Neon is a colorless and odorless rare gas, it has optical properties, can emit bright red orange light when discharging, often used in neon lights, advertising signs manufacturing. In addition, it is also important in the semiconductor industry as a key gas for excimer lasers, especially in deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography, where neon-fluorine (NeF) mixtures can improve lithography accuracy. Neon can also be used for superconductor cooling because it remains stable at extremely low temperatures. In the aerospace field, it is used as an inert gas to help improve the reliability of high-precision welding.
Krypton also belongs to the noble gas family, its density is higher than neon, optical properties are very good, so it is used in lighting and precision optical equipment. For example, high-intensity krypton lamps are used in photography lights, stage lights, and aviation obstacle lights. In the optical coating, krypton gas can change the refractive index of the material and improve the imaging quality of the optical system. In semiconductor manufacturing, krypton is an important component of the 193nm ArF (argon-fluorine) excimer laser, which is an indispensable gas for current advanced deep ultraviolet lithography technology.
The chemical inertness of xenon makes it uniquely useful in both industrial and medical applications. Xenon lamps are known for their bright, near-natural white light, suitable for movie projectors and high-end car headlights. It is also useful in space, as the main propellant for electric propulsion systems, such as NASA’s Dawn probe, which uses xenon ion propulsion technology to extend its flight life. Xenon can also be used in medical anesthesia because it is highly soluble, has low toxicity and helps with neuroprotection. In the semiconductor industry, it is used in plasma etching and advanced packaging technologies to ensure high precision in chip manufacturing.
Neon, krypton and xenon have their own characteristics in many aspects, but they are all noble gases, with chemical inertness, high extraction difficulty, and strict purity requirements, especially in the semiconductor industry, the supply of high-purity noble gases will affect the operation of the lithography machine, the accuracy of chip manufacturing and the stability of the overall process. Fullcryo relies on a global supply chain and advanced refining technology to provide a stable supply of electronic gases of 6N grade (99.9999% purity) for the semiconductor, aerospace and medical industries. With the development of technology, the value of these noble gases will become more and more prominent, providing important support for a number of high-tech industries.
In the field of semiconductor manufacturing, for example, any small impurity may affect the chip performance, and the high purity of the gas must be guaranteed. Neon, for example, is an important component of excimer lasers for deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machines, ensuring the stability of the lithography process. If neon is not pure enough, the energy output of the laser will fluctuate, affecting the line clarity on the wafer, and ultimately causing the chip yield to decrease. The supply of high purity neon is one of the keys to semiconductor production. Fullcryo relies on global resources to provide ultra-high purity neon to ensure the efficient and stable lithography process and make chip manufacturing more reliable.
Krypton gas plays an important role in semiconductor cleaning processes. The cleaning process is to remove impurities from the surface of the chip and ensure the smooth progress of the subsequent processes. If krypton gas contains impurities, it is small but enough to affect the performance of the chip. Moreover, it plays an important role in 193nm ArF excimer laser lithography, and only high purity krypton can maintain uniform beam quality under high power lasers. With advanced purification and inspection technology, Fullcryo ensures that each batch of krypton gas meets semiconductor grade standards, while optimizing the supply chain to provide customers with faster and more stable delivery services.
Xenon applications cover plasma etching and advanced packaging processes, which can accurately control the reaction process and improve the etching accuracy, especially for the production of high-end logic chips and memory chips. If xenon contains impurities such as oxygen or water, the etching process will be interfered with, resulting in an increase in chip surface defects, affecting device performance and life. Maintaining xenon’s ultra-high purity is therefore crucial. Fullcryo not only provides high purity xenon gas, but also provides customized gas solutions according to customer needs, ensuring the stability of gas supply and helping semiconductor companies improve production efficiency.
Semiconductor manufacturing is an extremely fine field, and every link needs to be accurate down to the micron or even nanometer level. The purity of rare gases such as neon, krypton, xenon directly affects the accuracy and yield of chip manufacturing, and if the gas purity is not enough, it may lead to equipment failure, process deviation, and even the stagnation of the entire production line. Fullcryo is focused on the supply of high-purity noble gases, with a strict quality control system to provide gases that meet industry standards, while providing flexible supply methods to help global semiconductor companies meet production challenges.
The noble gases Krypton, xenon, and neon are mixed in very low amounts in the atmospheric composition. To obtain these precious gases, air separation is required first. Through the air separation equipment, the air is cooled to a very low temperature, so that the main components such as oxygen and nitrogen are liquefied and separated, while krypton, xenon and neon are retained in a small amount of liquid residue. The extraction process of these gases requires sophisticated refining techniques to separate them from complex mixtures, purify them, and raise them to the ultra-high purity required by high-end industries such as semiconductors and research.
Fullcryo has been deeply engaged in this field for many years, and independently invested in the construction of air separation and noble gas refining projects, equipped with advanced gas separation and purification technology, to ensure the stable supply of krypton, xenon and neon. In July 2023, Fullcryo put into operation of krypton xenon refining plant officially, the monthly production of xenon 90Sm³, krypton 400Sm³, products are widely used in semiconductor, aerospace, medical and other industries, to promote the development of rare gas industry while providing a solid guarantee for high-tech manufacturing.
The supply of rare gases has always been affected by the production process and the global market environment. Since these gases are mainly extracted from air separation plants, production is limited, and any fluctuations in the supply chain directly affect the market price. In recent years, the instability of the global situation has also made this impact more significant, and market prices have also soared, which has increased the production cost of the semiconductor industry. In the face of such uncertainty, how to ensure the continued supply of key industries has become the core issue of concern for all parties.
The growing demand for high-purity noble gases in high-tech fields such as semiconductors and aerospace puts higher requirements on the stability of the supply chain. Chip manufacturing requires ultra-high purity neon for deep ultraviolet (DUV) and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, and krypton and xenon are equally indispensable in satellite propulsion and laser technology. If the supply is not stable, it will not only affect the quality of the product, but also lead to the interruption of production. In order to reduce risk, the industry is looking for more stable and efficient supply solutions.
Fully aware of these challenges, Fullcryo is actively deploying the global noble gas supply chain. By building its own gas production base, the company has increased its production capacity to ensure a continuous supply of key gases such as neon, krypton and xenon. At the same time, with advanced refining technology, Fullcryo provides high-purity electronic gases that meet the stringent quality standards of the semiconductor industry. In addition, the company’s cooperation with South Korea, Europe and the United States further optimizes the supply chain, not only improving delivery efficiency, but also enabling global customers to obtain stable and reliable gas resources despite market fluctuations.
