Veeco Ships Nanosecond Annealing System Targeting High Volume Production of 2 Nanometer Gate-All-Around Chips

Rhea-AI Summary

Veeco Instruments (NASDAQ: VECO) has announced the shipment of its NSA500™ Nanosecond Annealing system to a leading semiconductor company for 2-nanometer gate-all-around logic chips production in Q4 2024. The company reports that evaluation programs for the NSA500™ are progressing well with two other leading-edge customers, with multiple applications under consideration.

The next-generation annealing platform expands Veeco's opportunities in laser annealing for logic and memory applications, including precise shallow anneals for 3D devices, low thermal budget anneals, and material modification. The NSA500 system's key advantage lies in its ability to precisely anneal surface layers without damaging underlying devices, utilizing nanosecond-scale dwell times at high temperatures.

Positive

• Successful shipment of NSA500™ system to a major semiconductor manufacturer for 2nm chip production
• Ongoing evaluation programs with two additional leading-edge customers
• High interest from additional logic and memory customers
• Platform expansion into new applications for logic and memory sectors

Negative

• None.

PLAINVIEW, N.Y., Feb. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Veeco Instruments Inc. (NASDAQ: VECO) announced today a NSA500™ Nanosecond Annealing system shipment to a leading-edge semiconductor company for high-volume production of 2-nanometer gate-all-around logic chips. The shipment occurred during the fourth quarter of 2024.

Equally as important, the company’s NSA500™ evaluation programs at two other leading-edge customers are progressing well with multiple applications being considered. Interest from additional logic and memory customers to evaluate Veeco’s system also remains high.

Veeco’s recently launched next-generation annealing platform expands the company’s overall opportunity in laser annealing to leading-edge applications in logic and memory. New applications include precise shallow anneals for 3D devices, low thermal budget anneals, and material modification applications. Compared to traditional annealing solutions, the NSA500 system is capable of precisely annealing relevant surface layers without damaging the underlying device due to its combination of short dwell times in the nanosecond scale and high temperatures. 

“Shipment of this NSA500™ Nanosecond Annealing system is an important milestone given the growing need for annealing solutions with advanced capabilities for leading-edge applications,” commented Adrian Devasahayam, Ph.D., Veeco’s Senior Vice President, Product Line Management. “We look forward to supporting our customers as they accelerate production of next-generation chips for growing markets such as artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. The broad applicability of Veeco’s NSA500 system provides a significant opportunity to expand Veeco’s served available market.”

About Veeco
Veeco (NASDAQ: VECO) is an innovative manufacturer of semiconductor process equipment. Our laser annealing, ion beam, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), single wafer etch & clean and lithography technologies play an integral role in the fabrication and packaging of advanced semiconductor devices. With equipment designed to optimize performance, yield and cost of ownership, Veeco holds leading technology positions in the markets we serve. To learn more about Veeco’s systems and service offerings, visit www.veeco.com.

To the extent that this news release discusses expectations or otherwise makes statements about the future, such statements are forward-looking and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. These factors include the risks discussed in the Business Description and Management's Discussion and Analysis sections of Veeco's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and in our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and press releases. Veeco does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

Veeco Contacts:                                
Investors: Anthony Pappone | (516) 500-8798 | apappone@veeco.com
Media: Brenden Wright | (410) 984-2610 | bwright@veeco.com

FAQ

What is the significance of Veeco's NSA500™ system shipment for 2nm chip production?

The shipment represents a significant milestone for Veeco (VECO) in addressing the growing demand for advanced annealing solutions in leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing, particularly for 2nm gate-all-around logic chips.

How many evaluation programs are currently running for Veeco's NSA500™ system?

Veeco has two evaluation programs running with leading-edge customers, with multiple applications being considered.

What are the key technical advantages of VECO's NSA500™ Nanosecond Annealing system?

The NSA500 system can precisely anneal surface layers without damaging underlying devices, using nanosecond-scale dwell times at high temperatures, making it suitable for advanced semiconductor manufacturing.

What new applications does Veeco's NSA500™ platform target in semiconductor manufacturing?

The platform targets precise shallow anneals for 3D devices, low thermal budget anneals, and material modification applications in both logic and memory sectors.