Investment & expansion
Photronics plans to install its first manufacturing line for 65nm processes in Austin, Texas. The company has begun the necessary clean room and infrastructure upgrades to prepare for systems installation. The newly installed state-of-the-art manufacturing systems and process technology will cover all aspects of 65nm node photomask fabrication from data preparation through characterisation and shipment. The first tools will begin arriving in early summer this year. A second manufacturing line, based on a copy exact strategy, will be installed in Korea in early 2005.
Photronics has been engaged in the early prototyping for 65nm node since several strategic customers initiated early-learning activity in 2002. It is also expected that the 65nm work will also facilitate efficient prototyping of both 45nm and 32nm devices in conjunction with the broader adoption of immersion lithography processes integrated into 193nm lithography tools.