Oct. 6, 2008 -- European nanoelectronics research consortium IMEC and Japanese gases/equipment supplier Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corp. (TNSC) say they will jointly develop manufacturing technology for high-efficiency LED devices, TNSC's first such collaboration in Europe.

Under terms of the deal, TNSC and IMEC will develop high-efficiency green LED device manufacturing technology based on IMEC's compound semiconductors device technology, with research mainly carried out at IMEC's facilities in Leuven, Belgium, building on previous work in strain engineering on large wafers and in-situ growth monitoring.

The goal is to tap into increasing demand for brighter green LEDs for future applications such as backlights for high-vision LCD TVs, according to the partners.

"The relationship with IMEC will enhance Taiyo Nippon Sanso's position as a MOCVD tool maker in the LED compound semiconductor market," said Mike Hara, senior managing director of TNSC.