Top laboratories for thin film and wafer characterization

Semiconductor and thin film analysis is a highly advanced field where precision, reliability, and speed are critical. While universities and research centers play an important role in this sector, commercial laboratories are often the faster and more practical choice for obtaining analyses that your projects require but for which you lack in-house analytical capabilities.

The market for semiconductor and thin film analysis is highly fragmented, with a mix of well-established industry giants, smaller niche laboratories focused on specialized techniques, as well as research centers and university labs that still play a key role, especially in advanced or exploratory work. Recently, newer service providers such as Measurlabs have emerged, combining the capabilities of extensive partner networks to make cutting-edge analytical methods easily accessible through a single point of contact. This reflects where the market is evolving to better meet the growing demand for comprehensive and convenient testing services. Below, we highlight some of the top options to help you find the right partner for your testing needs.

Eurofins EAG Laboratories

Eurofins is one of the giants in the testing industry, with laboratories serving many sectors, including semiconductors. EAG Laboratories, part of Eurofins, operates over 20 locations across Europe, the United States, and Asia, offering a comprehensive range of analytical methods for thin film and wafer analysis. You can see the full list of methods offered in the table on the bottom of the article.

Pros: Extensive range of methods; local labs in Silicon Valley and other key semiconductor hubs.

Cons: No information on prices or turnaround times online.

Measurlabs

Alongside EAG, Measurlabs offers one of the broadest selections of analytical techniques among commercial laboratory service providers. With sample reception sites in Silicon Valley and Cambridge, UK, and headquarters in Finland, they serve clients worldwide. As they have sourced each analysis from their network of over 900 partner laboratories, the range of specifications they can meet and the selection of available device models are very competitive, as are their turnaround times and prices.

Pros: Full selection of analytical methods; indicative prices and standard turnaround times visible online; local shipping hubs in Silicon Valley and Cambridge in addition to their Helsinki headquarters.

Cons: No shipping hub in East Asia.

Covalent Metrology

Based in Silicon Valley, Covalent Metrology specializes in advanced materials science and offers a solid range of methods for characterizing thin films and wafers. While their analytical scope isn’t as extensive as that of Measurlabs or EAG, they are an excellent option if you also need method development, consulting, or other services alongside testing.

Pros: Method development services and consultation.

Cons: Smaller analytical scope.

MaTestLab

Located in Delaware, MaTestLab provides a broad selection of analytical techniques for semiconductor and thin film characterization. Like Measurlabs, they leverage a network of over 1,000 partner laboratories, which allows them to offer a wide range of services through a single provider.

Pros: Broad capabilities, making it easy to handle all analyses through one partner.

Cons: Only a US sample shipping location; no price or turnaround information online.

Infinitalab

Based in Newark, California, Infinitalab also compounds the offering of 1000+ US laboratories into one service. They have an extensive offering for material testing and characterization, including some services for thin films, wafers, and semiconductor components. Although their laboratory network is US-based, they offer services globally.

Pros: Broad offering due to the network model.

Cons: Limited information about their offering is visible online; limited to US laboratories.

SGS

SGS is among the more established and widely recognized laboratories, but has rather limited capabilities in semiconductor material characterization. Their focus is primarily on process chemicals, cleanroom consumables, and facility quality tests, though they also offer some characterization services using electron microscopy and x-ray techniques.

Pros: Strong for broader quality management of semiconductor materials and production environments.

Cons: Limited scope for detailed material characterization.

Tascon

Tascon is a German laboratory specializing in surface analysis and morphology. They serve industries including semiconductors, electronics, and other fields where surface characterization is relevant. Tascon offers a solid selection of in-house methods and supplements this with outsourced analyses through their partner network.

Pros: A good choice for companies in Germany seeking local service providers.

Cons: No online information on pricing or turnaround times; narrower range of analytical techniques.

Advanced MicroAnalytical / EMSL

Advanced MicroAnalytical (part of EMSL) offers analytical services for electronics and semiconductors. They are located in New Jersey and offer a small selection of basic characterization techniques such as electron microscopy, AFM, and x-ray-based methods.

Pros: Local option for basic analytical needs on the East Coast.

Cons: Very limited analytical scope.

Research centers

Several research centers, such as Fraunhofer, imec, and CEA-Leti, also offer testing services for semiconductor materials. These centers typically have a strong portfolio of analytical techniques and may be especially well-suited for larger collaborations involving consultation or customized R&D work.

Pros: Often offer a broad range of techniques as well as opportunities for tailored analyses within complex projects.

Cons: May not be as fast or efficient as working with commercial laboratories unless part of a wider collaboration.