Sapphire Wafer Blank High Purity Raw Sapphire Substrate for Processing
Detailed Diagram
Overview of Quartz Glass
Sapphire wafer blanks are raw circular substrates cut directly from high-purity single-crystal sapphire boules. They are sliced into standard wafer diameters such as 2”, 3”, 4”, 6”, and 8”, but have not undergone lapping, grinding, or chemical mechanical polishing (CMP). The surface remains in its original wire-sawn condition, with visible slicing marks.
These blanks serve as the starting material for a wide range of industries. They are essential for manufacturers and research laboratories that wish to carry out their own finishing steps, including lapping, thinning, orientation correction, and polishing. Sapphire is renowned for its exceptional hardness, thermal stability, and chemical resistance, making sapphire wafer blanks a critical material for LED production, semiconductors, optical components, and industrial applications.
Key Features
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Standard wafer diameters are available, suitable for direct processing without additional shaping.
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Manufactured from alpha-phase Al2O3 with a purity level of 99.99 percent or higher, ensuring uniform crystal quality.
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Raw, as-cut surface retains wire-sawn marks, allowing customers to apply their own finishing methods.
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Exceptional hardness and scratch resistance, second only to diamond.
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Outstanding thermal and chemical stability, suitable for demanding environments.
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Multiple crystal orientations available, including C-plane, A-plane, R-plane, and M-plane.
Quartz vs. Other Transparent Materials
LED and semiconductor manufacturing
Sapphire wafer blanks are widely used as the base material for LED substrates, RFIC wafers, and other semiconductor components. Manufacturers process the blanks through lapping and polishing to produce high-quality finished wafers for epitaxial growth.
Optical and laser components
Once finished, sapphire blanks can be turned into optical windows, laser optics, infrared viewports, and precision lenses.
Research and development
Universities and laboratories use wafer blanks to test CMP slurries, study sapphire processing methods, and develop wafer finishing techniques.
Coating and deposition experiments
Sapphire wafer blanks are an ideal base for thin-film coating trials such as ALD, PVD, and CVD, particularly when an ultra-smooth surface is not yet required.
Industrial and aerospace parts
With additional machining and polishing, sapphire blanks can be transformed into heat-resistant spacers, sensor covers, and furnace fixtures.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Material | Single-crystal sapphire (Al₂O₃) |
| Purity | ≥ 99.99% |
| Shape | Circular wafer blank |
| Diameter | 2”, 3”, 4”, 6”, 8” (custom sizes available) |
| Thickness | 0.5–3.0 mm standard, custom thickness on request |
| Orientation | C-plane (0001), A-plane, R-plane, M-plane |
| Surface finish | As-cut, wire-sawn, no lapping or polishing |
| Edge finish | Rough edge by default, optional chamfering available |
FAQ
Q1: How is a sapphire wafer blank different from an unpolished wafer?
A sapphire wafer blank is the raw slice cut to wafer size without lapping or grinding. An unpolished wafer has been lapped flat but not polished.
Q2: Why do manufacturers buy wafer blanks instead of finished wafers?
Wafer blanks are more economical and allow full control over the finishing process, ensuring that the final wafer meets internal standards.
Q3: Can sapphire wafer blanks be customized?
Yes, custom diameters, thicknesses, and crystal orientations are available, with optional edge preparation.
Q4: Can they be used directly for LED or optical applications?
No, they must be lapped and polished before they can serve as LED substrates or optical-grade materials.
Q5: What industries use sapphire wafer blanks?
LED and semiconductor manufacturers, optical component producers, aerospace contractors, research institutions, and coating laboratories are the main users.
About Us
XKH specializes in high-tech development, production, and sales of special optical glass and new crystal materials. Our products serve optical electronics, consumer electronics, and the military. We offer Sapphire optical components, mobile phone lens covers, Ceramics, LT, Silicon Carbide SIC, Quartz, and semiconductor crystal wafers. With skilled expertise and cutting-edge equipment, we excel in non-standard product processing, aiming to be a leading optoelectronic materials high-tech enterprise.
