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J.A. Woollam Co., Inc. was founded in 1987 as a spin-off of ongoing University of Nebraska grant research. The company specializes in the design and manufacturing of optics instruments called "ellipsometers". These instruments use polarized light to non-destructively inspect thin films and surfaces, yielding information on thickness and material quality. Among other things, this makes it possible to produce higher quality electronic semiconductors and material coatings. The company employees include numerous engineers and scientists, with expertise in several sub-disciplines of engineering and science. New products are developed from the initial concept through hardware production, assembly, testing, set-up at customer site, and on-going technical support. Company revenues are from instrument sales, measurement services, and contracted Research and Development.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) sought a more reliable, cost-effective method for producing various compound semiconductor wafers, such as indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs), critical components of integrated circuits used in communication satellites, radar, and defense weapons industries. A series of SBIR projects, coupled with further investment by the company of its own funds, resulted in a commercially-viable method for improved semiconductor wafer production. These instruments are now used by Defense subcontractors and in-house DoD laboratories for growth of high-quality micro-electronic materials. Numerous other previously unanticipated applications-such as helping to manufacture coatings for several commercial products-have been found, and the instrument now has wide general use.
SBIR contracts led to better instruments for use in both defense and commercial industries. For example, the first high-speed ellipsometers acquired data at only 12 colors (wavelengths). This was progressively increased to 500 colors, covering a much wider range. In addition, new applications were developed, creating entire new markets. The world market for ellipsometers has approximately quadrupled in the past five years. Though it cannot estimate its world market share, J.A. Woollam Co., Inc. believes it has a major fraction of spectroscopic ellipsometers used in research. Ellipsometers have been used to improve growth of semiconductors for use in infrared detectors, lasers, and communications circuits for satellites. Company ellipsometers are also being used in commercial manufacture of coatings for energy-efficient building windows, computer "chip" components, display screens for laptop computers, and more.
John A. Woollam
J.A. Woollam Co., Inc.
645 M Street, Suite 102
Lincoln, NE 68508
Phone: (402) 477-7501
Fax: (402) 477-8214
Website: http://www.jawoollam.com
Email: jwoollam@jawoollam.com