WaveSplitter to unveil 8-inch optical wafer

Lucent-backed optical component vendor WaveSplitter Technologies said today it would introduce a first-of-its-kind 8-inch planar lightguide circuit (PLC) wafer at next week’s OFC 2001 in Anaheim, Calif.

The company said the 8-inch design improves upon the industry standard 5-inch silicon wafer by providing system designers with more surface area to integrate multiple functions on a single wafer. The streamlined system functionality, the company said, would also reduce costs.

According to a scientist with the company, the larger design would not create any compatibility problems. He said many semi-conductors equipment vendors are, in fact, better suited for 8-inch wafers.

“The best performing tools out there in terms of etching and deposition are really geared toward the 8-inch wafer,” said Bülent Kurdi, senior scientist at WaveSplitter. “By picking an 8-inch platform, where most of the vendors we are dealing with are providing excellent tools, we are going to have… a technical advantage over competition.” One analyst said that producing larger PLC wafers is prudent in terms of increasing volume while reducing costs.

“The biggest advantage as you go for the higher inches is a matter of yield and scales of economy,” said Jay Patel, senior analyst at The Yankee Group. “If you need a big volume then its advantageous to have a higher inch wafer.” On Monday, WaveSplitter withdrew its IPO bid, citing unfavorable market conditions. The offering could have yielded up to $110 million for the company.

The company said manufacturing the larger wafer would not be affected because the company raised about $50 million before filing for its IPO with the SEC in October.

“We have a good forward-looking management team that recognizes the market does things you can’t control,” said Bob Shine, director of marketing at the company. “We do have that money in the bank and we’re fully funded to do what we need to on this (fabrication) execution.”