Nikon 2012 Annual Report Download - page 16

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14
NIKON CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT 2012
Looking ahead, we expect the market to hit
bottom during the fiscal year ending March 2013,
and then to begin expanding again sometime
around the end of that year centered on small
to medium-sized high-definition panels to meet
smartphone demand. We also expect an increase
in new demand for lithography equipment for
large plates, to meet demand for such products as
panels with even higher precision than those for
full HD televisions.
Nikon already has an extremely large share
of the market for LCD steppers and scanners,
owing to such advanced technologies as multi-
lens arrays that easily can be adapted to larger
and more precise glass plates. In February
2012, five Nikon employees involved with the
development of this technology were awarded the
Prime Minister’s Prize at the fourth Monozukuri
Nippon Grand Awards. We will continue to refine
these strengths in an effort to respond to
customer needs.
Developing New Technologies to Enter
New Business Fields
The Precision Equipment Company is developing
new technologies with an eye to the future. The
three keywords for this technology development are
“Larger,” “Finer” and “Taller.”
“Larger” refers to the realization of technologies
for wafer sizes up to 450 mm, and extremely large
LCD panels. “Finer” refers to such aspects as
greater overlay accuracy and ultra-thin line widths
in lithography equipment. “Taller” indicates the
development of three-dimensional technologies by
stacking semiconductors.
We are exploring several fields with the goal of
expanding into new business domains by effectively
utilizing the advanced technologies employed in IC
and LCD steppers and scanners. Through these
efforts, we intend to strengthen our business
foundation.
REVIEW OF OPERATIONS: PRECISION EQUIPMENT COMPANY
LCD Scanner
FX-101S