Editorial 2017 Best Paper Award

Each year the Transactions on Semiconductor Manufacturing recognizes the best paper published during the previous calendar year. This year 9 papers were nominated by our reviewers and members of our Editorial Board and Steering Committee, out of a total of 78 papers published in our pages in 2017. From among these, the members of the Editorial Board and Steering Committee selected the paper entitled “A Novel Dynamic Process Control Scheme to Improve Cycle Time in Fabs” by Dr. Michael Hassoun of the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management of Ariel University in Israel. This paper continues an ongoing line of research examining the impact of process control policies on the tradeoff between cycle time and yield in wafer fabrication. The primary finding is that modest relaxation of process control parameters to reduce time spent adjusting production equipment when it is in high demand can often reduce cycle time with minimal negative impact. A number of fruitful extensions for future work are also discussed, holding out the possibility of improved integration of scheduling and process control techniques. On behalf of the TSM community, I have the pleasure of congratulating Dr. Hassoun on this recognition, and of wishing him continued success in future.