Rudolph Technologies and SEMATECH Extend Collaboration at UAlbany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering

Rudolph Technologies, Inc. and SEMATECH, the global consortium of leading chipmakers, announced today that Rudolph has joined SEMATECH’s 3D Interconnect Program at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) of the University at Albany. The joint partnership is a continuation of collaborative efforts in process characterization, with a new focus on 3D IC (three-dimensional integrated circuits) processing and enhancing process control of TSV (through-silicon vias) manufacturing. This is the second year that Rudolph will serve as a Member of SEMATECH.

As a member of SEMATECH’s 3D program, Rudolph’s inspection and metrology technologies will be applied to various projects including via depth and CD metrology, metallization void detection, stacked wafer via alignment, wafer edge defect detection and bump height coplanarity.

“The advanced device design and complex manufacturing requirements of 3D packaging opens a new frontier of process control challenges. Rudolph is well positioned, both with existing and emerging technologies, to be the semiconductor industry’s premier TSV process control solution provider,” stated Ardy Johnson, Rudolph’s vice president of marketing.

Sitaram Arkalgud, director of 3D interconnect at SEMATECH added, “We are pleased to welcome Rudolph as a partner. Rudolph’s proven expertise in defect detection, characterization, and data analysis will be significant in developing technologies and processes that will continue to drive implementation of manufacturable and cost-effective 3D TSV processes.”

Richard Brilla, vice president for strategy, alliances and consortia at CNSE, said, “The addition of Rudolph Technologies’ innovative metrology and characterization capabilities will further enhance the leading-edge research being conducted as part of SEMATECH’s 3D Interconnect Program at CNSE’s Albany NanoTech. At the same time, it will build on the world-class research and development at the UAlbany NanoCollege, which is providing critical solutions for the world’s leading companies in the highly competitive global nanoelectronics industry.”

For 20 years, SEMATECH (http://www.sematech.org), the global consortium of leading semiconductor manufacturers, has set global direction, enabled flexible collaboration, and bridged strategic R&D to manufacturing. Today, we continue to accelerate the next technology revolution with our nanoelectronics and emerging technology partners.

UAlbany CNSE is the first college in the world dedicated to research, development, education, and deployment in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience, nanoengineering, nanobioscience, and nanoeconomics. In May 2007, it was ranked as the world's number one college for nanotechnology and microtechnology in the Annual College Ranking by Small Times magazine. CNSE's Albany NanoTech Complex is the most advanced research enterprise of its kind at any university in the world: a $4.5 billion, 800,000-square-foot complex that attracts corporate partners from around the world and offers students a one-of-a-kind academic experience. The UAlbany NanoCollege houses the only fully-integrated, 300mm wafer, computer chip pilot prototyping and demonstration line within 80,000 square feet of Class 1 capable cleanrooms. More than 2,000 scientists, researchers, engineers, students, and faculty work on site at CNSE's Albany NanoTech Complex, from companies including IBM, AMD, SEMATECH, Toshiba, ASML, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, Vistec Lithography and Atotech. For more information, visit http://www.cnse.albany.edu/.

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 http://www.rudolphtech.com.