Gauss Labs and SK hynix Publish the Latest Results on AI-based Semiconductor Metrology Technology at SPIE AL 2024

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Feb 29, 2024, 00:50 ET

- Two joint academic papers on AI-based metrology technology presented

- Gauss Labs's innovative technology improves process control and equipment productivity in semiconductor manufacturing

- Gauss Labs is at the forefront, leading industrial AI efforts to transform the manufacturing industry

SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SK hynix Inc. (or "the company", www.skhynix.com) and Gauss Labs announced today that they participated in the SPIE AL* 2024, an international conference held in San Jose, California, and presented two papers based on the latest technology for AI-based metrology.

Gauss Labs CEO Mike Kim (center) poses with his colleagues

* SPIE Advanced Lithography + Patterning (SPIE AL): a conference hosted by the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE), the most prestigious international society in optics and photonics following foundation in 1955, where overall lithography technology for drawing semiconductor circuits is discussed

*Metrology: measuring the physical and electrical characteristics to ensure that requirements are met in the manufacturing process

SK hynix has been collaborating closely with Gauss Labs in various areas to increase semiconductor yield and productivity, and the results of this collaboration are published in these two papers.

In the paper "Model Aggregation for Virtual Metrology for High-Volume Manufacturing," Gauss Labs introduces "aggregated AOM*", an algorithm that increases the prediction accuracy of its AI-based virtual metrology solution, Panoptes VM (Virtual Metrology).

*Adaptive Online Model (AOM): modeling algorithms that address data changes due to process state changes and maintain high predictability

Since its adoption in December 2022, SK hynix used Panoptes VM to conduct virtual measurements on more than 50 million wafers so far, which translates to more than one wafer per second. The company was able to improve process variability* by 29% thanks to this technology.

*Variability: the scale of the quality variation of the products from a certain process. It is important to maintain a low process variability in order to keep the product quality consistent.

The latest algorithm by Gauss Labs, the aggregated AOM, pools processing machines, chambers, etc. that share the same pattern and models them together. According to Gauss Labs, this solves the challenge of data shortage while further increasing the prediction accuracy.

In its second paper, "Universal Denoiser to Improve Metrology Throughput," Gauss Labs introduces a "universal denoiser", which removes random variations (noise) from CD-SEM* images. Measurements from CD-SEM images are taken at nanometer scale, so it is extremely important to remove noise in order to take measurements accurately.

*Critical Dimension Scanning Electron Microscope (CD-SEM): equipment that combines electronic and infrared optical microscopes to measure the size, shape, and position of semiconductor patterns

Gauss Labs's universal denoiser uses AI to remove noise from various types of images at once. Through a series of extensive tests with SK hynix, Gauss Labs observed image acquisition time reduced to as much as ¼, compared to conventional technology. Gauss Labs states that this technology is expected to improve the productivity of metrology equipment by 42%.

Mike Kim, CEO of Gauss Labs, said that his company is working on research and development for applications of industrial AI in real-world semiconductor manufacturing fabs. "We will continue to launch innovative AI-based solutions to revolutionize manufacturing."

Authors

Minsuk Shin^a, Minju Jung^a, Simon Zabrocki^a, Doh-Hyung Ro^b, Hyeon-Kyeong Jeong^b, Dongkyun Yim^a, "Model aggregation for virtual metrology in high-volume manufacturing," SPIE Advanced Lithography + Patterning (2024)
Yonghyun Kim^a, Seyun Kim^a, Hoon Byun^a, Sang-Gil Park^a, Tae Jong Lee^b, Seong Il Lee^b, Min Woo Kang^b, Il Koo Kim^a, "Universal denoiser to improve metrology throughput," SPIE Advanced Lithography + Patterning (2024)

^aGauss Labs ^bSK hynix

"These materials are not an offer for sale of the securities of SK hynix Inc. in the United States. The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. SK hynix Inc. does not intend to register any offering in the United States or to conduct a public offering of securities in the United States."

About SK hynix Inc.

SK hynix Inc., headquartered in Korea, is the world's top tier semiconductor supplier offering Dynamic Random Access Memory chips ("DRAM"), flash memory chips ("NAND flash") and CMOS Image Sensors ("CIS") for a wide range of distinguished customers globally. The Company's shares are traded on the Korea Exchange, and the Global Depository shares are listed on the Luxemburg Stock Exchange. Further information about SK hynix is available at www.skhynix.com, news.skhynix.com.

About Gauss Labs Inc.

Gauss Labs develops innovative industrial AI solutions and software products to make factories more intelligent by leveraging machine-generated data. It was founded in August 2020 and now has two international locations in Silicon Valley, CA, and Seoul, Korea. Further information about Gauss Labs is available at www.gausslabs.ai.

SOURCE SK hynix Inc.