Lam Research Donates Leading-Edge Etch System to Accelerate Nanofabrication R&D at UC Berkeley

Rhea-AI Summary

Lam Research (LRCX) has donated an advanced multi-chamber semiconductor etching system to UC Berkeley's Marvell Nanofabrication Laboratory to enhance research and development capabilities for next-generation chip technologies. The system combines Lam's Kiyo® conductor and metal etch, Flex® dielectric etch, and Syndion® GP deep reactive ion etch chambers on a Lam 2300® platform.

The donation will provide researchers access to state-of-the-art etching technology for fabricating nanoscale semiconductor devices, particularly for Specialty Technologies applications including optoelectronics, photonics, sensors, and RF solutions. The Berkeley Marvell NanoLab serves as a shared research center for academic and industrial researchers.

This contribution extends Lam's ongoing collaboration with UC Berkeley, which includes funding foundational research within the College of Engineering and maintaining its position as a founding industry member of the Berkeley Emerging Technologies Research (BETR) Center.

Positive

• Strategic expansion of academic-industry collaboration strengthening LRCX's position in emerging semiconductor technologies
• Enhanced presence in quantum computing and AI hardware development through research partnership
• Positioning for future innovations in optical communications and data center infrastructure

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• None.

FREMONT, Calif., April 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lam Research Corp. (Nasdaq: LRCX) today announced the donation of its innovative multi-chamber semiconductor etching system to the Marvell Nanofabrication Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley to advance research and development (R&D) for next-generation chip technologies. Through Lam's donation, frontline researchers can now have access to a state-of-the-art etching system for fabricating nanoscale semiconductor devices, including Specialty Technologies, that are needed to support a wide range of applications — from consumer and industrial electronics to artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing hardware.

The Berkeley Marvell NanoLab is a shared research center providing cross-departmental principal investigators and hundreds of academic and industrial researchers with access to micro- and nano-fabrication technologies typically only found in modern fab facilities. Lam's latest contribution builds on the company's long history of collaboration with UC Berkeley to expand research and educational activities in nanoscale science and engineering to accelerate the pace of innovation for semiconductor manufacturing.

"We believe that academia-industry collaboration is crucial to driving the nanofabrication advancements needed for new generations of Specialty Technologies," said Vahid Vahedi, chief technology and sustainability officer at Lam Research. "Lam's donation will give UC Berkeley's NanoLab researchers the ability to work directly with an industry-proven semiconductor manufacturing system in their efforts to accelerate innovation and develop new, novel processes."

The system combines Lam's Kiyo^® conductor and metal etch, Flex^® dielectric etch, and a state-of-the-art Syndion^® GP deep reactive ion etch chambers on a Lam 2300^® platform. It is capable of etching a broad range of materials needed for manufacturing next-generation semiconductor devices and advancing Specialty Technology applications such as optoelectronics and photonics, sensors and radio frequency (RF) solutions. 

In addition to Lam's donation, the company's ongoing collaboration with UC Berkeley includes funding of foundational research within the College of Engineering. Lam's etch technologies will enable expanded pathfinding in new fabrication processes for integrated optical solutions such as switches, waveguides, electro optic modulators and fiber coupling technologies. Such optical elements are critical building blocks in the advancement of photonic integrated circuits and optical interconnects, solutions that are expected to serve as critical enablers for applications including optical communications, advanced AI hardware, data center infrastructure and quantum information processing.

"We thank Lam Research for its many contributions over the years to UC Berkeley's Marvell NanoLab in support of research and innovation for nanofabrication technologies," said Tsu-Jae King Liu, dean of UC Berkeley's College of Engineering. "Lam's latest donation gives our researchers and students access to wafer-processing capabilities rarely accessible outside of the most sophisticated semiconductor manufacturing facilities. I look forward to seeing Lam's advanced etching system enable new atomic-scale innovations for next-generation chips in the years ahead."

As one of the founding industry members of the Berkeley Emerging Technologies Research (BETR) Center, Lam continues to support semiconductor R&D at the university where it has an endowed Lam Research Distinguished Chair in Semiconductor Processing.

About Lam Research
Lam Research Corporation is a global supplier of innovative wafer fabrication equipment and services to the semiconductor industry. Lam's equipment and services allow customers to build smaller and better performing devices. In fact, today, nearly every advanced chip is built with Lam technology. We combine superior systems engineering, technology leadership, and a strong values-based culture, with an unwavering commitment to our customers. Lam Research (Nasdaq: LRCX) is a FORTUNE 500^® company headquartered in Fremont, Calif., with operations around the globe. Learn more at www.lamresearch.com.

About UC Berkeley College of Engineering
Berkeley Engineering is recognized globally for its educational and research excellence, consistently ranked among the top three engineering colleges in the United States, and the top public engineering program overall. Engineering featured prominently when the University of California was established in 1868, with faculty hired in Mechanic Arts, Mines and Civil Engineering. The college now offers 17 academic programs and is home to nearly 7,000 students and 240 regular faculty members, including 72 current and emeriti faculty in the National Academy of Engineering.

Lam Research Contacts:
Laura Bakken
Media Relations
(510) 572-5029
publicrelations@lamresearch.com

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

Source: Lam Research Corporation, (Nasdaq: LRCX)

 

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SOURCE Lam Research Corporation

FAQ

What type of semiconductor equipment did Lam Research (LRCX) donate to UC Berkeley?

Lam Research donated a multi-chamber semiconductor etching system combining Kiyo® conductor and metal etch, Flex® dielectric etch, and Syndion® GP deep reactive ion etch chambers on a Lam 2300® platform.

How will LRCX's donation impact semiconductor research at UC Berkeley?

The donation will enable researchers to access industry-level semiconductor manufacturing capabilities for developing next-generation chip technologies, particularly in Specialty Technologies and photonic integrated circuits.

What specific applications will LRCX's etching system support at UC Berkeley?

The system will support research in optoelectronics, photonics, sensors, RF solutions, optical communications, advanced AI hardware, data center infrastructure, and quantum information processing.

What is LRCX's broader involvement with UC Berkeley beyond this donation?

LRCX is a founding member of Berkeley's BETR Center, funds foundational research in the College of Engineering, and maintains an endowed Research Chair in Semiconductor Processing.