This article was reprinted with permission from Superpower.com.
This year Intel, TSMC, Samsung, Globalfoundries and other semiconductor company's process technology has evolved to 10nm, 7nm node, the domestic most advanced technology is still 28nm process, the gap is more than three generations.
Why can't domestic semiconductor process develop? Many people will say that China lacks advanced lithography machines, especially EUV lithography machines, and the reason why it cannot be introduced is that the U.S. European Union banned the sale of EUV to China. This is actually a rumor that has been circulating for many years. The EUV lithography machine will soon enter China. Japan-based media reported that SMIC has ordered an EUV lithography machine from ASML for a price of 120 million U.S. dollars (Editor's Note: about 765 million U.S. dollars) and is expected to deliver early next year..
After the semiconductor process enters the 10nm node, it becomes more and more difficult to manufacture. The traditional 193nm UV lithography machine is also difficult to sustain. The EUV EUV lithography machine has become the key to breakthrough process technology.
The lithography machine was once an important product of Canon and Nikon in Japan, but now the high-end lithography machine has been monopolized by ASML, and it is the only one on the EUV lithography machine. Nikkei News Asia reported today that SMIC ( SMIC) has ordered an EUV lithography machine to ASML, priced at US$120 million, and is expected to be delivered in early 2019.
Previously, Intel, Samsung, TSMC and GF have all placed EUV orders for ASML. Among them, TSMC has ordered about 10 units, Samsung has ordered about six units, Intel will introduce three EUV lithography machines this year, and GF has also placed orders. The news did not mention the specific amount.
Can Chinese companies buy advanced lithography machines? Many people may not believe this news because they have been rumored to have been rumors that Chinese companies have been banned from purchasing advanced lithography machines because of the Wassenaar agreement. For this issue, There are a lot of controversies and many answers, Nikkei News reported that the SUV procurement EUV lithography machine is not news.
Last year, the Taiwan Media Times interviewed Kim Young-hyun, general manager of China ASML China. The latter said that the ASML lithography machine had no embargo. The company treats all customers equally and there are no problems with money. He also revealed that Already there are Chinese customers negotiating to purchase EUV lithography machines. If the orders are confirmed, then the EUV lithography machine will enter the Chinese fab in the fastest time in 2019. ASML is optimistic about this.
When comparing the two sides, the Chinese company is SMIC. Although the company's 14nm process won't be available until early 2019, there are almost only domestic EUV lithography machines. In 2017, SMIC stated that they are already Pre-research 7nm process, and ordering an EUV lithography machine to do research is also very normal.
