Lumencor
Supercharging the Next Wave of Innovation in Photonics

Solid-state illumination finds extensive applications across various domains, with the most fascinating one being its use in semiconductor inspection for wafer fabrication. This utilization holds great significance as chipmakers relentlessly strive to advance semiconductor quality while simultaneously increasing production capacities. To achieve this goal, paramount importance is placed on achieving near-zero tolerance for particles, crystal defects, and other faults that can affect a broad range of applications.

The quest to provide higher performance for tomorrow’s semiconductors is accompanied by a critical challenge; an increasing design complexity, where defects have more places to hide amidst high-density interconnects and wafer-level stacking. The growing sophistication of chips and intricacies of the inspection process has necessitated high-performance solid-state lighting technologies that accelerate defect detection and deliver precise data from every sample.

Lumencor, a solid-state technical lighting company, is making waves in the industry with its state-of-the-art, modular Light Engines that harness the power of photonics innovation to quickly detect and analyze deeply buried defects.

A true game changer in the industry, Lumencor has charted its path of success by obtaining the license for patents relating to LED fluorescence excitation in microscopy, which were acquired by ZEISS in 2005. Securing IP was a significant roadblock for the company, but despite being a new player in the industry, it overcame all challenges to break new ground in the photonics industry. Driven by its grit and passion, Lumencor has maintained and strengthened its position as one of the premier solid-state technical lighting suppliers in the industry for over 17 years.

At its core, Lumencor continually seeks to unlock the full potential of light in the scientific world. From life and clinical science to materials science, the company’s cutting-edge illumination products are designed to bridge gaps and power groundbreaking research and development.

Setting Lumencor apart in the thriving photonics sector is its solution-oriented approach to solving some of the toughest technical lighting challenges. Its Light Engines incorporate essential optical components, such as LEDs, light pipes, and lasers, required to illuminate a sample or surface of interest. The company also has IP as the basis of its Light Engines and the different solid-state technologies integrated with them. Optical trains, along with illumination sub-assemblies and complete imagers and scanners, are also part of its solution offerings, designed to facilitate a smooth analysis experience.

Mercury-free sustainable solutions and robustly manufactured products set the stage for best-in-class analyses. The ability to control the spatial, spectral, and temporal characteristics of light allows for better defect analysis and device testing in semiconductor manufacturing.

“We produce fleets of lighting products that have very low to no interunit variance and unmatched Light Engine to Light Engine reproducibility,” says Claudia Jaffe, chief commercial officer of Lumencor. “The incredibly high spectral consistency and stable output make a real impact, whether it’s for cell imaging of zebrafish or looking for contaminants on a semiconductor wafer. Spectral consistency is paramount in the photonics industry, and Lumencor has perfected its strategy.”

Designing illuminators with as many as eight different wavelengths delivers a truly turnkey experience when it comes to demanding fabrication and quality assessment applications.

Lumencor’s value proposition extends beyond merely providing off-the-shelf products. It is founded on the idea of customization. In an industry where the need to engineer the optical train, particularly its illumination elements, remains underserved, the company provides strategic advantages to OEMS by allowing them to customize the spectral, spatial, and temporal quality of the light.

“We adopt a heightened sense of urgency concerning the technical challenges our clients face,” says Jaffe. “We're not only sensitive to but also responsive to our client needs.”

From prototype to production, Lumencor engineers are committed to addressing the specific requirements of clients. This customer-centric approach is backed by the company’s on-site CNC machine shop, where custom parts are built for prototyping or high-volume production. The state-of-the-art shop addresses issues associated with parts shortages and reduces delivery lead times. Quality and regulatory compliance are of prime importance. Clients are provided with the necessary certifications so they can accelerate the time to market.

A testament to Lumencor's rapid response and customization capabilities is its work with a company that was struggling with wafer fabrication inspection and quality testing due to irreproducibility, inconsistency, and a lack of optical power of their light source. Moreover, the company had already launched their product, amplifying the existent time constraints for Lumencor’s team. Within 90 days, it developed a beta unit that successfully alleviated the client's challenges.

Lumencor’s offerings, underpinned by a deep-seated commitment to service, customization, and quality, have established it as an undisputed leader. The company has architected a new paradigm in the industry, one that transcends the benefits of mercury-based lamps and other traditional light sources, showcasing its expertise as a scientist-founded organization powered by innovation.