Leuven, Belgium, October 8, 2002 --- IMEC, Europe’s leading independent microelectronics R&D center, is setting up a 300mm silicon research platform initiative to perform advanced process research at least 2 generations ahead of manufacturing.  The initiative will serve several development organizations worldwide. A first important step has been achieved with the decision of the local government to grant funding of €37.18 million for the construction of the clean room.

 

Market demands are driving a continuous acceleration of research and with the introduction of 300mm, both the complexity and cost of process research is increasing rapidly. Only very few companies will be able to afford a full process research facility. Moreover, industry has to move ever faster from one technology node to another, resulting in a serious risk that progress will slow because of a lack of fundamental understanding of all aspects of the technology.

 

To address the huge challenges resulting from the changing research environment, IMEC plans to set up a centralized 300mm silicon research platform. The initiative is based on IMEC’s expertise and track record and will serve several development organizations worldwide. The goal of the research platform is to demonstrate novel device architectures and to perform research on process steps and modules. The advanced process research will run 2 to 3 technology nodes ahead of manufacturing.

 

The research fab will be very flexible and will operate at ultra-short cycle time. It will be built around the world’s most advanced lithography clusters such as 157nm and EUV.

To share common facilities, infrastructure and metrology tools and to use available human resources, the new fab will be located adjacent to current IMEC facilities.

 

Within this research platform, IMEC will continue its current successful business model, based on a sharing of cost, risk, talent and IP. Strategic long-term partnerships with a core set of equipment suppliers and major IC manufacturers will be set up to carry the investments. A first important step has been achieved with the investment of €37.18 million by the local government. “This funding is a strong signal from the Flemish Government to stimulate further investment by international industrial partners and the European Commission in this new initiative,” said Prof. Gilbert Declerck, President and CEO of IMEC.

 

 

 

“With a state-of-the-art 300mm research platform we and our partners will be ready to tackle the challenges of the next decade.”

 

This new lab will also allow to free space in the current 200mm clean room to perform research in a broad range of nanotechnology domains. This nano-research is important in preparation of the post-silicon era and will have numerous different applications in new industries and spin-offs.

 

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Notes to editors

                  

About IMEC

IMEC was founded in 1984 and today is Europe’s largest independent research center in the field of microelectronics, nanotechnology, enabling design methods and technologies for ICT systems. IMEC's activities concentrate on the design technology for integrated information and communication systems; silicon process technology; silicon technology and device integration; nanotechnology, microsystems, components and packaging; solar cells; and advanced training in microelectronics. IMEC is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and has a staff of more than 1200 people including over 350 industrial residents and guest researchers. IMEC has a 0.13µm 200mm pilot line and is ISO9001 certified. Its revenue of more than 120Meuro is derived from agreements and contracts with the Flemish government and companies, the EC, MEDEA+, the European Space Agency, equipment and material suppliers, and semiconductor and system-oriented companies worldwide. News from IMEC is located at www.imec.be.

 

For more information:

Katrien Marent

Corporate Communication Manager

IMEC, Kapeldreef 75

B- 3001 Leuven, Belgium

Tel +32 16 28 18 80  Fax +32 16 28 16 37

Email: Katrien.Marent@imec.be