Imago LEAP 3000X Wins 2006 R&D 100 Award
Madison, WI - (August 6, 2006) -Imago® Scientific Instruments Corp. announced today
that its LEAP 3000X(TM) atom probe microscope is a recipient of the prestigious R&D100
award for 2006. A panel of industry experts appointed by Research and Development
magazine announced the LEAP® system's award "...as one of the 100 most technologically significant products introduced into the marketplace over the past year."
Atom probe tomography (APT) has emerged in recent years as an important metrology
tool for materials analysis and semiconductor-device engineering. Imago revolutionized
APT with its breakthrough LEAP technology, which offers practical, rapid analysis in 3D
of materials such as metals and data storage devices with near-atomic resolution. This
year's addition of the laser pulse operating mode to the LEAP enables analysis of semiconductor-device structures, which have been defined as critical-path requirements
in Sematech's International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS).
This is the second occasion in three years that Imago's LEAP microscope has been
selected for the R&D100 award, repeating in 2006 its previous award from 2004. Imago
won the 2004 award as it revolutionized the study of metallic alloys with its ability to measure atomic-level clusters and precipitates which determine mechanical properties
such as hardness and temperature stability. The 2006 award arises from the LEAP's
new laser pulsed ionization mode, which enables analysis of next-generation semiconductor devices for features such as dopant distribution, ultra-shallow junctions, high-k dielectrics, and buried interface layers.
"The LEAP 3000X fills a critical need in the semiconductor design roadmap on the way
to 65-nm and 45-nm device structures," said Dr. Tim Stultz, President and CEO of Imago.
"We have demonstrated unique analysis capabilities beyond that of any existing
technique."
About Imago
Imago Scientific Instruments Corporation is the recognized world leader in Atom Probe
Tomography and developer of Nanolytical® tools and solutions for manufacturers, engineers, and scientists involved in the nano-technology revolution. The Company's technology and products provide sub-nanometer element mapping of microelectronic devices and materials. Imago is committed to the sustained advancement of nano-technology solutions specifically addressed to metrology and analysis challenges in the Semiconductor, Data Storage and Advanced Materials markets. Imago provides worldwide customer support from locations in the United States, Japan, Europe, and Asia Pacific.
CONTACT:
Timothy Stultz, Ph.D.
President & CEO
Imago Scientific Instruments Corporation
Phone: 608-274-6880
Fax: 608-442-0622
Email: information@imago.com
Web: www.imago.com
