FLANDERS, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rudolph Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: RTEC), a leading provider of process characterization equipment and software for the semiconductor, solar and LED industries, announced today it has received the first orders for its leading-edge defect inspection and latest generation thin film metrology tools capable of supporting integrated circuit manufacturing on 450 mm silicon wafers. The multiple systems ordered, scheduled for shipment in the second and third quarters of 2012, will be used to support the development of both new processes and process equipment.
“We are very pleased to be at the forefront of the transition to 450 mm wafers,” said Ardy Johnson, Rudolph’s vice president of marketing and product management. “Although larger wafers ultimately reduce cost per device, they also increase cost per wafer and re-double the value of fast, accurate feedback about process performance. Working ‘in the trenches’ with device manufacturers as they develop these new processes will allow us to tune our technology to best meet their needs as they move toward a full production ramp, probably in the 2015 timeframe.”
Larger wafers allow manufacturers to put more devices on each wafer, increasing capacity while reducing costs. However, many aspects of the 450 mm manufacturing process are becoming more difficult to control, and will increase the value of inspection and metrology data to ensure improved process yields and profitability. The last change in wafer size occurred well over a decade ago, as the semiconductor industry moved from 200 mm to 300 mm wafers.
“I think we learned a great deal from the transition to 300 mm,” added Johnson. “There seems to be a broad commitment to cooperation within the industry, with the burden of development being shared equitably by both device and equipment manufacturers. We are working very hard to transfer our technology as directly as possible to the larger wafer size so that we minimize the learning curve for our customers. We are optimistic that the move to 450 mm will be well coordinated and relatively painless.”
Rudolph Technologies, Inc. is a worldwide leader in the design, development, manufacture and support of defect inspection, process control metrology, and data analysis systems and software used by semiconductor device manufacturers worldwide. Rudolph provides a full-fab solution through its families of proprietary products that provide critical yield-enhancing information, enabling microelectronic device manufacturers to drive down the costs and time to market of their products. The company’s yield management solutions are used in both the wafer processing and final manufacturing of ICs, as well as in emerging markets such as LED and Solar. Headquartered in Flanders, New Jersey, Rudolph supports its customers with a worldwide sales and service organization. Additional information can be found on the company’s web site at www.rudolphtech.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”) which include the benefits to
customers of Rudolph’s products, Rudolph’s existing market position and
its ability to maintain and advance such position relative to its
competitors and Rudolph’s ability to meet the expectations and needs of
our customers as well as other matters that are not purely historical
data. Rudolph wishes to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provided for
by the Act and cautions that actual results may differ materially from
those projected as a result of various factors, including risks and
uncertainties, many of which are beyond Rudolph’s control. Such factors
include, but are not limited to, the challenges presented by the new
product development and marketing, Rudolph’s ability to overcome
technological barriers, the offered design enhancements may not
necessarily translate into significant revenue, delays in shipping
products for technical performance, component supply or other reasons,
the company’s ability to leverage its resources to improve its positions
in its core markets and fluctuations in customer capital spending.
Additional information and considerations regarding the risks faced by
Rudolph are available in Rudolph’s Form 10-K report for the year ended
December 31, 2010 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. As the forward-looking statements are based on Rudolph’s
current expectations, the company cannot guarantee any related future
results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Rudolph does
not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking information
contained in this press release.