Lam Research and CEA-Leti announced a new multi-year collaboration on February 2, 2026, to accelerate the fabrication of next-generation Specialty Technology devices – crucial components for applications ranging from 3D imaging to quantum optics. The partnership will focus on pioneering new materials and processes for more energy-efficient devices, including those powering the burgeoning field of AI and high-performance computing. “As we enter the AI era, the opportunities for Specialty Technology are immense,” said Vahid Vahedi, chief technology and sustainability officer at Lam Research. By combining Lam’s expertise in etch and deposition with CEA-Leti’s device characterization capabilities, the collaboration aims to rapidly overcome materials challenges and deliver solutions ready for industrialization.
Lam Research and CEA-Leti Expand Specialty Tech Collaboration
Lam Research and CEA-Leti are intensifying their collaborative research, focusing on advanced materials and fabrication techniques for specialty technologies poised to fuel the next generation of devices. The renewed multi-year agreement, announced on February 2, 2026, builds upon prior successes, notably work involving pulsed plasma technologies, and aims to accelerate innovation in areas like micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), 3D imaging, and power management solutions. Central to this effort is the exploration of “novel multi-elemental materials and pathfinding for future fabrication processes of higher-efficiency compound semiconductors.”
The partnership leverages complementary strengths; Lam Research brings its expertise in etch and deposition, including its breakthrough pulsed laser deposition (PLD) system, Lam Prestis™, while CEA-Leti contributes deep device characterization capabilities. According to Sébastian Dauvé, CEO of CEA-Leti, “By rapidly characterizing how new materials behave in complex device structures, we can pinpoint critical integration challenges and provide Lam with actionable feedback.” This accelerated feedback loop is designed to expedite the transition from promising research to industrial-ready solutions. The collaboration isn’t limited to incremental improvements; researchers are also targeting solutions for next-generation RF filters, electro-optic modulation, and even quantum optics – a field poised for significant advancement. The companies are specifically focused on reducing power consumption and improving performance, addressing key challenges for both AI and high-performance computing applications. David Haynes, vice president of Specialty Technologies at Lam Research, noted that “Specialty Technologies today are found in nearly every electronic device, and their performance and power efficiency will continue to be challenged as end applications grow.” CEA-Leti maintains facilities including 11,000 sq. meters of cleanroom space and a portfolio of 3,200 patents, bolstering the collaborative potential.
Pulsed Laser Deposition and Novel Material Exploration
A strengthened research alliance between Lam Research and CEA-Leti is poised to accelerate the development of advanced materials crucial for next-generation specialty technologies. This collaboration isn’t simply about materials discovery; it’s about rapidly translating promising research into viable manufacturing processes. Lam’s contribution centers on its innovative fabrication technologies, notably the Lam Prestis™ pulsed laser deposition (PLD) system. PLD allows for precise atomic layer control during material deposition, critical for crafting materials with tailored properties.
Building on prior successes with plasma technologies, the research will specifically target materials for applications like next-generation RF filters, electro-optic modulation, and quantum optics—areas demanding increasingly sophisticated material characteristics. The team is particularly enthusiastic about optical devices, with a focus on accelerating innovation in quantum optics, aiming for “breakthroughs for the next generation of devices.”
Focus on AI, RF, and Quantum Optics Applications
The burgeoning field of specialty technologies is poised for significant advancement through a newly expanded collaboration between Lam Research and CEA-Leti, with applications reaching into artificial intelligence and beyond. The drive towards more efficient devices is paramount, with a specific focus on reducing power consumption. Lam’s innovative etch and deposition technologies, including the Prestis™ pulsed laser deposition system, will be critical tools in this endeavor. This accelerated feedback loop promises to translate promising innovations into functional devices ready for industrial scaling.
Beyond RF applications, the collaboration is particularly excited about the potential in optical devices. “The deployment of optical devices is an area of particular excitement, especially in the field of quantum optics, where, through our collaboration with CEA-Leti, we intend to accelerate innovation to deliver breakthroughs for the next generation of devices,” explained a Lam Research representative. This focus acknowledges the increasing demand for specialty technologies in nearly every electronic device, where performance and power efficiency are continually challenged by evolving applications.
Specialty Technologies today are found in nearly every electronic device, and their performance and power efficiency will continue to be challenged as end applications grow.
David Haynes, vice president of Specialty Technologies at Lam Research
CEA-Leti’s Device Characterization for Fabrication Optimization
CEA-Leti is leveraging its advanced device characterization capabilities to accelerate fabrication optimization in a newly expanded collaboration with Lam Research, focusing on specialty technologies. This partnership isn’t merely about materials exploration; it’s about rapidly translating innovation into tangible advancements for devices like micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), 3D imaging, and next-generation RF filters. CEA-Leti possesses 11,000 sq. The institute’s expertise will be crucial in identifying and resolving critical integration challenges that arise when working with novel materials. The collaboration will explore multi-elemental materials and fabrication processes for more efficient compound semiconductors, targeting applications in AI and high-performance computing.
By accessing CEA-Leti’s surface science and materials analysis, Lam aims to refine process developments and understand their impact on device performance. The research will also investigate materials intended for electro-optic modulation, pushing the boundaries of performance in these specialized fields. This concerted effort signifies a commitment to delivering breakthroughs in the next generation of energy-efficient devices.
