Rob,
I've seen this argument about INTC buying from SVGI being in indication of SVGI's current and future greatness. To quote you, Intel will only order the best equipment.
Now, Intel is a great company and they certainly aren't stupid, but if you've ever seen them present at a conference (for instance, the International Electron Device Meeting), you'll see them present one consistent fact about their processing: "Copy Exactly!" (and that's about ALL they say). The idea is, at every single fab producing on the same process, they use exactly the same equipment. Thus, rather than give each fab the latitude to tweak their processes, they rather make sure that everyone does the same thing, so that tracking down problems is much easier (as you've removed so many of the variables).
With that in mind, and recalling how many problems other companies have had when ramping up fabs with new equipment, it is quite reasonable to expect that Intel would stick with the equipment they already know and, once decided, will put in lots of orders for that exact same piece of equipment. So, it is good to have Intel as your customer, because they will buy lots of your equipment. However, the fact that they do not switch away from it is NOT indicative of its current state-of-the-art "goodness."
A second aspect, which is probably a lot less obvious, is that big companies simulate how lithographic exposure will work. This includes modeling the physical equipment, the masks (with all their phase shifts, plus off-axis illumination, etc.), the photoresist exposure response, you name it. Once they have perfected the modeling, it's possible to tweak your process beyond the norm, and no doubt Intel does (i.e. "We don't need no stinking copper yet!"). That's another reason to not switch litho tools (or any part of the flow), since you've already characterized a good part of the lithographic variation {of course, if their models are physical enough, they can technically plug in any specs from any tool/resist combination, but if you've ever modeled anything under time constraints, you know this is rarely the case}
Anyway, as with Andrew, I tend to have a pretty neutral view of SVGI, and I think the litho market in general is a very difficult one to "win." However, I agree with those who said UTEK is even worse off!
Steve (who holds no litho stocks) |
