VCSEL Technology for Next Generation 3D Sensing Applications – Part 1

VCSEL Technology for Next Generation 3D Sensing Applications – Part 1

A view from the US space shuttle Endeavour shows the right solar array deployed, 03 December 2000, ... [+] from the newly installed P-6 truss assembly (L) on the International Space Station. Space walkers US Carlos Noriega and US Joe Tanner installed truss. AFP PHOTO NASA VIDEO/bw (Photo by - / NASA VIDEO / AFP) (Photo by -/NASA VIDEO/AFP via Getty Images) Space solar cells are evolving to address next generation deployments that require higher levels of performance, reliability, manufacturing scalability and cost. Prior generations used 4" and 6" Ge wafers to fabricate these solar cells. Increasingly, the focus is on using larger diameter substrates. Materials companies like Umicore have developed 8" Germanium wafers that have been evaluated for performance, purity and manufacturing scalability. The results are promising and highlight the time-honored maxim of the semiconductor industry - continue increasing wafer size as new applications emerge. Similar to solar cells, VCSELs are entering a phase where emerging applications are likely to challenge the current manufacturing platforms that rely on 6" GaAs substrates. Apple's deployment of a VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser) based, world facing LiDAR on the iPad and iPhone platforms has significant impact on other applications like automotive