Replies to post #2897 on Intel Corp (INTC)

[alan81]

Short loops vs. full loops

A full loop is a wafer processed from beginning to end using then normal process flow. A short loop is a wafer that is run through only some of the process steps. It allows much quicker feedback on process changes. For instance, they can run a wafer and only do the metal patterns. They would then measure opens and shorts to see if whatever process change they are evaluating improves, or degrades the metal defect density.
--Alan