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Technology Stocks : Dupont Photomasks (DPMI) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: D. K. G. who wrote (499)	4/6/1998 4:07:00 PM
From: D. K. G.	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 955

I answered one of my own questions on sales price and mask dimension: Message 3689264 Low-end and midrange photomask prices have risen at a 10 percent compound annual growth rate, from $2,750 to $4,500, over the past five years. It is worthwhile to note that photomask prices rise in parallel with device complexity. Each masking step requires a different photomask, so these prices multiply by the number of layers. A single photomask used to manufacture a device with 0.25-micron feature sizes has a price tag approaching $21,000. A photomask used to manufacture devices with 0.18- micron feature sizes sports a price of $47,000. Which company would we buy? If one were to visit Photronics or Dupont Photomask, one would see a number of similarities. At this time, we feel both companies present excellent opportunities. ------------------------------------------------------------- I see a compounded benefit. DRAM memory makers are one to two lithography generations ahead of other chip designs. The more complicated ASIC, logic patterns will eventually migrate to the DUV range. Some 3-D chips are in the design phase. I imagine these photomask are more diffcult to produce even in the i-line above 0.25um. Now you will get a higher ASP for DUV and complicated design. What do you guys think? Regards, Denis

To: D. K. G. who wrote (499)	4/7/1998 4:54:00 PM
From: Duane L. Olson	Respond to of 955

Denis, Thanks for all the inputs. My understanding of photomask construction and use is too limited to offer an explanation. My understanding is that with, for example, .25u design features, vs .35u, you go to a whole new scale of complexity. Wafer size, per se, is not the controlling factor in the design complexity, nor the structuring of the photomask. The complexity of the mask, I understand, escalates sharply when both the wafer size is increased and the line widths are decreased -- causing the mask to be a multiple of the cost of the one supporting a less complex design. Given the general trend of increase chip complexity, and increased numbers of chips, I'm satisfied, in my simplistic way, to accept the projected increases in earnings and make my stock price projections based on that...and they look good to me.. Cheers! TSO