Mason,
I don't perceive the masking operation, i-line operation and P-GILD to be complementary, that's my concern.
UTEK makes 1X steppers. That means there is no reduction from the features on the mask to the features on the wafers. That means there's a requirement for better precision in the mask making equipment. That is one connection between the UltraBeam product and the existing steppers. Another connection is R&D that UTEK has been doing into EUV lithography. While this may never become a product, better maskmaking equipment is a prerequisite.
My criticism of P-GILD is more complicated, and has to do with the likelihood of it ever being adopted widely enough to show a decent profit. The industry is pouring money into what appears to me to be incompatible technology with P-GILD.
Huh? that is way over my head. the industry is pouring money into technologies that become feasible only with PGILD.
I would love to hear that it has a niche in a world dominated by DUV, EUV, XRL, e-beam, and ion beam, but I see it as being such a small player it could be shunted to the side even if it has some real merit.
It has at least 2 niches if not more -
1.doping necessary for ultrashallow junction formation. No other process can do it.
2. Silicidation competing with RTP.
Art Z. estimates more than $100M revenue by 2000. On Friday, Bob Brinker estimated that this would become a $200M market by 2000.
Now I have to choose whom I'll believe. Mason Barge, who on the CYMI thread, admitted he'd just had too much to drink and should go to bed, or Art Z., a successful CEO of a successful company. This is difficult, give me a nanosecond.
So although you could say that UTEK is focussed on the closely related areas of current steppers, future stepper technology, and masking technology, I don't see them fitting together. I am very willing to listen and be persuaded, however.
You're probably an adult capable of gathering your own information and acting accordingly. I feel no obligation to persuade you of anything. You seem to hold some rather strange beliefs which do not appear to be based upon facts, but that's also okay with me. It's your money, not mine, use it anyway you see fit.
good luck,
Ian. |
