I don't know if you have ever thought about a question when you usually brush your mobile phone and use the computer: who is beating in the heart of these electronic products we use?
The answer is – chips!
And the key artifact in manufacturing chips is the lithography machine!
In the past, when it came to lithography machines, we all had to look up at ASML in the Netherlands, which was a proper industry hegemon, with a global market share of more than 85%, and other countries could only wait in line to buy.
Why?
Because the technical difficulty of the lithography machine is comparable to that of the sky, especially the high-end EUV lithography machine, ASML can only make it in the world, and other countries can't buy it if they want to, so they can only stare dryly!
This has led to our chip manufacturing being stuck by others and being controlled by others everywhere.
The good news is that we Chinese have never believed in evil!
After 6 years of hard work, the domestic lithography machine finally made a major breakthrough and successfully developed the argon fluoride lithography machine!
Don't look at this name is a bit awkward, it is a real domestic cutting-edge technology!
This lithography machine, with a wavelength of 193nm, a resolution of 65nm, and an overlay accuracy of less than or equal to 8nm, although it is not as good as ASML's most advanced EUV lithography machine, it can be regarded as the "handle" of the dry lithography machine!
As soon as the news came out, the whole world was fried!
ASML in Netherlands, it is estimated that there is an emergency meeting at this time!
After all, China is a big consumer of chips, and in the past, they were the dominant ASML family and made a lot of money.
Now, we can build lithography machines ourselves, and the technology is getting more and more advanced, can they still count money with peace of mind?
It is estimated that at this time, their sales representatives are already on their way to China, ready to talk to us about cooperation and price reduction!
On the Japan side, it is estimated that they are also scratching their ears and cheeks here!
You know, Japan has a lot of say in lithography machine parts and semiconductor materials.
Now that we have made a breakthrough in China's lithography machine technology, it is hard to say whether they can continue to lie down and make money!
On the Korea side, it is estimated that this time is working overtime to engage in research and development!
Korea's chip industry, which is their pillar industry, Samsung, SK hynix these chip giants, used to be ASML's "VIP customers".
Now, with the rise of our Chinese lithography machine, if they don't work hard, they will only be able to eat ashes in the future!
The most interesting thing is the reaction of United States.
United States has always been very strict with our technology blockade, especially in the field of chips, for fear that we will surpass them.
Now, let's make a high-end lithography machine ourselves, and they estimate that their intestines are repentant!
If you know today, why bother in the first place?
Of course, we can't rejoice too soon.
Although the domestic lithography machine has made a major breakthrough, there is still a certain gap compared with ASML's EUV lithography machine.
However, we have confidence, determination, perseverance, step by step, one day, we will break through EUV lithography machine technology and realize the complete autonomy and controllability of chip manufacturing!
At that point, there will be no one to get stuck in our necks anymore!