Advanced Research Center for Nanolithography starts on 1 January 2014

The new research centre will conduct fundamental research relating to nanolithography, the most important technology for manufacturing computer chips and processors in PCs, smartphones, and tablets. Initially, the centre will focus on the physical and chemical processes which are crucial for Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. ARCNL will strengthen the knowledge base of nanolithography and thus make an important contribution to this technology, indispensable for innovation in the global semiconductor industry in the coming years.

Bart Noordam (ASML vice president research) is delighted. "This is a great example of a partnership between industry and academia. We want to stimulate fundamental research that will contribute to the development of new technologies for the semiconductor industry. We are convinced that this stands the best chance of success in an academic environment, where ideas can be freely exchanged and where researchers can pursue longer-term, independent research."

The ARCNL will start work in January under the auspices of the FOM Institute AMOLF. Over the next two years, it will become an independent research centre at the Amsterdam Science Park, staffed by around one hundred scientists and technologists. The partners of ARCNL jointly guarantee an investment of around 95 million euros in the coming decade. The city of Amsterdam will supplement this to 100 million euros. Private and public parties will each contribute 50 percent to the basic funding.

ARCNL falls under the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM). An 'Advanced Research Centre' is a new type of consortium, with which NWO promotes partnership with universities and private parties. This initiative complements the government’s top sector policy, with the Top Sector High Tech Systems and Materials (HTSM). 

Director
From 1 January 2014, ARCNL director Joost Frenken will be setting out the scientific course, his first priority being the recruitment of top scientists. Frenken is a professor at Leiden University, where he heads a research group in the field of the physics of surfaces and interfaces. He is a member of the KNAW and was recently awarded the prestigious ERC Advanced Grant. Frenken won the 2012 FOM Valorisation Prize for his ability to combine fundamental research, technological development, and starting up new companies.

"Frenken is an eminent surface and interface physicist,” says Vinod Subramaniam (AMOLF director). "His work has been recognised by a number of awards and honours. He also has a keen appreciation for, and experience with, translating fundamental science to relevant applications, and has worked together with industry in many projects. We are delighted to have a scientist of Frenken’s stature on board as the founding director of the ARCNL, and wish him every success in this unique new adventure." 

About ASML
ASML makes possible affordable microelectronics which improve the quality of life. ASML invents and develops complex technology for high-tech lithography machines for the semiconductor industry. ASML's guiding principle is continuing Moore's Law towards ever smaller, cheaper, more powerful, and energy-efficient semiconductors. Our success is based on three pillars: technology leadership combined with customer and supplier intimacy, highly efficient processes, and entrepreneurial people. We are a multinational company with over 70 locations in 16 countries, headquartered in Veldhoven, the Netherlands. We employ more than 13.000 people on payroll and flexible contracts (expressed in full time equivalents). Our company is an inspiring place where employees work, meet, learn, and share. ASML is traded on Euronext Amsterdam and NASDAQ under the symbol ASML. More information about ASML, our products and technology, and career opportunities is available on: www.asml.com.

About FOM and AMOLF
The Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter promotes, coordinates, and funds fundamental physics research in the Netherlands and is part of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). FOM’s annual budget is 99 million euros. AMOLF (www.amolf.nl) is one of FOM’s three research institutes. AMOLF is located at Amsterdam Science Park and conducts research in the field of nano/biosciences and nanotechnology. AMOLF is renowned for its ability to identify and initiate novel research areas of strategic importance to Dutch science and industry. The institute employs around two hundred people, including over a hundred PhD students and postdocs. 

About NWO
The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO, www.nwo.nl) is the national research council in the Netherlands and has a budget of 625 million euros per year. NWO promotes quality and innovation in science by selecting and funding the best research. NWO manages research institutes of national and international importance, contributes to strategic programming of scientific research and brings science and society closer together. Research proposals are reviewed and selected by researchers of international repute. More than 5.000 scientists can carry out research thanks to funding from NWO.

About University of Amsterdam and VU
More information about University of Amsterdam: www.uva.nl
More information about VU University Amsterdam: www.vu.nl 

More information
For more information, please contact:
ARCNL: Prof.dr. Joost Frenken, +31 (0)71 527 56 03
ASML Corporate Communications, +31 (0)40 268 78 70
AMOLF: Erny Lammers, Communications AMOLF, +31 (0)20 754 74 08
FOM: Gabby Zegers, Communications FOM, +31 (0)30 600 12 08
NWO: Margot Custers, press spokesperson, +31 (0)70 344 07 41
University of Amsterdam, press information, +31(0)20 525 26 95
VU, press information, +31 (0)20 598 56 66.