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

To: w0z who wrote (33862)	1/19/2000 9:29:00 AM
From: Proud_Infidel	Respond to of 70976

SEMATECH Validates Applied Materials' SEMVision Defect Review System for 180nm Devices SEMVision Technology has Enhanced Industry Standard for Automatic Defect Classification (ADC) SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--January 19, 2000-- Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT - news) today announced that the semiconductor industry consortium SEMATECH has qualified the SEMVision(TM) defect review system, validating the system's capability for 180nm (1.8 micron) device manufacturing. The market-leading SEMVision system was evaluated by a SEMATECH member company where it is now being used in full production. SEMVision is the first system capable of automatically reviewing and classifying wafer defects in a semiconductor production line -- alerting chipmakers of process excursions and helping them to identify the source of the defects. ''The SEMVision system has set a new benchmark for SEM-based automatic defect classification for the semiconductor industry,'' said Dr. Rinn Cleavelin, director of SEMATECH's Front End Processing. ''The program verified that the SEMVision system meets the production ADC requirements outlined in the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors for 180nm technology. Particularly impressive were the system's high throughput and reliable performance which are important requirements for achieving production-worthy yields.'' By establishing the SEMVision system's rule-based methodology for the automatic classification of defects, SEMATECH was able to create a common language for vendors and users based on eight Core Classes of defects. This terminology allows chipmakers to classify defects by type (particle, scratch, etc.), material properties and other characteristics that can be specified by the operator, enabling a more rapid determination of the defects' source. Using Applied Materials' proprietary Multiple Perspective SEM Imaging(TM) technology, SEMVision provides chipmakers with simultaneous material and topographical data. This capability can be combined with OperatorFree(TM) EDX(TM) (energy dispersive x-ray) technology offered by the company's latest SEMVision cX enhancement, for additional defect characterization for material-oriented classification. ''The SEMVision series with its rule-based ADC and automatic EDX technology for advanced in-line defect review provides our customers with outstanding value compared to competitive systems, which is why our customers are selecting this system,'' said Dr. Gino Addiego, president of Applied Materials' Process Diagnostics and Control Group. ''These fully automated capabilities are key to helping the industry transition more easily from manual classification to SEM ADC, maximizing yields and improving profitability. SEMATECH has been an invaluable partner in helping advance the development and integration of these technologies.'' Strong demand for the SEMVision product series, which introduced the industry's first fully-automated defect review SEM technology for both engineering and in-line operations, has established Applied Materials as the number one supplier of SEM defect review equipment. Widely used by SEMATECH member companies, SEMVision systems can be cost-effectively upgraded with the extended capabilities of the latest cX model. According to Dataquest, a market research firm, the market for Automatic Review and Classification systems, which includes optical and SEM-based systems, totaled $158 million in 1998 and is expected to grow to $384 million by the year 2003. Based in Austin, Texas, SEMATECH is a non-profit semiconductor manufacturing technology development consortium. International SEMATECH is a subsidiary formed in 1998 to include the participation of non-U.S. companies. Member companies are AMD, Compaq Computer Corporation (which acquired Digital), Conexant, Hewlett-Packard, Hyundai, Infineon Technologies (formerly Siemens Semiconductors), Intel, IBM, Lucent Technologies, Motorola, Philips Semiconductors, STMicroelectronics, TSMC and Texas Instruments. Additional information about International SEMATECH is available on the Internet at www.sematech.org. 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.