Automatic waferless recipe creation proves to provide added productivity for CMP inspection in a foundry environment

Flanders, New Jersey (December 8, 2009)—Rudolph Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: RTEC), a worldwide leader in process characterization solutions for the semiconductor manufacturing industry, announced today the receipt of multiple orders for its latest Explorer® Inspection Cluster from a major Taiwanese foundry. The orders include new systems as well as upgrades for previously installed equipment. The Explorer Cluster monitors defectivity in the Chemical Mechanical Polish (CMP) process module.

The Explorer System utilizes an AXi940™ module to inspect the front side of the wafer using enhanced capabilities specifically designed to meet the unique challenges of CMP inspection in a foundry. In addition to helping users solve CMP process variation challenges, the AXi940 has the ability to quickly and automatically create inspection recipes without sample wafers. The time required for recipe creation is of utmost concern to foundry customers due to the wide variety of devices that they manufacture. 

Scott Balak, Rudolph’s all-surface inspection product manager adds, “The Explorer System’s new waferless recipe creation capability was a key factor in this foundry’s purchase decision. With the Explorer Cluster creating recipes automatically, the customer benefits from both enhanced tool productivity as well as a more efficient use of their personnel and material.”

The Explorer Inspection Cluster is a modular approach to wafer inspection that may include one or more inspection modules for the wafer’s front, back or edge surfaces. Designed for maximum productivity and efficiency, the Explorer System incorporates up to four load ports using sophisticated queue management and features Discover® software, an inline defect analysis and data management system designed to seamlessly handle advanced macro defect inspection results. When the E30™ (edge) and B30™ (backside) inspection modules are paired with the AXi940 frontside module, correlation of defect data from all surfaces provides faster, more efficient response to defectivity issues.

Rudolph Technologies is a worldwide leader in the design, development, manufacture and support of high-performance process control metrology, defect inspection and data analysis systems used by semiconductor device manufacturers. 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 costs and time to market. The company has enhanced the competitiveness of its products in the marketplace by anticipating and addressing many emerging trends driving the semiconductor industry's growth. Rudolph’s strategy for continued technological and market leadership includes aggressive research and development of complementary metrology and inspection solutions. 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 demand for Rudolph’s products, Rudolph’s existing market position and its ability to maintain and advance such position relative to its competitors and Rudolph’s expectations about our future bookings and backlog 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, 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, 2008 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.

Contacts:

Investors
Steven R. Roth
973.448.4302
steven.roth@rudolphtech.com

Trade Press
Virginia Becker
952.259.1647
virginia.becker@rudolphtech.com