Technological assessment of silicon on lattice engineered substrate (SOLES) for optical applications

Abstract

Over the past decade, much effort had been placed to integrate optoelectronic and electronic devices. Silicon on lattice engineered substrate (SOLES) had been developed for such purpose. As SOLES technology mature, a technological analysis is important so as to evaluate its potentials. In this report, a technological assessment will be done on the SOLES technology. This technology will be evaluated technologically and economically. The IP landscape in which SOLES would be applied is also looked into so as to ensure that there would be no infringement of intellectual properties. It has been concluded in this report that LED printer market would be a good introduction application for SOLES. A fabless company model is suggested as the start-up approach. A simple cost model had been done in this report. Cost of fabrication is expected to be reduced by 13% by changing current fabrication process to SOLES process. On the final note, if SOLES could capture a market share in the world market of 0.1% to 1% , the expected profit was projected to be about USD$1.32 M over the next five years, with an expected sales of about 210 thousand unit, averaging about USD$264K per annum.