🔵 Best Seller: C-Plane Sapphire
2 Inch (50.8mm) Wafer
Orientation: C-Plane (0001) ±0.2°
Thickness: 430µm
Polish: Single Side Polished (SSP)
The standard substrate for GaN LED research.
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Why Buy From Us?
- All Orientations: We stock C, R, A, and M-plane.
- Small Quantities: Buy 1 wafer or a full cassette of 25.
- Custom Thickness: We can polish down to 100µm or provide thick 1mm+ windows.
In-Stock Sapphire Inventory
We carry standard sizes from 10mm squares up to 8-inch wafers.
| Diameter | Orientation | Thickness | Polish | Application | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2" (50.8mm) | C-Plane (0001) | 430µm | SSP | GaN / LED | Buy |
| 2" (50.8mm) | R-Plane (1-102) | 430µm | DSP | SOS / RFIC | Buy |
| 4" (100mm) | C-Plane (0001) | 650µm | SSP | Microfluidics | Buy |
| 6" (150mm) | C-Plane (0001) | 1,000µm | DSP | Optical Window | Buy |
| 10x10mm | A-Plane (11-20) | 500µm | DSP | Hybrid Circuits | Buy |
Selecting the Right Orientation
Sapphire is anisotropic, meaning its properties depend on the crystal cut. Choosing the wrong orientation can ruin your epitaxial growth.
1. C-Plane (0001)
The most common orientation. It is chemically stable and has a lattice match suitable for Gallium Nitride (GaN) growth, making it the industry standard for blue/green LEDs and laser diodes.
2. R-Plane (1-102)
Preferred for Silicon-on-Sapphire (SOS) applications. R-plane sapphire allows for the hetero-epitaxial growth of silicon, used in high-speed RFICs and pressure sensors due to its excellent electrical isolation.
3. A-Plane (11-20)
Used for hybrid microelectronic applications requiring a uniform dielectric constant and high insulating characteristics. It is also often used for optical windows where birefringence needs to be minimized along specific axes.
Growth Methods: KY vs. CZ vs. EFG
Not all sapphire is created equal. The growth method determines the defect density and cost.
| Method | Full Name | Characteristics | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| KY | Kyropoulos | High optical quality, low defect density. | Large diameter (6"+) LEDs & Optics |
| CZ | Czochralski | Fast growth rate, good for C-axis rods. | Laser rods, smaller substrates |
| EFG | Edge-defined Film-fed | Grows ribbons/tubes/sheets directly. | Cost-effective tubes, specialized shapes |
| HEM | Heat Exchanger | Large boules, good homogeneity. | Large optical windows |
Optical Properties
Sapphire is a rugged optical material with a transmission range from 150nm (UV) to 5500nm (IR). It is extremely hard (Mohs 9), second only to diamond, making it scratch-resistant and ideal for harsh environments.
- Refractive Index: ~1.77 (Visible)
- Thermal Conductivity: ~25 W/m·K (at 100°C) – significantly better than glass.
- Melting Point: 2040°C – survives high-temperature processing where quartz would fail.
🔬 Case Study: Durability & Cleaving
The Challenge: A researcher needed 4" and 6" substrates capable of withstanding:
- High temperatures (up to 200°C).
- Highly alkaline solutions (pH > 12).
- Multiple reworks (stripping photoresist and reusing the wafer).
The Solution: We supplied C-Plane Sapphire. Beyond its chemical inertness, C-Plane is the "softest" orientation relative to others, making it the easiest plane to cleave for downstream processing.
Reference Case #199562