Lam Research Corporation

08/15/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/15/2024 11:33

Memory, Foundry, and Logic Markets Explained

  • Learn about three key semiconductor markets and Lam's role in supporting our customers
  • Find out what innovative technology is driving each market and Lam's tools that help enable it

Lam Research specializes in wafer fabrication equipment, which means the chips in most end-market devices consumers use today-satellites, cars, smartphones, electric toothbrushes, just about anything with a microchip-can be traced back to the tools and services Lam provides. Today, we supply cutting edge tools that aid our customers at the front lines of innovation, helping make the new era of artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and electric vehicles possible.

Our customers are key players in three major categories for integrated circuit manufacturers: memory, foundry, and logic.

  • Typically the foundry segment is considered a subset of the logic market, but they are examined separately in this article.

Let's break down the three major markets and explain Lam's role in helping sustain growth and development in these key areas.

Memory

The memory market includes companies that make memory chips in both non-leading and leading-edge tech. Samsung, SK hynix, Kioxia, and Micron are examples of Lam customers that produce memory chips. Memory chips can be further segmented into DRAM and NAND.

  • DRAM, which stands for dynamic random-access memory, is the active memory used while operating a device to store code for algorithms, processes, etc. When you open an app on your phone, DRAM is used.
  • NAND, also known as flash, which stands for NOT-AND, is the memory used to store large amounts of data over time, such as documents and photos. When you save a file to a USB drive, for example, NAND is used.

The memory market segment is driven by advancements in artificial intelligence and the widespread use of 5G and IoT (internet of things) devices globally. Global Market Insights reports the memory semiconductor market was valued at $150 billion in 2023 and its value is projected to grow to $400 billion by 2032.

Memory is an important market for Lam as memory chip consumption will continue to increase. What sets us apart from our competition in this segment is our large selection of advanced memory solutions.

Lam's tools that aid in the development of advanced memory include:

  • Kiyo® product family, reactive ion etch (RIE), which provides high performance precision and control needed for critical device features.
  • ALTUS® product family, atomic layer and chemical vapor deposition, which provides market leading systems that deposit metal films for advanced tungsten metallization applications.
  • EOS® product family, wet clean/etch, delivers exceptionally low on-wafer defectivity at high throughput for progressively demanding applications.

Foundry

A foundry is a company that manufactures semiconductor products as a service but does not design chips. Companies like Apple, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm employ foundries to produce their chips.

Lam's foundry customers include TSMC, GlobalFoundries, Samsung, Intel, and others. We provide these companies with reliable tools and custom specifications that enhance their manufacturing process.

  • With the influx of new investments in the semiconductor industry, many of which are directed toward warehouse and facility expansion, manufacturing solutions at the foundry level are crucial to maximizing product life cycles and maintaining semiconductor industry growth.

Lam has a large portfolio of tools used in foundries around the world. A few of our tools used in foundries include:

  • Striker®product family, atomic layer deposition (ALD), provides industry-leading technology with reduced processing times enabled by rapid ALD cycles, resulting in high-selectivity and low etch film rates.
  • VECTOR® product family, plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), provides process flexibility for a range of foundry applications enabled by multi-station sequential deposition (MSSD) architecture.
  • Kiyo® product family, conductor etch, uses transformer coupled symmetric chamber design and advanced plasma pulsing capability for market leading results across the wafer for logic, memory, and patterning applications.
  • Vantex® product family, dielectric etch, provides our highest aspect ratio etching with tight CD control, selectivity, and productivity enabled by best-in-class etch rates and uniformity control. Repeatable wafer-to-wafer performance enabled by advanced Equipment Intelligence.

Logic

The logic segment includes companies that design or manufacture logic chips, such as CPUs (central processing units). A logic integrated circuit (IC) implements a basic logical operation that is performed on one or more digital input signals.

  • For example, in the electronic lock to your hotel room, an IC uses an OR logic gate to determine if the door can be opened based on the presence of your valid key card.

Logic chips are constantly evolving and are used to enable leading-edge tech, such as augmented reality and electric vehicles.

Statista's semiconductor logic market revenue report predicts revenues from logic components in 2024 will grow to $191.7 billion, a 9.6% increase from 2023. Some top priorities for manufacturing in this segment include yield consistency and cost efficiency.

The Lam tools our customers use in the manufacturing of logic chips include:

  • Selective etch product family, Argos®, Prevos®, and Selis®. These products deliver ultra-high selectivity, precision etch, and groundbreaking treatment and conditioning for wafer surfaces, all of which help improve device speed and performance in logic devices.
  • Go deeper: And the Edison Award Goes to... Argos, Prevos, and Selis!

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