August Technology Expands Wafer Inspection Applications to Include Emerging MEMS

August Technology Expands Wafer Inspection Applications to Include Emerging MEMS and Photonics Markets; Two New Customers Purchase NSX Series Systems
Business Wire, March 13, 2001
Business Editors & Technology Writers

BLOOMINGTON, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 13, 2001

August Technology Corporation (Nasdaq:AUGT), today announced it has received orders for NSX Series inspection systems from two new U.S.-based customers with applications in the emerging markets of micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) and photonics.

"The NSX Series has proven to be a valuable inspection solution for these emerging segments of the microelectronics industry," stated Mayson Brooks, August Technology's vice president of sales and marketing. "These newly developed photonics and MEMS devices are fabricated on wafers in a process similar to semiconductors, making the NSX an ideal solution for detecting defects and providing information for process enhancement for these customers."

Brooks continued, "We are continuing to see new activity in these markets as our customers anticipate and react to the needs of the consumer and business market. To remain competitive as production times shorten and processes evolve, these companies are using our NSX Series to inspect their products and enhance their ability to serve their customers."

MEMS, also referred to as micro machines, combine electrical circuitry and mechanical systems to perform specific functions and include devices such as optical switches used in networking applications, air bag sensors and pressure sensors. Photonics devices are used to guide, detect and control light sources in communications networking.

Advertisement
The Company's successful new inspection applications provide further proof of opportunity for the NSX Series in revolutionary new markets. In the past several months the Company has also announced sales to the optoelectronics, micro display, data storage and print head markets.