Kung Linliu

Semiconductor IC Plasma Dry Etching Process Kung Linliu

Semiconductor market value of 2018 was around 468.8 billion US dollars. It is increased for about 13.7% than year 2017. For 2019, it is estimated decrease about 10% to 13% which is 422 to 408 billion US dollars. This market is in a way winner takes all, for example, TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) which is the world leading semiconductor foundry company has more than 50% market share. Intel has more than 90% market share of personal computer CPU (Central Process Unit) for many years. However, the semiconductor IC process technology sometimes might change the rule of market. Just recently, AMD (Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.) has more than 17% market share of personal computer CPU because they use foundry of TSMC with 7nm EUV technology node (Extreme Ultraviolet, its wavelength is 13.5 nm, shorter wavelength has better critical dimension (CD) resolution for IC process). For the present time, there are four leading semiconductor companies in the world with EUV technology process node which are as follows: (1) Samsung: the world leading semiconductor IC process company for commodity IC such as DRAM?Flash memory and IC for cell phone. The world leading company in cell phone market share, Samsung has highest volume unit of mobile phone which is 75.1 million unit representing 23% of world market share. Samsung also is the leading company in OLED (organic light emitting diode) process technology and display panel which is more than 90% of world market share.(2) Intel: is the world leading company in personal computer CPU which has more than 90% market share of personal computer CPU (Central Process Unit) for many years. Intel is actually a world leading semiconductor IC technology in DRAM (many years ago) and Flash (at the present time) memory.(3) TSMC: TSMC is brief of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company which is the world leading semiconductor foundry company has more than 50% market share. The author worked there for a few years as an R & D manager many years ago.(4) Micron: a world leading in DRAM and Flash memory IC.