First cutting-edge semiconductor facility of its kind in Europe officially opened at the ORC

A new facility which uses cutting edge E-beam technology to build the next generation of semiconductor chips has been opened at the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), University of Southampton by Science Minister Lord Patrick Vallance. 

The new E-beam lithography facility is just the second in the world, and first outside Japan and is now housed in the Zepler Cleanrooms at the University of Southampton. 

It provides incredible accuracy that is critical to designing the tiny components that power technologies of the future, from medical diagnostics to defence systems. 

Semiconductors – the small chips that power devices from smartphones to satellites - already contribute an estimated £10 billion to our economy each year, with the sector projected to grow to an estimated £17 billion by 2030. 

Science Minister Lord Vallance opened the new facility alongside University Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark E. Smith and Professor Graham Reed, who leads its Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) and CORNERSTONE. 

Lord Vallance said: "Britain is home to some of the most exciting semiconductor research anywhere in the world – and Southampton’s new E-beam facility is a major boost to our national capabilities. 

"By investing in both infrastructure and talent, we’re giving our researchers and innovators the support they need to develop next-generation chips right here in the UK. 

“Our £4.75 million skills package will support our Plan for Change by helping more young people into high-value semiconductors careers, closing skills gaps and backing growth in this critical sector." 

E-beam lithography uses a focused beam of tiny particles called electrons to create patterns in materials with unrivalled resolution – allowing researchers to create features thousands of times smaller than a human hair. 

Professor Graham Reed added: "The introduction of the new E-Beam facility will reinforce our position of hosting the most advanced cleanroom in UK academia. 

"It facilitates a vast array of innovative and industrially relevant research, and much needed semiconductor skills training." 

Lord Vallance’s visit to Southampton comes alongside new research which shows that one of the biggest barriers to achieving growth in the UK’s burgeoning semiconductor industry is a lack of emerging talent. 

With a single semiconductor worker contributing an average of £460,000 to the economy annually, the UK’s economic potential is huge. 

In response, the government has launched a new £4.75million semiconductor skills package to help build the talent base needed to fuel this high-growth industry. 

The package will also help strengthen research and development capacity at leading universities, such as Southampton, which are central to UK semiconductor innovation and talent development.

Image: left to right: 

Anna Peacock, Professor of Photonics,

Osamu Wakimoto, Executive Officer from Jeol Japan,

Science Minister Lord Patrick Vallance,

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton, Professor Mark E. Smith

Director of the ORC, Professor Graham Reed.