IBM and Tokyo Electron (TEL) have announced the renewal of their collaboration in semiconductor technology research, extending their joint efforts with a new agreement spanning five years. The focus of this partnership will be on developing technologies for next-generation semiconductor nodes and architectures aimed at advancing generative AI capabilities.

The collaboration builds on a partnership exceeding 20 years, during which IBM and TEL have made notable progress, including breakthroughs like the laser debonding process for producing 300 mm silicon chip wafers for 3D chip stacking. The renewed commitment aims at exploring technologies for smaller nodes and chiplet architectures to meet the performance and energy efficiency demands driven by generative AI.

Mukesh Khare, General Manager of IBM Semiconductors & Vice President of Hybrid Cloud at IBM Research, highlighted the significance of the collaboration, saying, "The work IBM and TEL have done together over the last 20 years has helped to push the semiconductor technology innovation to provide many generations of chip performance and energy efficiency to the semiconductor industry." He emphasized their enthusiasm for continuing this partnership at a pivotal moment for chip innovation.

Toshiki Kawai, Representative Director, President & CEO of Tokyo Electron Limited, echoed this sentiment, stating, "IBM and Tokyo Electron have built a strong relationship of trust and innovation through years of joint development. We are excited to continue to build on our long-standing partnership with IBM for another five years. This renewed agreement underscores our mutual commitment to advancing semiconductor technologies, including patterning processes with High NA EUV."

Within the Albany NanoTech Complex, a leading semiconductor research ecosystem managed by NY CREATES, IBM and TEL are key participants. Their collaborative efforts have significantly contributed to establishing this as the most advanced public-private semiconductor research facility. The site was chosen last year as the nation's first National Semiconductor Technology Center, the NSTC EUV Accelerator. Under this new agreement, IBM and TEL researchers will keep utilizing Albany's unique ecosystem and R&D infrastructure.