Zurich, Switzerland / Heidelberg, Germany – Heidelberg Instruments Nano AG in Zurich, a subsidiary office of Heidelberg Instruments Mikrotechnik GmbH celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the commercialization of the NanoFrazor system series. The NanoFrazor is based on the Thermal Scanning Probe (t-SPL) technology and can be used for nanopatterning of quantum devices on 1D/2D materials, grayscale photonics devices, nanofluidic structures or biomimetic substrates for cell growth.

Originally the Thermal Scanning Probe technology was developed at IBM, where a group of researchers showed that the sharp tips of atomic force microscopes can be heated and used as a tool to “drill” nanoscale holes and later to write arbitrary nanostructures by using special, evaporating materials.

After exploring the technology at IBM, Felix Holzner and Philip Paul incorporated SwissLitho AG as a spin-off from ETH Zurich (Heidelberg Instruments Nano AG since 2021) as CEO and CTO with the idea of selling nanolithography equipment for t-SPL. The technical term “Thermal Scanning Probe Lithography” was then replaced by the product name “NanoFrazor”.

After starting operations of then SwissLitho in early 2013, the first commercial NanoFrazor machine named “Titlis”, a NanoFrazor Explore, was installed in 2014 at McGill University in Canada. “Titlis” is still running and just recently received an upgrade with the integration of the laser writer module jointly developed in Heidelberg and Zurich. Today, more than 50 NanoFrazor systems have been installed at renowned facilities all over the world, with new customers lined up for future systems.

“The NanoFrazor team in Zurich works on various promising developments on the instrument as well as on the materials to continuously expand the applications range of the technology. There are still manifold open opportunities for the NanoFrazor, as it can still be considered novel, even 10 years after the start of its commercialization. Everyone at Heidelberg Instruments is excited to see how the NanoFrazor will have developed in another 10 years from now”, Konrad Roessler, CEO of Heidelberg Instruments Mikrotechnik says.

The anniversary was celebrated in the newly opened office of Heidelberg Instruments Nano in Zurich together with family, friends, and numerous partners, who supported the successful journey of the NanoFrazor.

About Heidelberg Instruments Mikrotechnik GmbH
With over 35 years of experience and more than 1,200 installed systems, Heidelberg Instruments is one of the leading international players in developing and producing high-precision photolithography systems and nanofabrication tools. Heidelberg Instruments systems are installed in industrial and scientific facilities around the world. They are used for efficient direct writing and photomask fabrication for various industries, including semiconductors, quantum computing, photonics, 2D materials, IoT, and many related fields.

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Primarius Technologies today announced its SDEP™ intelligent spec-driven model extraction platform has been adopted by Samsung Foundry.

SDEP helps Samsung Foundry and its customers significantly shorten turnaround time for SPICE model development, accelerating development competitiveness at legacy nodes, and enabling fast Design Technology Co-Optimization (DTCO) iterations at advanced process nodes. By continuously embedding know-how in the customized flow, engineers can run automated flows with more than 50% efficiency improvement for curve fitting. That solves resource shortage problems for multiple projects and ensures high-delivery quality of SPICE models independent of engineer’s experience level.

“Samsung and Primarius achieved another success with SDEP’s adoption after intensive testing and qualification of the technology on our advanced process platforms,” remarks Jongwook Kye, Executive Vice President of Foundry Design Enablement Team at Samsung Electronics. “Our mutual customers will benefit from having faster time to market with reduced model development and delivery time. With a SDEP setup, we can provide high-quality SPICE model and meet increasing customer demands with our available engineering resources.”

“Samsung has been a long-time Primarius customer and a strategic partner,” comments Dr. Zhihong Liu, Primarius’ Chairman and CEO. “SDEP is a revolutionary technology to enable an efficient DTCO and meet the toughest needs from advanced process development. We’re glad that SDEP is being adopted by Samsung Foundry, which enables fast iterations with design groups and further increases Primarius’ value as a Samsung SAFE ecosystem partner.”

SPICE modeling is more challenging and takes more effort at smaller technology nodes where device characteristics are more complicated. It now takes several months to develop a full SPICE model library for IC design after process technology development is completed.

In the post-Moore’s Law era, challenges include continuous shrinking of transistors and new process platforms for different applications using older technology nodes. Each variety of a process platform requires a dedicated effort on SPICE model development and foundries see more model development requests than previous generations. As a result, delivery of fast and accurate SPICE models with limited engineering resources is a challenge when faster time to market and quick iterations between process development and circuit designs are expected.

About SDEP
An innovative model development platform designed to tackle advanced SPICE modeling challenges, SDEP provides a system to retain and receive device modeling expertise and build automated flows for different process platforms and applications with intelligent target-oriented algorithms. Modeling experts can establish fully customized model auto-extraction flows for different applications using powerful and flexible modules available. With a built-in parallel SPICE as the core simulation engine for fast performance, it has integrated data analysis and validation utilities, rich parameter control and optimization functions as well as flow automation features.

At 2022 Design Automation Conference
Primarius Technologies will exhibit at the 2022 Design Automation Conference (DAC) in Booth #1419 (First floor) Monday, July 11, through Wednesday, July 13, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

To arrange a meeting or demonstration of the Primarius Technologies product line, send email to: [email protected].

About Primarius
Primarius Technologies (688206.SH) is a global EDA company delivering industry-leading design enablement technologies for advanced SPICE modeling, PDK generation and standard cell library characterizations, and a complete DTCO-enabled custom design EDA flow for complex memory, analog and mixed-signal designs. Powered by leading edge SPICE/FastSPICE simulation technologies, Primarius is committed to deliver innovative DTCO EDA solutions, with the mission to shorten time-to-market and improve YPPA of circuit designs at advanced process nodes, and unique data-driven EDA solutions, supported by full range of semiconductor parametric testing systems and industry’s golden low frequency noise testing systems. Visit Primarius Technologies for more information.

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Boston / London June 2022 – Leading surplus asset management company, EquipNet Inc., announced enhancements to its Equipment Sustainability Programs. Since 1999, EquipNet has been helping global manufacturers to track, redeploy, buy, and sell surplus manufacturing assets, contributing to clients’ overall sustainability goals even before those goals were created.

EquipNet has improved its proprietary Asset Management System (ARMS), a web-based tracking software, to not only track idle equipment throughout the enterprise but measure landfill avoidance on a global scale. This comprehensive software ensures cost savings through the redeployment of equipment from facilities that no longer have a use for the assets to locations that can use the machines. Now with the landfill avoidance tracking, the system also contributes to sustainable management. Just in the last few years, EquipNet’s clients have diverted 200,000 tonnes of waste from landfills.

“Creating a more sustainable environment for global manufacturers has been at the heart of what we do for almost a quarter of a century,” says Ben Potenza, VP of Sales & Marketing. “Redeploying and selling well-maintained equipment is only part of the story. Now we can help our clients illustrate real impact on the circular economy by tracking landfill avoidance.”

Equipment Sustainability Programs unlock idle machinery potential and contribute to positive corporate citizenship by extending machinery’s useful life, as well as delivering substantial cost avoidance to the enterprise. It’s the essence of a circular economy.

About EquipNet
EquipNet is a leading provider of proactive asset management solutions and services to leading corporations in the pharmaceutical, chemical, electronics, industrial, and consumer packaged goods industries. EquipNet’s vision is to revolutionize the way companies manage their surplus assets by maximizing financial returns and minimizing the risks associated with idle capital assets. If you have surplus you are looking to sell, or are looking for pre-owned equipment at an affordable price, visit us at www.EquipNet.com.

Press Contact
Sarah Kilburne
Director of Marketing, EquipNet
[email protected]

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CHANDLER, AZ — Yield Engineering Systems (YES) has leased 123,000 square feet within the Price Corridor in Chandler, Arizona. The facility will support YES in serving the region’s thriving semiconductor industry.

YES develops and manufactures thermal, deposition, and wet process equipment that is used in semiconductor, life sciences, and display manufacturing. The Chandler facility will house a “Technology Center” with R&D functions, cleanroom operations, advanced manufacturing, customer support, and office space.

“Our new Technology Center will provide us with valuable proximity to key customers and vendors, as well as access to the highly skilled workforce that defines Chandler’s business ecosystem,” said Rezwan Lateef, President of YES. “We are grateful to Chandler’s Economic Development team, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, and Arizona Commerce Authority for their assistance with this major milestone in our mission to serve the semiconductor market as a preferred provider.” Mark Donahue is the local YES manager overseeing the project.

The company plans to have approximately 100 highly educated employees based at the Chandler facility, mostly in technology and engineering positions. The multi-million-dollar capital investment to build out the space will enable the development of advanced technology that supports the US semiconductor manufacturing sector.

“YES marks another California-based company drawn to Arizona, highlighting the state’s unmatched business climate,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “We are grateful to YES for their commitment to Arizona, creating new jobs while strengthening the state’s robust semiconductor supply chain.”

"The Greater Phoenix semiconductor ecosystem has quickly become a top global destination for leading manufacturers like YES," said Chris Camacho, President and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. "This multimillion-dollar investment provides high-quality job opportunities for residents, and we look forward to supporting YES in its future growth and successful integration into the market."

“The long-term vision for Price Corridor continues to be realized as we welcome another dynamic and market-leading company to Chandler,“ said Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke. “We would like to thank YES for their investment and trust in Chandler, as we know there are many options throughout the world for cutting-edge facilities like this.”

Yield Engineering Systems’ Chandler facility adds to the state’s booming semiconductor industry. In the past six months, EMD Electronics announced an expansion of its chemical delivery systems business at a new factory in Chandler, creating over 100 jobs and Edwards announced a new manufacturing facility also in Chandler, creating 200 jobs.

Media Contacts
Victoria Barnes, Yield Engineering Systems, [email protected]
Alyssa Tufts, Arizona Commerce Authority, [email protected]
Stephanie Romero, City of Chandler, [email protected]

About Yield Engineering Systems (YES)
Yield Engineering Systems, Inc. (YES) is a preferred provider of high-tech, cost-effective equipment for enhancing surfaces and materials. The company’s product lines include thermal processing systems, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) systems, and wet process equipment used for the precise surface modification of semiconductor substrates, semiconductor and MEMS devices, LED displays, and biodevices. Customers ranging from startups to Fortune 100 companies rely on YES systems to create and volume-produce innovative products in a wide range of markets. YES is headquartered in Fremont, California, with a growing global presence. For more information, please visit yieldengineering.com.

About the Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create - attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on Twitter @azcommerce.

About City of Chandler, Arizona
Chandler, Arizona has built a reputation as a Community of Innovation. Life in Chandler goes beyond a thriving and dynamic business community with progressive entrepreneurship. Known for its rich diversity, the City offers an outstanding quality of life for all generations with great schools and recreational opportunities. Chandler has grown to become the state's fourth largest City with a population of more than 281,000. Chandler has been named one of the nation's Best Places to Find a Job and Best Cities for Women in Tech. The City also is one of the safest communities in the nation and boasts AAA bond ratings from all three national rating agencies, one of only 40 communities to achieve this distinction. For more information, visit the City website, or connect with the City on social media.

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Würzburg, Germany / Brisbane, Australia – The Australian National Fabrication Facility – Queensland Node (ANFF-Q) based at the University of Queensland, Australia has placed a purchase order for the recently launched Two-Photon Polymerization tool MPO 100. The system, developed by Multiphoton Optics GmbH and manufactured by its parent company Heidelberg Instruments Mikrotechnik GmbH, will provide cutting-edge fabrication capability in nano- and microfabrication to ANFF-Q.

“ANFF-Q is an open-door R&D facility assisting clients from industry and academia to progress their products. To expand our fabrication capabilities, ANFF-Q was looking for a nano 3D printer with highest printing resolution as well as advanced fabrication techniques and the MPO 100 met all our criteria”, says Anthony Christian, ANFF-Q Manager. “The technical details of the MPO 100 stand out from other potential candidates - especially the achievable resolution of 100 nanometers as a pivotal parameter and the very attractive stitching-free fabrication capability”, adds Juan Li, Senior Professional Officer Micro- and Nanofabrication at ANFF-Q.

ANFF-Q serves a wider scope of applications than normal R&D facilities and provides a safe, IP neutral environment where the clients’ designs and developments remain their property. The MPO 100 will be used for target applications in micro-optics, microfluidics, micro needles, and diffractive optical elements. The system will be the third Heidelberg Instruments machine after the MLA 150 and a µPG101, which are already in place at ANFF-Q.

“The MPO 100 was officially introduced into the market end at the end of January in 2022. The purchase of the tool by ANFF-Q was one of the first orders and confirms the customer-oriented development of the system. We are looking forward to a close collaboration with ANFF-Q”, says Dr. Benedikt Stender, CEO of Multiphoton Optics.

During the tender, Multiphoton Optics was supported by Heidelberg Instruments’ local distributor Nano Vacuum, which have already worked closely on several successful projects with ANFF-Q. “We are thrilled to be able to bring the first MPO 100 system to Australia. With over 25 years of experience in the nanofabrication industry, Nano Vacuum is always eager to see the conception of innovative tools and cutting-edge technologies in the research space!”, says Dr. Ava Faridi, Product Manager at Nano Vacuum.

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