Nova Metrion® Selected by a Leading Memory Manufacturer

Rhea-AI Summary

Nova (Nasdaq: NVMI) announced the selection of its Nova Metrion® platform by a leading memory manufacturer for advanced DRAM R&D and high-volume manufacturing of DRAM and NAND. The platform was chosen for its ability to perform full-wafer measurements of epitaxial layers with high sensitivity and precision.

The Nova Metrion® enables inline SIMS measurements of materials composition depth profiles, providing tighter process control and improved yield in next-generation devices. The technology offers unique in-line composition profiling for key process control measurements, including dopant concentration, contamination, residues, and diffusion. Nova expects additional orders as the manufacturer expands its inline metrology capabilities.

Positive

• Selection by major memory manufacturer for DRAM R&D and high-volume manufacturing
• Expected additional orders from the same customer
• Unique technological advantage in inline composition profiling capability

Negative

• None.

Insights

Semiconductor Manufacturing Expert

The selection of Nova's Metrion® platform by a major memory manufacturer represents a significant technological breakthrough in semiconductor metrology. The platform's ability to perform inline SIMS measurements in a high-volume manufacturing environment is revolutionary, as such measurements were traditionally to lab settings. This capability directly addresses the critical challenge of process control in advanced memory fabrication.

The strategic importance lies in the platform's unique ability to measure epitaxial layers and complex multilayer films with high precision - essential for both DRAM and NAND manufacturing. This technology enables real-time monitoring of dopant concentrations and contamination levels, which are important for maintaining yield rates in memory chip production. The fact that a leading memory manufacturer has chosen this solution for both R&D and production lines indicates strong market validation.

This deal positions Nova advantageously in the growing market for advanced process control tools, particularly as the semiconductor industry moves toward more complex 3D structures and new materials. The mention of expected additional orders suggests this could be the beginning of a larger deployment across the customer's manufacturing facilities.

Market Research Analyst

This customer win carries substantial market implications for Nova. The memory chip market is highly concentrated among a few major players, making each customer relationship strategically valuable. The dual implementation in both R&D and production environments suggests a long-term commitment from the customer, potentially leading to recurring revenue streams as the manufacturer expands its operations.

The timing is particularly favorable as memory manufacturers are investing heavily in new manufacturing capabilities amid growing demand for advanced memory solutions. The prospect of additional orders indicates potential revenue growth beyond the initial deployment. For context, metrology equipment typically represents 2-4% of a fab's total equipment spending and inline metrology tools like Metrion® command premium pricing due to their critical role in yield optimization.

REHOVOT, Israel, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nova (Nasdaq: NVMI) announced today that one of the world's leading memory manufacturers recently selected the Nova Metrion^® platform for its most advanced DRAM R&D as well as DRAM and NAND high-volume manufacturing lines. The company expects to receive additional orders from this customer as the manufacturer expands its inline metrology capabilities.  

Nova Metrion^® provides tighter process control and improves yield by allowing inline SIMS (secondary ion mass spectrometry) measurements of materials composition depth profiles in next-generation devices. The platform selection was based on its ability to perform full-wafer measurements of epitaxial layers, with high sensitivity and precision.  

Nova Metrion^® breakthrough technology enables advanced process control of complex and critical multilayer films. It is designed from the ground up for a high-volume manufacturing environment and provides quantitative and actionable results with high-depth resolution and precision. The Metrion^® introduces a unique in-line composition profiling capability for key process control measurements, including dopant concentration, contamination, residues, and diffusion, which cannot be obtained by other measurement techniques.

"Bridging the chasm between lab and fab environments is becoming a critical factor in enabling next-generation device manufacturing," said Gaby Waisman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nova. "Our ability to provide customers with unique solutions like the Nova Metrion^®, addresses the increasing need for materials process control in advanced memory and logic devices."

About Nova

Nova is a leading innovator and key provider of material, optical and chemical metrology solutions for advanced process control in semiconductor manufacturing. Nova delivers continuous innovation by providing state-of-the-art, high-performance metrology solutions for effective process control throughout the semiconductor fabrication lifecycle. Nova's product portfolio, which combines high-precision hardware and cutting-edge software, provides its customers with deep insight into developing and producing the most advanced semiconductor devices. Nova's unique capability to deliver innovative solutions enables its customers to improve performance, enhance product yields, and accelerate time to market. Nova acts as a partner to semiconductor manufacturers from its offices worldwide. Additional information may be found on Nova's website link - https://www.novami.com/     

Nova is traded on the Nasdaq and TASE, Nasdaq ticker symbol NVMI.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 relating to future events or our future performance, such as statements regarding, but not limited to, anticipated growth opportunities and projections about our business and its future revenues, expenses and profitability. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied in those forward-looking statements. Factors that may affect our results, performance, circumstances or achievements include, but are not limited to, the following:  increased information technology security threats and sophisticated computer crime; foreign political and economic risks including supply-chain difficulties; regulations that could restrict our operations such as economic sanctions and export restrictions; changes in U.S. trade policies; indirect effects of the Russia – Ukraine conflict; market instability including inflation and recessionary pressures; risks related to doing business with China; catastrophic events; inability to protect our intellectual property; open source technology exposure, including risks related to artificial intelligence; failure to compete effectively or to respond to rapid technological changes; consolidation in our industry; difficulty in predicting the length and strength of any downturn or expansion period of the market we target; factors that adversely affect the pricing and demand for our product lines; dependency on a small number of large customers; dependency on a single manufacturing facility per product line; dependency on a limited number of suppliers; difficulty in integrating current or future acquisitions; lengthy sales cycle and customer delays in orders; risks related to conditions in Israel, including related to the war against Hamas and other terrorist organizations; risks related to our convertible notes; currency fluctuations; and quarterly fluctuations in our operating results. We cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The matters discussed in this press release also involve risks and uncertainties summarized under the heading "Risk Factors" in Nova's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 20, 2024. These factors are updated from time to time through the filing of reports and registration statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Nova Ltd. does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.

Company Contact:
Guy Kizner, Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +972-73-229-5760
E-mail - investors@novami.com 

Nova website link - https://www.novami.com/ 

Investor Relations Contact:
Miri Segal MS-IR LLC
Tel: +917-607-8654
E-mail - msegal@ms-ir.com 

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1446151/3817156/Nova_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nova-metrion-selected-by-a-leading-memory-manufacturer-302345775.html

SOURCE Nova

FAQ

What is the significance of Nova's Metrion platform selection for NVMI investors?

The selection by a leading memory manufacturer represents potential revenue growth through initial orders and expected follow-up orders, while establishing Nova's position in advanced memory manufacturing.

What unique capabilities does Nova Metrion offer for DRAM and NAND manufacturing?

Nova Metrion provides inline SIMS measurements, full-wafer measurements of epitaxial layers, and composition profiling for dopant concentration, contamination, residues, and diffusion, which are not available through other measurement techniques.

How will the Nova Metrion platform impact DRAM manufacturing processes?

The platform enables tighter process control and improved yield through high-sensitivity measurements and precise composition profiling in a high-volume manufacturing environment.

What market expansion opportunities does the Metrion selection create for NVMI?

The selection opens opportunities for additional orders as the manufacturer expands its inline metrology capabilities, potentially increasing Nova's market share in advanced memory manufacturing.