Photronics signs supplier agreement with Jenoptik for photomasks
Photronics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLAB) a sub-wavelength reticle solutions supplier, announced it has entered into a multi-year supplier agreement with JENOPTIK Laser, Optik, Systeme GmbH for the production of special photomasks required to produce advanced binary optic products. The two companies will utilize and develop high performance mask technology to service the growing market of new photonic applications.
Photronics will manufacture imaged patterns on quartz plates for JENOPTIK, who will use these plates for the fabrication of Binary Optic Components. As part of the agreement, JENOPTIK will contribute advanced equipment, and Photronics will provide a guaranteed long-term source of supply. Other terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Photronics and JENOPTIK have worked closely together over the last several years, which led to the development of this formal supplier agreement.
Traditionally, photomasks are used by Integrated Device Manufacturers (IDMs) to transfer circuit patterns onto silicon wafers during the manufacture of integrated circuits. A typical photomask set may consist of 20 to 35 individual layers, which are inserted into the lithography system one at time to sequentially image the complete circuitry on the wafer in a "build-up" fashion.
Binary Optic Components serve as advanced optical elements in imaging systems, illumination systems, measurement systems or sensors. They realize new optical functions or integrate numerous micro optical elements. Binary Optics Components often address the critical performance requirements of the systems they will become a part of. Binary Optics are needed for the exact alignment of the wafers in the systems' image fields as well as for the observation and correction of the projection properties in advanced lithography systems.
About Photronics:
Photronics is a manufacturer of photomasks. For more information, visit www.photronics.com.
About Jenoptik:
JENOPTIK Laser, Optik Systeme GmbH develops, manufactures and distributes laser sources and optical components, modules and system solutions as well as technology for the precise measuring, imaging, structuring and analysis of a variety of materials.