Editing Micron Technology (section)

=== Since 2000 ===
In 2000 [[Gurtej Sandhu|Gurtej Singh Sandhu]] and Trung T. Doan at Micron initiated the development of [[atomic layer deposition]] high-k [[Thin film|films]] for [[Dynamic random-access memory|DRAM]] memory devices. This helped drive cost-effective implementation of [[semiconductor memory]], starting with [[90 nanometer|90 nm]] [[Semiconductor node|node]] DRAM.<ref name="ieee">{{cite web |title=IEEE Andrew S. Grove Award Recipients |url=https://www.ieee.org/about/awards/bios/grove-recipients.html |website=[[IEEE Andrew S. Grove Award]] |publisher=[[Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers]] |access-date=4 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704220553/https://www.ieee.org/about/awards/bios/grove-recipients.html |archive-date=4 July 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite patent |title=Atomic layer doping apparatus and method |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2002038841A3 |country=WO |number=2002038841A3 |status= |pubdate=2000-08-31 |gdate=2003-05-01 |inventor= |invent1=Gurtej Sandhu |invent2= Trung T. Doan |assign1= |assign2= |class=}}  {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705150420/https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2002038841A3 |date=5 July 2019 }}  {{via|[[Google Patents]]}}</ref> Pitch [[double patterning|double-patterning]] was also pioneered by Gurtej Singh Sandhu at Micron during the 2000s, leading to the development of [[32 nanometer|30-nm]] class [[NAND flash]] memory, and it has since been widely adopted by NAND flash and [[RAM]] manufacturers worldwide.<ref name="ieee"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Micron Named Among Top 100 Global Innovators for Sixth Straight Year |url=https://www.micron.com/about/blog/2018/february/micron-makes-list-of-top-100-innovators |publisher=Micron Technology |access-date=5 July 2019 |date=2018-02-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705115746/https://www.micron.com/about/blog/2018/february/micron-makes-list-of-top-100-innovators |archive-date=5 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2002 Micron spun off its personal computer business as [[MPC Corporation]] and put it up for sale. The company found the business difficult as the number 12 American computer maker with only 1.3 percent of the market.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/micron-seen-as-tough-sell-in-pc-industry/ | title=Micron seen as tough sell in PC industry }}</ref>

Micron and Intel created a joint venture in 2005, based in [[IM Flash Technologies]] in [[Lehi, Utah]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://articles.marketwatch.com/2005-11-21/news/30680673_1_nand-flash-flash-memory-m-systems-flash-disk-pioneers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224010517/http://articles.marketwatch.com/2005-11-21/news/30680673_1_nand-flash-flash-memory-m-systems-flash-disk-pioneers|url-status=dead|title=Intel, Micron to form flash-chip venture|archive-date=February 24, 2013}}</ref> The two companies formed another joint venture in 2011, [[IM Flash Singapore]], in Singapore.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/263451/intel-micron-open-singapore-nand-flash-plant|title=Intel, Micron Open Singapore NAND Flash Plant |first=Matthew |last=Murray |date=21 April 2011| magazine=PC Magazine |access-date=2019-12-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422095030/https://www.pcmag.com/news/263451/intel-micron-open-singapore-nand-flash-plant|archive-date=2019-04-22|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012 Micron became sole owner of this second joint venture.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-intel-micron/micron-buys-intel-stake-in-flash-joint-venture-for-600-million-idINTRE81R14K20120228 |title=Micron buys Intel stake in a flash joint venture for $600 million |publisher=Reuters |date=February 28, 2012 |last=Sharma |first=Himank}}</ref> In 2006 Micron acquired [[Lexar]], an American manufacturer of digital media products.<ref name="lexar_acquire">{{Cite press release |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20060621005878/en/Micron-Technology-Lexar-Media-Announce-Completion-Transaction |title=Micron Technology, Inc., and Lexar Media, Inc. Announce Completion of Transaction |date=21 June 2006 |access-date=28 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309054201/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20060621005878/en/Micron-Technology-Lexar-Media-Announce-Completion-Transaction|archive-date=March 9, 2017}}</ref>

The company again changed leadership in June 2007 with COO [[Mark Durcan]] becoming president.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/longtime-micron-tech-ceo-mark-durcan-to-retire-1001720150|title=Longtime Micron Tech CEO Mark Durcan To Retire |work=[[Markets Insider]] |last=|first=|website= |access-date=2019-06-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617234223/https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/longtime-micron-tech-ceo-mark-durcan-to-retire-1001720150|archive-date=2019-06-17|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2008 Micron converted the Avezzano [[chip fab]], formerly a [[Texas Instruments]] DRAM fab, into a production facility for [[CMOS image sensor]]s sold by [[Aptina|Aptina Imaging]].<ref name="Lammers">{{Cite news |author=David Lammers |url=https://www.appliedmaterials.com/nanochip/nanochip-fab-solutions/april-2014/lfoundry-new-frontiers-new-opportunities |title=LFoundry: new frontiers, new opportunities |url-status=dead |access-date=2021-08-25 |archive-date=2023-03-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307055834/https://www.appliedmaterials.com/nanochip/nanochip-fab-solutions/april-2014/lfoundry-new-frontiers-new-opportunities }}</ref>

In 2008 Micron spun off Aptina Imaging, which was acquired by [[ON Semiconductor]] in 2014. Micron retained a stake in the spinoff.<ref>{{Cite news |last=LaPedus |first=Mark |date=2011-04-12 |title=Aptina boosts image; embraces foundries |url=https://www.eetimes.com/aptina-boosts-image-embraces-foundries/|access-date=2022-10-28| website=EE Times| archive-date=2013-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518211050/http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-news/4215093/Aptina-boosts-image--embraces-foundries-|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, the core company suffered setbacks and had to layoff 15 percent of its workforce in October 2008,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/10/technology/business-computing/10micron.html|title=Memory Maker Reduces Work Force|last=Vance|first=Ashlee|author-link=Ashlee Vance|date=2008-10-09|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-06-16|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616161639/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/10/technology/business-computing/10micron.html|archive-date=2019-06-16|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.networkworld.com/article/2277543/micron-to-cut-staff-by-15-.html |title=Micron to cut staff by 15% |last=Gohring |first=Nancy |date=2008-10-09 |publisher=Network World |language=en |access-date=2019-06-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616161639/https://www.networkworld.com/article/2277543/micron-to-cut-staff-by-15-.html|archive-date=2019-06-16|url-status=live}}</ref> during which period the company also announced the purchase of [[Qimonda]]'s 35.6 percent stake in [[Inotera]] Memories for $400 million.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-micron-inotera-idUSTRE49C0G020081013 |title=Micron to pay $400 million for Qimonda's Inotera stake |date=2008-10-13 |publisher=Reuters |access-date=2019-06-16 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616161656/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-micron-inotera-idUSTRE49C0G020081013|archive-date=2019-06-16|url-status=live}}</ref> The trend of layoffs and acquisitions continued in 2009 with the termination of an additional 2,000 employees,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/wires/2009Feb23/0,4670,MicronLayoffs,00.html |title=FOXNews.com - Micron Tech to cut up to 2,000 more jobs in Idaho |publisher=www.foxnews.com |access-date=2019-06-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616161636/https://www.foxnews.com/wires/2009Feb23/0,4670,MicronLayoffs,00.html|archive-date=2019-06-16|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://blog.granted.com/2009/02/24/micron-tech-to-cut-2000-jobs/|title=Micron Tech To Cut 2,000 Jobs |date=2009-02-24 |publisher=Granted Blog |language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-16}}</ref> and the acquisition of the FLCOS microdisplay company Displaytech.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.laserfocusworld.com/test-measurement/research/article/16566226/micron-acquires-assets-of-displaytech-gains-flcos-microdisplay-technology |title=Micron acquires assets of Displaytech; gains FLCOS microdisplay technology |date=2009-06-02 |publisher=Laser Focus World |language=en |access-date=2019-06-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616161640/https://www.laserfocusworld.com/test-measurement/research/article/16566226/micron-acquires-assets-of-displaytech-gains-flcos-microdisplay-technology|archive-date=2019-06-16|url-status=live}}</ref> Micron agreed to buy flash-chip maker [[Numonyx]] for $1.27 billion in stock in February 2010.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/2010/02/10/micron-numonyx-intel-markets-equities-acquisition.html#56e0636d1e71|title=Micron Shares Short Out |last=Swanekamp |first=Kelsey |work=Forbes |language=en |access-date=2019-06-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120144651/https://www.forbes.com/2010/02/10/micron-numonyx-intel-markets-equities-acquisition.html#56e0636d1e71|archive-date=2018-01-20|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 3 February 2012 CEO Appleton died in a plane crash shortly after takeoff from the [[Boise Airport]]. He was the pilot and sole occupant of the [[Lancair IV]] aircraft.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/micron-says-ceo-steve-appleton-has-died-in-a-boise-plane-crash/2012/02/03/gIQA5LCKnQ_story.html |title=Micron says CEO Steve Appleton has died in a Boise plane crash |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=February 3, 2012 |access-date=2017-09-05 |archive-date=2012-02-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216092023/http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/micron-says-ceo-steve-appleton-has-died-in-a-boise-plane-crash/2012/02/03/gIQA5LCKnQ_story.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://investors.micron.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=646118 Statement by Micron Technology Board of Directors] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206100450/http://investors.micron.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=646118 |date=2012-02-06 }}, Micron Technology, February 3, 2012.</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Tibken |first1=Shara|last2=Clark|first2=Don|title=Micron Tech CEO Dies in Plane Accident |url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203889904577201221448742942.html |access-date=2022-10-28 |website=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US}}</ref> Mark Durcan replaced Appleton as the CEO shortly thereafter,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.micron.com/about/company-info/leadership/d-mark-durcan |title=D Mark Durcan - Micron Technology, Inc |access-date=2014-01-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202231603/http://www.micron.com/about/company-info/leadership/d-mark-durcan |archive-date=2013-12-02 }}</ref> eliminating his former title of President.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.micron.com/about/our-company/leadership/d-mark-durcan |title=D. Mark Durcan |access-date=2016-09-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101195329/http://www.micron.com/about/our-company/leadership/d-mark-durcan |archive-date=2015-01-01 }}</ref>

In 2013 the Avezzano chip fab was sold to LFoundry.<ref name="Lammers" /> In the 2012 to 2014 period, Micron again went through an acquisition-layoff cycle, becoming the majority shareholder of Inotera Memories, purchasing [[Elpida Memory]]<ref name="elpida">{{cite news |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/micron-completes-2-billion-buy-of-chip-supplier-to-apple/ |title=Micron completes $2 billion buy of chip supplier to Apple |last=Crothers |first=Brooke |website=CNET.com |date=July 31, 2013 |access-date=February 25, 2020}}</ref> for $2 billion and the remaining shares in Rexchip, a PC memory chip manufacturing venture between [[Powerchip]] and Elpida Memory for $334 million,<ref>{{Cite press release |url=http://investors.micron.com/news-releases/news-release-details/micron-and-elpida-announce-sponsor-agreement|title=Micron and Elpida Announce Sponsor Agreement|website=Micron Technology|access-date=2019-12-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226065828/http://investors.micron.com/news-releases/news-release-details/micron-and-elpida-announce-sponsor-agreement|archive-date=2019-12-26|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2012/07/03/2003536810|title=Powerchip to sell Rex stake to Micron |work=[[Taipei Times]] |access-date=2020-03-08}}</ref> while announcing plans to lay off approximately 3,000 workers.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4320399,00.html |title=Micron may shut Israel plant by 2015|date=December 16, 2012 |website=Ynetnews |access-date=December 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226065820/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4320399,00.html|archive-date=December 26, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/past-and-current-micron-employees-report-job-cuts-micron-silent/article_532e02a8-40ac-5cb3-9a87-7fde69714dc8.html|title=Past and current Micron employees report job cuts, Micron silent on numbers |last=Carmel |first=Margaret |website=Idaho Press|language=en|access-date=2019-06-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617234223/https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/past-and-current-micron-employees-report-job-cuts-micron-silent/article_532e02a8-40ac-5cb3-9a87-7fde69714dc8.html |archive-date=2019-06-17|url-status=live}}</ref> Through the Elpida acquisition, Micron became a major supplier to [[Apple Inc.]] for the [[iPhone]] and [[iPad]].<ref name="elpida"/> In December 2016 Micron finished acquiring the remaining 67 percent of [[Inotera]], making it a 100 percent subsidiary of Micron.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aeco/201612120011.aspx|title=Taiwan determined to fully support IC industry: Tsai |website=FocusTaiwan.tw|access-date=2016-12-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213124955/http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aeco/201612120011.aspx|archive-date=2016-12-13|url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2017 Micron announced [[Sanjay Mehrotra]] as the new president and CEO to replace [[Mark Durcan]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Micron Appoints Sanjay Mehrotra as President and Chief Executive Officer |url=http://investors.micron.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=1023241 |website=micron.com |access-date=27 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428052835/http://investors.micron.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=1023241|archive-date=28 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Tallis|first1=Billy|title=Micron Hires New CEO: Sanjay Mehrotra, SanDisk Co-Founder and Former CEO |url=http://www.anandtech.com/show/11305/micron-hires-new-ceo-sanjay-mehrotra-sandisk-cofounder-and-former-ceo|access-date=27 April 2017 |publisher=Anandtech|date=27 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428004812/http://www.anandtech.com/show/11305/micron-hires-new-ceo-sanjay-mehrotra-sandisk-cofounder-and-former-ceo|archive-date=28 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2017 Micron announced it was discontinuing the Lexar retail removable media storage business and putting some or all it up for sale.<ref>{{Cite press release|url=https://www.micron.com/about/blogs/2017/june/micron-discontinuing-lexar-removable-storage-retail-business|title=Micron Technology, Inc. - Micron Discontinuing Lexar Removable Storage Retail Business|last=Hawkins|first=Jay|date=26 June 2017|website=Micron.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825023032/https://www.micron.com/about/blogs/2017/june/micron-discontinuing-lexar-removable-storage-retail-business|archive-date=25 August 2017 |access-date=24 August 2017}}</ref> In August of that year the Lexar brand was acquired by Longsys, a flash memory company based in Shenzhen, China.<ref name="lexar_sale">{{cite news|url=http://www.longsys.com/longsys-acquires-lexar-brand-a-leading-brand-for-high-performance-removable-storage-solutions/|title=Longsys Acquires Lexar Brand, a Leading Brand for High-Performance Removable Storage Solutions|date=31 August 2017|website=Longsys.com|access-date=13 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901160044/http://www.longsys.com/longsys-acquires-lexar-brand-a-leading-brand-for-high-performance-removable-storage-solutions/|archive-date=1 September 2017}}</ref>

In May 2018 Micron Technology and Intel launched QLC NAND memory to increase storage density.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.techspot.com/news/74743-intel-micron-launch-qlc-nand-memory-increase-storage.html|title=Intel and Micron launch QLC NAND memory to increase storage density|work=TechSpot|access-date=2018-05-24|language=en-us|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523181524/https://www.techspot.com/news/74743-intel-micron-launch-qlc-nand-memory-increase-storage.html|archive-date=2018-05-23|url-status=live}}</ref> The company ranked 150th on the [[Fortune 500]] list of largest United States corporations by revenue.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Micron Technology |url=http://fortune.com/fortune500/micron-technology/ |website=Fortune |language=en-US |access-date=2018-11-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121140111/http://fortune.com/fortune500/micron-technology/ |archive-date=2018-11-21|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2019 the first [[microSD card]] with a storage capacity of 1 [[terabyte]] (TB) was announced by Micron.<ref>{{cite news |title=Micron Unveils World's First 1TB microSD Card to Meet Consumer Demand for Mobile Storage |url=https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/02/25/1741261/0/en/Micron-Unveils-World-s-First-1TB-microSD-Card-to-Meet-Consumer-Demand-for-Mobile-Storage.html |work=GlobeNewswire |date=February 25, 2019 |access-date=February 25, 2019}}</ref> As of March 2020 3.84TB Micron 5210 Ion is the cheapest large-capacity SSD in the world.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Athow |first=Desire |date=October 20, 2020 |title=This 3.84TB Micron 5210 Ion is the cheapest large capacity SSD right now |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/this-384tb-micron-5210-ion-is-the-cheapest-large-capacity-ssd-right-now |website=TechRadar |language=en-US |access-date=November 10, 2020}}</ref> In September 2020 the company introduced the world's fastest discrete graphics memory solution. Working with computing technology leader Nvidia, Micron debuted GDDR6X in the [[Nvidia]] GeForce RTX 3090 and GeForce RTX 3080 graphics processing units (GPUs).<ref>{{Cite news |title=World's Fastest Discrete Graphics Memory From Micron Powers Nvidia's Breakthrough Gaming Speeds |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/09/01/2087208/0/en/World-s-Fastest-Discrete-Graphics-Memory-From-Micron-Powers-NVIDIA-s-Breakthrough-Gaming-Speeds.html |website=GlobeNewswire |language=en |access-date=1 September 2020}}</ref> In November 2020, the company unveiled a new 176-layer 3D NAND module. It offers improved read and write latency and is slated to be used in the production of a new generation of solid-state drives.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Athow |first=Desire |date=10 November 2020 |title=Micron wants to kill hard disk drives with new super cheap flash memory |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/100tb-ssds-could-appear-next-year-as-micron-debuts-breakthrough-flash-memory |website=TechRadar |language=en |access-date=10 November 2020}}</ref>

On 22 October 2021, Micron closed the sale of IM Flash's Lehi, Utah fab to [[Texas Instruments]] for a sale price of US$900 million.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wolf |first1=Marin |title=Texas Instruments to buy semiconductor factory in $900 million deal |url=https://techxplore.com/news/2021-07-texas-instruments-semiconductor-factory-million.html |website=Techxplore |language=en |date=July 1, 2021 |access-date=28 October 2022}}</ref> With the passage of the [[CHIPS and Science Act]], Micron announced its pledge to invest billions in new manufacturing within the US.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hamblen |first=Matt |date=2022-08-09 |title=Micron plans $40B in memory plants on heels of CHIPS Act |url=https://www.fierceelectronics.com/sensors/micron-plans-40b-memory-manufacturing-heels-chips-act-passage |access-date=2022-10-09 |publisher=Fierce Electronics |language=en}}</ref> In September 2022, Micron announced they would invest $15 billion in a new facility in [[Boise, Idaho]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ridler |first=Keith |title=Micron holds groundbreaking for $15 billion semiconductor plant in Boise |date=2022-09-12 |url=https://idahonews.com/news/local/micron-announcing-15-billion-semiconductor-plant-this-morning |agency=Associated Press |publisher=KBOI |language=en |access-date=2022-10-10}}</ref> In October 2022 Micron announced a $100 billion expansion in [[Clay, New York]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lohr |first=Steve |date=2022-10-04 |title=Micron Pledges Up to $100 Billion for Semiconductor Factory in New York |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/04/technology/micron-chip-clay-syracuse.html |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |language=en-US |access-date=2022-10-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news  |last=Palermo |first=Angela |title=Micron's 'mega fab' planned for New York won't be bigger than Boise's plant. Yet |date=2022-10-06 |url=https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/business/article266848571.html |website=Idaho Statesman |language=en-US |access-date=2022-10-10}}</ref>

Micron Technology owed Netlist $445 million in damages for infringing Netlist's patents related to memory-module technology for high-performance computing. The jury found that Micron's semiconductor-memory products violated two of Netlist's patents willfully, potentially allowing the judge to triple the damages. Netlist had sued Micron in 2022, accusing three of its memory-module lines of patent infringement, which Micron denied, also arguing the patents' invalidity. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office invalidated one patent in April 2024.<ref>{{cite news|last=Brittain |first=Blake |title=Micron hit with $445 million US verdict in Netlist patent trial |date=23 May 2024 |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/micron-hit-with-445-million-us-verdict-netlist-patent-trial-2024-05-24/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240524080621/https://www.reuters.com/legal/micron-hit-with-445-million-us-verdict-netlist-patent-trial-2024-05-24/ |archive-date=24 May 2024 |access-date=27 May 2024}}</ref>