Corning to Acquire Manufacturer of Calcium Fluoride Optics for Semiconductor Applications.CORNING, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 9, 1999-- Investment to Expand Corning's Semiconductor Materials Semiconductor materials are insulators at absolute zero temperature that conduct electricity in a limited way at room temperature (see also Semiconductor). The defining property of a semiconductor material is that it can be doped with impurities that alter its electronic properties Business In a move to expand its role as a supplier of optical materials Optical materials All substances used in the construction of devices or instruments whose function is to alter or control electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet, visible, or infrared spectral regions. used to manufacture integrated circuits Integrated circuits Miniature electronic circuits produced within and upon a single semiconductor crystal, usually silicon. Integrated circuits range in complexity from simple logic circuits and amplifiers, about 1/20 in. (1. , Corning Incorporated Corning Incorporated NYSE: GLW is an American manufacturer of glass, ceramics and related materials, primarily for industrial and scientific applications. The company was known until 1989 as Corning Glass Works. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :GLW GLW Glasgow Airport (UK) GLW Gross Laden Weight GLW Good Lady Wife (Australia) ) today announced that it has agreed to acquire Optovac, a leading manufacturer of calcium fluoride calcium fluoride n. A colorless powder, CaF2, used in emery wheels, carbon electrodes, and cements. optics. Optovac will be purchased from its parent company, EM Industries, Inc., which is an associate of E Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany. Optovac is a `non-strategic' business for Merck KGaA. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Based in North Brookfield, Mass., Optovac manufactures calcium fluoride optics and components that will be used in the semiconductor industry for the next generation of optical lithography. The optics are part of lens assemblies in microlithographic stepper step·per n. 1. One that steps, especially in a fast or spirited manner. 2. Informal A dancer. Noun 1. machines, which print the circuitry on high-speed computer chips. Optovac's products are currently used by laser manufacturers and laser system suppliers, and for imaging and analytical instrument applications, including space telescopes and medical testing. "This investment is the direct result of our customers' desire to have Corning supply calcium fluoride optics for the next generation of optical lithography. It complements our current product line of advanced materials for the industry, and strengthens our position in the optical-lithography marketplace," said Randall D. Price, executive vice president of Advanced Materials. "Optovac brings many years of experience in making optical grade calcium fluoride, and complements Corning's research and development efforts in calcium-fluoride technology." The next generation of optical lithography is being driven by increased demand for faster and more powerful integrated circuits (IC). To make these advanced chips, finer circuit-line widths must be printed on the IC, in turn requiring shorter wavelengths of deep ultraviolet light Ultraviolet light A portion of the light spectrum not visible to the eye. Two bands of the UV spectrum, UVA and UVB, are used to treat psoriasis and other skin diseases. . The addition of calcium fluoride optics is necessary to produce these shorter wavelengths. Corning is one of the world's leading suppliers of high purity fused silica (HPFS (High Performance File System) The file system introduced with OS/2 Version 1.2 that handles large disks (2TB volumes; 2GB files) and long file names (256 bytes). It coexists with the existing FAT system. HPFS - High Performance File System (R)) glass for today's optical lithography market. This ultra-pure glass provides extreme optical clarity and durability, and is used in the manufacture of today's most advanced integrated circuits. The company manufactures HPFS(R) in Canton, N.Y., and in Charleston, S.C., and has sales offices around the world. Established in 1851, Corning Incorporated (www.corning.com) creates leading-edge technologies for the fastest-growing markets of the world's economy. Corning manufactures optical fiber, cable and photonic products for the telecommunications industry; and high-performance displays and components for television and other communications-related industries. The company also uses advanced materials to manufacture products for scientific, semiconductor and environmental markets. Corning's revenues in 1998 were $3.5 billion. Merck KGaA is an international group of research-based companies in the fields of Pharmaceuticals, Laboratory and Specialty Chemicals, contributing substantially to health and quality of life. With headquarters in Darmstadt/Germany, Merck KGaA employs around 33,000 people in 120 countries and generates annual sales of around DM 10 billion. The company strongly believes that promotion of its employees' self-initiative and self-responsibility, application-oriented research and development and close customer relationships in the markets are the keys to long-term corporate success. More information on Merck KGaA is available at www.merck.de. |
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