SANTA BARBARA, CA, September 22, 2020 Innovative Micro Technology (IMT), a global leader in the development and production of complex microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), today announced the purchase of an Omega® Rapier™ plasma etch system from SPTS Technologies, a KLA company. The installation of the Rapier™ this month will put IMT at the cutting edge of MEMS and sensors manufacturing and extends development and production capability for its growing customer base in photonics, BioMEMS and sensors.
“The MEMS industry is experiencing a resurgence of growth driven by a proliferation of innovative new communications, sensing, and medical applications,” stated Eric Sigler, CEO of IMT. “SPTS Technologies is at the forefront of MEMS manufacturing with its deep reactive ion etch (DRIE) solutions, having been a co-developer and first licensee of the ‘Bosch Process’. The addition of the Rapier DRIE capability allows us to offer an industry-leading technology to our foundry customers while expanding capacity for future development and new applications. This investment exemplifies our commitment to technical excellence, even in these uncertain times.”
“SPTS has been working closely with the leading MEMS manufacturers, foundries and research institutes for more than two decades, achieving an install base of over 1300 DRIE modules,” stated David Butler, General Manager of SPTS Technologies. “The Rapier DRIE process module provides the high-level of profile control, selectivity and uniformity needed for the critical feature requirements of next generation MEMS devices. We are pleased to bring this important capability to IMT’s foundry environment and be part of their exciting 200mm technology portfolio.”
IMT is already the largest pure-play MEMS foundry in the United States. With the Rapier, IMT is able to achieve best-in-class control over side-wall profile, scalloping, and aspect ratio, plus world-class etch rates, uniformity, and tilt control. By integrating SPTS’s patented Claritas™ end-point technology, IMT can implement precise control of the Si etch to a stop layer as commonly used for MEMS processing.
With the Rapier DRIE technology, IMT can better support its customers in the design, development, and manufacturing of devices that require superior deep silicon etching and maximum process control for optimum performance. IMT’s engineers will use industry-leading DRIE technology to improve throughput and yield in many types of devices including MEMS sensors and mirrors, photonics, microfluidic biochips, fiber blocks, lens arrays, silicon-optical benches and 3D interconnected devices using through-silicon vias (TSVs).
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About SPTS
SPTS Technologies, a KLA company, designs, manufactures, sells, and supports etch, PVD, CVD, and MVD wafer processing solutions for the global semiconductor and related industries. the MEMS, advanced packaging, LED, high speed RF on GaAs, and power management device markets. End-market applications include Advanced Packaging, MEMS, LED, high speed RF devices, and power semiconductors. SPTS has manufacturing facilities in Newport, Wales, and Allentown, Pennsylvania, and operates across 19 countries in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific. For more information please visit https://www.spts.com.
About IMT
Innovative Micro Technology, Inc. (IMT) designs and manufactures microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and wafer-level optics for sensing, communications and biomedical applications. The company partners with innovative customers to solve challenging technical problems and deliver breakthrough MEMS-based solutions. IMT is the largest MEMS foundry in the US, serving customers from its 165,000 ft2 wafer fabrication facility in Santa Barbara, supported by a dedicated staff of over 130 MEMS experts. IMT’s extensive experience spans the full spectrum of MEMS, including optical benches, sensors, mirrors, switches, and microfluidic biochips. Visit http://www.imtmems.com.
Company Contacts:
Destanie Clarke
Sr Director Marketing Communications
SPTS Technologies (A KLA Company)
+44 7951 203278
destanie.clarke@spts.com
Stephen Bohn
Vice President, Marketing
Innovative Micro Technology, Inc. (IMT)
805-696-6181
steve.bohn@imtmems.com