IBM has said that its alliance members that include AMD, Chartered Semiconductor, Freescale, Infineon, and Samsung will have its 32nm process ready for use using high-k gate-first approach in the second half of 2009. 

In a paper published in the journal Optics Express, the IBM researchers detailed a significant breakthrough, known in the industry as a silicon Mach-Zehnder electro-optic modulator. IBM claims it to be 100 to 1,000 times smaller in size compared to previously demonstrated modulators, and that it will lead to complete optical routing networks being integrated onto a single chip. 

In a flurry of papers being presented at next week’s IEDM Conference, engineers from SEMATECH’s Front End Processes (FEP) Division will present five technical papers on high-k metal gate (HKMG) stack and high-mobility channel materials developments. 

A leading logic IC manufacturer based in Japan has selected Aviza Technology’s Celsior fxP atomic layer deposition (ALD) system for R&D on high-k gate dielectrics and metal electrode films for the 45nm node and below. This marks Aviza’s first sale related to the emerging logic ALD market. 

A leading Japanese IC manufacturer will use Intermolecular's ‘High-Productivity Combinatorial’ (HPC) technology for rapid research and development of new memory materials, processes and integration. The Collaborative Development Program (CDP) will be based at Intermolecular's facility in San Jose, California. 

Novellus Systems has said that it has secured approximately 30 new customers since the inception of its Refurbished Systems Business in 2005, with the highest demand coming from Japan. Demand for refurbished systems comes from more than 85 fabs with 150mm and 200mm lines addressing niche and highly cost-sensitive consumer markets, according to Novellus. 

A leading Japanese memory manufacturer has placed follow-on orders for Mattson Technologies’ ‘Suprema’ strip and ‘Helios’ RTP systems for volume production of 65nm NAND flash chips in the chipmaker's newest 300mm fab. System shipments have already begun, the company said. The NAND flash maker will also use Suprema for the development of advanced chips through the 32nm node and now has the largest installed base of the Suprema platform amongst Mattson’s customers. 

Niche semiconductor process R&D foundries ATDF and SVTC Technologies have merged to create the largest privately-owned foundry of this type in the world. Terms of the merger have not been disclosed. Austin-based ATDF is an R&D foundry and subsidiary of industry consortium SEMATECH while SVTC Technologies is owned primarily by Oak Hill Capital Partners and Tallwood Venture Capital and is based in San Jose.