In addition, the company has announced a new field effect transistor (FET) module for low-noise applications, a new polyimide option for compensation of mechanical stress, and Schottky diodes with enhanced forward current capabilities. All options are available now, and X-FAB believes no other foundry offers as wide a scope of capabilities for rapidly emerging optoelectronics applications.
The company’s new Light Shield module enables the protection of light-sensitive areas on a chip by using a special protective layer of black resistive on top of passivation. Such protection is required for the non-light-sensitive parts of optoelectronic integrated circuits, and also can be used in bare-die or chip-on-board applications to cover the entire surface of the die. In contrast to the conventional way of protecting light sensitive parts by using an additional metal layer that reflects light, creating some interference and causing parasitic capacitances, the company’s light shield layer offers very low transmission reflection; about 95% of the visible light is absorbed. The new Light Shield module is also more cost-effective than other approaches for protecting circuits from light.
The company’s new blue PIN module with a photodiode optimized for the blue light portion of the light spectrum is especially useful for Blu-ray applications. In addition, its sensitivity for other wavelengths up to 850 nanometers makes it ideal for applications from ultraviolet to infrared.
The company’s junction FET module allows special transistors to be used for low-noise applications. A newly available polyimide option – a resilient barrier layer on top of the passivation – compensates for mechanical stress, or delamination, between die and package during soldering. X-FAB also expanded its portfolio of primitive devices with additional Schottky diodes that are scaleable in layout and offer better current capability in forward mode.
Jens Kosch, chief technical officer, said, “With our comprehensive BiCMOS platform, X-FAB offers a wealth of process options and primitive devices to address the broadest range of optical applications. Today’s announcement demonstrates again X-FAB’s expertise in delivering ‘More than Moore’ technologies for our customers.”
