conventional production sequence, which creates a large amount of packagingwaste. This is not the case with EPIWIN: The integration of structuring and epitaxy into a system concept opens up the possibility of assembly line production, which in addition to reducing the reject rate, also halves energy consumption and reduces environmental pollution by a factor of more than three. A significant cost reduction is a matter of course.
In addition to ELEMENT 3-5 GmbH, which has also taken on the role of project coordinator, the project partners in the EPIWIN project are the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT and Innolite GmbH. Associated partner is Coherent Laser Systems GmbH. Thanks to Fraunhofer ILT's many years of experience in the field of laser structuring, the know-how of ELEMENT 3-5 GmbH in the field of low-temperature epitaxy and the expertise of Innolite GmbH in the production of high-precision optical elements, the necessary competencies for this project are excellently developed.
The "EPIWIN" project is funded as part of the ERDF/JTF programme NRW 2021-2027 with the funding measure "Innovation Competition Industry.IN.NRW". The funds are provided by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, co-financed by the European Union. The start of the jointproject was May 1, 2024. The term is 3 years.
