FRAUNHOFER INSTITUTE ADDS FURTHER AIXTRON SYSTEM TO DEVELOP ULTRA-BRIGHT LEDS AND BLUE LASERS FOR OPTOELECTRONIC INDUSTRY

!!! Press Release !!!

FRAUNHOFER INSTITUTE ADDS FURTHER AIXTRON SYSTEM TO DEVELOP ULTRA-BRIGHT LEDS AND BLUE LASERS FOR OPTOELECTRONIC INDUSTRY

Aachen/Freiburg, March 11th 2002 - The research institute IAF (Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid-State Physics) in Freiburg, Germany, has announced the purchase of a new AIX 200/4RF-S system which will be used for developing nitride materials for ultra-high-brightness blue and ultra-violet light emitting diodes (UHB LEDs) as well as for the development of violet emitting lasers for optical data storage. The IAF represents one of the leading research institutes in the field of short wavelength UHB LEDs produced from GaN/GaInN and co-operates closely with industrial partners to develop processes for mass production of such LEDs. It owns a complete semiconductor process line for the fabrication of test wafers. Various techniques are available supporting device activities.

Being two of the three primary colors in Red-Green-Blue (RGB) full color giant LED screens, blue and green UHB LEDs are in rapidly growing demand, a trend that is expected to continue in the coming years. Furthermore blue and ultra-violet UHB LEDs converted to white light emitters (LED lamps) will enable the predicted revolution in the lighting industry, leading to the replacement of the standard light bulb.

Dr. Klaus Koehler, Deputy Dept. Head of IAF's Epitaxy Group comments "Our decision to opt for the AIXTRON 200/4RF-S was driven by the well known advantages of the proven AIXTRON reactor concept as well as by the positive long-lasting relationship which we have successfully built up with AIXTRON over the past years. The IAF Institute aims at providing customers with specific solutions to satisfy the stringent demands of industry and public authorities. The purchase of the AIX 200/4RF-S and our close co-operation with AIXTRON will enable us to achieve this goal."

As the leading supplier of semiconductor equipment and with an installed base of well over 600 systems worldwide AIXTRON is represented in over 15 countries. The company provides an extensive service and support network for maintenance as well as upgrading of systems. Due to its high level of customer service worldwide, AIXTRON has been rated once more among the 2001 10 BEST in its category in VLSI Research Inc's Customer Satisfaction Survey. In addition AIXTRON's close and reliable partnership with its stakeholders (e.g. customers, suppliers, inventors) is reflected in the inclusion of AIXTRON shares into the Dow Jones Sustainability Index 2001. AIXTRON's many customers include Agere, Alcatel, Anritsu, ATMI, Avalon, AXT, Epson, Honeywell, IQE, ITT, JDS-Uniphase, Kopin, LumiLeds, Mitsubishi, Motorola, Nortel, Optospeed, Osram, Procomp, Samsung, Showa Denko, Sumitomo, Thales, UEC, VPEC as well as numerous Japanese corporations. AIXTRON systems have also been installed in many renowned research institutes worldwide, including CNRS, Fraunhofer Institute, ITRI-OES, JPL, Meijo University, Research Center Jülich, RIKEN, Sandia Nat. Lab, University of Tokyo. AIXTRON is very active in advancing MOCVD technology through collaborations and joint R&D projects with major partners worldwide. AIXTRON shares are listed at the stock exchange in Frankfurt, Germany (Reuters symbol: AIXG.DE; ISIN: DE0005066203).

For further information please contact:

Dr. Claus Ehrenbeck
Head of Investor Relations and
Corporate Communications
AIXTRON AG
Kackertstr. 15 - 17
D-52072 Aachen, Germany
Phone:+49 241 8909 444
Fax: +49 241 8909 445
E-mail: invest@aixtron.com