Apple has applied a patent related to optoelectronics devices for improving LiDAR sensors and applications, reported Patently Apple. The report said that Apple noted the demands for applications using 3D sensing and imaging systems and proposed enhanced technologies to integrate LiDAR and VCSEL for advanced 3D image technology. The new patent introduce a method to combine different types of light source and laser array such as diffractive optical elements or VCSEL to develop improved 3D image devices for various applications. (Image: Apple) Patently Ap...

VPED (Visual Photonics Epitaxy Co. Ltd), a Taiwan-based GaAs wafer producer, announced that the company expects growth momentum from the applications of VCSEL and will begin to ship small volumes of 5G products next year. As the smartphone market has passed its peak phase, semiconductor suppliers are looking forward to the applications of IoT and 5G. However, the development of these fields has just begun, bringing limited momentum to the industry. As result, the growth of VPED would still come from VCSEL applications including 3D facial recognition and L...

Epistar started its shipment of Mini LED products since the third quarter of 2018 and plans to increase the production by the first quarter of 2019. Its spin-off subsidiary of VCSEL manufacturing is also expanding its 4-inch and 6-inch products. The applications of Epistar’s Mini LED products include backlight for gaming monitors and notebooks and fine-pitch displays. The company expects the market momentum of displays will push the growth of its Mini LED and hope to boost the business by 2020. Epistar Semiconductor, the spin-off subsidiary of Epistar, ...

High frequency operation of infrared light sources has been widely applied in automotive, industrial and consumer segments following the trend of 3D sensing. Targeting the growing market of related applications, Lumileds has demonstrated its IR LED products, LUXEON IR Domed and LUXEON IR Compact LEDs to be alternatives to VCSEL technology. Engineering teams from Lumileds and Melexis have developed an evaluation kit that allows LUXEON IR LEDs to be operated at high frequencies up to 40MHz. The intrinsic properties of the LUXEON IR...

ams, a high performance sensor solutions provider, has cooperated with Qualcomm Technologies to focus on the development of a 3D depth sensing camera solution for mobile phone applications such as 3D imaging and scanning and biometric face authentication. The two companies aim to dedicate their technology expertise and engineering force to design a 3D stereo camera solution for Android-based mobile phones. ams provides its VCSEL light sources and optical IR pattern technology on the base of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon™ Mobile Platforms to suppourt various applicati...

Philips Photonics announced that the company has reached a milestone of shipping one billion VCSELs thanks to strong growth in smartphone 3D sensing applications. With strong drives from the trends of proximity sensing and 3D facial recognition technology in consumer smartphones, the company also unveiled its plan to increase production capacity. According to Philips Photonics, it has doubled its production capacity by early 2018, which was in line with the company’s plan. Now Phiilips Photonics plans to further expand its production at the facility in Ulm, Germany...

FitTech, a Taiwanese LED chip and wafer probers provider, has increased its product portfolio for the production of Mini LED and VCSEL and has been providing its equipment to the top three Chinese LED companies. FitTech has continued to extend its product lines in the optoelectronic field with a focus on system integration. Its products include LED/wafer probers, automatic solar sorters, laser micromachining systems and others. With its products, the company has successfully become a supplier for the top three Chinese LED companies. Its LED prober takes...

Lextar has announced that it is going to launch a series of VCSEL products for 3D sensing applications including facial and gesture recognition, people detection, and driver fatigue detection. Lextar’s VCSEL products include the PV88M component series which emit light for 3D depth-sensing module. The series provides various wavelengths, different levels of brightness and package sizes while offering a beam angle selection from 45 to 100 degrees. According to Lextar, the product can also be customized to meet the needs of its clients. (Image: Lextar) The ...

LITE-ON Technology, a leading global provider of optoelectronic semiconductors, showcases its comprehensive products and solutions for Smart Home & Appliances, Automotive, Mobile Devices, Security & Surveillance, Smart Industrial at electronica 2018.  (Nov 13-16, Hall B4, Booth 121).

Optoelectronic component producer II-VI Inc. announced on November 9th that it is going to acquire Finisar, the supplier of optical communication products for Apple with a deal worth US$3.2 billion cash and stock.

Osram has announced the financial results of fiscal 2018 and the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 and addressed that it will focus on digitalization and high-growth markets.

GCS Holdings reported that it has delivered its VCSEL sample products to clients in the U.S. including Google and Facebook for data transmitting applications. The validation of the products would be completed soon and mass production and shipment will start next year, reported Economic Daily News, a Taiwanese media. According to the report, GCS has provided its receiver (Rx) radio frequency (RF) for Facebook and it will begin to supply the transmitter products from next year. 3D sensing has been the field most of the VCSEL companies focus on. To differenti...

AIXTRON, the Germany-based semiconductor equipment provider, has announced its financial results for the nine months and the third quarter 2018. The equipment company has reported growing profit with continuous demands for MOCVD systems for the production of power electronics and lasers such as VCSEL or EEL lasers for applications in 3D sensing or optical data transmission as well as red, orange and yellow (ROY) LEDs.

Laser Taiwan 2018 launched its opening today (October 17th) and exhibitors from all over the world are participating in the event to showcase their cutting edge technologies and equipment. VCSEL is the focal point of the event following the trend of 3D sensing applications.

Semiconductor equipment provider AIXTRON announced that the company has received an order for an AIX 2800G4-TM MOCVD system from Chinese chipmaker Sino-Semiconductor for the production of laser diodes.

Osram is introducing its first Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) product, Bidos PLPVQ 940A, to its product portfolio, reinforcing its position as a high technology company.

SEMICON Taiwan 2018 was held at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center on September 5 -7. Many leading equipment manufacturers have joined the event including Aixtron, Veeco, Kulicke & Soffa, MPI Corporation and Toray. These equipment makers have introduced the latest trends of power components and optoelectronic. 

SEMICON Taiwan 2018 International Semiconductor Exhibition was held during September 5 to 7 at TWTC Nankang Exhibition Hall. As the second largest SEMICON exhibition worldwide, it gathered 680 manufacturers with more than 2000 booths, reaching a new record high. Major equipment manufacturers were present, including Aixtron, VEECO, Kulicke & Soffa and MPI Corporation. 

HLJ Technology Co, a Taiwanese VCSEL epitaxy and chip producer has ordered AIXTRON’s MOCVD sets to increase its wafer capacity and its epitaxial wafer size production line for VCSEL. 

In the beginning of 3Q18, Epistar’s revenue report did not match its expectation. The company registered a revenue of NT$ 1.81 billion (US$ 58.87 million) for July, down by 0.1% MoM and 19.36% YoY.

After Apple introduced 3D sensing technology in iPhone X last year, the technology has caught the eye of the market as well as its key component, VCSEL. The suppliers have been boosting the manufacturing of VCSEL since then but as the sale of iPhone X did not meet expectations, the in-stock 3D sensing component also influenced the revenue of suppliers. 

LED chip maker Epistar reported the company’s decision to establish a spin-off to focus on VCSEL (vertical cavity surface emitting laser) and GaN on Si components production. This spin-off will be named Epistar Semiconductor. M.J. Chou, the current president of Epistar, will become the president of the new subsidiary.

According to LEDinside’s 2018 Infrared Sensing Application Market Report, pulse oximeter heart rate sensors have been widely introduced into smartwatch and wristband markets, pushing the demand for infrared optical components. Apple is expected to increase the accuracy of pulse oximeter heart rate sensors in its new-generation Apple Watch, thus may double the amount of green LEDs and infrared LEDs used in the products. The amount of photodiode needed for the new products may be four to five times more than in previous models, and the photodiode will also be larger in size.

Osram has added to its expertise in semiconductor-based optical security technology by acquiring US-based Vixar Inc. Already a technology leader in infrared LEDs and infrared laser diodes, Osram will have a unique breadth of technological expertise and an expanded product portfolio after bringing on board Vixar’s specialist capabilities in the field of VCSEL.

“The first half of the fiscal year was challenging due to various factors. However, the long-term growth trend remains intact, while the reorganization and the technological shift are continuing,” said Olaf Berlien, CEO of OSRAM Licht AG.

AIXTRON SE will deliver high-end MOCVD technology to long-standing customer Visual Photonics Epitaxy Co. Ltd. (VPEC). The Taiwanese semiconductor foundry, mainly specialized in solutions for wireless and optical device epi wafers, plans to ramp-up its epitaxy production with multiple AIX 2800G4 MOCVD cluster systems to meet the globally growing demand for various photonic and electronic applications.

The oversupply in the LED chip market continues in 2018. The market demand is estimated to recuperate in the second quarter; however, it will still need new technologies such as Mini LED to ease the oversupply, according to Biing-Jye Lee, Chairman of Epistar

Photonics product provider Lumentum and Oclaro, specializing in optical components and modules, announced that the two companies have signed a definitive agreement, unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies, pursuant to which Lumentum will acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Oclaro.

AIXTRON SE has a number of stock option programs in place that grant employees the right to purchase AIXTRON shares under certain conditions. The company in February announced its financial results for fiscal year 2017 and the fourth quarter 2017.

Apple’s launch of iPhone X has led to a wave of 3D sensing technology, bringing its key component—vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL)—into the spotlight. However, the number of VCSEL suppliers with mass production capacity is very limited due to technical barriers, leading to short supply of VCSELs and thus delaying Android camp’s plan to follow suit. TrendForce estimates the penetration rate of 3D sensing in smartphones will grow from 2.1% in 2017 to 13.1% in 2018, while Apple remains the major adopter.