Applied MicroStructures

About Applied MicroStructures

Based in San Jose, California, Applied MicroStructures, Inc. (AMST) operates as a specialized developer and manufacturer of capital equipment for the microelectronics and semiconductor industries. Founded in 2003, the company focuses on its proprietary Molecular Vapor Deposition (MVD®) technology, a process used to apply ultra-thin films on components at a nano-scale. This technology is crucial for manufacturing a variety of devices, including Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS), sensors, microphones, and digital displays. The company's clients are primarily advanced technology manufacturers and research institutions in the semiconductor, biomedical, and consumer electronics sectors.

Applied MicroStructures' business model centers on the design, production, and sale of its MVD® systems, such as the semi-automated MVD 100 and the fully-automated MVD150. Beyond equipment sales, the firm generates revenue by providing manufacturing process services, assisting clients in achieving specific technical goals with custom coatings. The MVD® process offers significant advantages, including low-temperature application and minimal chemical consumption, which reduces both operational costs and waste. It enables the creation of films with specific properties like moisture resistance (hydrophobic) or water-attracting (hydrophilic), anti-stiction (preventing microscopic parts from sticking together), and biocompatibility. These coatings are essential for improving device yield and enabling new product functionalities.

Following its founding, Applied MicroStructures secured $13.5M in venture funding from investors including Sierra Ventures, Horizon Venture Partners, and Compass Technology Partners to support its research, development, and market expansion efforts. A significant milestone occurred on June 1, 2016, when the company was acquired by SPTS Technologies, a UK-based supplier of wafer processing solutions. This acquisition integrated AMST's MVD® technology into SPTS's broader portfolio. Subsequently, SPTS's parent company, Orbotech, was acquired by KLA Corporation in a deal completed in February 2019. This series of acquisitions has positioned Applied MicroStructures' technology within the extensive ecosystem of KLA, a major player in the semiconductor process control market, now operating under KLA's Electronics, Packaging and Components (EPC) group.