Photronics Joins IMEC's Industrial Affiliation Program On Optical Lithography.LEUVEN, Belgium--(BUSINESS WIRE)--August 19, 1998-- Joint Research Relationship Supports the Development of Deep Sub-Micron Reticle ret·i·cle n. A grid or pattern placed in the eyepiece of an optical instrument, used to establish scale or position. [Latin r Production Processes Photronics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLAB), the world's leading and fastest growing photomask supplier, and IMEC, an independent research and development organization that develops and licenses advanced microelectronics technology, today announced a cooperative agreement to explore and develop photomask manufacturing technologies and processes needed to produce 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. with features down to, and below 130 nanometers. A key area of focus will be determining reticle technology requirements for the fabrication fabrication (fab´rikā´sh  n),n the construction or making of a restoration. of semiconductors using 130 nanometer design rules being produced with 193 nanometer wavelength exposure sources in wafer lithography systems. The agreement outlines the roles and responsibilities each organization has as participants in IMEC's Industrial Affiliation Program on Optical Lithography (IAPOL), and names Photronics as a "Preferred Photomask Supplier." Since its founding 14 years ago, IMEC has collaborated with approximately 420 companies and institutions that provide systems, semiconductors, equipment and services to the global microelectronics market. Jack Moneta, Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning Strategic planning is an organization's process of defining its strategy, or direction, and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy, including its capital and people. and Business Development at Photronics commented, "Photronics is very excited to be the first photomask manufacturer to join the IMEC program. Our organizations will be combining considerable technological expertise to improve photomask manufacturing process technologies and the resolution of deep sub-micron features on the wafer. The advanced research being done will play an important role in Photronics' ability to support customers ramping 180 nanometer production processes. Also critical will be the evaluation of optical lithography-based process solutions that could potentially take commercial semiconductor production beyond the 130 nanometer technology node See technology generation. ." Luc Van den hove, Director of the Process Module Department at IMEC stated, "IMEC, as Europe's largest independent microelectronics research center, has been instrumental in the successful introduction of advanced semiconductor fabrication technologies into the wafer fabs of our member companies. Wafer lithography systems and available reticle technologies, are now establishing the technology and process requirements needed in wafer fabs producing complex semiconductors. IMEC, through its Industrial Affiliation Program on Optical Lithography, brings added value Added value in financial analysis of shares is to be distinguished from value added. Used as a measure of shareholder value, calculated using the formula:
The elements of IMEC's Industrial Affiliation Program on Optical Lithography have been assembled to support the fabrication of semiconductors designed using 250 nanometer features down through 130 nanometer features and provides a framework for the sharing of engineering talent between the participating organizations in order to meet mutual objectives. Specific areas of joint research will include: the enhancement of critical dimension (CD) uniformity on the wafer via optical enhancements on the reticle, including optical proximity correction Optical proximity correction (OPC) is a photolithography enhancement technique commonly used to compensate for image errors due to diffraction or process effects. The two most common applications for OPC are linewidth differences between features in regions of different density (e. (OPC (1) (OpenGL Performance Characterization) A project group within GPC that manages OpenGL benchmarks. OPC endorses the Viewperf and GLperf benchmarks. Viewperf was created by IBM and OPC provides viewsets for it, which are combinations of tests using specific ) and phase shifting; the evaluation of available materials and manufacturing systems including raster electron beam A stream of electrons, or electricity, that is directed towards a receiving object. See electron beam imaging and electron beam lithography. , vector electron beam and laser pattern generation tools; the testing of available reticle inspection tools and repair systems; the use of wet and dry etch process technologies; identifying the limits of optical CD metrology technologies; and defect printability at and below the 180 nanometer technology node. Photronics' advanced systems and process capabilities, which include the UltraBeam V2000 and Leica ZBA ZBA See: Zero balance account 31H+ vector scan electron beam systems, Etec Systems' ALTA 3500 laser pattern generation system, the Seiko 3000 focused ion beam Focused ion beam, also known as FIB, is a technique used particularly in the semiconductor and materials science fields for site-specific analysis, deposition, and ablation of materials. The FIB is a scientific instrument that resembles a scanning electron microscope. repair tool and their proprietary UltraRes(tm) process, provides the IMEC Lithography program with access to the advanced reticle technology required to conduct its research. Michael J. Yomazzo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Photronics added, "A critical tenet of IMEC's philosophy - laying the groundwork today for future success tomorrow - is identical to the approach that Photronics has taken with respect to investing in the technology, facilities, and process development needed to service our customers as their demand for advanced reticles accelerates. Photronics' state-of-the-art manufacturing operations Manufacturing operations concern the operation of a facility, as opposed to maintenance, supply and distribution, health, and safety, emergency response, human resources, security, information technology and other infrastructural support organizations. in Manchester, England, Allen and Austin, Texas, Milpitas, California Milpitas (IPA pronunciation: mɪlpitʌs; inhabitants are called 'Milpitans') is a city in Santa Clara County, California. It is located with San Jose to its south and Fremont to its north, at the eastern end of Highway 237 and generally between Interstate freeways 680 and , and Singapore, our strong commitment to R&D, and our innovative team of engineers, create an ideal environment for IMEC and its many members to conduct research in the most thorough manner possible. The results of our collaboration will benefit semiconductor designers and manufacturers around the world who will be relying on advanced optical lithography to fabricate increasingly more complex products." Photronics is a leading worldwide manufacturer of photomasks. Photomasks are high precision quartz plates that contain microscopic images of electronic circuits. A key element in the manufacture of semiconductors, photomasks are used to transfer circuit patterns onto semiconductor wafers during the fabrication of integrated circuits. They are produced in accordance with circuit designs provided by customers at strategically located manufacturing facilities in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Texas, Germany, Korea, Singapore, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Additional information on the Company can be accessed at www.photronics.com. IMEC is an independent research and development organization that develops advanced microelectronics technology. IMEC performs contract research and licenses its technology to industrial partners. Founded in 1984, it has become by far the largest independent research center of its kind in Europe, with an annual R&D budget over US$80 million. Its sub-micron pilot line achieved ISO (1) See ISO speed. (2) (International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland, www.iso.ch) An organization that sets international standards, founded in 1946. The U.S. member body is ANSI. 9001 certification in 1994. IMEC is organized as a non-profit corporation. For more information about IMEC visit www.imec.be. "Safe Harbor Safe Harbor 1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated. 2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive. " Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995: Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this news release that may be considered forward-looking statements may be subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those projected, including uncertainties in the market, pricing competition, procurement and manufacturing efficiencies, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this release. CONTACT: PHOTRONICS Michael W. McCarthy Director - Corporate Communications 203/775-9000 mmccarthy@brk.photronics.com www.photronics.com or IMEC Marianne Van den Broeck Head of Public Relations public relations, activities and policies used to create public interest in a person, idea, product, institution, or business establishment. By its nature, public relations is devoted to serving particular interests by presenting them to the public in the most +32.16.28.114.91 marianne@imec.be www.imec.be or Barbara Kalkis Maestro Public Relations 408/996-9975 |
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