AmberWave licenses strained silicon IP to Korean chipmaker
Mass High Tech: The Journal of New England Technology - January 10, 2005

Salem, N.H.-based AmberWave Systems Corp. and Korean semiconductor materials manufacturer LG Siltron have signed an intellectual property license agreement under which LG Siltron will obtain rights to AmberWave's full suite of advanced materials intellectual property, including bulk strained silicon, strained silicon-on-insulator and III-V heteromaterials.

In addition, AmberWave will provide LG with technical support on strained silicon processing and metrology, and will assist LG's marketing efforts. No financial details of the deal were disclosed.

LG Siltron says it plans to offer AmberWave's technology in 200mm and 300mm wafer sizes to device manufacturers for a wide range of advanced semiconductor device applications.

In strained silicon, the silicon crystalline lattice is stretched or compressed to increase electrical carrier mobility. This allows chips made with strained silicon transistors to operate faster at lower power, without the need to further scale down device size. Transistors fabricated using AmberWave's strained silicon technology have demonstrated up to a 17 percent increase in speed and 34 percent reduction in power consumption while requiring only a minimal increase in manufacturing cost, according to the company.

"We are pleased to have LG Siltron demonstrate their confidence in AmberWave's IP through this licensing agreement," said Richard Faubert, president and CEO of AmberWave, in a statement. "Through this cooperation we will play a fundamental role in helping LG achieve its strategic objectives and also enable an effective supply of engineered strained silicon substrates for our semiconductor technology development partners."

About AmberWave Systems
Founded in 1998, AmberWave Systems has become a leader in the research, development and licensing of advanced technologies for semiconductor manufacturing. By funding and guiding university research, AmberWave Systems is bringing new technology developments to fruition through patents and technology licensing. In conjunction with its university research projects, AmberWave Systems conducts its own research, development and limited manufacturing in its semiconductor fabrication facility in Salem, New Hampshire. In addition, AmberWave Systems collaborates with other technology focused companies to further expand and develop its research. For more information about the company, please visit its Web site at www.amberwave.com.