http://www.fabtech.org/ Online information source for semiconductor professionals Copyright 2008, Semiconductor Media en-GB info@fabtech.org Mon, 15 Mar 2021 14:22:19 GMT 120 http://www.fabtech.org/editor_s_blog/_a/varian_semiconductor_equipment_associates_reports_end_of_an_era/ There will be no further quarterly conference calls from VSEA, and that includes for the benefit of myself and anyone else that is interested in the ion implant space - to compare and contrast the niche but fascinating area of this semiconductor technology area. Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:42:20 GMT http://www.fabtech.org/editor_s_blog/_a/semicon_west_losing_a_job_i_didnt_know_i_had_lost/ It’s that time of year again, when bags are packed and the semiconductor suppliers head-off to San Francisco for SEMICON West. Though not attending myself this year, due to an inconsiderate eldest daughter being in a stage show in London next week, I did find out that I have been sacked from a job I had undertaken for a few years that is organised by SEMI in conjunction with SEMICON West. Thu, 07 Jul 2011 21:41:02 GMT http://www.fabtech.org/editor_s_blog/_a/if_you_cant_beat_them_buy_them/ Big news today is that ion implant market leader Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates is to be acquired by Applied Materials for approximately US$4.9 billion. Though this is most definitely a semiconductor play for Applied, it does raise some issues over Applied’s motives as Varian launched the Solion implanter to the solar manufacturing industry a year ago, having poured significant capital into developing the technology. Wed, 04 May 2011 13:36:25 GMT http://www.fabtech.org/editor_s_blog/_a/intel_to_go_revolutionary/ Otellini’s revolutionary comments were on the back of announcing they would increase capital spending in 2011 by a further US$1.0 billion. Much of that added spending would directed at the 14nm node though some would be allocated to ramp at the 22nm node that bit bigger as demand was proving extremely strong for its latest MPU’s. Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:57:40 GMT http://www.fabtech.org/editor_s_blog/_a/guest_blog_a_perspective_on_the_impact_of_japans_disaster/ This guest blog was provided by Bill McClean, IC Insights, covering new analysis of the impact on the semiconductor industry from the recent disasters in Japan. One thing we have learned in over 30 years of analyzing the semiconductor market is that when the forecasting environment is at its most confusing state (e.g., the memory market bubble of 1984, the internet bubble of 2001, the financial collapse of 2008/2009, etc.), the best thing to do is go back to basics. Wed, 30 Mar 2011 19:59:07 GMT http://www.fabtech.org/editor_s_blog/_a/it_all_goes_pete_tong_for_nikon/ VLSI Research has announced its Top 10 wafer fab equipment supplier rankings for 2010 and its not one company’s position that hits you with a sledge hammer but its growth in terms of percentage compared to 2009. As the headline states clearly (though the cockney rhyme may not) Nikon is has had a terrible time against its nemesis, ASML. Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:52:23 GMT http://www.fabtech.org/editor_s_blog/_a/could_energy_supply_be_the_near-term_issue_for_japanese_ic_industry/ In what is clearly a lucky break for the majority of the semiconductor industry in Japan, the massive earthquake and tsunami that followed has not been directly disruptive as it could have been. Having collected official statements from countless company websites since last Friday’s initial earthquake (those will get added to the top story running report tomorrow), few facilities are out of action. But? Tue, 15 Mar 2011 23:28:26 GMT http://www.fabtech.org/editor_s_blog/_a/taiwan_dram_consolidation_takes_unusual_twist/ This guest blog has been written by Lane Mason and Jim Handy of semiconductor market research firm, Objective Analysis. On January 31st, Elpida Memory announced an agreement under which it would purchase all of Powerchip's DRAM output. The agreement is intended to allow Elpida to expand its production capacity without capital expenditures.  Powerchip will phase out its own branded DRAMs and Elpida will purchase all of its commodity PC DRAM production from Powerchip.  Elpida's 300mm Hiroshima fab will allocate its capacity away from commodity DRAMs towards Mobile DRAMs. Tue, 01 Feb 2011 22:35:59 GMT http://www.fabtech.org/editor_s_blog/_a/tsmc_and_450mm_wafers_chang_goes_ka-ching/ Muted references by Intel that its recently announced D1X Fab would 450mm capable is starting to look more like 'doable' if you take veteran leader of TSMC, Morris Chang at his word. Speaking in a conference call with financial analysts, Chang was in pumped-up mode after a capacity sold-out year and expectations of the same this year. Thu, 27 Jan 2011 21:50:37 GMT http://www.fabtech.org/editor_s_blog/_a/what_wafer_size_will_intels_d1x_be/ Hats off to C.J. Muse the semiconductor analyst at Barclays Capital for contemplating that Intel’s new fab, D1X could be primed to be its first 450mm fab.  Full details of the speculation can be viewed here at EETimes.  The fact that Intel said very little about its most significant new fab expansion plan in many years certainly adds fuel to the conspiracy theories. Tue, 26 Oct 2010 21:32:13 GMT http://www.fabtech.org/editor_s_blog/_a/is_samsung_993_intel_as_top_semiconductor_firm/ The latest semiconductor company rankings from IC insights for the first-half of 2010 show that with the strong performance from memory manufacturers and in particular segment leader Samsung, the gap between number one ranked, Intel and number 2 ranked Samsung has shrunk rapidly. Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:32:54 GMT http://www.fabtech.org/editor_s_blog/_a/ic_industry_capacity_consolidation/ IC Insights keeps a close watch on IC capacity trends as an indicator of future IC ASPs and overall IC industry strength. Since 2Q07, IC suppliers have been paring down their older capacity (i.e., ≤200mm wafers). The decline in ≤200mm capacity picked up speed in 2009 and is expected to continue throughout 2010 as memory manufacturers steadily close or upgrade their 200mm fabs to produce 300mm wafers. Thu, 17 Jun 2010 16:08:52 GMT http://www.fabtech.org/editor_s_blog/_a/micron_re-enters_nor_flash_business/ Guest blog by Jim Handy, Objective Analysis Late Tuesday Micron announced that the company had signed a definitive agreement to acquire Numonyx in an all-stock transaction.  Micron will issue 140 million shares of the company's common stock, worth approximately $1.27 billion, to Numonyx shareholders Intel, STMicroelectronics, and Francisco Partners. The NOR flash market has been a difficult one for nearly all participants.  Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:55:37 GMT http://www.fabtech.org/editor_s_blog/_a/bill_mcclean_ic_insights_10_reasons_to_be_optimistic_about_the_ic_industry_/ Are you uncertain about the 2010 IC industry recovery? It may help to consider these actual data points and current expectations that offer support for an increasingly positive outlook for the IC industry this year. The 10 points listed should provide the reader with some encouragement with regard to the IC industry and its suppliers in 2010. Is it clear skies and smooth sailing for the rest of the year? Not, quite. Some potential “pot holes” on the road to 2010 success include: a possible spike in oil prices to greater than US$100 barrel; a major terrorist attack that weakens consumer confidence and the economy along with it; and/or, another major shock to the financial system like a major collapse of a country’s economy. Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:01:01 GMT http://www.fabtech.org/editor_s_blog/_a/rip_rd_new_innovation_models_taking_hold_as_semiconductor_industrys_rd_prog/ Guest blog by Tod Higinbotham, Executive Vice President, Process Solutions, ATMI The recent economic downturn has taught us that semiconductor technology research and development must change if the industry is to prosper.  Circuit design, advanced materials, and innovative process and process flows compel our industry to rethink outdated R&D techniques as we search for a better way to realize the potential of today’s most advanced integrated circuit technology. Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:49:05 GMT http://www.fabtech.org/editor_s_blog/_a/bill_mcclean_ic_insights_the_reset_economy_and_the_2010_ic_industry/ In 4Q08, General Electric’s chief executive Jeff Immelt coined the term “reset economy.”  He used this phrase in an attempt to describe what he expected to be a very different world after the global economic crisis came to an end as compared to before the meltdown.  His belief was that businesses, governments, and consumers would operate very differently in the post-crisis economy and that GE needed to adjust to this new environment. Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:33:31 GMT http://www.fabtech.org/editor_s_blog/_a/what_has_applied_materials_raided_from_semitool/ On the surface (pun intended) there would seem to be of little interest or need to know more about the recent acquisition by Applied Materials of a small cap semiconductor equipment supplier, Semitool. The Montana-based wet processing specialist has been around for a long-time and perhaps because of where it is based, compared with many equipment suppliers clustered in Silicon Valley, it gets little attention in comparison. However, solar cell producers may well find that they get a knock on the cleanroom door soon from Applied, to discuss porous silicon processes and a wet processing tool called the ‘Raider.’ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 19:05:56 GMT http://www.fabtech.org/editor_s_blog/_a/out_with_the_old_fabs_and_in_with_the_new_not/ The impact of the latest semiconductor industry downturn goes further downstream than the red ink on the balance sheets. According to SEMI’s World Fab Forecast updated recently, 19 fabs closed in 2008 and as many as 31 facilities are expected to have closed by the end of 2009. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:40:00 GMT http://www.fabtech.org/editor_s_blog/_a/foundry_fun_and_games_continue/ When I recently highlighted the changes and dynamics at play in the foundry space, I never expected the recent TSMC/SMIC legal spat to result in the exit of SMIC founder Richard Chang and TSMC taking a significant 10% stake in the Chinese foundry. That coupled to the early exit of Hector Ruiz from GlobalFoundries and its ultimate parent, in the name of Abu Dhabi Sate declaring it would have a fab built in the country in the next four years, all points to the foundry fun and games continuing. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:16:14 GMT http://www.fabtech.org/editor_s_blog/_a/no_double_booking_yet/ It’s all looking good, according to iSuppli. The market research firm hailed the news that there isn’t any double booking going on at chip manufacturers and fabless companies that may dilute the strong quarterly earnings currently being posted in the industry. Global chip revenue amounted to US$58.3 billion in the third quarter, up 10.6% from US$52.8 billion in the second quarter, based on iSuppli’s preliminary forecast. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:15:46 GMT