Ever wondered how atom probe tomography advances our understanding of semiconductors and improves device performance? In today's episode, we dive deep into the world of semiconductors as we explore the fascinating realm of atom probe tomography. Our guest expert, David Larson, sheds light on the intricacies of this powerful materials characterization technique. From minimizing damage and improving yield to overcoming challenges in data reconstruction, David shares insights on the latest...

Join Markus Kuhn for this episode of Understanding Semiconductors with Chris Miller, the historian behind Chip War: The Fight For the World's Most Critical Technology. This conversation delves deep into the world of semiconductors as these two experts dissect how technology, geopolitics, supply chain, and resources play a role in semiconductor development and manufacturing. Reach out to the host, Markus Kuhn, with potential guest requests or episode ideas on LinkedIn Markus Kuhn - Senior...

This mini-episode is taken from episode 2, How the Semiconductor Industry can Regain the Hearts and Minds of Innovators; in that episode, Markus spoke with Todd Younkin, the President, and CEO at Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC). They discuss the concept of the "valley of death," where innovative ideas get stuck in the middle between research and industry. They also touch on the need for a more continuous and fluid pipeline between basic research, applied research, and early...

This mini-episode is taken from episode 8, in which Markus spoke with Suman Datta, Joseph M. Pettit Chair Professor in Advanced Computing at Georgia Tech, about the future of transistors in the industry. In this clip, Suman explains how FinFETs are currently the workhorse of the industry and how the transition to nanosheet transistors could lead to better performance and lower operating voltage. He also touches upon the challenges of delivering power to these transistors and how backside...

Here is part two of Markus’ conversation with Suman Datta. This episode is a thorough examination of his current research and how metrology envisions the Path Beyond CMOS: What’s going to change in the transistor structure in the future? The importance of power delivery How to utilize the front and backside for vertical scaling? Using a representative stack and metrology and correlating it to real-world performance What’s the penalty from the bonding approach? The importance of reliability is...

This episode is one of two parts. Stay tuned for part two coming soon! Suman Datta is the Joseph M Pettit Chair of Advanced Computing and Georgia Research Alliance (GRA), an Eminent Scholar and Professor in the School of Electrical & Computer Engineering at Georgia Tech. His research group focuses on semiconductor devices that enable new computing models such as in-memory computing, brain-inspired computing, cryogenic computing, resilient computing, etc. " (source) This episode covers...

In this episode of Understanding Semiconductors, Markus speaks with Dr. Yihing Lin. Dr. Lin is the Vice President of the Analytical Service Group within Covalent Metrology. Covalent Metrology is a leading supplier of cutting edge analytical services and enterprise metrology solutions for diverse companies doing advanced material innovations. This episode covers: Dr. Lin’s Career Journey - Intel, TSMC, etc Where Dr. Lin believes Metrology is heading and blending that into what role metrology...

Dr. Diebold is back for another episode! This time, he deep dives into Lab to Fab, Near Fab artificial intelligence. Join us as we discuss: Examples of Lab to Fab Transitions Machine Learning – How to Deal with Big Data Key Takeaways from the 2022 Frontiers Conference:Machine Learning vs Regular Algorithms, How to address the talent gap in the semiconductor industry   Reach out to Markus for any potential guest requests or episode ideas here:...

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a physical sciences laboratory and non-regulatory agency of the United States Department of Commerce. NIST's activities are organized into laboratory programs that include nanoscale science and technology, engineering, information technology, neutron research, material measurement, and physical measurement. In today’s episode Markus speaks with Alex Liddle, Scientific Director at NIST. They discuss: Alex’s Career Journey to...

In today’s episode, Markus speaks with Paul van der Heide, Ph.D. Paul is the Materials and Component Analysis Director at IMEC. The conversation is primarily focused on the critical role of Labs in the Semiconductor space. Specifically: What is IMEC? Paul’s Career Journey to IMEC The Critical Role of Labs in Metrology and the Semiconductor Industry How has the role of a lab changed in the last 30 years?  Reach out to Markus for any potential guest requests or episode ideas here:...

In Today’s episode, Markus speaks with Alain Diebold, Ph.D. Dr. Diebold is the Empire Innovation Professor Emeritus of Nanoscale Science at SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Albany New York In This Episode, they speak about: Was there a distinction between lab and fab in early incarnations of Metrology? Success Stories from Alain’s Relationship with SEMATECH How to address the “Valley of Death” between a well-nurtured academic idea and an actual product What is an effective way to approach future...

How can the semiconductor industry rejuvenate innovators to think differently about the space? How do we address and fill the talent gap? In this episode, Markus speaks with Todd Younkin, President and CEO at Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) about How the industry needs to move beyond Moore's Law and the smaller, cheaper and faster paradigm to inspire and recruit fresh talent A more robust “middle pipeline” that moves ideas to concept to product more effectively The recent...

Understanding Semiconductors: Modern Metrology from Lab to Fab, is a podcast for engineering leaders in characterization, metrology, process, and analytics, looking for discussion around semiconductor metrology challenges. Each episode will feature a conversation with technology experts about problems facing the semiconductor metrology industry. In this episode, we introduce the host of this show, Markus Kuhn talks about How he became involved in Semiconductor Technology Development His...

Understanding Semiconductors: Modern Metrology from Lab to Fab, is a podcast for engineering leaders in characterization, metrology, process, and analytics, looking for discussion around semiconductor metrology challenges. Each episode will feature a conversation with technology experts about problems facing the semiconductor metrology industry. In this episode, we introduce the host of this show, Markus Kuhn. Markus talks about How he became involved in Semiconductor Technology...