IM Flash Technologies

IM Flash Technologies, LLC was the semiconductor company founded in January 2006, by Intel Corporation and Micron Technology, Inc. IM Flash produced 3D XPoint used in data centers and high end computers. It had a 300mm wafer fab in Lehi, Utah, United States.

IM Flash Technologies
TypeJoint Venture
IndustrySemiconductor integrated circuitry
Founded2006 (2006)
DefunctOctober 31, 2019 (2019-10-31)
FateAcquired by Micron Technology
HeadquartersLehi, Utah, United States
Key people
David Cheffings and Bert Blaha
Number of employees
1,500 - 2,000
WebsiteArchived October 26, 2019, at the Wayback Machine

It built a second 300mm wafer fab, IM Flash Singapore, which opened in April 2011.[1] IM Flash took the leading edge in NAND flash scaling by moving to 34 nm design rules in 2008.[2] IM Flash has been able to devise 25-nm NAND chips with 193-nm immersion lithography, plus self-aligned double-patterning (SADP) techniques, where it is widely believed that it is using scanners from ASML Holdings NV and SADP technology.[3] In 2011 IM Flash moved to a 20 nm process– which was the smallest NAND flash technology at the time.[4]

On July 16, 2018, Micron and Intel announced that they would cease joint development of 3D XPoint after the 2nd generation technology is finalized, which is expected to be completed in the first half of 2019. Technology development beyond the 2nd generation will be pursued independently by the two companies in order to optimize the technology for their respective product and business needs. The two companies will continue to manufacture memory based on 3D XPoint technology at the Intel-Micron Flash Technologies (IMFT) facility in Lehi, Utah.[5]

On October 18, 2018, Micron announced their intention to exercise its right to call the remaining interest in the parties' joint venture, IM Flash Technologies, LLC. Micron is to exercise the call option starting January 1, 2019 and the timeline to close the transaction is between six and twelve months after the date Micron exercises the call. At the time of close, Micron expects to pay approximately $1.5 billion in cash for the transaction, dissolving Intel's non-controlling interest in IM Flash as well as IM Flash member debt, which was approximately $1 billion as of Aug. 30, 2018.[6]

On October 31, 2019, Micron closed the acquisition of all of Intel's stake in IM Flash Technologies.[7] IM Flash Technologies is now legally known as Micron Technology Utah, LLC.[7]

On October 22, 2021, Texas Instruments purchased the Lehi fab for $900 million.[8]

References
  1. Intel, Micron Open Singapore NAND Flash Plant
  2. Intel, Micron roll 34-nm NAND device
  3. Intel, Micron take NAND lead, roll 25-nm chip
  4. Intel and Micron announce new 20nm NAND Flash manufacturing process April 14, 2011.
  5. "Micron and Intel Announce Update to 3D XPoint Joint Development Program". Micron.com. 16 July 2018.
  6. "Micron Announces Intent to Acquire Remaining Interest in IM Flash Technologies Joint Venture". Micron.com. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  7. "About the IM Flash Acquisition". Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  8. "Micron Completes Sale of Lehi Fab to Texas Instruments". www.micron.com. Retrieved 2022-08-25.
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