INDUSTRY NEWS

ROUND THE CIRCUIT

Supplier targets map readers

A provider of cost-modeling software is offering a free on-line calculator to help users decipher the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS). Wright Williams & Kelly (WWK) of Pleasanton, CA, is offering the defect target calculator on its Web site's product link at http:// www.wwk.com. The ITRS random-defect targets are based on predefined technology nodes from Sematech data, which are derived from 164 tools and 30 generic equipment categories, according to WWK. Daren Dance, vice president of technology for WWK, says the calculator "allows users to confidentially enter key parameters for a selected tool and estimate a defect target for a specific chip. The only parameters required are the chip area, minimum linewidth, and random-defect-limited yield requirement." The on-line calculator uses the same scaling method and tool categories as the ITRS.

Same suppliers top Top 10

Surprise! Applied Materials led the VLSI Research 1999 list of Top 10 semiconductor equipment manufacturers for the eighth consecutive year. At $5.46 billion in 1999, the process tool supplier's sales were more than twice the amount garnered by second-place finisher Tokyo Electron Ltd. TEL's sales totaled $2.63 billion. TEL, which is the largest toolmaker in Japan, has held the number two spot every year since 1992. Nikon kept its position as the number three company with sales of $1.43 billion. All three vendors showed double-digit sales increases. Applied led the trio with a 51.5% increase, while TEL and Nikon followed with increases of 39% and 10.7%, respectively. ASM Lithography is the only tool supplier to ascend in the rankings, the market research company says. ASML moved from seventh to fourth place on the strength of a 47% jump in sales, to $1.3 billion, primarily tied to an increase in sales of deep-UV steppers.

Sales by all top 10 companies totaled $16.4 billion, the market research company says. Completing the 1999 Top 10 list in consecutive order are Teradyne, KLA-Tencor, Advantest, Lam Research, Canon, and Hitachi. Sales figures and percentage increase or decrease for each company are as follows: Teradyne, $1.2 billion, +26%; KLA-Tencor, $1.05 billion, +19%; Advantest, $955 million, +5.1%; Lam, $894 million, +19%; Canon, $715 million, ­2%; and Hitachi, $743 million, +25%. VLSI Research says the semiconductor industry grew 12% in 1999 over the previous year. If chipmakers continue to buy equipment at the current rate, sales could increase 28% in 2000, the market research firm predicts.

Disk is trove of chip data

Extensive information on more than 1400 semiconductor manufacturers is contained in a database from Cypress Information Resources. The Semiconductor 2000 disk features 26,000 records covering both fab-based and fabless chip manufacturers. Test and assembly contract firms are also covered. The disk equals more than 2000 pages of market, technology, and business data, according to Cypress. Information includes types of products, production capacity, shipments, facility equipment, customers, and suppliers. Covering the past five years, the disk's annual financial summaries contain details such as total chip sales, net income or loss, capital expenditures, and R&D expenses. Revenue summaries are broken out by geographic area, specific products, customers, applications, and industry segment. Production capacity for each factory and detailed process technology summaries are featured as well. The $495 disk operates in programs such as Microsoft Access, FilemakerPro, and Oracle. Information: 408/354-4887.

Applied cleans up

Applied Materials has received a license for the international patents to the Radiance Process, a dry wafer-cleaning method that uses no toxic chemicals and lessens the need for DI water. The nonexclusive license is good "for the life of the patents," some of which extend to 2016, says Donna Bethell, president of Radiance Services. The company is the marketing affiliate of Cauldron Limited Partnership, which owns the patents for the process. Once the patents expire, Applied would no longer require a license to use the process. Other details of the licensing agreement are confidential, Bethell says, adding that the Radiance Process is patented in 19 countries. Radiance holds seven U.S. patents with one pending, as well as international patents.

Bethell notes that Radiance Process licenses cover "more than 98% of semiconductor capacity in the world." The process uses Nd:YAG or CO^₂ lasers and an inert gas such as nitrogen or argon to remove contaminants from a substrate. No surface melting or ablation is required. Information: http:// www.radianceprocess.com.

In related news, Applied Materials reported record-setting financial results for the first quarter of FY2000. Net sales rose 6% over 4Q99 to $1.67 billion and increased 125% from 1Q99. The world's largest equipment supplier also announced record total of new orders for the first fiscal quarter of 2000. Equipment orders totaled $2.36 billion, an increase of 43% from the previous fiscal quarter.

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