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13-03-2025

NextGO Epi

NextGO Epi is a spin-off from the Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung (IKZ) im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V., which aims to supply high-quality and large-scale gallium oxide (Ga2O3) epitaxial wafers using Metalorganic Vapor Phase Epitaxy (MOVPE), building upon IKZ’s decade-long research advancements in Ga2O3 materials. The technology behind the innovations from NextGO Epi was developed to market readiness by the founders on the shoulders of a team of excellent scientists from IKZ. In particular, the IKZ provides all the infrastructure as the base.

The unique advantages of Ga2O3, recognized as a fourth-generation ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor material, lie primarily in its potentially significant cost and performance benefits over conventional power semiconductors such as SiC and GaN.

As a key innovator in Europe, NextGO Epi is focused on enabling next-generation high-power electronics by providing advanced tailored Ga2O3 epi-wafers that will allow device manufacturers to produce devices that are cheaper, more compact, and more efficient and even enter new areas of application beyond 10 kV. With deep expertise in epitaxial growth, AI-assisted process optimization, and market access, NextGO Epi plays a crucial role in bridging cutting-edge material innovation with industrial-scale adoption.

NextGO Epi is on the roadmap to delivering high-quality and large-size Ga2O3 epiwafers to several early customers worldwide.

Visit the company’s homepage at www.nextgoepi.com and LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/nextgoepi/

Dr. Ta-Shun Chou

Ta-Shun Chou holds a Ph.D. in chemistry, specializing in crystal growth theory and artificial intelligence. He performed his Ph.D. study in the Leibniz Institute of Crystal Growth (IKZ) from 2020 to 2023.  His thesis presents key breakthroughs in growing high-quality Ga2O3 epiwafer.As a scientist-turned-entrepreneur, he is driven by a mission to bridge the gap between research and industry, accelerating the commercialization of Ga2O3 for next-generation technologies.

Dr. Andreas Popp

Dr. Andreas Popp studied physics and received his Ph.D. in 2017. His doctoral thesis focused on the electronic structure and morphology of epitaxial-grown chalcopyrite thin films for photovoltaics. In December 2017, he moved to the Leibniz Institute of Crystal Growth (IKZ) as a post-doc, where he was in charge of the epitaxial deposition of oxide thin films using MOVPE. Since April 2019, he has been leading his own research group, "Epitaxy of semiconducting gallium oxide," which focuses on material development for power electronics. The research projects acquired by Dr. Popp (1xBMFTR, 2x DFG, 1x EFRE) enabled him to build up and expand his research group, which is one of the world's leading academic research groups on the material Ga2O3. The success of his group is reflected in numerous publications, internationally invited lectures and two patents. The prospect of making a contribution to decarbonization with our material development and thus being able to solve social problems inspires him.

Dr. Andreas Fiedler

Andreas Fiedler is an experimental physicist with a focus on semiconductor physics and devices. As the leader of the BMFTR NanoMatFutur Junior Research Group All-GO-HEMT, he has in-depth knowledge in the fields of electrical engineering, advanced materials characterization, processing, and synthesis. He has been working in Ga2O3 research for over a decade and brings all his experience to NextGO Epi with the firm intention of transferring his scientific achievements into a real-world application and making them accessible to society.

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