A silicon wafer that has undergone epitaxial growth on top of another silicon wafer is referred to as an epitaxial wafer or an epi-wafer. Epitaxy is a technique for generating a monocrystalline silicon layer on the polished crystal surface of a silicon wafer. To make an epitaxial wafer, a polished wafer is covered with layers of single silicon carbide crystals many micrometers thick. Because of the seamless nature of its manufacturing, thickness, carrier concentration, and defect density must all be properly regulated. Chips and integrated circuits (ICs) are made from compound semiconductor epitaxial wafers and are used in a wide range of technical products all over the world.
Demand for epitaxial wafer is rising because to the expanding use of LED lighting, which is a key factor in industrial expansion. In contrast to incandescent and compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), which generate heat and light in all directions, LEDs are "directional" light sources. As a result, LEDs can utilize light and energy in a range of applications more effectively. The cost of purchasing or building a power or non-power infrastructure that will be returned by power income is referred to as the "initial capital investment." This covers all expenses incurred during development and testing, as well as any costs associated with planning, designing, acquiring land, and building. The high initial capital requirements for semiconductor manufacturing will prevent small businesses from entering the market. This factor will soon put a cap on the epitaxial wafer market's expansion.
From 2022 to 2030, the Epitaxial Wafer Market is expected to develop at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.9%.
Key Competitors in the Epitaxial Wafer Industry:
1. EpiWorks Inc.
EpiWorks Inc was founded in 1997 and headquartered in Champaign, United States. It operates in many countries.
2. Global Wafers Japan Co. Ltd.
Global Wafers Japan Co. Ltd. was founded in 1991 and headquartered in Niigata, Japan. It operates in 9 countries.
3. Nichia Corporation
Nichia Corporation was founded in 1956 and headquartered in Anan, Tokushima Japan. It operates globally. The construction of a LED irradiation equipment used to evaluate UV sensitivity, including microbe inactivation, was disclosed by Nichia, the largest producer of LEDs in the world and a developer of high-brightness blue and white LEDs, in May 2023. By taking into account the electrical and thermal properties of the LEDs, the irradiance on the exposed surface, the irradiance distribution, the irradiation time, the beam angle, reflection from the surrounding materials, sample temperature, and other factors, this device is designed to enable highly accurate and repeatable evaluation of UV sensitivity, such as microorganism inactivation by UV light.
4. SHOWA DENKO K.K.
SHOWA DENKO K.K. was founded in 1939 and headquartered in
Tokyo, Japan. It operates in seven major sectors. As the first Japanese manufacturer to offer samples of 200mm SiC epi-wafers to outside customers, Showa Denko K.K. started exporting SiC epitaxial wafers (SiC epi-wafers) with a diameter of 1 200mm (8 inches) in September 2022. These wafers are primarily utilized for SiC power semiconductors. These samples are created by SDK utilizing single crystal SiC wafers that are produced on site.
5. Siltronic AG
Siltronic AG was founded in 1968 and headquartered in Munich, Germany. It operates in 10 countries. In Singapore's Tampines Wafer Fab Park, Siltronic, a technical pioneer in silicon wafer manufacturing, will break ground on a new manufacturing facility in October 2021. Together with the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), Siltronic will invest around EUR 2 billion (roughly SGD 3 billion) to the end of 2024, which will be a substantial contribution to meeting the growing semiconductor demand.
6. Desert Silicon Inc.
Desert Silicon Inc. was founded in 1976 and headquartered in Arizona, United State. It operates globally.
7. Electronics and Materials Corporation Ltd.
Electronics and Materials Corporation Ltd was founded in 1981 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It operates in.
8. Jenoptic AG
Jenoptic AG was founded in 1991 and headquartered in Jena, Germany. It operates worldwide. A high-power F-Theta lens from Jenoptik with a sizable scan field will be unveiled at the LASER World of PHOTONICS in June 2023. At the renowned photonics trade show in Munich, Jenoptik unveiled a new high-power F-Theta lens and displayed its extensive product portfolio of high-performance optical components and systems that support current trends in biophotonics, laser generation, optoelectronics, data transmission, and imaging.
9. Norstel AB
Norstel AB was founded in 2005 and headquartered in Norrkoping, Sweden. It operates in 35 countries. The full acquisition of Norstel AB ("Norstel"), a Swedish silicon carbide (SiC) wafer manufacturer, was completed in December 2019, according to STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor pioneer servicing customers across the spectrum of electronics applications. ST exercised its option to purchase the remaining 45% of the shareholding following the initial acquisition made public in February 2019. The Norstel transaction cost $137.5 million in total, which was paid for with available funds.
*Definition: A semiconducting wafer created through epitaxial growth, sometimes referred to as an epi wafer, epi-wafer, or epi wafer, is used in photonics, microelectronics, spintronics, or photovoltaics. The epi layer can be constructed of silicon dioxide (SoI), a more exotic material with certain desirable qualities, or the same material as the substrate, which is typically monocrystaline silicon.
