Imec and Veeco announce collaboration in GaN-on-Si devices for LED and power electronics applications

Leuven, Belgium and Plainview, New York, USA September 4, 2013 – Nanoelectronics research centre imec of Belgium and Veeco Instruments Inc. (Nasdaq: VECO) are collaborating on a project aimed at lowering the cost of producing gallium nitride on silicon (GaN-on-Si) -based power devices and LEDs.

Barun Dutta, imec’s Chief Scientist, commented, “The productivity, repeatability, uniformity and crystal quality of Veeco’s metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) equipment has been instrumental in helping us meet our development milestones on GaN-on-Si for power and LED applications. The device performance enabled by the epi has helped us realize state-of-the-art D-mode (depletion mode) and E-mode (enhancement mode) power devices. Our goal is to establish an entire manufacturing infrastructure that allows GaN-on-Si to be a competitive technology.”

Imec‘s multi-partner GaN-on-Si research and development program gathers the industry to jointly develop world-class GaN LED and power devices on 200 mm silicon substrates compatible with a 200 mm CMOS-compatible infrastructure. By joining forces at imec, companies share costs, talent and intellectual property to develop advanced technologies and bring them to the market faster.

Jim Jenson, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Veeco MOCVD, commented, “We have been working with imec on this program since 2011 and are encouraged by our progress. Our work is mutually rewarding, as we are both focused on being able to realize lower costs while maintaining world-class performance on GaN-on-Si devices. This technology can be used to create lower cost LEDs that enable solid state lighting, more efficient power devices for applications such as power supplies and adapters, PV inverters for solar panels, and power conversion for electric vehicles.”

Veeco’s MOCVD equipment features excellent film quality and low defects, which are key for effective GaN-on-Si processing. It also incorporates Veeco's Uniform FlowFlange® technology for superior uniformity and excellent run-to-run repeatability. Low maintenance TurboDisc® technology enables highest system availability, excellent particle performance and high throughput.

About imec

Imec performs world-leading research in nanoelectronics. Imec leverages its scientific knowledge with the innovative power of its global partnerships in ICT, healthcare and energy. Imec delivers industry-relevant technology solutions. In a unique high-tech environment, its international top talent is committed to providing the building blocks for a better life in a sustainable society. Imec is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and has offices in Belgium, the Netherlands, Taiwan, US, China, India and Japan. Its staff of more than 2,000 people includes more than 650 industrial residents and guest researchers. In 2012, imec's revenue (P&L) totaled 320 million euro. Further information on imec can be found at www.imec.be.
Imec is a registered trademark for the activities of IMEC International (a legal entity set up under Belgian law as a "stichting van openbaar nut”), imec Belgium (IMEC vzw supported by the Flemish Government), imec the Netherlands (Stichting IMEC Nederland, part of Holst Centre which is supported by the Dutch Government), imec Taiwan (IMEC Taiwan Co.) and imec China (IMEC Microelectronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.) and imec India (Imec India Private Limited).

About Veeco

Veeco’s process equipment solutions enable the manufacture of LEDs, power electronics, hard drives, MEMS and wireless chips. We are the market leader in MOCVD, MBE, Ion Beam and other advanced thin film process technologies. Our high performance systems drive innovation in energy efficiency, consumer electronics and network storage and allow our customers to maximize productivity and achieve lower cost of ownership. For information on our company, products and worldwide service and support, please visit www.veeco.com.

To the extent that this news release discusses expectations or otherwise makes statements about the future, such statements are forward-looking and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. These factors include the risks discussed in the Business Description and Management's Discussion and Analysis sections of Veeco's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and in our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and press release. Veeco does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances after the date of such statements.