New cluster reactor to deliver a total solution for pld manufacturing of thin films for 5g technology
The demand for advanced Radio Frequency (RF) components for 5G and basestations is rapidly increasing. Over the next 6 years there is a need for more than 100 billion Bulk Acoustic Wave (BAW) filter devices for 5G mobile.  This translates in a >€100m market opportunity for Solmates’ PLD equipment in 2025. In addition, due to increased technical requirements such as new frequencies, there is a need for improved deposition technology for this emerging market. With PLD, Solmates has demonstrated over the last 2 years that these requirements can be met. However, it became also evident that High Volume Manufacturing (HVM) customers require a total solution in the form of a cluster tool at TRL8-9. To support this customer and market need, Solmates must expand and increase the functionality of its current single reactor PLD tool. The overall objective of the 5G-TRAIN project is to deliver a total solution for PLD manufacturing with  better performance of advanced piezo thin films at 10x lower costs: these piezo thin films are critical for manufacturing of RF components such as BAW filters in the 5G market.For Solmates this market entry will be the stepping stone to the total >90 USD Billion8 semiconductor equipment market. The time to market is significantly lowered due to existing and new engagements with worldwide customers. The result of 5G-TRAIN will be a disruption of the 5G component manufacturing sector by realizing (for the first time) advanced thin film piezo materials at a commercially viable cost and scale. 5G-TRAIN will contribute to a leadership position in 5G (and 6G) for the EU industry, reducing dependency from US and China for critical communication technology.