EPI orders an AIXTRON Planetary Reactor®
for the growth of (AlGaIn)N materials

Epitaxial Products International, Ltd. (EPI) of Cardiff, UK, a member of the IQE Group, has recently placed an order for an AIX 2600G3 high temperature Multiwafer Planetary Reactorâ System with a capacity of 6x2" wafers for the growth of (AlGaIn)N materials. The new system will be delivered within 1999. The order forms a part of the Long Term Purchase Agreement between EPI and AIXTRON.

Initially EPI will use the reactor for the growth of (InGa)N-based epiwafers for green and blue LEDs. Subsequent developments will include the supply of epiwafers for a) blue/violet laser diodes, which are essential components in boosting the record density of DVDs and b) electronic devices for high frequency or high power applications.

Dr. Drew Nelson, Executive Chairman of IQE commented "This is a very timely entry for IQE into the GaN marketplace, building on the long standing leadership of the UK’s Nitride Consortium and the long term Strategic Alliance with AIXTRON. With a strong team led by Dr. Geoff Duggan together with the proven technology of AIXTRON for nitride production MOCVD systems, we have the necessary resources and skills to be a major supplier of Nitride based epiwafers to compliment our existing product range."

AIXTRON offers a wide range of epitaxial systems for MOVPE, VPE and LPE from R&D-oriented systems up to large-scale Planetary Reactor^® production systems for up to 25x4" or 9x6" wafers. The company has installed over 300 systems worldwide, provides an extensive service and support network for maintenance and upgrading and is represented in over 15 countries.