Press Release

Shaping the Future of Microchip Manufacturing: Erik Loopstra (ZEISS) and Vadim Banine (ASML) Receive European Inventor Award 2018 in Popular Prize Category

Award-winning contributions to the development of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography enable the next generation of microchips

JUN 08, 2018 ยท 2 min read

Oberkochen/Germany, Paris/France | 8 June 2018 | ZEISS Group

Yesterday in Paris, engineer Erik Loopstra (ZEISS) and physicist Vadim Banine (ASML) received the European Inventor Award 2018 in the Popular Prize category. The European Patent Office presents the prestigious award to those inventors selected by the public from among 15 finalists. Together with their engineering and research teams, Loopstra and Banine developed ground-breaking inventions for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography.

EUV lithography enables an unprecedented level of precision for creating geometric structures on wafers, which are the foundation for microchips.

EUV technology became market-ready in 2017. It is now possible to manufacture a new generation of chips more quickly and easily than with older production methods. The new technology not only saves chip fabs time and costs, but most importantly drives innovations in the areas of home electronics, healthcare, entertainment, self-driving cars, robotics and artificial intelligence.

First presented by the European Patent Office in 2006, the European Inventor Award is one of the most important innovation prizes in Europe. It honors individual inventors and teams of inventors whose innovations assist in the search for technical solutions to the greatest challenges of our time.

  • Stage of the European Inventory Award 2018

    Today in Paris, engineer Erik Loopstra (ZEISS) and physicist Vadim Banine (ASML) received the European Inventor Award 2018 in the Popular Prize category. The European Patent Office presents the prestigious award to those inventors selected by the public from among 15 finalists. Together with their engineering and research teams, Loopstra and Banine developed ground-breaking inventions for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography.

Erik Loopstra named new ZEISS Fellow

In honor of his groundbreaking achievements, Erik Loopstra was recently named a ZEISS Fellow, the highest rung on the ZEISS Expert Ladder. The Executive Board of the ZEISS Group congratulated him on his appointment and thanked him for his excellent work to date.

Dr. Karl Lamprecht, Member of the Executive Board at ZEISS responsible for the Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology segment, drew particular attention to Loopstra's personal qualities: "He not only leads teams as an expert in his field, but also guides them and fosters a team mindset. His opinion carries a lot of weight among developers and leading experts. Erik Loopstra winning this year's European Inventor Award in the Popular Prize category demonstrates the importance of his expertise beyond the world of ZEISS and underscores his international reputation."

Press Contact

Jeannine Rapp

Press Contact

Jeannine Rapp

About ZEISS

ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. In the previous fiscal year, the ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling 8.8 billion euros in its four segments Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology and Consumer Markets (status: 30 September 2022).

For its customers, ZEISS develops, produces and distributes highly innovative solutions for industrial metrology and quality assurance, microscopy solutions for the life sciences and materials research, and medical technology solutions for diagnostics and treatment in ophthalmology and microsurgery. The name ZEISS is also synonymous with the world's leading lithography optics, which are used by the chip industry to manufacture semiconductor components. There is global demand for trendsetting ZEISS brand products such as eyeglass lenses, camera lenses and binoculars.

With a portfolio aligned with future growth areas like digitalization, healthcare and Smart Production and a strong brand, ZEISS is shaping the future of technology and constantly advancing the world of optics and related fields with its solutions. The company's significant, sustainable investments in research and development lay the foundation for the success and continued expansion of ZEISS' technology and market leadership. ZEISS invests 13 percent of its revenue in research and development โ€“ this high level of expenditure has a long tradition at ZEISS and is also an investment in the future.

With over 38,000 employees, ZEISS is active globally in almost 50 countries with around 30 production sites, 60 sales and service companies and 27 research and development facilities (status: 30 September 2022). Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. The Carl Zeiss Foundation, one of the largest foundations in Germany committed to the promotion of science, is the sole owner of the holding company, Carl Zeiss AG.

Further information at www.zeiss.com

Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology

With its product portfolio and expertise, the Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology segment of ZEISS covers a variety of key processes in the production of microchips. Its products include semiconductor manufacturing optics โ€“ notably lithography optics โ€“ as well as photomask systems and process control solutions for semiconductor manufacturing. Thanks to ZEISS technology, microchips are becoming increasingly smaller, more powerful, more energy-efficient and more affordable. The electronic applications of these ongoing enhancements enable global progress in many disciplines such as technology, electronics, communication, entertainment, mobility and energy. Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology is headquartered in Oberkochen. Other sites include Jena, Rossdorf and Wetzlar in Germany, as well as Bar Lev (Israel) and Dublin, CA and Danvers, MA (USA).

Press Photos

  • The European Inventor Award 2018 in the Popular Prize category

    Today in Paris, engineer Erik Loopstra (ZEISS) and physicist Vadim Banine (ASML) received the European Inventor Award 2018 in the Popular Prize category. The European Patent Office presents the prestigious award to those inventors selected by the public from among 15 finalists. Together with their engineering and research teams, Loopstra and Banine developed ground-breaking inventions for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography.

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