John Brewer

Why are High Mobility Metal Oxide TFTs So Difficult?

Silicon has been the workhorse semiconductor technology for display backplanes for over 30 years -first amorphous silicon, then laser-annealed polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) and LTPS-based low temperature polysilicon oxide (LTPO). However, the era of silicon-based backplanes has passed. Amorphous silicon TFTs are far too slow and produce too little current for premium-grade AMOLED image quality. While LTPS TFTs are fast and produce sufficient current, they are high-leakage devices requiring complex and capital-intensive fabrication processes. LTPS cannot support the sub-1Hz image refresh rates required for reducing mobile device power consumption. LTPO, while improving variable image refresh rate performance, increases G6 capital equipment cost by 25% while significantly reducing output capacity from a 30k substrate-per-month fabrication line.

The display industry today faces the fundamental challenge of moving to a more capable semiconductor for backplanes without further increasing capital expenses and manufacturing complexity. That semiconductor is amorphous metal oxide. It functions differently than amorphous or polycrystalline silicon, presenting TFT technology challenges that have stymied the display industry for over a decade.

This presentation looks at why high mobility amorphous metal oxide TFTs have frustrated the display industry, and what learnings can be taken from the 40-year history of compound semiconductors in communications semiconductors to overcome the sources of frustration.

John Brewer, Jr. has a diverse work experience in the technology industry. John is currently the CEO and President of Amorphyx Inc., where he pioneered groundbreaking technology in electronic devices. Prior to this, he served as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute, where he worked extensively with hard technology startups. John also has experience as a Member of the Board of Directors at Liquid Wire, a spinout from Portland State University specializing in wearable sensing technology.

In addition to his current roles, John has held various positions throughout his career. John was the Managing Director at Vincio LLC, where he provided product marketing services and worked with early-stage startups. John also served on the Board of Directors at Diatomix, a spinout from Portland State University focused on improving indoor air quality.

Earlier in his career, John had significant roles at SiGe Semiconductor, where he was the VP of Corporate and Business Development and later the VP of Marketing. During his time at SiGe, he played a key role in the company's growth and successful acquisition by Skyworks Solutions.

Prior to SiGe, John served as the CEO and President of Xindium Technologies, a venture-funded semiconductor company specializing in RF power amplifiers for mobile phones. John successfully redirected the company's technology and business plan towards the mobile phone market.

Before Xindium, John was the Principal at Vincio LLC, where he provided strategic market and product planning services to wireless and RF semiconductor companies. John worked on projects with Xerox Palo Alto Research Center and Nitronex, focusing on commercialization and market entry strategies.

Earlier in his career, John was a co-founder and VP of Marketing at Tropian, a wireless semiconductor startup known for its contributions to RF power amplifier efficiency. John also worked as the Director of Business Development at SEIKO Communications Systems, where he played a key role in the commercialization of the SEIKO Messagewatch.

Overall, John Brewer, Jr. brings extensive experience in technology innovation, business development, and product marketing to his various roles in the industry.

John Brewer, Jr. began his education at St. Louis University High School, where he attended from 1975 to 1979. Following this, he pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering at Santa Clara University, where he studied from 1979 to 1983.