Re queries about CYMI and Fused Silica:
Our experts haven't responded, so I'll take a shot.
1. CYMI makes the Deep Ultra Violet light source - the DUV laser.
2. Its customers generally make photolithography steppers that use CYMI's laser. 1 part of the stepper is a lens system. The lens system focuses the DUV light on the wafer. The lens must be very precise (we're dealing with .25u sizes here). Fused silica, which is difficult to make, has sufficient purity and regualarity to make the lenses.
3. Fused Silica is in short supply, and will be until mid next year.
It's made by a small little US company called Corning(NYSE:GLW), a german company Haeretsu and a Japanese company called ShinEtsu Quartz.
4. Nikon, Canon, ASM Litho use a lens system to focus the light. SVGI uses a mirror system to focus the light. Last Q, SVGI increased its production capacity 5fold and is now in the process of ramping up.
I'm not sure which will produce the best forward looking return - CYMI or SVGI - from this point in time. So, I'll hold both. ;-)
5. At least we don't have real and substantial problems like FERO...
WASHINGTON -- The Securities and Exchange
Commission Thursday charged Ferrofluidics Corp. with
securities fraud, alleging the Nasdaq-listed company
inflated its sales and earnings from 1991 to 1993.
In a civil complaint filed in U.S. District Court in
Manhattan, the SEC named Ronald Moskowitz, the
company's former chairman and chief executive, and Jan
Kirk, former chief financial officer.
The SEC also began administrative proceedings against
three other individuals connected to the company, including
Moskowitz's brother, alleging violations of securities laws.
Ferrofluidics (FERO), based in Nashua, N.H., develops
magnetic fluid technology for use in disk drives and
semiconductor applications. Thursday's cases bring to 19
the number of individuals and entities the SEC has charged
in connection with its investigation into the company's
financial practices. |
