Andrew: I took a good chunk of PLAB at the same price and you will be glad you did (if not already) when you read the following press release on the wires after the close <g>:
Thursday July 9, 4:06 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Photronics Supports Cypress Semiconductor's First 0.25
Micron Technology Product
Photronics' Deep Sub-Micron Expertise Underscores the Value-Added
Importance of Advanced Reticle Technology
MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 9, 1998-- Photronics, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLAB -
news), the world's leading and fastest growing photomask supplier, announced today that the
Company provided Cypress Semiconductor (NYSE:CY - news), an international supplier of
high-performance integrated circuits, with the advanced reticle technology and support for the
production of their first 0.25 micron technology product.
The critical 4x deep ultra-violet photomask levels included the use of aggressive optical proximity
correction (OPC) features and were produced using the MEBES 4500 electron beam lithography
system and Photronics' proprietary high resolution UltraRes(tm) process. Devices were initially
produced in Cypress Semiconductor's Technology Center last October in San Jose, California and
then in their Fab 4 in Minnesota in February.
John Hambidge, Photronics' Executive Vice President of Worldwide Operations commented, ''As
Cypress' primary photomask supplier, we recognize the strategic importance of being able to
provide them with the advanced reticle technology they required and have invested aggressively to
do so. The high-end capabilities we continue to bring to the global semiconductor industry will be
instrumental in enabling companies such as Cypress to retain a competitive advantage in the wafer
fabrication technology used to manufacture next generation products. Combining our technological
expertise with that of Cypress proved essential in meeting the challenge of fabricating these
products.''
Reticle, process and design engineers from Cypress Semiconductor worked closely with their
counterparts at Photronics to reduce photomask production cycle time and to improve the device's
performance. Doug VanDenBroeke, Director of Research & Development for Photronics noted,
''Tightly controlled critical dimensions (CD) and the use of aggressive OPC features helped achieve
the desired performance from these products. Our strategy and program of Design for
Manufacturability(tm) was critical in modifying the application of OPC's to their device data, which
lead to cycle time reduction and facilitated reticle inspection. The successful application of our
proprietary high resolution UltraRes(tm) process and strong working relationship with Cypress
Semiconductor's design team lead to significant yield improvements on the wafer.''
Tony Alvarez, Sr. Vice President of Research & Development of Cypress Semiconductor added:
''We are aggressively driving 0.25 micron process capability for our next generation products,
thereby bringing greater value to our customers. Photronics' advanced reticle technology and
production support proved instrumental in the rollout of our new process.''
Photronics is a leading worldwide manufacturer of photomasks. Photomasks are high precision
quartz plates that contain microscopic images of electronic circuits. A key element in the manufacture
of semiconductors, photomasks are used to transfer circuit patterns onto semiconductor wafers
during the fabrication of integrated circuits. They are produced in accordance with circuit designs
provided by customers at strategically located manufacturing facilities in Arizona, California,
Connecticut, Texas, Germany, Korea, Singapore, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Additional
information on the Company can be accessed at www.photronics.com.
Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Except for
historical information, the matters discussed in this news release that may be considered
forward-looking statements may be subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the
actual results to differ materially from those projected, including uncertainties in the market, pricing
competition, procurement and manufacturing efficiencies, and other risks detailed from time to time in
the Company's SEC reports. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this
release.
Contact:
Photronics Inc.
Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
Michael W. McCarthy, 203/775-9000
mccarthy@brk.photronics.com
www.photronics.com
More Quotes
and News:
Cypress Semiconductor Corp (NYSE:CY - news)
Photronics Inc (Nasdaq:PLAB - news)
Related News Categories: computers, semiconductors
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