Heard on the Beat: AMD still close to ASML
By Peter Clarke
Silicon Strategies
04/19/2004, 3:51 PM ET
Although the lithography decision for the 65-nanometer manufacturing process node at Advanced Micro Devices Inc. is still open it is looking increasingly like ASML Holding NV would have to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory to lose that next piece of business from Advanced Micro Devices Inc.
Here's what Thomas Sonderman, director of manufacturing technology within AMD's corporate manufacturing group, had to say at a press conference held the day before the scheduled opening of Semicon Europa exhibition in Munich, Germany.
"At 65-nanometer it is a very open approach to all manufacturing technologies. We have shared our history with IBM and we would never discount any tool supplier," he said.
AMD and IBM have a process technology development agreement covering the 65-nm and 45-nm nodes. And those comments would appear to give hope to Nikon and Canon.
However, Sonderman also said that AMD is using ASML lithography equipment throughout Fab25, now handed over to FASL LLC, and throughout the original Dresden fab, Fab30, which is converting to 90-nm manufacturing.
ASML is also at the focus of process technology research with AMD on exposure compensation at the wafer and die level. "We're attuned to ASML and what they can do," said Sonderman. |
