Picosun, a Finnish company manufacturing Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) tools, has entered into a partnership with A*STAR Institute of Microelectronics (IME) to develop sophisticated ALD processes to sustain growth in the fields of next-generation solar cells and memories.
As per the partnership, Picosun and IME will together develop advanced ALD and plasma-enhanced ALD (PEALD) techniques for innovative metals and dielectrics for use in sophisticated complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductors, solar cells, multilayer metal-insulator-metal capacitors, and resistive switching non-volatile memories. The joint research project’s primary objective is to enable the integration of the techniques with the equipment for industrial applications.
The Chief Executive Officer at Picosun, Kustaa Poutiainen stated that the company is happy to collaborate with IME to accelerate the research and development of advanced renewable energy, integrated circuit and semiconductor technologies. The announcement of IME-Picosun collaboration comes on the heels of the recent launch of Picosun Asia in Singapore, the first Asian subsidiary of Picosun. Since the need for Picosun's ALD tools is increasing also in the Asian market, the presence of local research and development partners and a local subsidiary with demo facilities featuring PICOSUN ALD equipment will be helpful in offering quick demonstrations and delivery of products with superior customer service.
IME’s Executive Director, Dim-Lee Kwong commented that Picosun's advanced ALD techniques and vast experience in the field will harmonize the institute’s expertise to lead novel technologies and rapidly obtain its research and development results for its partners.