Lam Research Advances Next Generation 3D Memory Manufacturing with Revolutionary New Etch Technology

Rhea-AI Summary

Lam Research has launched Vantex, a cutting-edge dielectric etch technology for the Sense.i etch platform, designed to enhance performance and scalability in 3D NAND and DRAM manufacturing. This innovation allows chipmakers to achieve higher aspect ratios and improve etch profile uniformity while reducing costs. With increased RF power and advanced pulsing technology, Vantex is expected to significantly boost yield across 300mm wafers. The technology is already shipping for qualification to major memory customers, aiming for high-volume production in 2021.

Positive

• Launch of Vantex technology enhances dielectric etching for 3D NAND and DRAM.
• Improved performance and scalability for future memory device generations.
• Higher RF power levels enable etching of complex features, reducing costs.
• Increased yield and uniformity across 300mm wafers.

Negative

• None.

Vantex™ redefines high aspect ratio etching with new innovations in technology and Equipment Intelligence^® enabling chipmakers to progress 3D NAND and DRAM roadmaps

FREMONT, Calif., Jan. 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lam Research Corp. (Nasdaq: LRCX) today announced Vantex™, the latest in dielectric etch technology designed specifically for Sense.i™, the most intelligent etch platform available today. Built on a legacy of etch leadership, this pioneering design delivers higher performance and greater extendibility for current and future generation NAND and DRAM memory devices.

Chipmakers building 3D memory devices used in applications such as smartphones, graphics cards, and solid-state storage drives continually strive to reduce their cost per bit from node to node by increasing device dimensions vertically and reducing critical dimensions (CD) laterally. This is driving etch aspect ratios in 3D NAND and DRAM to new levels.

Vantex’s new chamber design enables the use of higher than previously available radio frequency (RF) power levels in order to etch high aspect ratio features at high throughput and achieve cost scaling. The increased power is coupled with advancements in RF pulsing technology to deliver the tight CD control required to improve device performance.

The 3D NAND device roadmap requires etching to achieve greater depths with every new generation, driving a need for improved etch profile uniformity. The Vantex technology controls the vertical angle of the etch to meet the tighter placement requirements of these 3D device features and achieve high yield across the entire 300mm wafer.

“With more than a decade of industry leadership in high aspect ratio etch, our unique learning enabled the Vantex chamber design from the ground up to offer scalability and innovation for many nodes to come,” said Vahid Vahedi, senior vice president and general manager of the Etch product group at Lam Research. “Vantex redefines performance and productivity benchmarks, driving our customers to leverage this groundbreaking etch technology.”

Lam’s Sense.i etch platform with Equipment Intelligence^® includes capabilities for collecting data from hundreds of sensors monitoring system and process performance. The Vantex chamber leverages the high bandwidth communication in the Sense.i system to collect more data per wafer than any other tool on the market – with the ability to utilize data much more efficiently in order to improve both on-wafer and wafer-to-wafer performance.

Vantex on the Sense.i platform continues to ship to Lam’s leading memory customers for qualification, with repeat orders to ramp in high volume production in 2021.

About Lam Research

Lam Research Corporation is a global supplier of innovative wafer fabrication equipment and services to the semiconductor industry. As a trusted, collaborative partner to the world’s leading semiconductor companies, we combine superior systems engineering capability, technology leadership, and unwavering commitment to customer success to accelerate innovation through enhanced device performance. In fact, today, nearly every advanced chip is built with Lam technology. Lam Research (Nasdaq: LRCX) is a FORTUNE 500^® company headquartered in Fremont, Calif., with operations around the globe. Learn more at www.lamresearch.com.  (LRCX-P)

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Statements made in this press release that are not of historical fact are forward-looking statements and are subject to the safe harbor provisions created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements relate to but are not limited to: the performance of the tools we sell or service; the results that our customers can achieve when using our tools; the requirements of our customers for future innovation and the ability of our tools to meet the customers’ future requirements; and the learning that we may obtain from our installed base. These statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and changes in condition, significance, value and effect including those risks and uncertainties that are described in the documents filed or furnished by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including specifically the Risk Factors described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 28, 2020 and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 27, 2020. These uncertainties and changes could materially affect the forward-looking statements and cause actual results to vary from expectations in a material way. The Company undertakes no obligation to update the information or statements made in this release.

Company Contacts:
Libra White
Media Relations
(510) 572-7725
publicrelations@lamresearch.com

Ram Ganesh
Investor Relations
(510) 572-1615
investor.relations@lamresearch.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ff86691c-06fa-4040-b925-2f7884fd8f50

FAQ

What is Vantex technology by Lam Research?

Vantex is a new dielectric etch technology designed for the Sense.i etch platform to enhance performance and scalability in 3D NAND and DRAM manufacturing.

How does Vantex improve etching performance for chipmakers?

Vantex allows for higher RF power levels and advanced pulsing technology, resulting in better etch profile uniformity and yield.

When is Vantex expected to ramp up to high volume production?

Vantex is expected to ramp up to high volume production in 2021.

What benefits does Vantex offer for 3D NAND devices?

Vantex enhances etching capabilities, allowing chipmakers to achieve higher aspect ratios and reduce costs per bit.

What is the significance of Lam Research's Sense.i platform?

The Sense.i platform leverages Equipment Intelligence to collect extensive data, improving both on-wafer and wafer-to-wafer performance.