AMD Orders Multiple Integrated CMP Systems from Applied Materials for Building Most Advanced Copper Microprocessors - Company Business and Marketing

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, Feb 21, 2000

Applied Materials, Inc. has received an order for multiple Mirra CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) systems from Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). AMD is expected to use the integrated CMP/cleaning systems to build its most advanced copper-based AMD Athlon microprocessor design. The Mirra systems are scheduled to be shipped this month to AMD's new state-of-the-art fab in Dresden, Germany.

Hans Deppe, Geschaftsfuhrer and director of operations of AMD Fab 30 said, "Fab 30 in Dresden is AMD's newest high volume manufacturing facility, where we will build some of the world's highest-performance microprocessors. We have used Applied Materials' Mirra CMP systems for our copper chip applications and expect its advanced process capabilities and high productivity to be a key part of our transition to smaller geometries and copper interconnect technology."

Applied Materials' Mirra CMP system, which was introduced in December 1995, is the global market leading system for CMP. The Mirra system features a unique multi-platen, multi-head architecture that delivers excellent process performance and high productivity. In addition to copper, the Mirra system can be used for dielectric, silicon and other metal films.

"Since CMP defines the copper wires in dual damascene structures, its performance has a significant impact on both yield and device performance. We are pleased that AMD has chosen us to provide the tools for the critical copper CMP process for their most advanced, high-speed microprocessors," noted Chris Smith, vice president and general manager of Applied Materials' CMP product group.

According to market research firm Dataquest, the market for CMP systems was estimated to be $1.04 billion in 1999 and is expected to grow to $2.5 billion by the year 2004, making it one of the strongest growing segments of the semiconductor equipment market.

Applied Materials, Inc. is a Fortune 500 global growth company and the world's largest supplier of wafer fabrication systems and services to the global semiconductor industry. Applied Materials is traded on the Nasdaq National Market System under the symbol "AMAT." Applied Materials' web site is www.appliedmaterials.com.