Intel and Micron Sample 50nm NAND Flash Chip

Staff Reporter -- Electronic News, 7/26/2006

Micron Technology, Inc., and Intel Corp. are sampling what they claim is the industry's first NAND flash memory built on 50 nanometer (nm) process technology. The samples were manufactured through IM Flash Technologies, a joint development and manufacturing venture of Micron and Intel. Both companies are sampling 4-gigabit (Gb) devices now, with plans to mass produce a range of densities on the 50nm node in 2007.

Micron and Intel formed IM Flash Technologies (IMFT) in January to manufacture NAND flash memory products for the two companies. Micron is currently supplying the venture NAND flash from its Boise fabrication facilities, and Micron's 300 mm facility in Manassas, Va., will be online later this year to supply IMFT with NAND. Meanwhile, the Lehi, Utah facility that is dedicated to IMFT and serves as its headquarters is expected to be online producing NAND early next year, the companies said.

The NAND market segment is estimated to reach $13 billion to $16 billion in 2006 and grow to approximately $25 billion to $30 billion by 2010, according to the companies' statement Tuesday.

"Our entry into the NAND flash business has been an incredibly fast ramp," Brian Harrison, VP and general manager of Intel's flash memory group, said Tuesday in the statement.  "We started shipping products to customers in the first quarter of this year, and we're seeing very high demand across multiple flash densities. Working with Micron, we are poised to transition quickly to the 50 nm process technology and beyond."