Heard on the Beat: Varian readies high-current implanter
Silicon Strategies
10/11/2004, 1:50 PM ET
The high-current ion implanter market is expected to heat up, as Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates Inc. is readying a new tool in the segment, according to a report from Pacific Crest Securities Inc. on Monday (Oct. 11).
Varian will likely roll out a new version of its single-wafer, high-current ion implanter within the next 45 days, said Mark Bachman, an analyst with Pacific Crest (Portland, Ore.), in the report. "Our sources reveal that the new design will meaningfully improve wafer throughtput, which lowers the overall cost of ownership," he said.
No details or specifications were given about the tool, but Varian is projected to gain market share in the high-current segment from 15.6 percent in 2003, to 19 percent in 2004, according to Bachman. Varian current high-current tool, the VIISta 80HP, was introduced in 2003.
In 2003, the market for high-current implanters was $373 million, or 50 percent of the overall $754 million implanter market. Axcelis is the leader with 43.8 percent share, while Appled Materials has 40.6 percent, according to Bachman.
Applied rolled out a new single-wafer, high-current tool in July, while Axcelis is reportedly developing one, dubbed the Maximum. Hermes Epitek is marketing a hybrid batch and single-wafe tool, the report said.
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