Chip manufacturers use Discover Enterprise Software to improve yield and profitability across a range of applications.
Flanders, New Jersey (April 12, 2010)—Rudolph Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: RTEC), a leading provider of process characterization equipment and software for wafer fabs and advanced packaging facilities, announced today the receipt of multiple orders for its Discover Enterprise™ fab-wide process analysis software. The orders, which have come from several major Japanese IC manufacturers, demonstrate the product’s wide range of applications.
Discover Enterprise software helps chip manufacturers improve yield and profitability in their manufacturing lines. It integrates and analyzes data from all inspection, metrology and test systems in the fab to provide a complete report of fab-wide yield problems. Process engineers use this data to optimize manufacturing performance and quickly identify and correct the cause of yield excursions.
According to Shinji Yano, general manager of Rudolph’s Japan operations, “We are particularly gratified to receive these orders from our Japanese customers, because Rudolph has worked hard to build a local organization here. We are excited to be seeing the fruits of this investment now.”
“The variety of applications represented by these purchases demonstrates the range and utility of the Discover Enterprise fab-wide approach,” added Mike Plisinski, Rudolph’s vice president and general manager, Data Analysis and Review Business Unit.
Plisinski continues, “In one case, we have a device manufacturer at an advanced technology node using Discover Enterprise to correlate backside contamination with frontside defectivity in an immersion lithography application. Another customer is developing photoresist and color filter material where the intelligent sampling algorithms and the ability to efficiently integrate inspection and review tools was a primary value-add. In a third scenario, the fab, which produces liquid crystal drivers for flat panel displays, benefited immensely from the ability of Discover Enterprise to relate bin results to process data.”
“We believe that Discover Enterprise is the most widely used fab data management system commercially available,” Plisinski added. It flexibly links to the process equipment from tools throughout the fab, has an outstanding record of high uptime, precisely correlates electrical and other test results to inspection information, and links into existing databases such as MES/WIP, sort, bitmap, and WET/WAT. More information about Discover Enterprise can be found at www.rudolphtech.com.
Rudolph Technologies, Inc. is a worldwide leader in the design, development, manufacture and support of defect inspection, process control metrology, and data analysis systems used by semiconductor device manufacturers worldwide. 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. Rudolph offers yield management solutions used in wafer processing and final manufacturing through a family of systems for macro-defect inspection (detection and classification), as well as transparent and opaque thin film measurements.
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 inspection and metrology 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, 2009 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