Concentrations of Risks

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]

Concentrations of Risks

CONCENTRATIONS OF RISKS

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash equivalents, short-term investments and trade receivables. These credit risks include the potential inability of an issuer or customer to honor their obligations under the terms of the instrument or the sales agreement. We place our cash equivalents and investments with high credit-quality financial institutions. We invest our excess cash in commercial paper, readily marketable debt instruments and collateralized funds of United States and state government entities. We have established guidelines relative to credit ratings, diversification and maturities that seek to maintain principal balance and liquidity.

A majority of our trade receivables are derived from sales in various geographic areas, principally the United States, Europe, Korea, Japan, Taiwan and the rest of Asia, to large companies within the integrated circuit and nanotechnology industries. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition and require collateral, whenever deemed necessary. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the recorded value of our accounts receivable approximated fair value due to the short-term nature of our accounts receivable.

Sole-source and single-source suppliers provide critical components and services for the manufacture of our products. The reliance on sole or limited groups of suppliers may subject us from time to time to quality, allocation and pricing constraints.