Abingdon-based Oxford Instruments plc (www.oxford-instruments.com)announced last month that it intends to increase the workforce at its R&D base in Taiwan, which is located at the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI).

ITRI vice-president Jia-Ruey Duann and Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology finance director Adam Jaufurally signed a Memorandum of Understanding on co-operation.

This will be expanded later to include MEMS, micro-LED and silicon photonics, plus the development of other semiconductor optoelectronic components and equipment technology. Dr Duann said that ITRI possesses abundant talent and capabilities in semiconductor and optoelectronics R&D.

ITRI and Oxford Instruments first signed an MOU on co-operation in 2006, after which ITRI’s MEMS Center and Oxford Instruments successfully developed HB-LED-related technology.

The expanding research capacities under the latest agreement will not only help the future development of traditional LED-related technology, but will also focus on co-operation in emerging technologies and applications in the fields of micro-LED and silicon photonics.

It is hoped that their collaborative efforts will promote semiconductor technology applications and help economic growth in Asian emerging markets, added Dr Duann.

Mr Jaufurally said that Oxford Instruments is attracted to Taiwan by the leading technology and the comprehensive supply chain of its semiconductor industry.

The company will hold joint training courses with ITRI on precision testing and analysis, making ITRI an important base for training its engineering R&D personnel.