TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 5, 2026--
JEOL Ltd. (President & CEO Izumi Oi) announces the development of its new low‑angle ion‑milling scanning electron microscope, HAXIS, and will commence sales on October 5, 2026.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260928207899/en/
Background of development
As advanced semiconductor device structures continue to shrink and grow more complex, it has become difficult to contact and measure microscale circuits using nano-manipulators. In addition, contact caused by probing may affect the analysis target, necessitating new failure analysis methods.
JEOL has conducted long-term research on the passive voltage contrast (PVC) detection technology and established a method for stable, highly reproducible PVC observation technology through the advancement of detectors and sample preparation techniques.
HAXIS is JEOL's new semiconductor failure analysis platform that combines such technologies.
It has realized clear and highly reproducible PVC observation even with advanced semiconductors. By visually detecting electrical anomalies while minimizing the effects of processing damage and contamination, it is possible to efficiently identify the defect location and determine the cause. The use of argon (Ar), an inert gas, ensures stable surface quality and reduces running costs.
The quality of PVC observation is significantly affected by the surface condition of the sample after delayering. HAXIS uses a unique Low-Angle Ion Milling (LIM) delayering technique using Ar ion beams to create a flat surface with minimal damage to the sample surface. This enables clear and highly reproducible PVC observation while retaining structure and potential information even in advanced devices.
Semiconductor failure analysis involves multiple steps, from defect localization to physical analysis and root-cause investigation. As device complexity increases, shortening the turnaround time from failure detection to actionable results becomes increasingly critical.
HAXIS introduces a new approach to failure localization by integrating LIM delayering with SEM imaging and passive voltage contrast (PVC) analysis. This combined workflow enables rapid and highly accurate identification of failure locations, supporting QTAT (Quick Turnaround Time) failure analysis and accelerating the transition from electrical failure detection to physical analysis and root-cause identification.
Main features
Sales target
15 units / year
Product Overview
HAXIS LIM-SEM Multi Beam System
https://www.jeol.com/products/scientific/sem/haxis.php
HAXIS Low-angle Ion Milling Scanning Electron Microscope
MADRID (AP) — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced early elections Monday after his government suffered a bruising legislative defeat last week on emergency measures related to the country’s housing crisis.
The vote will be held Nov. 29.
In recent weeks, Spaniards have demanded solutions from the government over housing affordability, holding protests in cities across the country after public outrage grew over the televised eviction of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid last month.
Right-wing opposition parties joined forces to scuttle two emergency decrees in Parliament that included measures to reduce evictions and real estate speculation. The setback sparked wide speculation that Sánchez could consider moving up a national election from next year.
In a televised address, Sánchez argued that a broader progressive coalition in Parliament would allow Spaniards to tackle the biggest issues facing the country today.
“The time has come, therefore, for the Spanish people to decide what future you want for yourselves and for your country,” Sánchez said.
Sánchez, 54, has been Spain’s prime minister since 2018, making him one of Europe’s longest-standing leaders.
He has become one of the leading international progressive heads of government thanks to his defense of migration, his diplomatic efforts to defend Palestinians and his criticism of the American and Israeli war against Iran.
He has also enjoyed one of the fastest growing economies in the developed world in recent years.
But back home, the Spanish leader has been hemmed in by a series of legal cases involving his Socialist party as well as his wife and brother, who both deny wrongdoing.
He has also struggled to account for this summer’s border crossing by tens of thousands of mostly Moroccans into Spain’s North African territory of Ceuta.
He has led a coalition minority government along with the left-wing junior partner Sumar since 2023. But his reliance on several smaller parties to get anything done has hamstrung his legislative ability.
Throughout his political career, Sánchez has earned a reputation as a political escape artist capable of winning elections he looked set to lose.
The Socialist leader appears set to face another tough election against the conservative Popular Party that holds the most seats in Parliament already and will aim to retake control of the government.
Wilson reported from Barcelona, Spain.
People seen through a window inside a bar in La Cabrera, on the outskirts of Madrid, Spain, watch a televised speech by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez from La Moncloa Palace announcing national elections, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
People at a bar in La Cabrera, on the outskirts of Madrid, Spain, watch a televised speech by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez from La Moncloa Palace announcing national elections, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
FILE - A partially damaged poster of Spanish Prime Minister and Socialist Party candidate Pedro Sanchez flaps in Parla, on the outskirts of Madrid, Spain, April 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue, File)
FILE - Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attends the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ by Pope Leo XIV at the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue, File)
FILE - Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez poses for a portrait after an interview with The Associated Press at the Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Spain, June 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue, File)
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, left, applauds at the Spanish parliament in Madrid, Friday Oct. 2, 2026. (Eduardo Parra/Europa Press via AP)
People demonstrate to demand stronger laws to protect renters in Madrid, Spain Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. The banner reads in Spanish: toward the general strike. (AP Photo/Andrea Comas)
People demonstrate to demand stronger laws to protect renters in Madrid, Spain Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrea Comas)
People hold up keys as a sign of protest during a demonstration demanding stronger laws to protect renters in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrea Comas)
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez arrives at the Spanish parliament in Madrid, Friday Oct. 2, 2026. (Eduardo Parra/Europa Press via AP)
