Effective July 1st, Photodigm is reducing the retail price of its Distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR) semiconductor laser diodes by 25% and showcasing a new product strategy to deliver savings and simplicity to its global customer base.

JUNE 26, 2023 (RICHARDSON, TX) –– Photodigm is thrilled to announce that as of July 1st, its entire product portfolio of Distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR) laser diodes will receive a historic 25% price reduction and new strategic approach to deliver savings and simplicity to its global customer base.

The semiconductor manufacturer announced a progressive tiered pricing strategy earlier this year to provide discounts on higher-volume orders of 100 units or more. As customer demand continued to increase, Photodigm intentionally invested in R&D projects partnering with the Office of Naval Research (ONR) to raise yields and overall volume of their fab, evolving from the company’s early years of on-demand production where it operated much like a university research lab.

“As we continue our journey to ever-improving laser lifetimes with better quality, higher yields, and gains in our overall production process, we are intentionally leveraging every opportunity to drive value to our customers,” said Bill Stuart, President and CEO of Photodigm.

Photodigm’s product portfolio now boasts thirty-two wavelengths of DBR laser diodes including Spectroscopy Certified devices tuned to unique elements like Rubidium which is often used in biomedical sensing applications or atomic clocks in GPS-denied environments for military applications.

To empower its customers, Photodigm restructured its product line around four simple decisions –– application (wavelength), functionality (chip architecture), added customization, and device packaging all with transparent pricing to provide a clear understanding of the added value in each selection.

“We’re putting our customers in the driver's seat by providing them with greater insight into our product capabilities and pricing than ever before,” says Mandy Eaton, VP of Sales & Marketing at Photodigm. “One of our core tenets at Photodigm is to foster innovation through collaboration and our new strategic approach to our product [portfolio] invites customers to shop, but also prompts them to ask themselves what they really need our technology to provide, which helps us evolve together.”

Photodigm, Inc. is the only 100% U.S.-based commercial manufacturer of semiconductor DBR laser diodes 730–1090nm with a global clientele of corporations, government entities, space programs, research labs, and universities. View the new catalog offering and updated pricing at www.photodigm.com/DBR.

About Photodigm, Inc.
For over 20 years Photodigm, Inc. has been the only 100% U.S.-based semiconductor manufacturer of single spatial and longitudinal mode Distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR) laser diodes. DBR lasers are essential to quantum sensing and atomic clock manufacturers, optical metrology and sensing, and laser spectroscopy. Headquartered in Richardson, Texas, they design and produce fixed wavelength diode lasers best known for their accuracy and reliability. Learn more at Photodigm.com.

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Brewer Science Earns Intel’s 2023 EPIC Distinguished Supplier Award

Brewer Science is one of only 22 Distinguished Award recipients across Intel’s global supply chain

Rolla, MO, June 21, 2023 – Brewer Science is proud to announce that it has earned Intel’s EPIC Distinguished Supplier Award. Through its dedication to Excellence, Partnership, Inclusion, and Continuous (EPIC) quality improvement, Brewer Science has achieved a level of performance that consistently exceeds Intel’s expectations.

“As one of only 22 Distinguished Supplier Award recipients across the Intel global supply chain, Brewer Science stands out among suppliers in the semiconductor industry,” said Keyvan Esfarjani, chief global operations officer at Intel. “Their customer orientation and commitment to excellence is a testament to their dedication and serves as a global benchmark for others to follow.”

The Intel EPIC Distinguished Supplier Award recognizes a consistent level of strong performance across all performance criteria. Of the thousands of Intel suppliers around the world, only a few hundred qualify to participate in the EPIC Supplier Program. The EPIC Distinguished Award is the second-highest honor a supplier can achieve. In 2023, only 22 suppliers in the Intel supply chain network earned this award.

To qualify for an Intel EPIC Distinguished Supplier Award, suppliers must exceed expectations, meet aggressive performance goals, and score 80 percent or higher in performance assessments throughout the year. Suppliers must also meet 80 percent or more of their improvement plan deliverables and demonstrate formidable quality and business systems.

Get more information about the Intel EPIC Supplier Awards

Find the latest at the Intel Newsroom

Visit the Intel EPIC Supplier Awards page

About Brewer Science
Brewer Science is a global leader in developing and manufacturing next-generation materials and processes that foster the technology needed for tomorrow. Since 1981, we’ve expanded our technology portfolio within advanced lithography, advanced packaging, smart devices, and printed electronics to enable cutting-edge microdevices and unique quality monitoring systems for water and air applications. We are Certified Employee-Owned and a Certified B Corporation™, using our business as a force for good. Our headquarters are in Rolla, Missouri, with customer support throughout the world. Learn more at www.brewerscience.com.

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Dresden, 21 June 2023. On 19 June, Masao Hodai, Chief Operating Officer of EBARA Precision Machinery Company Tokyo, visited EBARA’s German site in Dresden-Weixdorf. After a welcome by Dr Reinhart Richter, Managing Director of EBARA Precision Machinery Europe, an informative tour followed, during which Masao Hodai inspected the Overhaul Centre for vacuum pumps, built in 2021, the warehouse, the training facilities currently being built, and representatives from the most important product divisions. A joint lunch with members of Dresden’s staff rounded off his visit.

Strong signal for the Dresden location
“The visit of COO Masao Hodai reinforces our location within the Silicon Saxony region and shows the significant status of the semiconductor industry in Dresden for EBARA’s headquarters in Japan. Our progress in terms of safety, quality, CO2 reduction and market acquisition has made a deep impression. All EBARA employees in Dresden feel very honoured by this visit from Japan”, said Dr Reinhart Richter, happily. In the afternoon, in-depth client meetings were on the agenda at the Dresden site before Masao Hodai returned home to Tokyo.

About EBARA
EBARA Precision Machinery Europe (EPME) GmbH, headquartered in Sauerlach near Munich, is the European sales and service company of EBARA Corporation Tokyo. EBARA is a leading global manufacturer of vacuum and semiconductor systems used to produce wafers, liquid crystals, solar cells and other high-tech products. EBARA Corporation was founded in 1912 by Issey Hatakeyama and employs over 19,000 people worldwide. With an annual turnover of 4.7 billion euros, EBARA is one of the largest companies in the industry. EBARA supplies 16 of the top 20 manufacturers in the chip industry.

About EBARA Precision Machinery Europe
The EPME portfolio includes dry and turbomolecular vacuum pumps as well as modern gas abatement systems for the chemical industry, for example. In addition, EPME distributes state-of-the-art CMP tools, wafer bevel polishing and substrate coating systems for chip manufacturing. In 2021 EBARA opened its second modern overhaul centre for vacuum pumps in Dresden. EPME has been operating a vacuum pump overhaul centre in Livingston (UK) since 1993. EPME employs over 250 people in Europe and Israel.
Photo: EBARA / Tommy Halfter

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Brewer Science’s High-Temperature-Stable, Gapfilling Planarizing Material Revolutionizes Advanced ArF and EUV Processes

OptiStack® SOC450 material provides zero shrinkage up to 550°C when baking in N2

June 15, 2023 – Rolla, MO – Brewer Science, Inc., a global leader in developing and manufacturing next-generation materials for the microelectronics and optoelectronics industries, is thrilled to announce the latest breakthrough in high-temperature gapfilling materials – OptiStack® SOC450 material, enabling advanced node processes by providing unparalleled performance at extreme temperatures.

A basic overview of a spin-on carbon and the need for a high-temperature stable material.
Overcoming the Industry Compromise: Thermal Stability for Planarization and Gapfilling

One of the greatest challenges in the advanced ArF and EUV industries has been finding a material that can withstand high temperatures without sacrificing its planarization and gapfilling capabilities.

Shrinkage in spin-on glass (SOG) coatings, or annealing processes, can result in incomplete coverage, pattern distortion, delamination, or cracking. Insufficient thermal stability properties can affect subsequent process steps, compromising the overall performance and reliability of the device. To prevent significant yield loss caused by unstable materials during high-temperature annealing, such as those necessary in self-aligned double patterning (SADP) applications, it’s important to ensure gapfilling materials are stable over 400°C.

A typical low-temperature SOC has 50% weight loss when baked to 400°C which makes planarization suffer due to the film shrink.

OptiStack® SOC450 Material Enables SADP Processing with High Thermal Stability

With OptiStack® SOC450 material EUV processes will no longer have to sacrifice temperature stability for superior gapfilling and planarization.

OptiStack® SOC450 material is a carbon-based high-aspect-ratio spin-on-carbon material designed to withstand high temperatures and provide low shrinkage, offering significant benefits to ArF, EUV, SADP, SAQP, 3D NAND, and advanced memory processes.

The following simplified example illustrates one potential application of OptiStack® SOC450 material to improve a SADP process by utilizing high-temperature CVD deposition of the spacer.

The following simplified example illustrates one potential application of OptiStack® SOC450 material to improve a SADP process by utilizing high-temperature CVD deposition of the spacer.

Key Features and Benefits of OptiStack® SOC450 Material

Zero Shrinkage: Unlike traditional SOC materials, OptiStack® SOC450 material boasts a remarkable 0% shrinkage when subjected to high-temperature baking, up to 550°C when baking in N2 after a 170°C soft bake step. This means precise planarization and gapfilling are possible without worrying about dimensional changes, maintaining the integrity of valuable components.

High Thermal Stability: OptiStack® SOC450 material can withstand high-temperature vacuum-deposited SiXn films over 200 nm. The high thermal stability enables integration schemes utilizing chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and/or atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes.

OptiStack® SOC450 material offers narrow trench and high-aspect ratio gapfilling, including a complete fill, without void or delamination.

CMP Compatibility: When a strict global-level planarization is needed, OptiStack® SOC450 material can be further planarized by chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) for use in high topography, and/or highly variable pattern density devices. With many spin-on carbons facing challenges with long-range planarization, the ability to OptiStack® SOC450 material enables superior planarization by controlling the rate of removal, based on the slurry and pad type.

CVD Processing: Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) can pose many problems if the spin-on carbon material vaporizes or sublimates, including contamination that leads to defects. Ineffective CVD can cause film thickness variation or that challenge the integrity of the device. Off-gassing, delamination, and cracking are also seen with traditional SOC thermal decompositions. OptiStack® SOC450 material does not sublimate or vaporize in conditions up to 400°C, and demonstrates superior stability in conditions up to 550°C.

Increase Efficiency: High carbon content of OptiStack® SOC450 material enables CF4 plasma etch rates better than SiOx. Ultralow metal ions less than 1,000 part-per-trillion ensure decreased post-etch defects. Additionally, the solubility in fab-friendly solvents and compatibility with other spin-on materials eliminates potential drain clogging issues.

OptiStack® SOC450 material will redefine what you expect from high-temperature-stable, gapfilling planarizing materials. Its unique combination of thermal stability, zero shrinkage, and exceptional performance will enable new possibilities for your products, helping you achieve unprecedented levels of quality and reliability. Don’t settle for compromises between thermal stability and superior gapfilling when you can have it all with OptiStack® SOC450 material. Connect with a product expert or learn more by visiting our website.

About Brewer Science
Brewer Science is a global leader in developing and manufacturing next-generation materials and processes that foster the technology needed for tomorrow. Since 1981, we’ve expanded our technology portfolio within advanced lithography, advanced packaging, smart devices, and printed electronics to enable cutting-edge microdevices and unique monitoring systems for industrial, environmental, and air applications. Our relationship-focused approach provides outcomes that facilitate and deliver critical information. Our headquarters are in Rolla, Missouri, with customer support throughout the world. We invite you to learn more about Brewer Science at www.brewerscience.com.

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Xpeedic of Cupertino, Calif., unveiled RF EDA Solution 2023 edition today at the IEEE MTT International Microwave Symposium (IMS) here, showcasing its ability to accelerate the design of highly integrated RF modules and systems using its differentiating chip-package-system EDA tools and mass-production proven Integrated Passive Devices (IPD) IP.

The RF Electronic Design Automation (EDA) Solution includes XDS, Xpeedic’s RF system-level design and simulation platform, IRIS, its on-chip passive modeling and simulation tool, and iModeler, a passive model generation tool.

XDS provides schematic design and simulation, post-layout electromagnetic simulation with both method-of-moments (MoM)- and finite-element-method (FEM)-based solver technologies, electro-magnetic (EM) circuit co-simulation and tuning/optimization. In the new 2023 edition, XDS features a new filter synthesis algorithm and supports parametric padstack and permittivity, SNP-based LC matching in Smith Chart, bondwire simulation and hierarchy design for schematic and layout.

IRIS has been widely adopted for RFIC designs and certified for advanced process nodes. In the new 2023 edition, IRIS upgrades its accelerated 3D EM solver engine with improved run time and peak memory usage.

iModeler now includes built-in MoM cap, MiM cap, inductor and transformer templates, enables parameterized result exploration using built-in templates.

Xpeedic at IMS
Xpeedic will be in Booth #1121 at the IEEE MTT International Microwave Symposium (IMS) in the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego. Hours are today from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., Wednesday, June 14, from 9:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. and Thursday, June 15, from 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Attendees can stop by the booth to schedule demos or meetings by sending email to [email protected].

“Overview of Integrated Passive Devices (IPD) for RF Front-end Applications” will be presented by Xpeedic Wednesday at 3 p.m. at the MicroApps Theater in Booth #2447.

About Xpeedic
Xpeedic is a leading EDA provider to accelerate designs and simulations of next generation high-frequency, high-speed intelligent electronic products. Powered by its proprietary electromagnetic, circuit, and multi-physics solver technologies, Xpeedic is addressing challenges in designing IC in advanced nodes, 3D-IC with advanced packaging, high-speed digital, and RF systems for the markets including data center, automotive, communication, mobile, and IoT. Founded in 2010, Xpeedic has offices in both U.S. and China. For more information, please www.xpeedic.com.

Engage with Xpeedic
www.xpeedic.com
Twitter: @xpeedic
LinkedIn

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Xpeedic of Cupertino, Calif., today announced its Integrated Passive Devices (IPD) shipments surpassed an unprecedented two-billion units accomplished through its mass production-proven IPD development platform that enables proliferation of IPDs to RF front-end modules.

Xpeedic’s IPDs and IPD development platform will be showcased today through Thursday at the IEEE MTT International Microwave Symposium (IMS) in San Diego.

“This is a momentous milestone for Xpeedic,” remarks its CEO Feng Ling. “Our commitment to continue addressing RF and other significant design challenges remains unchanged.”

Adoption of Xpeedic’s IPDs is driven by the need for smaller, high-performance, cost-effective, and reliable electronic systems across various industries. Advantages of the solution include:
• A rich set of IPD libraries on various IPD processes, such as high-resistivity silicon and glass for common, ready-for-mass production building blocks used in RF front-end modules.
• Trusted foundry and packaging ecosystem partners supporting both quick prototype and mass production.
• Home-grown electronic design automation (EDA) design flow tailored to meet specific needs for greater efficiency and productivity. Developing an in-house EDA design flow also fosters innovation and differentiation by incorporating internal design methodology that results in unique designs with competitive advantages.
• A dedicated and experienced design team enabling quick turnaround for customized IPDs.

Xpeedic at IMS
Xpeedic will be in Booth #1121 at the IEEE MTT International Microwave Symposium (IMS) in the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego. Hours are today from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., Wednesday, June 14, from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Thursday, June 15, from 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Attendees can stop by the booth to schedule demos or meetings by sending email to [email protected].

“Overview of Integrated Passive Devices (IPD) for RF Front-end Applications” will be presented by Xpeedic Wednesday at 3 p.m. at the MicroApps Theater in Booth #2447.

About Xpeedic
Xpeedic is a leading EDA provider to accelerate designs and simulations of next generation high-frequency, high-speed intelligent electronic products. Powered by its proprietary electromagnetic, circuit, and multi-physics solver technologies, Xpeedic is addressing challenges in designing IC in advanced nodes, 3D-IC with advanced packaging, high-speed digital, and RF systems for the markets including data center, automotive, communication, mobile, and IoT. Founded in 2010, Xpeedic has offices in both U.S. and China. For more information, please www.xpeedic.com.

Engage with Xpeedic
www.xpeedic.com
Twitter: @xpeedic
LinkedIn

• Read more about Xpeedic Ships Unprecedented Two-Billionth Integrated Passive Device

Virginia Beach, Virginia - Busch Vacuum Solutions, a leading provider of reliable solutions for SubFab Management, is proud to exhibit at this year's SEMICON West show and conference. As a reliable partner for vacuum pumps, gas abatement systems, leak detection and more, Busch provides the semiconductor industry with the highest quality solutions and services.

At SEMICON West, Busch is showcasing their comprehensive subfab management services. Critical SubFab systems are monitored and predictively maintained by Busch. Their SubFab management minimizes production downtime and enables energy-efficient operation and cost savings. Continuous monitoring extends maintenance intervals and the entire product life cycle. All Busch on-site service teams are certified to ISO9001:2016, ISO14001:2016 and ISO45001:2018 standards.

"We are proud of our comprehensive solutions for the semiconductor industry," said Mark Magill, Vice President of Medium High Vacuum at Busch Vacuum Solutions. "SubFab service capabilities and innovative products provide customers with reliable performance and maximum process safety to achieve optimal yields."

Magill also said they are featuring a new patented redundancy vacuum system at the show, “It uses an optimized combination of two pumps plus one booster to minimize changes in chamber pressure in case of pump failure.” This vacuum system eliminates wafer scrap and process excursion.

Visit Busch Vacuum Solutions at SEMICON WEST from July 11-15 in San Francisco, CA. Meet their experienced vacuum experts, exchange ideas and get valuable advice at booth #541.

About Busch
For more than 50 years, Busch has been an integral part of the global semiconductor industry by providing reliable solutions that enable manufacturers to produce advanced microchips. Their commitment to quality is in every product they offer and service provided. Continuous advancements ensure that Busch solutions are always state-of-the-art and used by hundreds of subfabs worldwide. www.buschusa.com | [email protected]

• Read more about Busch Vacuum Solutions Exhibiting at SEMICON West 2023

PEER Group® has announced an upcoming webinar designed to help semiconductor equipment manufacturers prepare for the increasing demand from backend factories for automation capabilities and SEMI® Standards compliance in assembly and test processes.

Taking place on June 22, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. MT, the webinar, Standardizing the Assembly and Test Process, will feature an in-depth discussion between Jason Cicero, Micron Technology’s Senior IT Domain Architect, and PEER Group’s Director of Marketing, Doug Suerich.

Topics covered will include: why the backend, including assembly and test, needs more automation and standardization, how this will impact equipment design and integration, common issues faced by factories when integrating new tools, and how equipment suppliers can help solve these issues. There will also be a live Q&A for attendees to ask questions during the webinar.

“The SEMI Standards Program has been around for more than 40 years,” says Suerich. “During that time, these standards have evolved into the guiding principles which ensure compatibility and interoperability across suppliers and factories, improving manufacturing productivity, quality, and reliability, and reducing the cost and pain of integrating new equipment onto the factory floor. Universally adopted in the frontend, we are starting to notice increasing demand from factories to implement standards in the backend, including assembly and test processes.”

Evidence of this shift is seen as major players in the frontend enter the assembly and test market while established facilities announce major capital investments into their operations. This expansion introduces new, high-value processes to assembly and test and closer integration with the frontend – both of which are enabled through the application of standards. Meanwhile, the SEMI Advanced Backend Factory Integration task force continues to investigate and promote the adoption of SEMI Standards for assembly and test.

The webinar is scheduled to last 30 minutes followed by a 15-minute Q&A. All registrants will have the opportunity to access a recording of the webinar. For more information, including how to register, visit: https://bit.ly/3mq2yf3

About PEER Group
PEER Group® is the largest supplier of innovative factory automation software products for the semiconductor industry. Since 1992, our solutions have helped the world’s most advanced OEMs and factories reduce time to market and lower costs by solving their equipment automation, data management, and process control problems. A multi-award winning company, PEER Group has been named a Best Workplace by Great Place to Work Canada 11 times, and most recently was one of six recipients of Intel’s 2022 EPIC Outstanding Supplier Award, which recognizes the absolute top performers in the Intel supply chain. Follow PEER Group on LinkedIn and Twitter at @PEERgroup_Inc..

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Deventer, May 11, 2023 – RoodMicrotec N.V., a leading independent company for semiconductors supply and quality services, and Svenska Grindmatriser AB (SGA), a well-established fabless IDM for the development and supply of customized mixed-signal ASICs, today announce that the companies have started a cooperation for high-volume production testing of SGA’s ASIC products.

The cooperation with RoodMicrotec as European partner enables SGA to meet the rapidly growing market demand. Furthermore, RoodMicrotec as a supplier will help SGA to strengthen its supply chain by providing flexible testing capacities as well as other quality assessment services.

“This collaboration offers us the opportunity to grow faster. In addition, both companies benefit from each other's knowledge, which is of tremendous value! Therefore, I am expecting this cooperation to be growing to a strategic level”, says Henrik Sjöberg, CEO of SGA.

Being a leading European service provider in the semiconductor industry, this partnership matches well with RoodMicrotec’s portfolio of capabilities.

Martin Sallenhag, CEO of RoodMicrotec, says, “This cooperation shows that we are a reliable partner for test and quality services in Europe. It is always nice to see that such strong companies as SGA rely on our expertise and test capabilities. In addition, this project helps us to strengthen our position as a service provider for the Swedish semiconductor industry.”

About SGA
SGA is a fabless manufacturer of analog and mixed-signal ASICs. SGA works closely with customers throughout the entire product lifecycle, from development to high-volume production. SGA's deep technical expertise and continuous quality focus has led to long-lasting partnerships in a broad set of industries. The company was founded in 1986 and is located in the city of Linköping, Sweden.
For more information please visit www.sga.se.
Further information
Henrik Sjöberg, CEO or Andreas Marinus, Sales
Phone +46 13 36 46 60, E-mail [email protected]

About RoodMicrotec
With more than 50 years of experience in the semiconductor and electronics industry, RoodMicrotec is a leading independent company for semiconductor supply and quality services. RoodMicrotec is a highly valued partner for many companies worldwide and offers specifically tailored turnkey solutions for each single customer's requirements. The turnkey services include project management, wafer test, assembly, final test, qualification, failure analysis, and logistics. All services provided by RoodMicrotec meet the high quality standards of the automotive, industrial, healthcare, and high reliability aerospace sectors. RoodMicrotec is headquartered in Deventer, Netherlands, with operational units in Nördlingen and Stuttgart, Germany.
For more information please visit https://www.roodmicrotec.com
Further information
Martin Sallenhag, CEO or Arvid Ladega, CFO
Phone +31 570 745623, E-mail [email protected]

This press release is available in English and German. In case of conflict between these versions, the English version shall prevail.

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