Jay,
There is probably very little difference between the lasers that are specced to operate with the new ASML scanner. Obviously, they both met the spec in ASML's lab. What will differentiate their success in the marketplace will be a function of cost of ownership, which is based on the laser vendors' abilities to service lasers(uptime) and mass produce lasers to spec. In the past, Lambda has not shown an ability to mass produce and are still delivering less than ten a quarter. It doesn't seem Coherent has the financial wherewithal to fund any type of capacity expansion at this point in time(cash at $18.9M, losses posted last Q, one very screwed up division, and pricing pressure across many product lines). As far as service goes, Cymer has them beat hands down. Cymer has service contracts in place with every semiconductor company currently using their lasers(pretty much all of them) and the infrastructure to back them up. Relationships have been established. The people in charge of making the purchase decisions are highly motivated not to screw something up, if it is already working well. It's the old "no one gets fired for buying IBM(now Intel)" syndrome.
With Cymer spending more on R&D, then Lambda has in microlithography laser sales, I'd be surprised if Lambda can move up the performance curve in tandem.
ASML has always wanted a second source for lasers and has gone out of their way to help Lambda be this source. Including Lambda in the release was to be expected. ASML has listed them as an option for DUV tools for some time.
This isn't that big a deal, IMHO.
Bob |
