High-NA Lithography Starting To Take Shape


The future of semiconductor technology is often viewed through the lenses of photolithography equipment, which continues to offer better resolution for future process nodes despite an almost perpetual barrage of highly challenging technological issues. For years, lithography was viewed as the primary manufacturing-related gating factor to continued device scaling, beset by multiple delays th... » read more

Goals of Going Green


The chip industry is stepping up efforts to be seen as environmentally friendly, driven by growing pressure from customers and government regulations. Some manufacturers have been addressing sustainability challenges for more than a decade, but they are becoming more aggressive in their efforts, while others are joining them. A review of sustainability reports across the semiconductor indust... » read more

DAC/Semicon West Addresses Top Issues, Trends For Chips


The Design Automation Conference (DAC) 2023 and Semicon West returned in full force this week, drawing in more attendees and sponsor companies than since before the pandemic. At times, booth traffic was four to five deep, blocking aisles, and standing room only was common at presentations. Hot topics included generative AI and the underlying semiconductor technology, data security, reliabili... » read more

Week In Review: Semiconductor Manufacturing, Test


China retaliated against a U.S. embargo on advanced semiconductor equipment exports by restricting exports of gallium and germanium. Both metals are widely used in semiconductors and electric vehicles. Despite export controls for advanced chips and equipment imposed on Chinese foundries by the U.S. and its allies, TrendForce predicts China's 300mm market share likely will increase from 24% ... » read more

Chip Industry’s Technical Paper Roundup: July 5


New technical papers recently added to Semiconductor Engineering’s library: [table id=114 /] (more…) » read more

Week In Review: Semiconductor Manufacturing, Test


Restrictions on China continue to grow. The Biden Administration is considering more restrictions on selling advanced AI chips to China, according to multiple media reports. Meanwhile, the Dutch government is expected to limit the sale of manufacturing equipment. JIC Capital, the wholly owned subsidiary of Japan Investment Corporation (JIC), will purchase materials company JSR Corp. through ... » read more

Design of Selective Deposition Processes For Nanoscale Electronic Devices


A technical paper titled “Quantified Uniformity and Selectivity of TiO2 Films in 45-nm Half Pitch Patterns Using Area-Selective Deposition Supercycles” was published by researchers at IMEC, North Carolina State University, and KU Leuven. Abstract: "Area-selective deposition (ASD) shows great promise for sub-10 nm manufacturing in nanoelectronics, but significant challenges remain in scali... » read more

Chip Industry’s Technical Paper Roundup: June 27


New technical papers added to Semiconductor Engineering’s library this week. [table id=113 /]   » read more

A Field-Free Switching Solution For SOT Magnetic Tunnel Junction Devices


A technical paper titled “Field-Free Spin-Orbit Torque Driven Switching of Perpendicular Magnetic Tunnel Junction through Bending Current” was published by researchers at KU Leuven, ETH Zurich, and IMEC. Abstract: "Current-induced spin-orbit torques (SOTs) enable fast and efficient manipulation of the magnetic state of magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs), making them attractive for memory, i... » read more

Will CFETs Help The Industry Go Vertical?


Device scaling is getting much harder at each new process node. Even defining what it means is becoming a challenge. In the past, gate length and metal pitch went down and device density went up. Today, this is much harder for several reasons: • Short channel effects limit gate-length scaling; • Parasitic effects limit device density, and • Metal resistance limits metal pitch. So r... » read more

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