Belarus’ NAS presented its latest solutions in microelectronics

The State Scientific and Production Association of Optics, Optoelectronics and Laser Technology at the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NAS) has presented its latest scientific solutions that help develop Belarus’ microelectronics industry

According to Aleksandr Shumilin, the Academic Secretary of the NAS Department of Physics, Mathematics and Informatics, the association was initially created as a superstructure over the institutes to implement practical developments and work more closely with industry.

“The demand for Belarusian solutions in optics, optoelectronics, laser technology, including microelectronics, is evidenced by the fact that, e.g., the Stepanov Institute of Physics (part of the association) exported more than $0.5m worth of its products last year alone,” the scientist said. “In general, the association’s exports last year totalled about $1m.”

According to Mr. Shumilin, the developments of the Stepanov Institute of Physics are created in the interests of industry.

“Many things are being created in partnership with Integral JSC and Planar JSC. That is, the developments are initially created in the interests of industry and factories,” he noted. “For example, new materials, when the whole world is talking about gallium nitride, are relevant for Integral. Traditionally, we work on standard silicon technologies, but this material has limitations. We are developing electric transport in Belarus, which requires power electronics, but it is extremely difficult to make it on silicon. That’s why today we are switching to gallium nitride – a new material that allows us to improve technological processes for power electronics tenfold in terms of its parameters. Another area of the institute’s work is technological lasers, which are essential for microelectronics. Previously we used imported goods. Today we create our own. We are also working in those niches, as the President has instructed us, where we have the greatest competences. These include microwave electronics. This, as they say, is a game in the big leagues. It is a niche that very few understand and therefore have little to offer. Meanwhile, today neither communication systems, nor radars, nor drones can be created without competences in microwave electronics.”

The State Scientific and Production Association of Optics, Optoelectronics and Laser Technology at the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus was established in late 2011 in accordance with Decree No. 494 On Improving the Organisational Structure of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. The association includes the NAS Institute of Physics, the NAS Centre of LED and Optoelectronic Technologies, and the NAS Centre of Geophysical Monitoring.