Philips Photonics selects ClassOne’s Solstice S4 for wafer cleaning

ClassOne Technology of Kalispell, MT, USA (which manufactures electroplating and wet-chemical process systems for ≤200mm wafers) has sold a Solstice S4 system to Philips Photonics GmbH of Ulm, Germany, a wholly owned business of Royal Philips of Eindhoven, The Netherlands that provides vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) technology.

Established in 2000 as ULM Photonics GmbH and acquired by Philips in 2006, Philips Photonics produces VCSEL-based solutions for datacom, consumer and industrial applications — for security, surveillance, night vision and a range of sensing applications — and has enabled the introduction of laser-based PC mice, high-bit-rate active optical cables (AOCs), and introduced VCSEL-based laser Doppler technology to consumer applications. In November the firm announced its third production capacity expansion in the last three years (to be completed within the next 18 months). In mid-December it was announced that Philips Photonics is being acquired by TRUMPF GmbH of Ditzingen, near Stuttgart, Germany, but the transaction (which is expected to be completed in second-quarter 2019) should not impact the relationship between Philips Photonics and Class One.

“We will be using the new Solstice S4 for wafer cleaning applications. Its unique processing flexibility and high performance are especially useful to us, as well as its small footprint,” comments Philips Photonics’ general manager Hans Peter Ehweiner. “ClassOne’s responsiveness and support for us in Germany are also significant factors in this purchase decision, thus we are looking forward to a fruitful and longstanding relationship,” he adds.

“Solstice initially built its reputation on quality electroplating. But with its ‘Plating-Plus’ capabilities, Solstice is now recognized as a powerful multi-processing tool that can handle everything from plating to wafer cleaning, high-pressure metal lift-off, resist strip, UBM [under-bump metal] etch and more,” says ClassOne Group’s CEO Byron Exarcos. “Phillips Photonics is a perfect example of next-generation fabs that are using Solstice primarily for those additional wet processes,” he adds. “Solstice is becoming the tool of choice for VCSEL manufacturers around the world.”

See related items:

TRUMPF acquiring VCSEL laser diode maker Philips Photonics

Philips Photonics ships billionth VCSEL

Philips Photonics to double VCSEL production capacity in Ulm

Tags: ClassOne VCSELs

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