Tungsten Deposition System targets memory megafabs.

Press Release Summary:



Designed for high-volume tungsten contact fill and interconnect applications, ALTUS® Max(TM) has processing capability to provide tungsten films that meet or exceed 20 nm memory requirements for fill, resistivity, roughness, and defects. It features PNLxT(TM) pulsed nucleation layer process technology, multi-station sequential deposition architecture, and SwiftTrak(TM) wafer handling. Chamber clean technology achieves single-digit defects at 65 nm particle size.



Original Press Release:



Novellus Sets New Benchmark in Tungsten Productivity



Productivity and Performance of New ALTUS Max Targets Memory Megafabs

SAN JOSE, Calif., July 1 - Novellus Systems today announced the introduction of ALTUS® Max(TM), the latest enhancement to its industry-leading pulsed nucleation layer (PNL(TM)) tungsten deposition platform. Targeting high-volume memory megafabs, ALTUS Max delivers the industry's highest level of productivity for tungsten contact fill and interconnect applications with the platform's benchmark reliability. The system incorporates the latest technology and advanced processing capability to provide tungsten films that meet or exceed 20nm memory requirements for fill, resistivity, roughness and defects.

"The new memory megafabs coming online are looking for specialized value in the form of high productivity and reduced cost of ownership along with leading-edge technology," said Aaron Fellis, ALTUS product general manager at Novellus. "ALTUS Max fulfills this need in tungsten deposition with significant savings in fab space due to the decrease in total system footprint. It is the first atomic layer deposition tungsten system to break the 120WPH throughput barrier, while providing world-class reliability and single-digit defect performance. The multi-station architecture also enables the latest in nucleation technology, PNLxT, to offer both exceptional fill and the lowest possible tungsten resistivity."

ALTUS Max combines advanced technology with Novellus' production-proven multi-station sequential deposition architecture to provide a 50 percent higher throughput than competing products. The system employs SwiftTrak(TM) wafer handling for improved throughput and reliability. In addition, the new ALTUS Max Multi-Thickness Recipe management system, in which wafers of different film thicknesses can be processed simultaneously within the same chamber, further improves the system efficiency, resulting in higher throughput.

ALTUS Max also features the latest advanced deposition technology. The latest process technology innovation, PNLxT(TM), provides lower contact resistance and enables tungsten fill of aggressive, high-aspect-ratio features at the 20nm node. The new chamber clean technology provides a fundamental improvement in particle performance, achieving single-digit defects at 65nm particle size.

Currently in production qualification with a large memory manufacturer in Asia, ALTUS Max will be available for volume shipment beginning in Q4 of 2008.

About ALTUS:

Introduced in 1991, ALTUS is the industry's tool of choice for tungsten deposition. The system provides leading productivity and technology for contact and local interconnect applications. Its pulsed nucleation layer integrates a high-throughput atomic layer deposition (ALD) nucleation layer with chemical vapor deposition (CVD bulk deposition). Novellus' Multi-Station Sequential Deposition (MSSD) architecture enables the nucleation layer and CVD fill to be performed within the same ALTUS chamber. The integrated PNL and CVD approach produces benchmark productivity and superior production availability, resulting in the lowest-cost-of-ownership tungsten deposition solution in the industry.

About Novellus:

Novellus Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:NVLS) is a leading provider of advanced process equipment for the global semiconductor industry. The company's products deliver value to customers by providing innovative technology backed by trusted productivity. An S&P 500 company, Novellus is headquartered in San Jose, Calif. with subsidiary offices across the globe.

For more information, please visit http://www.novellus.com/.

All Topics