Dynamics are ubiquitous in semiconductor manufacturing.
The first thrust includes finite-horizon, Markov decision process models that incorporate transient fab characteristics and that support decisions throughout the wafer fab life cycle. Such models handle the product market's complex dynamics and support the technologies that enable efficient manufacturing for the right products at the right time. The modeling and sensitivity analysis techniques incorporate response surface models, which describe manufacturing processes, and simulation and scheduling techniques, which evaluate the manufacturing system. This project's results will yield specific insights into the structure of optimal operational policies and into the sensitivity of operational decisions to underlying process parameters. Operational and factory integration personnel can use these insights to suggest and justify changes to operational policies and manufacturing processes.