News: Suppliers
7 May 2025
SMART Photonics buys AIXTRON’s G10-AsP MOCVD system
Deposition equipment maker Aixtron SE of Herzogenrath, near Aachen, Germany is supplying its new G10-AsP metal-organic chemical vapor depositiion (MOCVD) system for high-volume production of GaAs/InP materials to longstanding customer SMART Photonics, enabling it to increase its capacity and capabilities.
Founded in 2012 in cooperation with the Eindhoven University of Technology, SMART Photonics is an independent indium phosphide (InP) photonic integrated circuit (PIC) foundry. The manufacturer of discrete and integrated photonic components is headquartered at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
Market analyst firm Yole Group reckons that the InP-based PIC market is rising at a compound annual (CAGR) of 14% from US$3bn in 2023 through to 2027, driven primarily by mega trends like 5G and 6G telecoms, healthcare and artificial intelligence (AI). Sensing technologies such as light detection and ranging (LiDAR) in the automotive sector also play a vital role. InP PICs enhance photonic applications by integrating lasers directly onto the chip, miniaturizing the devices and improving their speed.
AIXTRON says that its G10-AsP system is currently the workhorse for precise and uniform processes essential for high-quality PIC production. The platform is specifically designed for arsenide/phosphide applications and, due to an innovative injector and advanced temperature control, offers up to 4x superior on-wafer-uniformity for critical layers compared with the previous generation. It is fully cassette-to-cassette automated and ensures ultimate process stability through in-situ cleaning, providing consistent and reliable production.
“This purchase underscores the industry’s confidence in our cutting-edge technology, which can shorten the launch time for innovative products,” says AIXTRON’s CEO Dr Felix Grawert. “The G10-AsP will enable SMART Photonics to achieve unparalleled efficiency and precision in manufacturing photonic components for advanced laser devices,” he adds.
“The acquisition of AIXTRON’s G10-AsP system is a big step for SMART Photonics and will allow us to accelerate our innovation roadmap,” comments SMART Photonics’ CEO Johan Feenstra. “It enhances our production capabilities with leading-edge epitaxy technology, positioning SMART Photonics at the forefront of innovation in the integrated photonics industry.”
