Cardiff-based semiconductor manufacturer IQE has joined a new consortium seeking to establish high-volume production of a new laser technology — vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs), which can be used in a variety of applications, including infra-red illumination, gesture recognition, data communications and industrial heating.

An £18.8 million programme called ‘VCSEL Pilot Line for IR Illumination, Datacom and Power Applications’ includes Philips, Sick, ST Microelectronics and Sidel. It will receive European Commission funding, and IQE says that it will receive “significant support” from the Welsh Assembly Government.