Semiconductor today

Phlux Technology — which was spun off from the University of Sheffield in 2020 and designs and manufactures 1550nm avalanche photodiode (APD) infrared (IR) sensors — has announced beta-sample availability of the Apex 200µm receiver module, PX02200-TO, for ultra-low-light detection as part of a family of Apex receivers that combine Phlux’s Noiseless InGaAs Aura APD detectors with low-noise, optimized pre-amplifier circuits all integrated in an industry-standard TO-8, 12-pin header package...

Phlux Technology — which was spun off from the University of Sheffield in 2020 and designs and manufactures 1550nm avalanche photodiode (APD) infrared (IR) sensors — has announced beta-sample availability of the Apex 200µm receiver module, PX02200-TO, for ultra-low-light detection as part of a family of Apex receivers that combine Phlux’s Noiseless InGaAs Aura APD detectors with low-noise, optimized pre-amplifier circuits all integrated in an industry-standard TO-8, 12-pin header package...

As quantum technologies move towards commercial deployment, the need to accelerate UK research into scalable, real-world deployment is increasingly critical. In response, the UK’s Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult has appointed as head of quantum, helping to accelerate its focus on key areas including quantum systems, AI hardware, advanced packaging, photonics, RF control, William Waller cryogenic integration and test. These capabilities are central to enabling the next generation of quantum technologies, particularly in quantum communications, quantum sensing and future quantum computing infrastructure, where integration, reliability and scalability will be essential...

As quantum technologies move towards commercial deployment, the need to accelerate UK research into scalable, real-world deployment is increasingly critical. In response, the UK’s Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult has appointed as head of quantum, helping to accelerate its focus on key areas including quantum systems, AI hardware, advanced packaging, photonics, RF control, William Waller cryogenic integration and test. These capabilities are central to enabling the next generation of quantum technologies, particularly in quantum communications, quantum sensing and future quantum computing infrastructure, where integration, reliability and scalability will be essential...

After announcing capacity investments last July and October and this February, Tokyo-based JX Advanced Metals Corp is to invest up to ¥120bn more over the next four years to further expand its production capacity of indium phosphide (InP) substrates, used in optical communications transceivers that support the large-volume data transmission required by the advancement of AI...

After announcing capacity investments last July and October and this February, Tokyo-based JX Advanced Metals Corp is to invest up to ¥120bn more over the next four years to further expand its production capacity of indium phosphide (InP) substrates, used in optical communications transceivers that support the large-volume data transmission required by the advancement of AI...

With the explosive growth of artificial intelligence and the exponential increase in computing power demand, data centers require greater bandwidth but without increasing power consumption further. The short-distance interconnect solution inside data-center servers and racks is currently undergoing a historic shift of ‘optical-in, copper-out’...

Synthetic diamond materials firm Element Six of Oxford, UK (E6, part of the De Beers Group) and Tokyo-based Orbray Co Ltd (which makes precision jewel parts, DC coreless motors, fiber-optic components, and medical devices) have announced the next phase of their partnership, building on a joint aim to deliver wafer-scale single-crystal diamond (WSC)...

PicoJool Inc of Palo Alto, CA, USA (which is developing optical chips and modules for high-bandwidth, low-cost connectivity in hyperscale AI data centers) is introducing its 200G vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) products, with a bandwidth exceeding 37GHz. The firm will begin sampling chip-level products in third-quarter 2026, including quad 100G, quad 200G and 32x50G NRZ micro-VCSELs for slow and wide applications. PicoJool says that it is already working with system startups and hyperscalers to define the next generation of pluggable, near-packaged optics (NPO) and co-packaged optics (CPO) solutions for AI data centers...

Fabless firm Cambridge GaN Devices Ltd (CGD) — which was spun out of the University of Cambridge in 2016 to design, develop and commercialize power transistors and ICs that use GaN-on-silicon substrates — has joined forces with NXP Semiconductors N.V. of Eindhoven, The Netherlands to accelerate time to market in data-center and automotive markets...

Wolfspeed Inc of Durham, NC, USA — which makes silicon carbide (SiC) materials and power semiconductor devices — has appointed Daniel (Dan) Whalen as vice president, investor relations, leading investor relations strategy and engagement with the financial community as the firm continues to advance its long-term strategic and operational priorities...

Epiwafer and substrate maker IQE plc of Cardiff, Wales, UK and specialty analog foundry Tower Semiconductor Ltd of Migdal Haemek, Israel have announced a multi-year agreement for the supply of indium phosphide (InP) epiwafers for optical connectivity solutions serving AI-driven data-center infrastructure...

NUBURU Inc of Centennial, CO, USA (a dual-use defense & security integrated platform company focused on non-kinetic effects and directed-energy technologies, electronic warfare and defense mobility programs, software-orchestrated defense systems and advanced manufacturing) has signed a binding head of terms with SunCubes S.r.l., an Italian developer of laser-based wireless power transmission, beam-control, pointing, tracking and safety technologies...

In the latest update of KnowMade’s monthly GaN research, technology, and patent landscape monitoring, new scientific breakthroughs, patent activity and industrial announcements confirm that the global gallium nitride (GaN) ecosystem continues to gain momentum as the technology moves deeper into mainstream semiconductor roadmaps, becoming a strategic semiconductor platform across computing, communications, energy and defense applications. The latest monthly R&D activity highlights an industry rapidly evolving beyond its historical positioning in LEDs and RF power devices toward a much broader role spanning AI data centers, optical interconnects, advanced displays, high-voltage power conversion and next-generation communication systems...

China-based Innoscience (Suzhou) Technology Holding Co Ltd, which manufactures GaN-on-silicon power chips on 8” silicon wafers, says that the Supreme People’s Court of China has officially issued a final review decision sustaining a sales injunction against Infineon Technologies AG of Munich, Germany. So, effective immediately, Infineon is prohibited from selling its relevant gallium nitride (GaN) products within mainland China...

In early 2026, a team at Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE of Freiburg, Germany working on the project Vorfahrt (Cost Reduction of III–V Cells and Modules for Aircraft and Vehicle Applications) fabricated an 833cm2 photovoltaic (PV) solar module with record energy conversion efficiency of 34.2%. The module consists of triple III–V germanium solar cells originally optimized for space applications, which project coordinator AZUR SPACE Solar Power GmbH of Heilbronn, Germany further developed by adapting them to the terrestrial solar spectrum, enabling them to be produced in comparable quantities and on the same wafer formats...

Photonic simulation CAD software developer Photon Design Ltd of Oxford, UK has added a silicon modulator design capability to its HAROLD semiconductor and laser simulation tool, across a range of geometries...

Guerrilla RF Inc (GRF) of Greensboro, NC, USA — which provides radio-frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) and monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) for wireless applications — has announced the production launch of its GRF5847 linear power amplifier (PA) module, which combines fully integrated 50Ω input and output matching with what is claimed to be exceptional output power, efficiency and linearity in a compact surface-mount package...

Volta Metals Ltd of Toronto, Canada (which owns, has optioned and is currently exploring a critical minerals portfolio of rare-earths, gallium, lithium, cesium and tantalum projects in Ontario) says that the Ontario government has awarded funding of up to $500,000 under the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF) for work on the its Springer Rare Earth Element (REE) and Gallium Project, which spans 4750-hectares on the traditional territory of the Nipissing First Nations in Sturgeon Falls about 70km east of Sudbury, Ontario, with direct access via the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 64. The award will be applied towards metallurgical and mineral processing work aimed at enhancing recoveries of rare-earth elements and gallium from mineralization at the Springer Deposit...

Mining exploration company Nimy Resources Ltd of Perth, Western Australia and Perth-based Curtin University are to undertake what is described as a pioneering research program into processing gallium...