Deuterium (D2), one of the hydrogen isotopes used in the ITER artificial sun development project, is becoming increasingly usable for semiconductors, and it has been reported that several companies are currently conducting research for production.

According to the semiconductor materials industry, several specialty gas companies for semiconductors have recently been reported to be conducting research into deuterium production. Companies recently mentioned include H Company, T Company, and K Company.

These companies are reportedly predicting a surge in demand for deuterium in the semiconductor materials market in the future.

Deuterium is currently known to be used in the production of OLED blue light sources. Its use is said to contribute to the overall performance and quality of OLEDs, resulting in much thinner displays, greater flexibility, and longer device lifespans.

The OLED market is expected to continue to grow in the future, and the industry predicts that demand will arise for semiconductors as well as displays.

Deuterium is an isotope of hydrogen with one more neutron than hydrogen. It exists in extremely small quantities on Earth, and it is known to be very difficult to separate deuterium from a hydrogen mixture.

The most common method of obtaining deuterium is known to be to create an extremely low temperature environment of -250 degrees Celsius or less in a hydrogen mixture. However, this method has the disadvantage of being expensive because it requires expensive liquid helium refrigerant, insulation equipment, and a complex process.

Accordingly, it is reported that a method of producing deuterium through electrolysis using heavy water used in nuclear power plants is being adopted.

In the case of nuclear power plants, the key issue is how to dispose of heavy water. Even if heavy water is non-radioactive, disposal of heavy water is a difficult problem from the perspective of nuclear power plants in the long term. However, if it can be used for semiconductors, it can kill two birds with one stone by developing new uses and utilizing heavy water, which is difficult to dispose of.

Accordingly, it has been reported that semiconductor material companies and officials of shut-down nuclear power plants have recently discussed the production of deuterium, and it is expected that discussions on full-scale production will be held in the future along with the increase in demand for deuterium in semiconductors.