SUMCO Unveils Next Generation of Lower-Resistivity Wafers; Paves the Way for Smaller, Faster and More Energy Efficient Portable Consumer Devices.

PHOENIX -- Sumitomo Mitsubishi Silicon Group (SUMCO USA) has introduced an engineered crystal growing technique that further lowers the resistivity of its heavily-doped arsenic down to 0.002 ohm-cm and red phosphorous down to 0.001 ohm-cm. These crystals can then be made into substrates for epitaxial wafers. The new product, available this spring in 150 mm wafers, will allow semiconductor manufacturers to build devices that are smaller, faster and more energy efficient.

"As the world leader in production of discrete silicon wafers, SUMCO is committed to staying in the forefront of power management and efficiency for our customers. We fully anticipate this product improvement will help device makers with their next generation of products," said Nick Stroud, President, SUMCO USA Sales Corporation.

Evaluation samples of the new, heavily-doped product are available immediately.

"We have driven the resistivity of substrate crystals to new, lower levels," said David O'Ferrell, Vice President, Applications Support, SUMCO USA. "SUMCO was the first merchant silicon supplier to grow 200 mm arsenic and red phosphorous substrate crystals, and our production facilities have unmatched experience in high-volume manufacturing of these products."

The new wafers provide a substrate resistivity two-thirds the value of the previous standard, enabling a power consumption reduction of 10-20%, depending on the particular device. SUMCO is currently developing 200 mm versions of arsenic and red phosphorous products at this new lower-resistivity level.

The lower-resistivity crystals will be grown at SUMCO's Ohio facility, with wafering done at SUMCO plants in Ohio, Indonesia and Japan.

O'Ferrell noted that while the bulk of the wafer industry has abandoned small diameter, discrete silicon products to concentrate on 200 mm wafers for integrated circuits, SUMCO continues to develop new products in both categories.

"We have a robust arsenic capability and will continue to support customers who can achieve the performance they need with arsenic-doped wafers. Customers who need even lower resistivity levels -- for the highest-speed/lowest-power switches -- will benefit tremendously from our new red phosphorous-doped products," O'Ferrell says.

SUMCO is the world's largest supplier of 150 mm red phosphorous wafers.

The company's commitment to low-resistivity wafers reflects the expansion of the discrete and power management semiconductor sector and the demand for increased performance. Low voltage Power MOSFETs that drive mobile, automotive and industrial products require the lowest power dissipation at low operating voltages and a range of currents. SUMCO's new product anticipates the expectations of manufacturers for material that will produce high-yielding, repeatable device processes.

SUMCO USA is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsubishi Silicon Corporation (SUMCO), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The world's second largest silicon wafer manufacturer, SUMCO operates 12 manufacturing facilities located in Asia, Europe and the United States. The company's customers include the world's leading semiconductor makers.

For more information about SUMCO USA, visit the company's web site at www.SUMCOUSA.com.