Compound semiconductors and applications

We are connecting researchers and industry to provide cutting-edge products, services and skills development in compound semiconductor technologies.

Compound semiconductors are at the heart of the high-tech devices we use today, from smartphones and tablets to satellite communications and GPS. We aim to meet consumer demand for high performance by creating a clear, effective route for commercial research and technologies to be introduced reliably and quickly into the production environment.

Our complementary research into advanced characterisation techniques, quantum optics and novel circuit design methodologies positions us as a European leader in compound semiconductor technologies and applications, providing the very latest facilities to encourage researchers and industry to work together, supporting for example a complete supply chain for high-frequency transistor manufacture in South Wales.

Cardiff University is home to the Institute for Compound Semiconductors, located within the new Translational Research Hub, and placing semiconductor electronics research at the centre of Cardiff University’s new £300M Innovation Campus. Cardiff University is a founding member of the Compound Semiconductor Centre, which capitalises on the existing expertise at Cardiff University, working closely with companies such as IQE, Microchip, SPTS Technologies, Newport Wafer Fab and the CSA Catapult.

Specialist expertise

Our researchers have specialist expertise in:

• epitaxial growth and semiconductor materials
• semiconductor fabrication, manufacture and characterisation
• high-frequency devices and integrated circuits
• high-efficiency circuit design methodologies
• imaging, sensors and instrumentation
• microwave and mm-wave characterisation
• nanoscale science and technology
• microfluidics and sensors
• optoelectronics

Recent highlights and investments

Highlights include a partnership with Cardiff University’s School of Physics in the £10M EPSRC Future Compound Semiconductor Manufacturing Hub, which aims to translate research into large-scale growth and device fabrication.

Our researchers are helping accelerate UK-based Gallium Nitride development by bringing together a complete supply chain for high-frequency transistor manufacture in South Wales as part of a £5.2M Gallium Nitride for Connectivity and Security project, as well as a £4M grant on Integrating Gallium Nitride on Diamond Microwave electronics.

Research leaders