Microtome Precision Inc is a precision engineering company that has specialised in providing reticle handling solutions for the semiconductor industry for more than 30 years. It is the longest established independent producer of reticle cassettes and SMIF pods in the world, having started supplying them in 1989. We now concentrate on design, assembly, certification and customer support activities, with the manufacturing of component parts of our products subcontracted to a specialist supply chain. We are leading experts in the protection of reticles (photomasks) against electrostatic damage. Our pioneering research led to the discovery of a previously unknown reticle damage mechanism in 2003 and this has subsequently led to new guidance for reticle protection against electrostatic risk being published in the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors and in the SEMI Standards (E163). We promote better understanding of the electrostatic risk to reticles through our technical publications and through our electrostatic consultancy service. We also offer innovative reticle protection solutions that are protected by our patents. We manufacture SEMI Standard compliant and specially customised reticle cassettes and SMIF pods that are certified for use on ASML, Nikon, Canon, Hamatech, Vistec and Ultratech lithography equipment, supporting the use of reticles from 4 inches to 6 inches in size. We have recently launched an updated version of our all-metal single reticle SMIF pod which allows the pod to be used for short distance transportation outside an ESD protected zone. This enables reticles to be made locally and transported to the point of use inside a SMIF pod, eliminating the hazardous process of transferring the reticle between a transport container and a SMIF pod. See our website for details.