The Dutch chip ban is strict, and the purchased lithography machines are also restricted, and netizens are calling for returns
As we all know, following the United States and Japan, the Netherlands has also officially introduced a ban on semiconductor equipment, which will officially take effect on September 1, 2023.
Judging from the detailed rules issued this time, the main target is still advanced processing equipment, such as EUV equipment, technologies that are strictly prohibited from export, such as immersion lithography machines, etc., but more requirements are put forward.
On the one hand, the wavelength is locked, and it cannot be output below 193nm. On the other hand, the DCO value is locked if the wavelength is 193nm and the DCO value is less than or equal to 150nm, the lithography cannot be output.
It can be seen that since the wavelength is 135nm, EUV lithography technology cannot be exported. As for immersion lithography, although the NXT1980 series uses a wavelength of 193nm, its DCO value is greater than 15nm, so it can be exported.
On the other hand, non-impregnated dry DUV lithography machines all have a DCO greater than 15nm, so it can be exported.
Judging from this ban, the news is not too bad, after all, the wavelength used by the NXT1980 series is 193nm, the accuracy is 38nm, and the actual maximum chip output is 7nm, in other words, it still leaves room for maneuver.
However, there is also a very strange provision in the Dutch ban that, in the words of the Dutch **, solves the current policy"The most important vulnerabilities"。
What is"Vulnerabilities"？It is a restriction on the high-end lithography machines that have already been sold. In the past, there were no restrictions on the sale of these lithography machines.
Let's not forget that before the Netherlands adopted this policy, there were already manufacturers abroad who bought and used relatively new lithographic presses, more advanced than the NXT1980 series, and they were forced to export.
However, the export ban includes corresponding restrictions on advanced lithography machines sold and in operation.
If there is no problem, there will be no remote blockade, but if there is a problem and repairs need to be made, spare parts replaced, etc., the Dutch company must also obtain a license issued by ** in order to carry out repairs on behalf of the customer and then it can be released.
The lithography machine is a kind of equipment with a lot of wearing parts, and it needs to be frequently maintained, replaced, and maintained, and in the case of ASML alone, this means that as long as the problem is solved, repairing and replacing spare parts is very problematic, and breaking it is equivalent to becoming a waste product.
Therefore, some netizens said that since the Netherlands has introduced such a policy, then these unusable devices, in order for the goods to be returned, ASML must **, but obviously, ASML is not able to **, which is also one of the irresistible factors in theory.
It can be seen from these bans that now the United States, the Netherlands, and Japan are all-round domestic chip industry, and we can only rely on ourselves to make progress in the entire industrial chain, especially lithography technology.