Nikon Corp. received another order for its next-generation 450mm stepper machine, narrowing the gap between itself and rival ASML Holding NV as the semiconductor industry shifts to 450mm diameter wafers. The new order is from the Global 450 Consortium (G450C), a US-based conglomerate of five leading chipmakers – Intel, IBM, GlobalFoundries, TSMS, and Samsung. The consortium is believed to have placed the order at around 7-8 billion yen (US$77-80 million), with delivery of the stepper machine expected in the first half of 2015.
