Gwangju City Selected for MEMS-Based Optical Semiconductor Infrastructure Project

99 Billion Invested Over 3 Years... Employment Induction Effect of Over 3,000 People

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 29th that it will officially proceed with the project after being selected for the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's 2020 Industrial Innovation Infrastructure Construction Project contest with the "MEMS-based High Value-added Optical Semiconductor Commercialization Infrastructure Construction Project."

MEMS (Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems), a micro-precision mechanical technology, is a core technology for producing high value-added optical semiconductors such as 5G optical wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), optical switching devices, and various sensors by integrating MEMS processes into existing optical component manufacturing technology. It is an advanced technology with high growth potential as a convergence industry linked to optical technologies such as autonomous vehicles and artificial intelligence (AI).

Over the next three years starting this year, a total of 9.9 billion KRW (6.9 billion KRW from the national government and 3 billion KRW from the city) will be invested to develop core MEMS-based optical semiconductor parts and materials, establish equipment, support pilot production companies, and focus on securing a global market for optical semiconductors, fostering global small and strong companies, and nurturing new optical convergence industries.

Together with the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology and the Korea Photonics Industry Promotion Association, the project will promote ▲ the establishment of 10 new types of core MEMS-based optical semiconductor process and performance evaluation equipment ▲ support for prototype production and pilot production, technology commercialization, process technology demonstration, and professional workforce training ▲ support for industry-academia-research-government cooperation networking.

Gwangju City expects remarkable growth in the optical convergence industry through this project, including the creation of employment for about 3,000 people, increased sales, nurturing three global small and strong optical semiconductor companies, product diversification into high value-added optical semiconductor fields, and enhanced corporate competitiveness through industry conversion.

Additionally, the absence of core MEMS process equipment had forced local companies to move to other regions for prototype production, causing wafer defect rates. This project will resolve such corporate difficulties and enable prompt support for companies.

Lee Chi-seon, Director of the Future Industry Policy Division of the city, said, "Through the project, we will establish infrastructure such as core MEMS-based optical semiconductor equipment and provide multifaceted corporate support, serving as a catalyst for the growth of the new optical semiconductor industry." He added, "We will actively work with related organizations to ensure the successful commercialization of MEMS-based optical semiconductor technology."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.