Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance and its Management are key in the Facility’s drive to improve customer service. We measure performance against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) agreed with EPSRC.
The National Epitaxy Facility is dedicated to providing the UK compound semiconductor research community with high quality, innovative semiconductor products and services on behalf of the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). To meet our strategic and operational objectives, we employ a Quality Management System (QMS), which is focussed on customer’s needs and expectations, and effective management of risks and opportunities internal and external to the organisation. Our quality objectives reflect our drive towards operational efficiency, timely delivery of high quality products and services, customer satisfaction, and research excellence. We measure our performance with respect to these objectives against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) agreed with the EPSRC. These are reviewed internally monthly, and monitored bi-annually by our independent Steering Committee as part of our reporting to the EPSRC.
The National Epitaxy Facility’s management is committed to satisfying the requirements of the ISO 90001:2015 standard, including statutory and regulatory compliance, staff competence, and appropriate resourcing and leadership. Through regular reviews and community engagement we strive to continually improve our QMS and service provision to ensure the National Epitaxy Facility remains a leading supplier of world-class semiconductor materials.
Professor Jon Heffernan (October 2024)
Feedback
Collecting feedback from our users is a requirement from both EPSRC and our ISO 9001 certification. It is vital in allowing us to deliver a high quality of products and services, and maintain a good relationship with our customers.
Here is what some of our users recently said about us:
“My discussions and consultations with NEF staff about my wafer requirements have always been productive, helpful, and friendly. The NEF is an essential facility for the benefit of the entire UK semiconductor community.”
Dr Jonathan Mar, Newcastle University
“The NEF team were very responsive and provided excellent expert advice and support, as always. The quantum wells were of very high quality with narrow exciton linewidth and homogeneous across the wafer.”
Dr Paul Walker, University of Sheffield
“A swift answer even when we needed to make changes. I have also interacted regularly with NEF staff and found them to be extremely knowledgeable scientifically and I value their expertise.”
Anonymous
“Excellent interaction, technical support and timely response!”
Dr Kevin Gallacher, University of Glasgow
“The wafer arrived a lot quicker than expected and Zofia was very helpful and always quick to respond to emails.”
Anonymous
“Communications were always timely and useful. On the ‘responsiveness to innovation’, the addition of Te exceeds expectations. This is particularly important from the perspective of scaling towards industry, with IQE plc. now offering highly doped Te as standard for n-type.”
Professor Louise Hirst, University of Cambridge
“The staff were really helpful in assisting with tweaking any initial design to the facilities capabilities. The quote was returned in advance of our deadline. The staff made every effort to help design samples that will make a successful research programme.”
Anonymous
To complete our short feedback form please click on the following link: Customer Feedback Form