Playing a key role in the South Wales compound semiconductor cluster

As a neutral convener for industry, the Catapult’s role is both pivotal and unique: we rapidly build the complex supply chains and deliver vital expertise and infrastructure in evaluation and reliability testing services, some of which are not available anywhere else in the UK. 

The Catapult contributed to four collaborative research and innovation (CRD) projects part-funded by UKRI’s investment of the £25m flagship Strength in Places Fund (2020–25) to further develop South Wales as home to a compound semiconductor powerhouse. The collaborative research programme totals £27.2m. 

The key projects are: 

• next generation optical communications and sensing. This work package is focussed on the development of optical component solutions for high capacity data centres and LiDAR sensing for autonomous vehicles 

• large scale GaAs-based wafer manufacturing. This work package is developing scalable compound semiconductor materials solutions for photonic, wireless and flexible photovoltaic applications 

• novel and efficient compound semiconductor wafer fabrication tools. This work package is advancing next generation semiconductor manufacturing equipment and associated processes to scale up compound semiconductor wafer and device fabrication

• advanced processes for 5G and EV systems. This work package will demonstrate novel, advanced volume assembly capability for CS-based electronic modules for 5G applications and power electronics for miniaturised electric vehicle motor drives