AMGC laser focused on Australian innovation from BluGlass
Australian semiconductor and electronic technology manufacturer BluGlass Limited (ASX:BLG) has been awarded a co-funding grant by the Federal Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC). The matched funding grant of $250,000 was awarded to assist the development and commercialisation of BluGlass’ breakthrough deposition technology called Remote Plasma Chemical Vapour Deposition (RPCVD) technology.
The project is expected to establish an advanced, high throughput, laser diode foundry business onshore in Australia. This new technology will deliver large-size commercial wafers that are critical in the manufacture of laser and light-emitting diodes (LED), as well as semiconductor manufacturing platforms and chips.
BluGlass’ high-density, large-scale plasma source is being designed to produce ultra-precision uniformity for the deposition of semiconductor devices, lasers and next-generation LEDs. The unique distributed plasma source design will deliver a scalable and uniform platform suitable for the largest industrial machines, accommodating multiple 8-inch wafers.
In addition, the project specifically focusses on a new plasma source for the company’s BLG-300 system to upgrade its capability to uniform deposition on a single 12-inch wafer or multiple 4-inch wafers.
Dr Jens Goennemann, Managing Director of AMGC said, “BluGlass is a great example of an Australian manufacturer embracing complexity borne from a commitment to deep research and development. What BluGlass is doing is game-changing. They are delivering better value – and in high demand, products to the global market. Yet again, putting Australian manufacturing on the map as a place to make sophisticated goods and competing on value not cost.”
BluGlass Chief Technology Officer, Dr Ian Mann said “this AMGC co-funding grant will assist in the development of a number of new competitive edges for commercialisation of our RPCVD technology. The new design will support scalability on virtually any MOCVD platform in the industry and be capable of hybrid (both MOCVD and RPCVD growth) in a single deposition chamber, enabling the advantages of each growth technique for the first time in a single platform”.
BluGlass will collaborate with several industry partners and organisations including the Space Plasma, Power and Propulsion (SP3) Laboratory at the Australian National University on plasma source design, simulation and testing, AKELA Laser on laser diodes device packaging and testing and Objective 3D on metal 3D design, test and rapid prototyping of critical plasma source components for the successful delivery of the project.
It is anticipated that the successful project will help grow the company’s revenues to AUD $40*-75**million by FY 2025, while nine additional highly skilled engineering and scientific roles will be created during the project. On successful completion up to 50 new jobs will be created as a result of the project.
*Downside revenue target is based on a delay in the attainment of certain technical milestones that reduces the number of laser diode products for sale or slower customer demand and market growth.**Upside revenue target is based on the timely achievement of BluGlass’ technical milestones and accelerated customer demand and market growth
Further information is available here – https://www.amgc.org.au/project/manufacture-of-rpcvd-machine/
