Applied Materials Launches High-Productivity Flat Panel Manufacturing Systems for Gen 8.5 Fabs

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 17, 2006--Applied
Materials, Inc., through its Display Business Group, AKT, today
announced the first suite of flat panel display (FPD) systems for
manufacturing large-size LCD(1) TV screens on the world's largest Gen
8.5 (2.2m x tilde2.5m) glass substrates. The newly designed AKT-55K
EBT (Electron Beam Tester), the AKT-55K PECVD(1), and the AKT-NEW
ARISTO(TM) 2200 color filter sputter systems enable the
highly-efficient production of six 55inch LCD TV screens from Gen 8.5
panels.

The new Gen 8.5 panels are expected to contribute to TFT(1)-LCD TV
market growth, which is forecast by market researcher Display Search
to exceed 40 million units in 2006. "Applied Materials continues to
help customers reduce the total cost of flat panel manufacturing by
providing differentiated products and technologies supported by its
worldwide service capabilities," said Dr. Mark Pinto, senior vice
president and general manager of Applied Materials' New Business and
New Products Group and AKT.

"Applied has steadily increased its position in FPD equipment,
beginning with PECVD technology for transistor formation, then adding
e-beam test, and now addressing sputtered films in the color filter
area. By combining our leadership in large area processing with our
strengths in Nanomanufacturing Technology(TM), this new suite of
products puts us at the forefront of the display equipment business
and gives our customers a highly productive, cost-effective and
reliable set of technologies for next generation manufacturing."

The AKT-55K EBT system features one of the industry's fastest and
most accurate pixel test technology with the lowest overall operating
costs. The system features seven electron beams to provide rapid,
accurate pixel array testing. The system's non-contact test technology
ensures safe testing of high-value LCD TV panels without damaging or
scratching the display.

The AKT-55K PECVD system utilizes the proven multi-chamber
platform architecture and technology that have made AKT the industry
leader in flat panel CVD equipment for the past 13 years. Optimized
for both dielectric films (SiNx, SiOx and SiON) and semiconducting
films (a-Si and doped a-Si), the AKT-55K system can process over 60
substrates per hour for single-layer films.

For color filter manufacturing, the AKT-NEW ARISTO 2200 is a
fully-automated vertical sputter system optimized for high
productivity and target utilization. Based on the market-leading NEW
ARISTO system concept, formerly from Applied Films, the AKT-NEW ARISTO
2200 uses an innovative planar cathode design optimized for low
defects and high yield, while providing the highest throughput in the
industry.

Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT) is the global leader in
Nanomanufacturing Technology(TM) solutions for the electronics
industry with a broad portfolio of innovative equipment, service and
software products. At Applied Materials, we apply Nanomanufacturing
Technology to improve the way people live. Learn more at
www.appliedmaterials.com.

(1) LCD: liquid crystal display; PECVD: plasma enhanced chemical
vapor deposition; TFT: thin film transistor

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CONTACT: Applied Materials, Inc.
Betty Newboe, 408-563-0647 (editorial/media)
Randy Bane, 408-986-7916 (financial community)

SOURCE: Applied Materials, Inc.