Issue

The semiconductor industry’s position on nanotechnology has been interesting to observe over the last decade.

By taking the right steps with regard to safety, the solar industry can keep its costs in line and also take pride in running facilities efficiently. Andreas Widl, Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum

Silicon has many advantages for solar application: it’s a well-known material with well-characterized performance data, field-proven for solar applications with high conversion efficiency and a demonstrated 30-year lifetime.

With the release of its IC Validator targeting sub-45nm designs, Synopsys Inc. is inaugurating a new strategy with respect to DFM, to differentiate what it considers manufacturing software from the “true DFM” tools on the design side of the equation.

Plasmonic technology, today still in an experimental stage, has the potential to be used in future applications such as nanoscale optical interconnects for high-performance computer chips, extremely sensitive (bio)molecular sensors, and highly efficient thin-film solar cells.

High-volume manufacturing techniques have considerably reduced the assembly and test cost of plastic packages; those with enhanced thermal properties and significantly improved reliability and performance are now available. Anwar A. Mohammed, Infineon Technologies.

Underfill type and strategy will be key to enabling highly reliable PoP devices. Vicky Wang, Henkel Loctite (China) Co. Ltd. and Dan Maslyk, Henkel Corp.

Model-based analysis reduces the time to determine the root causes of yield losses. An Carlson, Rudolph Technologies Inc.

A fab reduced cycle time and increased film-deposition uniformity and die yield per wafer. Craig C. Ramsey, CyberOptics Semiconductor Inc.

ESH issues can be addressed by leveraging available ESH funds, preventing duplication of efforts, and benchmarking. Ron Remke, Tom Huang, Steve Trammell, Laurie Beu, Walter Worth, ISMI.

Enterprise-wide R2R and FDC deployment can lead to improved process capability and detection of key faults impacting productivity. James Moyne, Applied Materials required component in all fabs, providing process improvement and waste reduction.