IQE is a British based semiconductor manufacturing company best known for its advanced epiwafer designs which are used for various applications and devices. Founded by Dr Drew Nelson and Dr Michael Scott in 1988, IQE has operations across the world, in continents like Europe and Asia, as well as the USA. The IQE shares have been present on the London Stock Exchange since 1999.

 

Originally created as Epitaxial Products International, the company expanded its manufacturing process, originally producing wafers for optoelectronics, it now also creates the semiconductors for wireless, electronic and solar devices. The semiconductors, known as epiwafers, are created using a technique called epitaxy, which is conducted using nanotechnology in stringent conditions to create a complex wafer with atomic layers. Three methods are used to produce the wafers, including metalorganic vapour phase, molecular beam and chemical vapor deposition. The company has manufacturing facilities across the world, including two sites in the UK, New Jersey, six factories in the USA and another in Singapore.

 

Founder Michael Scott has a lengthy history in the field of semiconductors, initially achieving his PhD in Semiconductor Physics, before joining BT Research. Scott has been at the head of the development of optoelectronic devices and was given the title of chief executive officer of IQE in 1999. Dr Nelson has been an equally important contributor to the sciences and has held positions on industry and government boards.

 

IQE is the leading producer of wafer products and services and also has interests in the engineering, development and research of its products and the industry. IQE creates and distributes its products for wireless use, including smartphones, tablets and PCs. It also has markets in photonics, infrared, solar, CMOS and power applications.

IQE trades on the Alternative Investment Market. The IQE shares are on the London Stock Exchange and struggled in 2018, losing two thirds of its value.