Study: MEMS Fabrication Shows Market Promise

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 3 --With the downturn in the semiconductor equipment market, suppliers are now focusing more on MEMS fabrication opportunities, according to research firm In-Stat/MDR.

"The high-tech market research firm reports that continued unit growth and device diversity, as well as this large potential customer base, is making the MEMS sector a progressively more attractive market for semiconductor equipment manufacturers," according to the firm's recent report, "Market Snapshot: MEMS Fab Equipment."

"Equipment for MEMS fabrication is now more available than ever before, ranging from dual-purpose (for both semiconductor and MEMS processing steps) to purely MEMS-specific," said Marlene Bourne, an analyst with In-Stat/MDR. "In some areas, standard semiconductor equipment is perfectly suitable; whereas in others, MEMS fabrication presents some unique issues that can be quite different from semiconductor manufacturing -- and these differences are growing more apparent." One example is metrology, where MEMS provides a greater challenge for inspection, testing and analysis than semiconductor integrated circuits. As a result, there is sizeable opportunity at hand, he said.

For more information, visit: www.instat.com