New anatomies for semiconductor wafers

The mixing and matching of semiconductor materials to produce specific performance characteristics is discussed. Instances are GaAs-on-Si and Si-on-insulator wafers, and wafers that layer various III-V and II-VI materials. The techniques, collectively named wafer engineering make it possible to grow ultrathin freestanding wafers. The discussion focuses on GaAs-on-Si and Si-on-insulator, which have the most immediate commercial potential. Cleft layers, obtained by a technique called lateral overgrowth, and other advanced approaches to engineering materials with specified properties, are examined.<
>