Plastic Logic Ltd., based in Cambridge, UK, has purchased an AIXTRON Gen 3.5 deposition tool for thin film deposition of the key organic dielectric layer used in their manufacturing process for flexible organic TFT backplanes. The company has developed a unique process to fabricate active-matrix backplanes on plastic substrates which, when combined with an electronic-paper frontplane material, will be used to create display modules that are thin, light and robust. According to Plastic Logic this will enable a digital reading experience that is much closer to paper than any other technology.
The newly developed equipment, based on AIXTRON’s proprietary Close Coupled Showerhead (CCS) technology, will be installed and integrated into Plastic Logic’s new manufacturing line for production of Gen 3.5 substrates in early 2008.

Dr. John Mills, COO of Plastic Logic, comments: “AIXTRON has an outstanding record of developing and delivering equipment solutions for complex semiconductor gas phase deposition processes. Based on their success and expertise in large area deposition of organic semiconductors we are convinced that AIXTRON can provide the best solution for our specific challenge.”