Samsung steps up silicon research

SAMSUNG IS pushing into advanced logic process development as part of its Foundry research programme.

Kicking off the new Semiconductor Research & Development Centre the company is combining this with its existing memory process research teams to help spur the development of new materials, transistor structures and higher performing, lower power silicon.

As well as working on the mass production of 45nm chips, the Samsung Foundry is also preparing next generation 32nm and 28nm processes, thanks largely to its partnerships with groups like the IBM Technology Alliance.

By having memory and logic research teams working under one roof, Samsung reckons it can speed up development across a broad spectrum of technologies including High-K, 3D transistors and advanced lithography such as extreme ultra violet.

"High-performance and low power are no longer mutually exclusive," said Kinam Kim, executive vice president and general manager of Samsung Electronics' Semiconductor R&D Centre.

"There is critical R&D work to be done at the most advanced process nodes with regards to minimising power consumption while incorporating a feature rich menu of devices for designers to create innovative next-generation mobile and high performance SoC devices."

Samsung Foundry uses these developments for the mass scale production of chips for its parent company as well as other fabless and integrated device manufacturers. µ