The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) and Attolight SA have launched a demonstration laboratory for wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductor characterization, directly supporting accelerated R&D in the rapidly expanding power and optoelectronics sectors.
Facility and strategic context
Located at UTD, the new lab houses Attolight’s Allalin CL-SEM platform, a quantitative cathodoluminescence system optimized for gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC) materials. The facility strengthens UTD’s role in the Dallas-Fort Worth semiconductor ecosystem, aligning with Texas’s emergence as a hub for manufacturing, R&D, and supply chain activity.
The lab also supports professor Matthew Wong’s research group, which specializes in GaN-based devices, micro-LEDs, laser diodes, and advanced characterization. It provides a direct bridge between academic investigation and regional industry needs, while preparing students for the U.S. semiconductor workforce.
Technical capability
The Allalin platform integrates a high-resolution scanning electron microscope with a proprietary, high-efficiency light collection and analysis system. This enables researchers to detect structural defects and analyze spectral properties at the nanoscale without damaging samples—a critical capability for WBG materials where defect density directly impacts device yield and performance.
Unlike conventional characterization tools, the system offers non-destructive, high-throughput analysis of dislocation types, strain distributions, and luminescence uniformity. This is particularly relevant for GaN-on-Si and SiC substrates used in power electronics and RF components.
Commercial and research services
Beyond serving as a product showcase, the lab is fully equipped to perform contract R&D work for industry partners and academic institutions. This allows external organizations to accelerate development cycles and improve device yields without investing in capital equipment.
For Attolight, the facility provides a permanent demonstration site in a key semiconductor region, enabling hands-on evaluation of its metrology solutions. For UTD, it enhances the university’s ability to attract collaborative projects and federal funding tied to domestic semiconductor manufacturing initiatives.
Outlook
The partnership reflects a broader industry trend: as WBG devices move from research to high-volume production, the need for precise, non-destructive characterization grows. This lab positions UTD and Attolight at the intersection of academic innovation and commercial deployment, offering a model for how universities can directly support the semiconductor supply chain’s quality and yield requirements.
