press release
Published: 24 July 2024

Mega volt implanter could spark research and business growth in the South East region

A brand-new 1.25 million volts (MV) implanter will spark cutting-edge research and innovation in semiconductor and quantum technologies, say scientists at the University of Surrey.  

Ion_Beam_Centre

An official ceremony took place at the Ion Beam Centre.

Surrey's Ion Beam Centre was able to secure the highly-specialised device thanks to a £2,195,000 grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council's strategic equipment initiative. 

 

A 1.25MV implanter can insert tiny ion particles into silicon wafers, which are the building blocks of computer chips. This process changes the electrical properties of the silicon, allowing manufacturers to create faster and more efficient circuits. This process is crucial for making the advanced technology that powers our everyday gadgets. Scientists also believe that perfecting and innovating this process could be key to breakthroughs in semiconductor fabrication in the future.  

Our Ion Beam Centre has been a leader in its field for 30 years, supporting over £100 million in funding for more than 30 universities and UK businesses.

The new implanter is the latest upgrade to our cutting-edge Centre. This addition will help UK universities and industry accelerate research and development in semiconductor and quantum technologies. Professor Lu, Max, President and Vice-Chancellor

The Surrey Ion Beam Centre is the main site for the UK National Ion Beam Centre (UKNIBC). It supports a variety of research projects using advanced techniques to study and modify materials with ion beams. Along with supporting universities and industry, the Centre also provides training in ion beam technology and works to boost the success of UK businesses. 

I want to thank the EPSRC for their continuous support in providing cutting-edge equipment to serve the UK semiconductor industry and communities. This exciting instrument is already having an impact; several academic researchers and industrial companies involved in semiconductor and quantum processing have been in touch about collaboration opportunities.

The new implanter will not only accelerate research and development in this area but also promote multidisciplinary research to address UN Sustainable Development Goals. Professor Satheesh Krishnamurthy, Director of Ion Beam Centre, Professor
Congratulations to Surrey University and the Ion Beam Centre on the inauguration of the new 1.25MV accelerator. This upgrade will significantly enhance the Centre's ability to serve the UK and global research and industry communities in the fields of semiconductors, energy, quantum technology, and biotechnology.

It has been a great pleasure to open the new accelerator at the Ion Beam Centre. I am impressed with the excellent facilities and expertise at the Ion Beam Centre and the Advanced Technology Institute at Surrey University. Professor Jagadish Chennupathi, President of the Australian Academy of Sciences and Distinguished Professor of Australian National University, who officially switched on the implanter at a special ceremony

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Featured Academics

Max Lu

Prof Lu, Max

President and Vice-Chancellor
Prof Satheesh

Prof Satheesh Krishnamurthy

Director of Ion Beam Centre, Professor

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