Fujitsu and Advantest to Establish Joint Venture to Create Semiconductor Prototypes Using Electron Beam Direct Lithography
Tokyo, Japan - Sep 18, 2006 (PRN):
Fujitsu Limited and Advantest Corporation today announced plans to establish a joint venture to create prototype semiconductors by using electron beam direct lithography*, a technology that combines 65 nanometer (nm) and 45nm semiconductor process technologies with electron beam exposure systems. The companies are currently discussing the terms of a formal contract, targeting November for this year for establishment of the joint venture.
The joint venture will combine leading-edge semiconductor process technology from Fujitsu with electron beam exposure systems developed and manufactured by Advantest, to develop electron beam direct lithography applicable for 65nm and 45nm
process technologies.
Advantest plans to newly develop electron beam exposure systems applicable for 65nm and 45nm process technologies, and supply the systems to the joint venture. The joint venture and Fujitsu plan to collaborate to develop process technologies that are suited for electron beam directlithography. The companies are targeting practical application of electron beam direct lithography on 300 millimeter (mm) wafers for 65nm process technology as a world's first.
Using technologies it develops, in fiscal 2007 the joint venture plans to provide customers with 65nm process prototype services (shuttle services) as a new development environment, and make the environment suitable for 45nm process technologies in the future.
Overview of the Joint Venture (Tentative)
Date of establishment: November, 2006
Share ratio: Fujitsu Limited: 55%
Advantest Corporation: 45%
Headquarters: Within Fujitsu's current facilities
*Electron beam direct lithography: A technology in which circuit patterns for semiconductor devices are directly drawn on a wafer, by using a beam formed by accelerating and concentrating electrons.
All company names herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Information supplied herein is correct at the time of publication, but may be subject to change without warning.
About Fujitsu Limited
Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) is a leading provider of customer-focused IT and communications solutions for the global marketplace. Pace-setting device technologies, highly reliable computing and communications products, and a worldwide corps of systems and services experts uniquely position Fujitsu to deliver comprehensive solutions that open up infinite possibilities for its customers' success. Headquartered in Tokyo, Fujitsu Limited reported consolidated revenues of about 4.8 trillion yen (US$40.6 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006. See http://www.fujitsu.com for further information.
About Advantest Corporation
Advantest Corporation (TSE: 6857, NYSE: ATE) is the world's leading automatic test equipment supplier to the semiconductor industry, and also produces electronic and optoelectronic instruments and systems. A global company, Advantest has long offered total ATE solutions, and serves the industry in every component of semiconductor testing: tester, handler, mechanical and electrical interfaces, and software. Its logic, memory, mixed-signal and RF testers and device handlers are integrated into the most advanced semiconductor production lines in the world. Founded in Tokyo in 1954, Advantest established its first subsidiary in 1982, in the USA, and now has 40 subsidiaries worldwide. Among them, Advantest America, Inc. is based in Santa Clara, CA., and Advantest (Europe) GmBH is based in Munich, Germany. More information is available at
www.advantest.co.jp
