News Article
EV Group supplies 300mm equipment to STMicroelectronics
The
equipment is for the manufacture of image sensors using TSV
technology. Significant multi million Euro order win furthers EVG's
reach in the 3D interconnect space.
EV Group (EVG), a supplier of wafer
bonding and lithography equipment for the advanced semiconductor and
packaging, MEMS, silicon on insulator (SOI) and emerging
nanotechnology markets, announced it has received a major multi
million Euro order from STMicroelectronics for its 300mm bonding,
alignment and photoresist processing tools. EVG's fully automated
tools are successfully installed at ST's 300mm through silicon via
(TSV) pilot line in Crolles, France and used in the manufacture of
CMOS imaging sensors (CIS).
Industry experts have anticipated that the first products that feature TSV technology are expected to hit the market in 2008 and will include flash memory and image sensors, similar to what ST is developing with the help of EVG's 300mm solutions. TSV adoption continues to rapidly gain traction, given its demonstrated advantages that include higher performance, increased functionality, a smaller footprint and lower power consumption. Recognising the potential early on, EVG has been a champion of bringing this technology to market commercialisation. Key to this effort, the company is a founding member of the EMC-3D international consortium, which is chartered with developing the 3D market infrastructure by demonstrating a cost effective, manufacturable, stackable TSV interconnection technology.
According to Gareth Bignell, Program Manager, 300mm Equipment Selection, STMicroelectronics, "ST is committed to accelerating the manufacturing of 3D TSV based devices into high volume. As such, we're turning to trusted suppliers, like EVG, who can help us maintain our competitive edge by minimising manufacturing risks, while increasing the speed of implementation and time to market. At the same time, we also expect nothing less than superior and comprehensive service and support so that our facility can continue to run at benchmark levels; we expect that EVG's solid and dependable support will continue to be a significant help in this area."
"We are extremely pleased with the confidence ST, a long standing customer of our 200 mm solutions, now also has in our leading edge 300 mm portfolio, which is ideally suited for the burgeoning, but complex, 3D-TSV market. Yet, we believe TSV technology holds tremendous potential and we are poised and committed to being a key player in this space," said EVG's Executive Technology Director, Paul Lindner. "This milestone order from ST is testament to our ability to meet this chipmaker's rigorous demands for reliable performance, uniformity and repeatability; backed, of course, by our unwavering 24/7 customer support," he added.
According to Lindner, a number of factors contributed to the company's recent win with ST over the competition. Specifically, EVG's new NanoSpray photoresist coating processing capabilities for steep topographies, along with its IQ Aligner's proven ability to deliver precise and reliable lithography backside alignment, are both unparalleled in the industry. This, coupled with EVG's bonder, demonstrated high uniformity at 300mm and the company's comprehensive service and dedicated on site support were critical factors behind this most recent purchasing decision by ST. EVG reports that the ST order also included its EVG150 Coater and EVG150 Developer, which in conjunction with its NanoSpray technology, consistently deliver highly uniform coats with low material usage and improved repeatability.
Industry experts have anticipated that the first products that feature TSV technology are expected to hit the market in 2008 and will include flash memory and image sensors, similar to what ST is developing with the help of EVG's 300mm solutions. TSV adoption continues to rapidly gain traction, given its demonstrated advantages that include higher performance, increased functionality, a smaller footprint and lower power consumption. Recognising the potential early on, EVG has been a champion of bringing this technology to market commercialisation. Key to this effort, the company is a founding member of the EMC-3D international consortium, which is chartered with developing the 3D market infrastructure by demonstrating a cost effective, manufacturable, stackable TSV interconnection technology.
According to Gareth Bignell, Program Manager, 300mm Equipment Selection, STMicroelectronics, "ST is committed to accelerating the manufacturing of 3D TSV based devices into high volume. As such, we're turning to trusted suppliers, like EVG, who can help us maintain our competitive edge by minimising manufacturing risks, while increasing the speed of implementation and time to market. At the same time, we also expect nothing less than superior and comprehensive service and support so that our facility can continue to run at benchmark levels; we expect that EVG's solid and dependable support will continue to be a significant help in this area."
"We are extremely pleased with the confidence ST, a long standing customer of our 200 mm solutions, now also has in our leading edge 300 mm portfolio, which is ideally suited for the burgeoning, but complex, 3D-TSV market. Yet, we believe TSV technology holds tremendous potential and we are poised and committed to being a key player in this space," said EVG's Executive Technology Director, Paul Lindner. "This milestone order from ST is testament to our ability to meet this chipmaker's rigorous demands for reliable performance, uniformity and repeatability; backed, of course, by our unwavering 24/7 customer support," he added.
According to Lindner, a number of factors contributed to the company's recent win with ST over the competition. Specifically, EVG's new NanoSpray photoresist coating processing capabilities for steep topographies, along with its IQ Aligner's proven ability to deliver precise and reliable lithography backside alignment, are both unparalleled in the industry. This, coupled with EVG's bonder, demonstrated high uniformity at 300mm and the company's comprehensive service and dedicated on site support were critical factors behind this most recent purchasing decision by ST. EVG reports that the ST order also included its EVG150 Coater and EVG150 Developer, which in conjunction with its NanoSpray technology, consistently deliver highly uniform coats with low material usage and improved repeatability.
