Solid state

Competition among semiconductor manufacturers has intensified, quickening the pace of technological development. In the drive to capture market share, companies are turning out new generations of products with dizzying speed. Subhalf-micrometer lithographic feature sizes in commercial products have pegged new lows, while 275 MHz processing speeds have reached new highs. With feature sizes progressing toward 0.25 μm, scientists are optimizing everything from process-monitoring software to circuit boards and modules. Some are already looking at the next step/spl minus/linewidths of 0.18 μm and below/spl minus/that will be needed to make 1-gigabit memories. To keep up with product demand and rapidly advancing technology, new factories are going up all over the world, and marketing strategies have changed. The latest developments are discussed including microprocessors that can save power when machines are idle, and the new Alpha 275 MHz chip and Si-Ge technology.