Hynix Semiconductor, a memory semiconductor supplier offering dynamic random access memory chips (DRAMs) and flash memory chips, has entered into a strategic partnership with IMEC, Europe's independent nanoelectronics research center, to perform research and development for the below-32 nm memory process generations.

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As part of the agreement, Hynix will collaborate within IMEC's advanced lithography program addressing immersion and EUV lithography challenges and within IMEC's non-volatile memory program. The latter program has gained increased momentum in the past year by expanding its floating gate and nitride memory activity lines into advanced material research, including exploration of advanced high-k dielectrics.

From June onward, a team of Hynix researchers will reside at IMEC to collaborate with IMEC's researchers. They will build up fundamental understanding and develop robust solutions for DRAM and flash memory process generations for 32 nm and beyond.

The top five leading memory suppliers including Hynix, Elpida, Micron, Qimonda and Samsung, will collaborate within IMEC's global research platform to scale CMOS to 32 nm node and beyond. The platform also unites logic IDMs and foundries, including Infineon, Intel, NXP, Panasonic, STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments and TSMC. With leading companies of the two semiconductor market segments collaborating in the platform, a unique interaction and cross-fertilization is established, which enhances process R&D to the 32 nm node and beyond.

“With facing challenges in developing next-generation technologies, difficulty and risk have continually increased,” said Park Sung-Wook, executive vice president and head of R&D division, Hynix Semiconductor. “By joining IMEC and collaborating with industry-leading partners, we expect to lessen the risk for developing leading-edge, cost-effective technology and contribute to the growth of the semiconductor industry.”

“The fact that the top five memory suppliers and logic manufacturers and foundries joined our research platform proves that we have been successful in adapting our programs to the needs of all semiconductor players. The programs run in a balanced way with good interaction and cross fertilization between the logic and memory companies,” said Gilbert Declerck, president and CEO of IMEC.

For more information, visit www.hynix.com and www.imec.be.