Kyushu University has established a new company, "EUV Photon," through its wholly owned subsidiary, "Kyudai OIP," which will irradiate EUV light (extreme ultraviolet light), which is essential for the development of cutting-edge semiconductors, and analyze and evaluate the results of the irradiation. The domestic semiconductor industry is considered to have a strength in the development of new materials, but it has relied on overseas testing and research institutions for EUV light irradiation and analysis and evaluation.
According to Kyushu University, the new company, EUV Photon, will have capital of 100 million yen and will be headquartered in Fukuoka City. The company will be incorporated at the end of July and will begin irradiating EUV light in fiscal year 7 after discussing the details of services with potential client companies. The company will also work to train personnel who can analyze and evaluate the irradiation results.
EUV light is essential for the development of cutting-edge semiconductors, and high-definition EUV light irradiation equipment has already begun to be introduced in semiconductor factories in the United States. The basis for the EUV light source is a paper published in 2005 by Professor Emeritus Tatsuo Okada of Kyushu University, and Kyushu University has the research results necessary for EUV irradiation. Therefore, Kyushu University decided to establish a new company that will be the first in Japan to perform EUV light irradiation and analysis evaluation.
The domestic semiconductor industry dominated the world during the bubble era, but has fallen behind in competition with rival countries such as Taiwan, South Korea, and China, and is now in a difficult situation. As we move into a new era in which cutting-edge semiconductor development will advance using EUV light irradiation, it is hoped that the existence of the new company will be a catalyst for a comeback for the domestic semiconductor industry.
