Oxford Instruments Acquires TDI in LED Thrust

Staff -- Semiconductor International, 4/10/2008 8:55:00 AM

Oxford Instruments Plc (Oxford, UK) said it has acquired Technologies and Devices International Inc. (TDI, Silver Spring, Md.), which develops hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) technology and processes used to manufacture high-brightness light-emitting diode (LEDs), power ICs and other products. TDI also manufactures compound semiconductors based on gallium nitride and other “III-nitride” materials.

The deal comes three months after the death of TDI founder Vladimir Dmitriev, who suffered a heart attack at age 52 in January, shortly after receiving a U.S. patent for HVPE technology.

Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology currently sells its line of Plasmalab etch and deposition tools to companies making high-brightness LEDs. Andy Matthews, managing director of Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology, said the addition of TDI’s HVPE product line opens up the opportunity to also deliver epitaxy systems that may be less expensive than metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) techniques.

Matthews said, “This acquisition is part of our ongoing strategy to deliver added value to our current and future high-brightness LED customers and gives us the opportunity to supply new markets.”

Tatiana Dmitriev, president, and Alexander Usikov, head of R&D, will continue to lead the TDI operation. Dmitriev said, “We are very happy to be part of the Oxford Instruments group of companies to further develop III-nitrides HVPE and carry on with the innovative work that my father, Vladimir, and his team have been conducting over the past 10 years.”