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Technology Stocks : Dupont Photomasks (DPMI)
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To: dlc who wrote (719)11/14/1998 10:28:00 PM
From: Katherine Derbyshire  Read Replies (2) of 955
 
>>With regard to the Intel prediction, only the critical layers in their .25 micron
process require .25 micron masks. You make it sound like all their masks are at .25
micron. Their process technology is proprietary but I will make an assumption
based on my days in the fab. Their .25 micron process requires maybe 15 or 20
masks. Out of these I will guess that 3 or 4 are critical layers and require .25 micron
masks. The other layers have looser design rules and do not use leading edge
masks. So in a given mask set, maybe 20% at most are leading edge masks.<<

You are correct, of course. Apologies for not making that clear.

Based on your experience, can you compare the "typical" cost to the mask user for a critical level mask vs. a non-critical mask?

>>Yes, the industry is going to .25 and below, but with the
current level of overcapacity most fabs do not have a huge incentive to get more die
per wafer, i.e. increase their production.<<

I stand by my original post. See my response to LittleMax at
Message 6422675

Shrinks let fabs offer more performance as well as more capacity, and they see this as one way to raise their ASPs. Shrinks are not only happening quite rapidly, they are being blamed for the length and depth of the current equipment downturn.

Katherine
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