Samsung Corning Precision Supplies First Commercial Quantities of Generation 7 Size Glass Substrates
Through its proprietary fusion technology, Corning continues to be first-to-market with large generation sizes
Corning Incorporated announced today the world's first commercially available thin film transistor (TFT) grade Generation (Gen) 7 glass substrates for active matrix liquid crystal displays (LCD). TFT-grade substrates are ultra-clean, flat, stable, light, and thin glass sheets that meet the exacting quality requirements for the manufacture of notebook computers, LCD TVs, and portable displays. Corning's proprietary fusion technology has enabled first-to-market performance with new generation size TFT-grade substrates, including Gen 5 in 2002 and Gen 6 in 2003.
The Gen 7 substrates are being produced in commercial quantities by Samsung Corning Precision Glass Co. Ltd., jointly owned by Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and Corning, at its Cheonan, Korea facility.
Large size glass substrates, such as Gen 5.5, 6 and 7 substrates, will be increasingly used as the foundation of LCD television display-panels, as they enable panel manufacturers to produce more and larger displays from a single glass substrate. Gen 7 glass substrates measure 1870 x 2200 mm (approximately 6 feet by 7 feet) and have nearly three times the surface area of Gen 5 substrates, which typically measure 1100 x 1250-1300 mm (approximately 3.5 feet by 4 feet).
"Once again, our customers in the LCD industry presented Corning with a technological challenge and we have risen to meet that challenge," said James P. Clappin, general manager, Corning Display Technologies. "The winning combination of our advanced, proprietary fusion technology and our dedicated team of talented people has positioned us as a worldwide leader in an industry experiencing phenomenal growth."
Lee Suk Jai, president, Samsung Corning Precision added, "The technology team at our Cheonan facility has worked exceptionally hard with our Corning colleagues in making this project a success for our customers here in Korea. Together, we have made the production and supply of this new Gen 7 size possible. This is a major milestone for Corning, Samsung Corning Precision, and our customers as we advance the LCD industry into exciting new territory."
About Corning Incorporated
Corning Incorporated (www.corning.com) is a diversified technology company that concentrates its efforts on high-impact growth opportunities. Corning combines its expertise in specialty glass, ceramic materials, polymers and the manipulation of the properties of light, with strong process and manufacturing capabilities to develop, engineer and commercialize significant innovative products for the telecommunications, flat panel display, environmental, semiconductor, and life sciences industries.
