Our new pioneering XRD instrument technologies – here’s what you need to know

In a world of fast-paced technological advancements, the frontier of innovation can often be unseen – such as within the realm of semiconductors. At Malvern Panalytical, in line with our X-ray heritage of many decades, we are thrilled to announce our latest acquisition, designed to supercharge this intricate semiconductor landscape: a suite of specialized X-ray diffraction (XRD) products for crystal orientation from Freiberg Instruments.

A closer look at crystal manufacturing

As all those within the industry will know, crystal manufacturing plays a pivotal role in semiconductor production, and in the segment’s accelerating innovation cycles. Indeed, the production of semiconductor crystals paves the way for refined chips that power our modern world. And quality control is essential for the process between a seed crystal and an epi-ready wafer just as it is in all subsequent process steps towards their application in our daily lives.

For example, just as a carpenter wouldn’t cut against the wood grain, crystal manufacturers understand the importance of grinding and cutting to achieve a crystal lattice orientation that promotes product quality in subsequent processes. Get it right, and the entire product value is enhanced to the benefit of our clients and their clients.

And this is precisely where our new instruments come into the picture…

Introducing our advanced XRD range

From ensuring high-performance quality control to optimizing grinding and cutting processes, our new XRD products serve a myriad of essential functions:

• OmegaTheta XRD: The OmegaTheta XRD’s speed and precision makes it ideal for both pilot lines and manufacturing processes where crystal orientation is required. High-end build quality and unmatched precision combined with its superior orientation transfer technology make this an essential part of a future-proof crystal processing workflow.

• Wafer XRD: Catering especially to manufacturers, the Wafer XRD delivers fast and accurate measurement of crystal orientation and wafer geometry and sports 3 cassette handling and sorting through powerful automation capabilities. With an emphasis on process efficiency, Wafer XRD is the ideal choice for busy manufacturing environments.
• DDCOM & SDCOM: These benchtops are cost-effective choices thanks to their low infrastructural requirements, and their high accuracy and rapid measurement times make them perfect for research and quality control.
• XRD-OEM tool: Tailored for the busy lanes of manufacturers’ production lines, this fully integrable sensor is ready for pre-existing tools and systems. XRD-OEM delivers consistently precise and high-quality data and is IP67-certified to withstand harsh environments.

Empowering semi-conductor research and development

Of course, it’s not just about adding new tools to our portfolio. With these acquisitions, we aim to improve access to fast and accurate specialized analysis, unlocking new possibilities for customers and partners across the semiconductor value chain. In a sector where innovations have a direct impact on a vast variety of industries and markets, it’s imperative to ensure the foundation – the crystal – is perfect.

With over 70 years of expertise in providing advanced metrology solutions, Malvern Panalytical is proud to expand our XRD offering today to support the value chain from crystal growth to wafer processing. Whether it’s guiding the cutting process for optimal crystal orientation, aligning lithography processes, or assuring quality post-cutting, our new additions stand poised to drive the semiconductor industry forward.

As Lars Grieger, Business Development Manager Semiconductor Metrology at Malvern Panalytical, outlines, “the integration of these industry-leading solutions will expand our portfolio in the field of crystal processing. Our vision is to empower every stage, from a seed crystal to wafer end control with a particular emphasis on our orientation transfer solutions. These sophisticated interfaces allow grinding and cutting tools to interact with advanced analytical solutions.”

Shaping tomorrow’s semiconductor future

The future of semiconductors will likely be a tapestry of precision, innovation, and agility. With our latest acquisitions from Freiberg Instruments, Malvern Panalytical is better equipped than ever to help realize this future with solutions designed for accuracy, efficiency and excellence.

So, to all those operating in the world of semiconductors: join us as we embark on this exciting and important journey, to shape the semiconductor landscape of tomorrow!

To discuss how we can help you optimize and futureproof your semiconductor processes, connect with our experts for personalized advice today.