Micro-electronics/semiconductor technology

Miniaturisation is progressing in micro-electronics and semiconductor technology.

Electronic circuits and components integrated onto printed circuit boards are increasingly compact. Highly precise screen printing stencils that are produced by electroforming are very useful for SMD technology. In order to produce high density printed circuit boards several electronic companies are further developing replication technology using microstructured mould inserts. Furthermore electro-optical printed circuit boards, in which copper conductors and optical wave guides are integrated, are being developed.

Today the semiconductor industry realises already dimensions in the 100 nm-range. Nanoimprint lithography could play a key role here – the production of a nano structured mould insert and the cost-efficient duplication by replication (imprint process). Nanoimprint lithography is currently still in the R&E stage, nonetheless it has already been incorporated in the strategic roadmap of the semiconductor industry.