MEDIA RELEASE PR35421
TCZ Receives First Purchase Order for Crystallization Tool for Flat Panel Display Manufacturing
SINGAPORE, July 17 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
TCZ Pte. Ltd., a joint venture of Cymer, Inc. (Nasdaq: CYMI) and Carl
Zeiss SMT AG, announced today that the company has received its first
order-from a large Korean display maker-for the TCZ-900A, TCZ's production
tool for flat panel display (FPD) fabrication. The TCZ-900A is designed to
manufacture both advanced liquid crystal displays (LCD) and next generation
Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) displays used in cell phones, laptops and
televisions.
TCZ, using Cymer's industry-leading light source technology and the
innovative optics expertise of Carl Zeiss SMT, has developed a patented laser
crystallization technology which improves uniformity, while increasing
throughput and reducing the cost of crystallization by up to 50 percent
compared to current industry standards.
TCZ's unique ability to support many different display sizes while
significantly increasing panel throughput was a driving factor in the Korean
display maker's selection of the new technology, which will enable the
production of the industry's most visually appealing and cost-effective
displays in the years to come.
"With their dynamic colors and ultra thin-screens, OLED displays are
forecasted to be the next big growth engine for the FPD industry," said David
Knowles, president and chief executive officer of TCZ. "Our first order, from
a market leader in OLED manufacturing, validates the unique enabling
technology of our product."
Laser crystallization is a key step in the manufacturing process for many
types of LCD and OLED displays. A glass plate, coated with a thin film of
amorphous silicon, is exposed to a high-power laser that converts the silicon
into a poly-crystalline form, which is then used to create the pixel control
circuit. The TCZ Crystallization System uses a 600W laser, twice the power of
current systems, to form a very narrow line focus that is 730 mm long,
allowing a gen 4 size glass plate (730mm x 920mm) to be processed in a single
pass. This approach produces very uniform crystalline silicon material across
the entire glass plate, which is needed to support the high-performance OLED
pixel circuits.
The first TCZ-900A shipment is scheduled for the third quarter of 2009.
For additional information, or to speak with a TCZ representative, please
contact Kelly Hamor at (619) 234-0345.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in
nature are forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not
limited to statements regarding the uses and benefits of the TCZ-900A
production tool, the initial shipment of the tool, future flat panel display
products, TCZ's technologies and capabilities, Cymer's products and
technologies, and Carl Zeiss SMT's products and technologies. These
statements are predictions based on current information and expectations and
involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may
differ materially from those projected in any of such statements due to
various factors, including but not limited to: the performance and market
acceptance of new products or technologies; new and enhanced product
offerings by competitors; the manufacturer's ability to meet its production
and product development schedules; the timing of customer orders, shipments
and acceptances; delays or cancellations by customers of their orders, the
performance and conditions in world financial markets; government policies
and actions; and general economic conditions. For a discussion of these and
other factors which may cause our actual events or results to differ from
those projected, please refer to Cymer's most recent annual report on Form
10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other subsequent filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of
the date of this press release. All forward-looking statements are qualified
in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and neither Cymer nor TCZ
undertakes any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements
to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.
About TCZ
TCZ Pte. Ltd., a joint venture of Cymer and Carl Zeiss SMT, is
headquartered in Singapore, and is focused on cost-effective, innovative
technologies that advance the production capabilities of flat-panel display
makers. TCZ integrates advanced laser, optics, controls and process knowledge
to develop advanced manufacturing equipment to reduce cost and improve
process control. Additional information can be found at www.tcz.com.
About Cymer
Cymer, Inc. is the market leader in developing light sources, used by
nearly every major chipmaker around the world as the essential light source
for DUV lithography systems. With numerous offices worldwide, the company was
founded and is headquartered in San Diego, Calif. Cymer's newly launched
products enable double patterning in an effort to facilitate 32nm
lithography. The company is also leading the industry in the research,
development and transition to extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, sourced
by laser-produced plasma. Cymer is committed to developing and introducing
new technologies that reduce cost of ownership for chipmakers while
simultaneously improving productivity. Cymer maintains a Web site to which it
regularly posts press releases, Securities and Exchange Commission filings,
and additional information about Cymer. Interested persons can also subscribe
to automated e-mail alerts or RSS feeds. Please visit www.cymer.com.
About Carl Zeiss SMT
As the global leader in innovative lithography optics, as well as optical
and particle-beam based inspection, analysis and measuring systems. Carl
Zeiss SMT opens up new avenues for its customers in industrial manufacturing
environments, quality assurance and industrial and academic R&D. Decades of
market leadership are based on the success of its leading know-how in light,
electron and ion-optical technologies. Together with its subsidiaries in
Germany, England, France, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Israel and the USA,
the international group of companies has more than 2,500 employees. In fiscal
year 2007/08, Carl Zeiss SMT AG generated revenues of over EUR 1 billion (USD
~ 1.3 billion). Carl Zeiss SMT AG is a wholly owned subsidiary of Carl Zeiss
SOURCE: Cymer, Inc.; TCZ Pte. Ltd.
CONTACT: Kelly Hamor of Formula PR,
+1-619-234-0345, Cell, +1-619-549-3473,
Hamor@formulapr.com, for Cymer, Inc.
(CYMI)
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