Key Highlights
- Synopsys (SNPS) and Atomera (ATOM) broaden their TCAD partnership to include gallium nitride (GaN) device modeling capabilities.
- The expanded collaboration focuses on RF and power semiconductor applications through Synopsys’ Sentaurus TCAD platform.
- Atomera will develop GaN calibration methodologies and deliver calibrated TCAD decks using Sentaurus tools.
- The partnership builds upon previous collaboration enabling Atomera’s MST technology in the Sentaurus ecosystem.
- ATOM shares have climbed 187% year-to-date, reaching $6.19; SNPS showed minimal price movement following the announcement.
Synopsys has broadened its multi-year collaboration with semiconductor materials innovator Atomera through a Thursday announcement revealing an extension into gallium nitride device modeling capabilities.
The initial collaboration between the companies centered on integrating Atomera’s Mears Silicon Technology (MST) into Synopsys’ Sentaurus TCAD platform. Through Atomera’s MSTcad toolset, this partnership enabled customers and industry partners to model and assess the physical and electrical characteristics of MST using Synopsys’ advanced simulation capabilities.
The latest agreement leverages this established framework to incorporate GaN workflows — a distinct material category widely adopted in RF and power electronics applications.
Rahul Deokar, executive director of product management for Manufacturing Solutions at Synopsys, explained that the expanded collaboration seeks to utilize GaN TCAD simulations for enhanced understanding of how advanced materials drive superior device efficiency.
The terms of the agreement specify that Atomera will leverage Sentaurus TCAD tools to establish a GaN calibration methodology tailored for TCAD workflows. Additionally, Atomera will develop marketing collateral and calibrated TCAD decks specifically for GaN devices while maintaining continuous product feedback channels with Synopsys.
Sentaurus TCAD as the Foundation
The Sentaurus TCAD platform from Synopsys serves as the technological foundation for this expanded partnership. This comprehensive suite of process and device simulation tools has become an industry standard for modeling material and structural behavior at the transistor level.
Through its collaboration with Atomera, Sentaurus gains support for MST-based device modeling — and with this latest development, GaN-based device modeling capabilities as well. This expansion increases the variety of device architectures that Synopsys’ simulation tools can accurately model and calibrate.
Atomera CEO Scott Bibaud referenced the success of the earlier MSTcad initiative as validation of the collaborative approach. “We have already shown the value of combining MST with Synopsys’ Sentaurus tools through MSTcad, and we are excited to extend that relationship into GaN,” he stated.
Atomera’s Market Position
Atomera operates as a semiconductor materials and licensing enterprise. The company’s MST technology comprises a quantum-engineered thin-film layer engineered to enhance performance metrics and power efficiency in transistor applications.
ATOM shares have surged 187% year-to-date, trading at $6.19 when the partnership expansion was announced, corresponding to a market capitalization of approximately $237 million. The stock declined 2.37% during that trading session.
InvestingPro analysis suggests ATOM may be trading above its Fair Value estimate. Profitability remains elusive for the current year, although the company maintains a stronger cash position than its debt obligations.
The company’s Q4 2025 financial results revealed an EPS of -$0.14, matching analyst projections, while revenue of $50,000 fell short of the $100,000 consensus estimate by 50%.
During February, Atomera secured approximately $25 million through a direct offering involving 5 million common stock units priced at $5.00 per unit, with institutional investors participating in the placement.
Atomera has also strengthened its leadership team by appointing Nishant Sinha as VP of marketing to accelerate MST technology adoption throughout the semiconductor sector.
