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TSMC agreed to acquire Worldwide Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. (WSMC) in January 2000 to expand its foundry capacity as demand for outsourced chip manufacturing rose. The announced deal was a two-for-one TSMC share swap, and WSMC brought eight-inch wafer fabs with 0.25- and 0.18-micron process technology.
Why did TSMC buy WSMC?
TSMC said the acquisition would help it respond to sustained growth in demand for integrated-circuit foundry capacity. Chairman Morris Chang described worldwide demand as steadily and strongly increasing, and said TSMC was expanding both through its own programs and by selecting suitable cooperation opportunities. EE Times reported the announcement on January 7, 2000.
The capacity objective was specific: TSMC expected annual output to rise from 2.8 million eight-inch wafers in 2000 to about 3.4 million in 2001 as a result of the acquisition. These were projections reported at the time, not verified figures for realized post-acquisition output. EE Times
What were the deal terms?
The announced structure was a two-for-one exchange of TSMC shares for WSMC shares. The contemporaneous EE Times account said the transaction’s valuation was undisclosed. A later company-history reference puts the stock value at approximately $550 million; that is a retrospective estimate, not the valuation disclosed in the January announcement. TSMC company history
#1 Best Overall
- Wafer Pattern May Vary from the Product Images. Great to be used as gift, display object, exhibition, educating demonstration, testing, decoration or your collection
- Beautiful microchip pattern structure made by the advanced copper technology
- 90~130nm minimum microchip feature Copper Characterization with TEOS or Black Diamond Low-k ILD on the single crystal silicon wafer
- The original value of un-polished wafer is above $500
- No guarantee for research and other applications
When did the acquisition happen?
TSMC announced the planned acquisition on January 7, 2000, and expected to complete it by the end of June that year. The cited accounts establish the announcement and expected completion window, but do not give a definitive post-closing legal date. This was a 2000 transaction, not a current acquisition.
What did WSMC add to TSMC?
WSMC operated an eight-inch wafer fab using 0.25- and 0.18-micron process technologies. A second eight-inch fab was expected to open in March 2000. WSMC projected combined output of about 400,000 wafers by the end of 2000 and approximately 760,000 in 2001. Those amounts were WSMC projections reported at the time, rather than independently confirmed production results. EE Times
Rank #2
- Wafer Pattern May Vary from the Product Images. Great to be used as gift, display object, exhibition, educating demonstration, testing, decoration or your collection
- Beautiful microchip pattern structure made by the advanced copper technology
- 90~130nm minimum microchip feature Copper Characterization with TEOS or Black Diamond Low-k ILD on the single crystal silicon wafer
- The original value of un-polished wafer is above $500
- No guarantee for research and other applications
The WSMC figures describe its projected output, while TSMC’s 2.8-million-to-3.4-million figures describe the anticipated change in TSMC’s overall annual output. They are different measures and should not be treated as interchangeable or added together without further evidence.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Genuine Silicon Wafer: crafted from high-purity silicon, this 12 inch silicon wafer features a precision double-side polished surface, delivering exceptional smoothness and mirror-like reflectivity on both sides, fitting well with tech decor needs; Please note: wafer pattern may vary from the product images
- Genuine Uncut Ic Silicon Wafer: this is a genuine uncut IC silicon wafer, not a replica or model; It preserves the original circular wafer form applied in semiconductor manufacturing, allowing you to experience real chip substrate material up close
- 12 Inch Large Size Versatile Display: with a full 12 inch diameter, this wafer provides a striking visual presence compared to smaller 6 or 8 inch wafers; Its larger size enhances the natural light interference patterns, creating subtle rainbow reflections under different lighting, ideal for desk display, office decor, exhibitions, or as a centerpiece for tech-inspired spaces; Silicon crystals are very fragile, please handle them as gently as possible
- Practical Stem Education Tool: a valuable teaching tool for STEM education, this semiconductor substrate helps illustrate how integrated circuits are manufactured; Great for classrooms, labs, or personal learning, it allows students to better understand wafer structure, fabrication processes, and the foundation of modern electronics in a tangible way
- Tech-inspired Gift: combining science and art, this silicon wafer makes a unique gift for engineers, programmers, students, and tech lovers, suitable for various gifting occasions without being overly decorative
Rank #4
- Method: CZ ; Size: 4inch ;
- Type: P-Type ; Dopant: B ; Orientation: 100 ;
- Resistivity:1-10Ω ; Thickness: 525um±25 ;
- Front Side: Polished ; Back Side: Etched ; TTV＜10um；
- [Nanosource] High Quality Silicon Wafer. Customized Products Available.
Rank #3
- 5 x 5 inches, 0.67 ounces, 0.03 inches thick. Some wafers are marked with alignment marks.
- The pattern is produced by light diffraction, and its reflective appearance changes with the viewing angle.
- Silicon wafers are fragile—please handle with care.
- Circuit details can be examined under a microscope.
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