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SKW Associates, Inc. was established in September of 1997 to capture the leadership position in one of the key areas of CMP standardization - standard CMP process characterization wafers. SKW adopted the CMP characterization layouts developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Wafers patterned with these layouts can be used for the rapid characterization, semi-empirical modeling, and comparison of pattern dependencies in CMP. These wafers allow the community to compare results for any process, consumable set, or equipment set in a standard manner. Based upon
the business model of "providing reliable patterned wafers for the
CMP infrastructure companies," SKW Associates, Inc. was able to raise
1.4 million dollars during the period of May 1999 through September 1999.
During the last five years, SKW has been able to raise its revenue to
an average of $190,000 dollars per month with 26 customers in the United
States, 16 customers in Japan, 4 customers in Korea, and 2 customers in
Taiwan. In addition to providing the test patterned wafers, SKW has been
offering various measurement and characterization supports (including
profilometry, thin film measurements, defect characterization for both
blanket film and patterned wafers and electrical testing).
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SKW
Associates, Inc.
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