Used Wafer Steppers for sale

A wafer stepper is a critical tool used in the semiconductor manufacturing process to produce integrated circuits (ICs) on silicon wafers. It acts as a projection lithography system, which transfers the intricate patterns of the circuit design onto the wafer surface. The core component of a wafer stepper is the lens system. It consists of high-quality lenses that focus and project the circuit pattern onto the wafer with extreme precision. The lens system plays a crucial role in defining the resolution and accuracy of the pattern transfer. Wafer steppers employ advanced imaging techniques, utilizing ultraviolet (UV) light sources to enhance resolution and allow for smaller feature sizes on the wafer. The light source is passed through a reticle, a transparent plate containing the circuit pattern, and then projected onto the wafer surface through the lens system. The wafer is step-wise moved underneath the lens system to expose different areas, ensuring the entire wafer is patterned. Key parameters of wafer steppers include exposure time, numerical aperture, depth of focus, and field size. Exposure time refers to the duration of light exposure for each wafer step, while the numerical aperture determines the resolution capability of the system. Depth of focus represents the permissible distance between the lens and the wafer, allowing for variations in wafer flatness. Field size defines the area that can be patterned in a single exposure. Wafer steppers are essential for semiconductor manufacturing, enabling the production of highly complex ICs with miniature devices. Their constant advancement in resolution capabilities has been critical in driving the exponential growth of the semiconductor industry and facilitating the development of advanced technology applications.