AKT Launches New CVD System for 7th-Generation Flat Panel Displays; AKT-40K PECVD System Enables Larger LCD TV Screens
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 12, 2004--AKT, Inc., an Applied Materials company and the world's leading supplier of PECVD* systems to the flat panel display (FPD) industry, announces the AKT-40K PECVD system for manufacturing 7th-generation TFT-LCD* panels. The AKT-40K system can accommodate up to five process chambers and has a throughput of greater than 60 substrates per hour, making it the fastest processing system available for this application.
Seventh generation substrates measure approximately 1800mm x 2200mm (1.8 meters x 2.2 meters) and can produce up to eight 40-inch or six 46-inch panels per substrate. They are the most advanced and largest substrates ever made and are primarily used to make TFT-LCD displays for large, high-resolution flat panel televisions.
"Our high-productivity and field-proven technologies and systems are instrumental in enabling our customers' rapid penetration into the large-screen flat panel TV market," said Wendell Blonigan, president of AKT. "The new AKT-40K PECVD system provides customers with highly cost-efficient deposition technology that builds on AKT's proven process expertise and system reliability, which are more critical than ever with the rapid transition to larger and larger substrates. We have already received customer commitments for multiple AKT-40K PECVD systems, and expect to begin shipping these systems in mid-calendar year 2004."
The new AKT-40K PECVD system expands on AKT's proven system architecture and technology that have made the company the industry leader in CVD equipment. The system can deposit single layers or in situ multiple-layer films of doped and undoped amorphous silicon (a-Si), silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon oxynitride (SiON) and silicon nitride (SiNx). Flat Panel Display production technologies are similar to those for making semiconductors, although on a vastly larger substrate.
According to DisplaySearch, a market research firm, AKT was the global leader in CVD equipment for flat panel display manufacturing in 2003.
Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT) is the largest supplier of equipment and services to the global semiconductor industry. Applied Materials' Web site is http://www.appliedmaterials.com.
*PECVD = plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition
TFT-LCD = thin film transistor - liquid crystal display
CONTACT: Applied Materials, Inc.
Betty Newboe, 408-563-0647 (editorial/media)
Paul Bowman, 408-563-1698 (financial community)
SOURCE: Applied Materials, Inc.