SOS Wafer – Silicon on Sapphire
Our SOS wafers are available available in small to medium lot sizes of 75mm (3″) to 200mm (8″) wafer diameters.
What is an SOS Wafer?
A SOS wafer, or Silicon on Sapphire wafer, is a type of specialised substrate used in advanced semiconductor fabrication. It is made of a thin layer of monocrystalline silicon. This layer of silicon is grown on a sapphire (Al₂O₃) substrate using a Hetero epitaxial process. This unique structure combines the excellent electrical characteristics of silicon with the superior insulating and thermal properties of sapphire.
Key Features of SOS Wafers
- PRIME grade high quality Silicon on Sapphire Wafer (SOS)
- EPI Silicon layers with tightly controlled thicknesses
- Available in sizes from 3″ to 200mm diameter
- Kr-grown Sapphire substrates with 99.998% purity
- R-plane (1102) crystal orientation for optimal lattice matching
- Single or double side polished wafers available
- Excellent TTV and flatness specifications
- Fast worldwide shipping from stock or short lead times
- Buy Silicon on Sapphire wafers online
Buy SOS Wafers online
We maintain a large inventory of different SOS wafer types for rapid dispatch. Browse our “Online Semiconductor Wafer Store” to view current stock and technical specifications.
- Ultra-Pure Sapphire Substrates: Kr-grown sapphire with 99.998% purity
- Precision Silicon Layers: Epitaxial silicon layer from 100nm to 600nm
- Wide Range of Sizes: Available in 75mm to 200mm wafer diameters
- Expert Support: Technical advice to help you select the right SOS wafer
- Fast Delivery & Flexible Quantities: Perfect for both R&D and production
Delivering premium-grade SOS Wafers
Inseto offers a premium-grade SOS wafer (Silicon on Sapphire wafer) for advanced semiconductor applications. These wafers are ideal for research, development, and manufacturing environments that demand precision, reliability, and performance.
What are the benefits of Silicon on Sapphire Wafers
Silicon on Sapphire wafers offer distinct advantages over the alternative SOI wafers:
- Excellent thermal conductivity for high temperature applications
- Superior radiation resistance for high reliability requirements
- Low dielectric loss: Supports high-frequency signal integrity
- Excellent electrical insulator due to the sapphire base substrate
What is the Heteroepitaxial Deposition Process?
Heteroepitaxy is a specialised technique for growing thin, mismatched crystalline layers onto a substrate made of a different material. Often referred to as Hetero EPI, the process for SOS wafers comprises growing Silicon onto Sapphire substrates.
The Si layers are typically produced using Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) or Vapor-Phase Epitaxy (VPE). The silicon is formed by the decomposition of silane gas (SiH4).
Reasons to Select SOS – Silicon on Sapphire Wafers?
Silicon on Sapphire wafers are commonly used to make high-frequency integrated circuits. These include RFICs, RF amplifiers, and RF switches. Their low substrate loss and better radiation hardness, enables dense circuit designs without compromising performance.
The thermal conductivity of sapphire also enhances heat dissipation, making the wafers ideal electrical insulator for power-sensitive devices. Another benefit of our SOS wafers, is that the R plane Sapphire used, closely matches the (100) Si lattice.
Got a Question About SOS Wafers?
Curious about semiconductor materials and how to choose the right silicon wafer? Explore our “Semiconductor Wafer Selection Guide” for expert insights. You’ll also find a wealth of information in our free “Knowledge Base“, covering semiconductor processes, technologies, and more.
Choosing the right SOS wafer can be complex, especially if you’re unsure about specifications or material types. That’s why Inseto offers expert guidance to help you make the best choice for your application.
Whether you’re developing a new product or refining an existing process, Inseto’s team of experts is here to help. From selecting the right semiconductor wafer to onsite training, we provide technical guidance, documentation, and support for your production needs.
Applications for SOS Wafers
Key Applications
Our high-quality SOS Wafers are shipped and used worldwide by University and Industrial Research, Manufacturing and equipment manufacturers. Key applications include:
- Graphene and photonics
- CMOS and MEMS devices
- Medical sensors and microfluidics
- Renewable energy and power electronics
SOS Wafers Product Range
Wafer Specifications
- Ultra-Pure Sapphire Substrates: Kr-grown sapphire with 99.998% purity
- Precision Silicon Layers: Epitaxial silicon layer from 100nm to 600nm with low defectivity
- Wide Range of Sizes: Available in 75mm (3”) to 200mm (8″) wafer diameters
- Tight TTV and flatness specifications
- Si thickness: 100nm, 200nm, 300nm, 400nm and 600nm
- Single-side polished (SSP) or double-side polished (DSP)
- Substrate: Kr-grown sapphire with ultra-high purity (99.998%)
- Crystal Orientation: R-plane (1102) sapphire
- Small lot sizes and laser marking of wafers available
- Expert Support: Technical advice to help you select the right SOS wafer
- Fast Delivery & Flexible Quantities: Perfect for both R&D and production
Knowledge Base Articles
Related Products
Further Information
Wiki – Silicon on Sapphire Wafer Description
SOS Wafer Applications
RF and High-frequency Circuits, Microwave and Millimetre-wave Electronics, Radiation-hardened Electronics, Radar and Sensing Systems, Secure and High-integrity Electronics, High-speed Analogue and Mixed-signal Devices
Industry Segments
Semiconductor Research and Fabrication, RF and Wireless Communications, Aerospace, Defence, and Space Systems, High-frequency and Microwave Electronics, Secure and Mission-critical Electronics, Automotive Radar, Scientific and Test Instrumentation
Region
You can buy SOS Wafers directly from Inseto with fast delivery available worldwide.
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