All of my images are released under CC BY unless otherwise noted.
I got a lot of requests to image stuff, so here's my official policy.
In terms of consumables, equipment wear etc, each chip costs me about $20 to decap/image (not counting equipment NRE). As of 2014, a professional shop charges around $75 for a simple top metal dceap/image. People give me upwards of $150 per simple chip if they are feeling generous and want to support other projects. Simple ⇒ not implant ROM and preferably does not require delayering. Not sure what a shop would charge for delayering, but lets say upwards of $100 donation for delayering. Chips from the 80's should be simple.
Delayering is typically more risky to the chip and myself (toxic chemicals like hydrofluoric acid). Similar issues with staining and lapping. Lapping is currently extremely labor intensive and not very well refined (although I can get a small area easily).
This is a hobby and I'm not interested in operating as a business. I'd really like to focus on chips that I can (eventually) release on pr0n, ideally under CC licenses.
Please provide the following information for each chip:
Required: markings on the chip
Optional: alternate names
Required: what you want
Full images of every layer so you can digitize it?
Top metal image for aesthetic purposes?
ROM dump?
Suggested method?
Image mask ROM only?
Erase fuses / laser magic?
Optional: datasheet is a plus, especially if I need to do something invasive
If applicable: any previous knowledge of things people tried that didn't work
Required: replaceability/value
Sometimes I can do something more aggressive (faster, sometimes much faster) that might have higher chance of damage
If they are readily available you should send me several just in case
TODO: come up with a scale, but here are some rough figures
Very common: < $5 or can easily get for free
Common: can get more if you shell out mild cash
Rare: You can probably get more but it might take a while or cost >$100
Very rare: $1000 or un-replaceable
Any other relevant information
Can you provide any funding for the work?
Commercial or personal interest?
Funded projects are given priority
I am willing to do a lot of stuff for free, but it does involve harsh chemicals, costs me money, and time so anything is appreciated
Any legal issues associated with the chip?
Do you have a particular timeline in mind?
Between work and other requests don't be surprised if it takes me several months to get to it even if its only an hour of work
Coordinate with me for best results
I usually have the most time late Dec / early Jan