AIXTRON AG today announced
that in the fourth quarter 2008 the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems
(ISE), Freiburg, Germany, ordered an AIX 2800G4-R MOCVD tool with automated
wafer handler. The Planetary Reactor system with 8x6 inch configuration will
be delivered in the fourth quarter 2009.
Funded by the BMBF and the Fraunhofer Society the new tool will form the centerpiece
of a program to develop and produce next generation triple- and multi-junction
solar cells in cooperation with industrial partners.
Dr Frank Dimroth, head of the III-V Epitaxy and Solar Cells group at the Fraunhofer
ISE comments: “We selected an AIXTRON MOCVD system because of its high
degree of flexibility and reproducibility that is achieved with the Planetary
Reactor technology. Moreover we can employ the system’s wide process window
for tuning our new process technology based on compound semiconductor alloy
materials. The AIX 2800G4-R will incorporate advanced in-situ monitoring technologies
and we will be able to change wafer configurations flexibly up to 8.5 inch.
I was impressed by the improvements which have been made in the reactor design
compared to our current AIX 2600G3 system. The new AIXTRON technology allows
us to transfer our R&D processes up to high-volume mass-production which
is a prime target for our development project.”
The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) conducts research on
the technology needed to supply energy efficiently and on an environmentally
sound basis in industrialized, threshold and developing countries. To this end,
it develops systems, components, materials and processes in the areas of the
thermal use of solar energy, solar building, solar cells, electrical power supplies,
chemical energy conversion, energy storage and the rational use of energy. The
Institute's work ranges from fundamental scientific research relating to solar
energy applications, through the development of production technology and prototypes,
to the construction of demonstration systems. The Institute plans, advises and
provides know-how and technical facilities as services.