In the new era of 2nm chip manufacturing, lithography machines lead advanced technology
In the endless journey of the semiconductor industry, Moore's Law has always been a beacon guiding scientific and technological progress. This law predicts that the number of components that can fit on an integrated circuit will double approximately every 18-24 months, and performance will increase accordingly. As the advanced process chip manufacturing process becomes smaller and smaller, approaching the atomic level, the end of Moore's Law seems to be imminent. The manufacture of 2nm and below process chips puts forward extremely high requirements for key equipment such as lithography machines, and its cost is staggering.
In this context, a new scientific and technological revolution is quietly unfolding in the field of lithography machine equipment. The protagonists of this revolution are none other than those 2nm lithography machines worth hundreds of millions of dollars. They will usher in a new era of chip manufacturing and allow Moore's Law to continue in the quantum realm.
2nm lithography machine breakthrough
Lithography is one of the most critical processes in chip manufacturing. Through photolithography, the chip design pattern can be transferred to the silicon wafer with high precision, and finally formed into an integrated circuit after etching, ion implantation and other steps. The lithography machine is the key equipment to complete this process.
In advanced processes of 2nm and below, traditional lithography technology is no longer sufficient. Fortunately, the Dutch lithography machine giant ASML has successfully developed EUV (extreme ultraviolet lithography machine) with its unique skills, which can achieve ultra-fine processing at 2nm and below.
In November 2022, ASML officially delivered the world's first 2nm EUV lithography machine to Intel. The equipment, worth about $200 million, will help Intel manufacture chips with 2nm and higher processes. Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger is confident that "we will continue to lead Moore's Law and move the semiconductor industry forward." ＂
Not far behind, Canon has introduced a nanoimprint lithography machine that can be used to make 2nm chips. This equipment uses a new embossing principle and costs hundreds of millions of dollars per unit. The industry expects that 2nm and below process chips will achieve commercial mass production from 2026/2027.
Huawei Mate60 leads the 5G mobile phone to a new height
In China, Huawei's Mate60 series mobile phones have also become the focus of the technology circle in 2022. The mobile phone is equipped with Huawei's self-developed 5nm Kirin 9000 chip, which has shown strong strength in 5G communication, image shooting, AI computing and other aspects.
The outstanding performance of the Mate60 is due to Huawei's unremitting efforts in the field of chip research and development over the years. Despite being hit hard by the U.S. chip embargo, Huawei is still self-reliant, vigorously cultivating local chip talents, and finally made a breakthrough in the 5nm process.
With excellent performance and high cost performance, the Mate60 series has triggered a frenzy of domestic consumers as soon as it was released. It is said that the demand for the Mate60 has even exceeded Huawei's initial expectations, resulting in a situation where it is difficult to find a machine.
There are also skeptics who point out that the Mate60 is overpriced and may overestimate the purchasing power of domestic consumers. In an environment of inflation and a slowing economy, consumers' budgets for spending on mobile phones are likely to tighten. It remains to be seen whether Huawei will need to adjust its pricing strategy.
Fake news vs. facts
Along with the hot sales of the Mate60, there have also been some exaggerated and even false news reports. Some media claimed that in order to stimulate sales, Huawei cut the price of the Mate60 directly to the level of a 100-yuan machine.
In fact, the official pricing of the Mate60 has always been maintained at a high-end level of around 4000 yuan. The above-mentioned reports are obviously exaggerated for the sake of hype, and are seriously inconsistent with the actual situation.
It is also reported that in order to attract chip talents, Huawei has launched the "Genius Youth Program", providing an annual salary of more than one million yuan for young talents selected by the program.
This news has sparked heated public opinion. In the context of the global chip talent shortage, it is undoubtedly a reasonable move to retain talents through high salaries. However, the details of the specific plan have not been officially disclosed by Huawei.
Just as Moore's Law was finally widely spread, the rise of advanced process chips of 2nm and below has extended this law in the quantum field. The breakthrough progress of lithography equipment is the core driving force for this change.
In China, the outstanding performance of Huawei's Mate60 series mobile phones demonstrates the achievements of China's independent chip innovation. Although the pricing strategy has been questioned by some people, the hot sales trend of the Mate 60 is a foregone conclusion. Huawei also needs to increase investment in chip research and development to consolidate its technological leadership.
As for those fake news and exaggerated reports, it is necessary for us to maintain a rational and objective attitude. In the information age, each of us should improve our ability to distinguish between truth and falsehood and stay away from the fog of rumors, only in this way can we see the true face of scientific and technological development.