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Politics : Formerly About Applied Materials -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Gottfried who wrote (31048)	6/16/1999 12:15:00 AM
From: Skeeter Bug	Respond to of 70976

bloomberg.com

To: Gottfried who wrote (31048)	6/16/1999 10:34:00 AM
From: Proud_Infidel	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 70976

Wednesday June 16, 8:10 am Eastern Time Company Press Release Applied Materials Unveils New Defect-Review SEM for Advanced Chip Production High Productivity SEMVision cX Classifies Wafer Defects In-Line to Isolate Their Source and Enable Rapid Control of Process Excursions SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 16, 1999-- Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq/NMS:AMAT - news) announces the SEMVision(tm) cX, the latest member of the company's SEMVision product series, for the automatic review and classification of wafer defects in advanced semiconductor production lines. The cX builds on the company's breakthrough SEMVision system, which continues to be at the forefront of defect review technology. Using OperatorFree(tm) EDX (energy dispersive x-ray) analysis, the SEMVision cX features automatic material identification that characterizes defects on unpatterned wafers and provides chipmakers with information on the defect's source. The system also offers high-productivity operation at 500 defects per hour and color MPSI (Multiple Perspective SEM Imaging) for enhanced topography and material information. These features work together to provide chipmakers with fast, reliable defect information on both patterned and unpatterned wafers, alerting them of process excursions and helping identify the defect's source to enable faster time to correction. ''The SEMVision cX's ability to automatically identify and classify a large range of defects can change the way fabs make decisions about process operations since the information stream can be tied directly to the process equipment,'' said Dr. Gino Addiego, president of Applied Materials' Process Diagnostics and Control Product Business Group. ''A fab can be highly productive without a large investment in operator training, because the SEMVision cX identifies, classifies and performs a defect material analysis automatically, at high throughput appropriate to in-line use in the fab.'' EDX technology uses x-ray spectroscopy to identify the precise material composition of many defect types so that users can determine their source. The SEMVision cX is the first SEM review system to feature OperatorFree EDX analysis that increases processing speed of the system and requires less engineering expertise. For the first time, material information is combined with automated defect classification (ADC) to provide fab engineers with all vital defect data. The automated EDX is used to analyze unpatterned wafers, such as monitor wafers and those with blanket films or planarized surfaces. Since fabs use a large number of monitor wafers to check process conditions, the SEMVision cX offers chipmakers an easier, more rapid and reliable review capability. Although previous defect detection and review technologies could determine bulk defect density on a wafer, the SEMVision cX lets chipmakers go directly to a higher order of information, called ''classified defect density,'' which automatically classifies defects by type (particle, scratch, buried layer, etc.), material properties, and other characteristics that can be specified by the operator. This unique capability lets chipmakers find the cause of defects in the process flow much more rapidly and creates a useful database of information for future reference. ''The SEMVision cX makes automatic in-line defect review and classification a fab-ready defect reduction technology that chipmakers can easily use with a minimum of operator involvement and expertise, but with major benefits to process control,'' said Dr. Mark Wagner, general manager of Applied Materials' SEMVision product line. The original SEMVision system, launched in 1998, is already in use or has been ordered by leading chipmakers in the U.S., Europe, Korea, Taiwan and Japan. The SEMVision cX will begin shipping in the third calendar quarter of 1999. Most of the features of the SEMVision cX system can be cost-effectively retrofitted to earlier SEMVision systems, upgrading their capability to that of the latest model. According to Dataquest, the market for Auto Review and Classification systems, which includes optical and SEM-based systems, totaled $157 million in 1998, and is expected to grow to $405 million by the year 2003. ''Having the SEMVision cX technology in our Equipment and Process Integration Center (EPIC) is already giving us a preliminary database of defect categories for several of Applied Materials' key process technologies, which could be extremely valuable to customers in managing rapid system startup and fast fab ramping,'' said Dr. Addiego. ''We expect to use the SEMVision system extensively as part of Applied Materials' future process development strategy because it offers us the same advantages in yield learning and cycle time as it does for our customers in their fabs.'' Applied Materials, Inc. is a Fortune 500 global growth company and the world's largest supplier of wafer fabrication systems and services to the global semiconductor industry. Applied Materials is traded on the Nasdaq National Market System under the symbol ''AMAT.'' Applied Materials' web site is www.appliedmaterials.com.

To: Gottfried who wrote (31048)	6/16/1999 2:37:00 PM
From: Paul V.	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 70976

Gottfried, Richard and threaders, DW weekly Bull Percentages. Note, that the Semi and Asia sectors are in the overbought area. The highest since 12/1994 that the SEMI sector has been is 88%. But, overall there are more sectors below the 50% than there were last week and two sectors in the oversold area. Today, AMAT hit a DW high of $70 therefore is only $2 to break a double top and a new all time high. AMAT's RS as of yesterday was 94 in the IBD. I have not received todays paper so I can not give you the Industrial SEMI Equip. ranking or other IBD data. Naturally, the above is only my opinions and the data which I have reviewed from the Dorsey Wright site, IBD and SEMI sites. Readers are reminded the old saving, "caveat emptor (buyer/reader beware)." Scroll to the right to see all data. SECTOR Percent SECTOR Percent SECTOR Percent SECTOR Percent SECTOR Percent 5/18/99 5/25/99 6/1/99 6/7/99 6/15/99 10week 69.39 10week 64.1 10week 61.37 10week 60.62 10week 52.11 LEADING INDICATOR #1 30week 59 30week 58.01 30week 58.41 30week 59.72 30week 57.21 LEADING INDICATOR #4 bpaero 59.3 bpaero 52.7 bpaero 47.3 bpaero 54.7 bpaero 50.7 bpasia 79.6 bpasia 77.6 bpasia 73.5 bpasia 75.5 bpasia 83.3 bpauto 55.3 bpauto 53.4 bpauto 51 bpauto 52.9 bpauto 47.5 bpbank 47.9 bpbank 47.3 bpbank 45.6 bpbank 46.8 bpbank 45.4 bpbiom 53.8 bpbiom 50.8 bpbiom 48.5 bpbiom 50.8 bpbiom 45 bpbuil 56.2 bpbuil 56.2 bpbuil 55.9 bpbuil 53.7 bpbuil 54.5 bpbusi 47.9 bpbusi 51.6 bpbusi 51.6 bpbusi 52 bpbusi 47 bpchem 60.7 bpchem 57.9 bpchem 53.3 bpchem 54.2 bpchem 51.4 bpcomp 54.1 bpcomp 54.8 bpcomp 51.5 bpcomp 56 bpcomp 52.2 bpdrug 41.5 bpdrug 43.8 bpdrug 41.7 bpdrug 46.9 bpdrug 48.4 bpelec 52.4 bpelec 53.9 bpelec 52 bpelec 57.5 bpelec 57.1 bpeuro 50 bpeuro 50 bpeuro 50 bpeuro 50 bpeuro 57.1 bpeuti 35.3 bpeuti 39.3 bpeuti 41.2 bpeuti 42.4 bpeuti 41.7 bpfina 55.6 bpfina 52.1 bpfina 50 bpfina 51.7 bpfina 46 bpfood 48 bpfood 46.9 bpfood 47.8 bpfood 48.2 bpfood 45.4 bpfore 60 bpfore 64.7 bpfore 58.8 bpfore 58.8 bpfore 60.8 bpgame 62.2 bpgame 64.4 bpgame 64.6 bpgame 62.2 bpgame 62.2 bpguti 47.8 bpguti 53.6 bpguti 55.1 bpguti 58 bpguti 61.2 bpheal 48.2 bpheal 50.5 bpheal 48.9 bpheal 51.8 bpheal 48.1 bphous 58.1 bphous 61.5 bphous 61.2 bphous 51.6 bphous 48.7 bpinet 43.94 bpinet 28.15 bpinet 29.63 bpinet 42.65 bpinet 21.58 bpinsu 51.6 bpinsu 49.1 bpinsu 44.7 bpinsu 45.9 bpinsu 45.9 bplati 73.2 bplati 62.5 bplati 62.5 bplati 62.5 bplati 62.5 bpleis 52.2 bpleis 52.9 bpleis 52.9 bpleis 53.6 bpleis 51 bpmach 52.6 bpmach 52 bpmach 50 bpmach 51.4 bpmach 52 bpmedi 64.5 bpmedi 56.5 bpmedi 53.7 bpmedi 50 bpmedi 46.7 bpmeta 61 bpmeta 58 bpmeta 53.1 bpmeta 54.3 bpmeta 53.8 bpnyse 57 bpnyse 55 bpnyse 53.1 bpnyse 54.7 bpnyse 54.62 NEW YORK STOCK EXCHG. bpoil 59.4 bpoil 58.2 bpoil 54.3 bpoil 56.4 bpoil 58.1 bpoils 59.8 bpoils 55.1 bpoils 55.7 bpoils 61.5 bpoils 64.6 bpopti 60.36 bpopti 55.85 bpopti 54.6 bpopti 57.57 bpopti 54.85 LEADING INDICATOR #2 bpotc 56.8 bpotc 53.2 bpotc 51.7 bpotc 56 bpotc 48.93 OVER-THE-COUNTER bpprec 42.3 bpprec 38 bpprec 36.7 bpprec 28 bpprec 27.1 bpprot 45.2 bpprot 45.2 bpprot 45.2 bpprot 46.7 bpprot 47.5 bpreal 44.2 bpreal 44.9 bpreal 45.6 bpreal 45.6 bpreal 45.6 bprest 47.7 bprest 50.6 bprest 47.1 bprest 47.1 bprest 49.4 bpreta 52.1 bpreta 48.5 bpreta 46.6 bpreta 49.7 bpreta 47.4 bpsavi 42.5 bpsavi 42.1 bpsavi 44.7 bpsavi 44.7 bpsavi 46.8 bpsemi 58.6 bpsemi 53.5 bpsemi 54.5 bpsemi 67.3 bpsemi 78.8 bpsoft 52.9 bpsoft 55.8 bpsoft 53.7 bpsoft 56.4 bpsoft 49.8 bpstee 62.9 bpstee 59.8 bpstee 56.7 bpstee 49 bpstee 43.1 bptele 58.3 bptele 55 bptele 55.4 bptele 62.6 bptele 63.1 bptext 44.8 bptext 44.8 bptext 42.2 bptext 43.1 bptext 42.4 bptran 64.1 bptran 58.2 bptran 57.1 bptran 60 bptran 60.7 bpwall 45.5 bpwall 36.4 bpwall 38.2 bpwall 32.8 bpwall 30.2 bpwast 50 bpwast 47.7 bpwast 47.7 bpwast 50.8 bpwast 51.6 HiLo 65.51 HiLo 50.11 HiLo 47.68 HiLo 50.03 HiLo 42.32 LEADING INDICATOR #3 NUMERICAL ORDER SECTOR Percent SECTOR Percent SECTOR Percent SECTOR Percent SECTOR Percent 5/18/99 5/25/99 6/1/99 6/7/99 6/15/99 bpasia 79.6 bpasia 77.6 bpasia 73.5 bpasia 75.5 bpasia 83.3 bplati 73.2 bpfore 64.7 bpgame 64.6 bpsemi 67.3 bpsemi 78.8 10week 69.39 bpgame 64.4 bplati 62.5 bptele 62.6 bpoils 64.6 HiLo 65.51 10week 64.1 10week 61.37 bplati 62.5 bptele 63.1 bpmedi 64.5 bplati 62.5 bphous 61.2 bpgame 62.2 bplati 62.5 bptran 64.1 bphous 61.5 bpfore 58.8 bpoils 61.5 bpgame 62.2 bpstee 62.9 bpstee 59.8 30week 58.41 10week 60.62 bpguti 61.2 bpgame 62.2 bpoil 58.2 bptran 57.1 bptran 60 bpfore 60.8 bpmeta 61 bptran 58.2 bpstee 56.7 30week 59.72 bptran 60.7 bpchem 60.7 30week 58.01 bpbuil 55.9 bpfore 58.8 bpoil 58.1 bpopti 60.36 bpmeta 58 bpoils 55.7 bpguti 58 30week 57.21 LEADING INDICATOR #4 bpfore 60 bpchem 57.9 bptele 55.4 bpopti 57.57 bpeuro 57.1 bpoils 59.8 bpmedi 56.5 bpguti 55.1 bpelec 57.5 bpelec 57.1 bpoil 59.4 bpbuil 56.2 bpopti 54.6 bpsoft 56.4 bpopti 54.85 LEADING INDICATOR #2 bpaero 59.3 bpopti 55.85 bpsemi 54.5 bpoil 56.4 bpnyse 54.62 NEW YORK STOCK EXCHG. 30week 59 bpsoft 55.8 bpoil 54.3 bpotc 56 bpbuil 54.5 bpsemi 58.6 bpoils 55.1 bpsoft 53.7 bpcomp 56 bpmeta 53.8 bptele 58.3 bpnyse 55 bpmedi 53.7 bpnyse 54.7 bpcomp 52.2 bphous 58.1 bptele 55 bpchem 53.3 bpaero 54.7 10week 52.11 LEADING INDICATOR #1 bpnyse 57 bpcomp 54.8 bpnyse 53.1 bpmeta 54.3 bpmach 52 bpotc 56.8 bpelec 53.9 bpmeta 53.1 bpchem 54.2 bpwast 51.6 bpbuil 56.2 bpguti 53.6 bpleis 52.9 bpbuil 53.7 bpchem 51.4 bpfina 55.6 bpsemi 53.5 bpelec 52 bpleis 53.6 bpleis 51 bpauto 55.3 bpauto 53.4 bpotc 51.7 bpauto 52.9 bpaero 50.7 bpcomp 54.1 bpotc 53.2 bpbusi 51.6 bpbusi 52 bpsoft 49.8 bpbiom 53.8 bpleis 52.9 bpcomp 51.5 bpheal 51.8 bprest 49.4 bpsoft 52.9 bpaero 52.7 bpauto 51 bpfina 51.7 bpotc 48.93 OVER-THE-COUNTER bpmach 52.6 bpfina 52.1 bpmach 50 bphous 51.6 bphous 48.7 bpelec 52.4 bpmach 52 bpfina 50 bpmach 51.4 bpdrug 48.4 bpleis 52.2 bpbusi 51.6 bpeuro 50 bpwast 50.8 bpheal 48.1 bpreta 52.1 bpbiom 50.8 bpheal 48.9 bpbiom 50.8 bpprot 47.5 bpinsu 51.6 bprest 50.6 bpbiom 48.5 HiLo 50.03 bpauto 47.5 bpwast 50 bpheal 50.5 bpfood 47.8 bpmedi 50 bpreta 47.4 bpeuro 50 HiLo 50.11 bpwast 47.7 bpeuro 50 bpbusi 47 bpheal 48.2 bpeuro 50 HiLo 47.68 bpreta 49.7 bpsavi 46.8 bpfood 48 bpinsu 49.1 bpaero 47.3 bpstee 49 bpmedi 46.7 bpbusi 47.9 bpreta 48.5 bprest 47.1 bpfood 48.2 bpfina 46 bpbank 47.9 bpwast 47.7 bpreta 46.6 bprest 47.1 bpinsu 45.9 bpguti 47.8 bpbank 47.3 bpreal 45.6 bpdrug 46.9 bpreal 45.6 bprest 47.7 bpfood 46.9 bpbank 45.6 bpbank 46.8 bpfood 45.4 bpwall 45.5 bpprot 45.2 bpprot 45.2 bpprot 46.7 bpbank 45.4 bpprot 45.2 bpreal 44.9 bpsavi 44.7 bpinsu 45.9 bpbiom 45 bptext 44.8 bptext 44.8 bpinsu 44.7 bpreal 45.6 bpstee 43.1 bpreal 44.2 bpdrug 43.8 bptext 42.2 bpsavi 44.7 bptext 42.4 bpinet 43.94 bpsavi 42.1 bpdrug 41.7 bptext 43.1 HiLo 42.32 LEADING INDICATOR #3 bpsavi 42.5 bpeuti 39.3 bpeuti 41.2 bpinet 42.65 bpeuti 41.7 bpprec 42.3 bpprec 38 bpwall 38.2 bpeuti 42.4 bpwall 30.2 bpdrug 41.5 bpwall 36.4 bpprec 36.7 bpwall 32.8 bpprec 27.1 bpeuti 35.3 bpinet 28.15 bpinet 29.63 bpprec 28 bpinet 21.58