category: On The Mark

category: IoT, Security & Automotive

Inside The SRC
By Mark LaPedus - 17 Dec, 2015 - Comments: 0

Semiconductor Engineering sat down to talk with Ken Hansen, the new president and chief executive of the Semiconductor Research Corp. (SRC), a U.S.-based technology research consortium. Prior to joining the SRC in May, Hansen was vice president and chief technology officer at Freescale. What follows are excerpts of that conversation. SE: My impression is that the SRC allocates funding for va... » read more

Inside X-ray Metrology
By Mark LaPedus - 19 Nov, 2015 - Comments: 0

Chipmakers are ramping up a new class of chip architectures, such as 3D NAND and finFETs. Measuring and characterizing the tiny structures in these technologies is a major challenge. It will not only take the traditional metrology tools, but also various X-ray techniques. To get a handle on X-ray metrology, Semiconductor Engineering recently discussed the trends with the following experts: ... » read more

Inside The Quantum Dot
By Mark LaPedus - 22 Oct, 2015 - Comments: 0

Quantum dots, a relatively new and emerging technology, are creating a buzz in the industry. Basically, when inserted into an LCD TV, quantum dots can boost the color gamut in the display, enabling vivid picture quality with relatively little capital. Quantum dots can also be used in other applications, such as solar and LED lighting. To get a handle on the technology, Semiconductor Enginee... » read more

Inside The MRAM
By Mark LaPedus - 17 Sep, 2015 - Comments: 0

Today, the industry is shipping various next-generation nonvolatile memory types, such as 3D NAND, MRAM and ReRAM. In fact, MRAM has been shipping for some time. To get a handle on MRAM, Semiconductor Engineering sat down to discuss the technology with Phillip LoPresti, president and chief executive of Everspin, a supplier of MRAMs. What follows are excerpts of that conversation. SE: Where ... » read more

Still Searching For Rare Earths
By Mark LaPedus - 20 Aug, 2015 - Comments: 1

There is both good and bad news for buyers of rare earths. The good news: It’s a buyers’ market. Prices for rare earths remain depressed amid a glut in the marketplace. The bad news: The supplier base is shaky. China still accounts for 85% of the world’s total production of rare earths, but most Chinese suppliers are operating at a loss. And two of the main non-Chinese suppliers, M... » read more

5 Technologies To Watch
By Mark LaPedus - 23 Jul, 2015 - Comments: 0

The industry is developing a dizzying array of new technologies. In fact, there are more new and innovative technologies than ever before. And the list is countless. At least from my vantage point, I have come up with my own list of the top five technologies to watch in 2015 and beyond. They are listed in alphabetical order. (See below). Obviously, there are more than just five technologi... » read more

Fab Tool M&A Slowdown?
By Mark LaPedus - 18 Jun, 2015 - Comments: 0

The semiconductor industry is in the midst of a dizzying array of mergers and acquisitions. At the current pace, some 32% of all U.S. publicly traded semiconductor companies are projected to get acquired in 2015, according to FBR. But in reality, the M&A activity will slow and edge towards a 15% consolidation rate for the year, according to the firm. Still, the IC industry is bracing for... » read more

10nm Fab Watch
By Mark LaPedus - 21 May, 2015 - Comments: 1

When will the 10nm logic node happen? Analysts believe that foundry vendors will move into 10nm finFET volume production around 2017. Still others say the 10nm finFET ramp could take place anywhere from 2018 to 2020. The predictions are all over the map. One way to predict the timing, progress and demand for 10nm is simple: Follow the fabs. In fact, Intel, Samsung, TSMC and GlobalFound... » read more

5 Issues Under The Foundry Radar
By Mark LaPedus - 16 Apr, 2015 - Comments: 0

In the foundry business, the leading-edge segment grabs most, if not all, of the headlines. Foundry vendors, of course, are ramping up 16nm/14nm finFET processes, with 10nm and 7nm in R&D. The leading-edge foundry business is sizable, but it’s not the only thing going on in the competitive arena. In fact, there are battles taking place in many other foundry segments, such as 2.5D/3D packag... » read more

5 Issues Under The SPIE Radar
By Mark LaPedus - 19 Mar, 2015 - Comments: 0

As usual, the recent SPIE Advanced Lithography Conference was a busy, if not an overwhelming, event. At the event, there were endless presentations on the usual subjects, such as design, patterning, metrology and photoresists. And as in past years, one left the event with more questions than answers. At this year’s event, the most obvious question was (and still is) clear: Will extreme ult... » read more

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