60 years RF technology - Comet

60 years of RF innovation at Comet: Built on experience, driven by curiosity.

December 18, 2025

Comet’s journey in advanced technologies spans more than 75 years, beginning with X-ray sources in 1948. Since then, we’ve continuously expanded our expertise, adapting to new challenges and driving technological progress. This year, we celebrate 60 years of radio frequency (RF) innovations – a legacy that has shaped both our company and the semiconductor industry. How did a small Swiss laboratory spark this long-standing impact?

Comet’s radio frequency (RF) journey began as a strategic expansion of our X-ray expertise, turning decades of knowledge in vacuum and high-voltage technology into solutions for a rapidly changing electronics landscape. What started as a small laboratory experiment in Switzerland has grown into a global portfolio that powers semiconductor manufacturing from front-end plasma processes to advanced back-end inspection. How did we get here?

Milestones that shaped our RF journey

1965

Founding of Vakuum Kondensatoren AG

Around the time Gordon Moore’s observation reshaped technology (Moore’s Law), Comet recognized that relying solely on X-ray tubes carried risks and began exploring complementary technologies. Leveraging existing expertise in vacuum and high-voltage processes, the company turned to vacuum capacitors, which share many manufacturing processes with X-ray tubes. The founding of Vakuum Kondensatoren AG laid the foundation for Comet’s long-term innovation in RF technologies.

1968–1990

First products and rapid growth

Only three years after its founding, the team delivered the first capacitors for BBC shortwave transmitters. Rather than competing in the mass market, Comet focused on highly engineered, complex capacitors that required expert craftsmanship. This decision shaped our identity – a company that prioritizes innovation, quality, and long-term value for customers.

1990–2009

Expansion into the semiconductor industry

Challenged by shortwave transmitters losing their significance after the Cold War, Comet sought to establish a presence in the US, focusing on the semiconductor industry. This period brought significant innovation, expansion to China, new product variants, and a modernized manufacturing footprint, laying the foundation for our leadership in RF power delivery.

2010–today

Moving up the value chain

A pivotal shift came when Comet expanded from components to full RF power systems (Synertia^®), including impedance matching networks and generators. This evolution led to the creation of our Plasma Control Technologies division and expanded our global footprint, particularly in Asia. Today, Comet’s RF portfolio is integral to high-precision etching and deposition processes at the heart of semiconductor manufacturing.

Complementary strengths: How RF and X-ray technologies go together

For the semiconductor industry

Our heritage in vacuum, high-voltage, and materials science enabled both technologies to grow from one core competency to complete solutions for our customers. Today, our portfolio spans the front- and back-end processes of semiconductor manufacturing:

RF power systems like Synertia® enable precise control of plasma processes required for etching and deposition in front-end manufacturing.
X-ray inspection solutions like CA20 ensure quality and help cut time to market for complex 3D ICs at every production step.

Together, they address customers’ needs across the entire semiconductor process flow – from wafer fabrication to advanced packaging. This complementary strength positions Comet as a trusted partner for equipment makers and chip manufacturers who demand accuracy, reliability, and long-term support.

For Comet

Our complementary portfolio also strengthens our own operations and innovation capabilities:

Shared expertise in vacuum, high-voltage, and materials processes allows both RF and X-ray teams to advance manufacturing together, improving efficiency and precision.
X-ray inspection accelerates RF technology development, enabling faster prototyping and validation of new solutions.
Our global network supports strategic expansion: introducing one technology (X-ray or RF) to a new location often paves the way for the other, facilitating knowledge transfer and smoother ramp-up.

This synergy between RF and X-ray technologies exemplifies how Comet leverages its experience and curiosity not only to serve customers but also to continuously innovate internally, reinforcing our long-term leadership in semiconductor manufacturing.

Looking ahead: Innovation that powers the next era

Comet’s 60 years in RF, together with more than 75 years in X-ray, demonstrate a proven track record of technological leadership and customer partnership. As the semiconductor industry advances, our RF and X-ray portfolios will remain essential in improving yield, reliability, and throughput. With curiosity as our guide and decades of experience behind us, we continue to innovate and anticipate the needs of tomorrow’s semiconductor manufacturing.

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