TeraView, a terahertz technology solutions company, said on Feb. 26 it secured additional orders for its EOTPR terahertz-wave (THz) inspection system. The suppliers are a global semiconductor foundry and a smartphone company. Both customers were already using EOTPR. EOTPR is a high-precision inspection system that uses terahertz waves, electromagnetic waves that vibrate 1 trillion times per second.

The semiconductor foundry, which supplies key parts to AI chipmakers, has used EOTPR for several years and extended its maintenance contract ahead of adding EOTPR automation functions in the second quarter this year.

EOTPR distinguishes defects inside micro bumps near HBM devices. It can detect cracks inside bumps and offers better sensitivity and performance than existing 2D X-ray inline equipment. It can quickly and non-destructively identify TSV defects. It sensitively detects defects and quality changes in substrates that are difficult to identify with ATE testing.

The equipment detects minute defects such as wiring breaks or interlayer separation inside flexible PCBs without dismantling products. It is used to inspect flexible circuit boards used in smartphones, foldable displays and wearable devices. It analyzes bonding defects and micro-cracks in bump areas that electrically connect flexible PCBs and ceramic packages.

A TeraView official explained, "They highly evaluated our company not only for trust in the technology based on data secured through actual use of EOTPR, but also for our customized support and maintenance capabilities that have been verified over decades."

Don Arnone (돈 아논), TeraView's CEO, said, "The record revenue growth of the two customers that secured new orders this time is also reflected in Fortune 500 companies' order performance for major AI and HBM chip suppliers worldwide." He said, "EOTPR can broadly meet the needs of various customers across the entire semiconductor value chain, from AI chipmakers and suppliers for smart chips to foundry customers."