Global 450mm Consortium programme on target
While the world's first Nikon 450mm immersion lithography tool comes online, wafer production is set to begin this June
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, along with Nikon Corporation, Tokyo Electron and the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) have announced that the world's first 450mm immersion photolithography tool will begin patterning and delivery of wafers in June of 2014.
This is in support of the Global 450mm Consortium (G450C).
The G450C, which is headquartered at CNSE in Albany, New York, is a public-private partnership announced by Governor Cuomo in September 2011, that is designed in part to facilitate the nanotech industry's transition to next generation computer chip technology.
This critical milestone will enable G450C founding members and CNSE to perform 10nm and smaller size photolithography on full silicon wafers, while optimising tool configuration and performance.
Upon completion of optimisation, the Nikon Corporation tool will be delivered to CNSE in April of 2015 in accordance with the project timeline.
"New York is becoming a world leader in nanotechnology which is creating jobs and growing our economy in upstate New York," Governor Cuomo said. "These public-private partnerships are spurring innovations that will one day change the way we live our lives. It's one more way New York is pioneering the jobs and industries of the future, including the semiconductor industry which is already responsible for thousands of jobs in the state."
In July, Governor Cuomo announced a $350 million partnership between Nikon Corporation and CNSE to develop next generation 450mm photolithography technology and create 100 high tech jobs. Photolithography is the highly sophisticated technique of using intense light to imprint complex circuitry in the computer chip fabrication process.
Over the last few years, photolithography has become the major enabling step in the manufacturing of nanometre size transistors that are the buildings blocks of today's computer chips. Nikon Corporation, Tokyo Electron, and CNSE have worked aggressively to bring the first of its kind tool online in less than twelve months and further advance the industry transition from the current 300mm wafer platform to the next generation 450mm wafer platform.
Nikon Corporation Executive Vice President and Precision Equipment Company President Kazuo Ushida said, "The industry transition to 450mm enables further innovations that will deliver reduced cost per die, which is essential for the continuation of Moore's Law. Nikon is proud to reach this key phase. 450mm scanner development is progressing on target to ensure advanced photolithography tooling will satisfy chipmakers' requirements, and be ready for insertion when the industry decides to make this critical transition."
CNSE Vice President for Manufacturing Innovation and General Manager of the G450C Paul Farrar, Jr. said, "Today's announcement reaffirms the industry's commitment to transitioning to 450mm wafer technology. To date, we have installed more than $350 million in 450mm wafer tools. With the arrival of the Nikon immersion photolithography tool, that investment will swell to over $700 million. Our equipment suppliers remain fully engaged with G450C, and our member companies continue to pledge their complete support through investments and technical assignees."
The Nikon immersion tool will join existing 450mm infrastructure at CNSE in April of 2015. Performance evaluations show the tools currently on site at CNSE are exceeding expectations in capability, process uniformity, and defect levels. Additionally, two sources have been established for supplying 450mm wafers to the G450C.
"Governor Cuomo has established New York State as the leader in the transition to 450mm wafer technology," added Farrar. "This initiative is not just a New York initiative; it is a world-wide initiative which will impact the development of high-tech devices for generations to come. As we prepare to witness the first 450mm immersion tool come online, we only begin to realize the impacts of the Governor's courageous vision."
