January 21, 2004 – The Semiconductor Industry Association (ITRS) has released the 2003 edition of the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS), which provides detailed technical guidance and milestones for semiconductor manufacturing for the next 15 years.

The 2003 version of the ITRS, a collaborative effort with over 900 international participants, included two new areas: analysis of novel memory devices such as post-CMOS devices, and wireless communications, both of which involve the emergence of nanotechnology and a convergence of applications shifting from analog to digital. Also of note was the decision to put off production using 90nm process technologies until 2004, returning to a development pace of roughly three years/node.

The January issue of Solid State Technology contains an exclusive preview of highlights of the new ITRS in process integration, front end/gates, lithography, interconnect, and materials.