China Enterprise Lithography Machine Arrives!Foreign media commented on ASML's choice.
Some time ago, Huawei published a patent related to lithography technology, which quickly attracted widespread attention. However, there are a large number of patents involved in lithography technology, and the influence of one patent is limited, but it reflects everyone's expectations for domestic lithography technology.
Lithography machine is the most important equipment in the chip manufacturing process, and it is also one of the biggest shortcomings of China's equipment. Now, with the first lithography machine coming in from another Chinese company, ASML has made the choice!
Although the current level of domestic lithography machine is still relatively low, at least we have Shanghai Microelectronics Lithography Machine Company. China is one of only three countries and four companies in the world that can produce front-end lithography machines for chip manufacturing.
Japan's Nikon and Canon used to be the overlords of lithography machines, and were later surpassed by the Dutch ASML, and now they can only produce low-end lithography machines, while ASML occupies the high-end lithography machine market, especially the monopoly of high-end EUV lithography machines.
The front-end lithography machine of Shanghai Microelectronics in China can only achieve 90 nanometers, and it is currently attacking higher processes.
However, at this critical moment, Shanghai Microelectronics was included in the United States"Entity List", I am afraid that the development process will be affected. However, it is precisely because of Shanghai Microelectronics that we will not be completely controlled by others.
At least we can guarantee some of the key parts of the production of chips, because these parts are not very demanding on the process. However, for commercial use, the process requirements are relatively low, and DUV lithography technology with a mature 28nm process is generally required.
Since EUV lithography machines are restricted in the United States, our company has been purchasing DUV lithography machines and other lithography machines from ASML.
Some time ago, Shanghai Dingtai ingenuity clean room was delivered, and the first ASML lithography machine was also moved here for the development and manufacture of automotive semiconductor products and communication terminal chips. Some time ago, the first lithography machine from another Chinese company was also moved here.
In the last few days of 2022, Chongqing Ruishi Chuangxin broke the news that the first ASML lithography machine of the first phase of the project of its filter production base has been transferred to the factory, which will be used to produce high-performance MEMS filter chips for 4G 5G RF front-end products.
The company has not yet revealed the model of the ASML lithography machine that will move into the factory, but the adoption of the DUV lithography machine is not a surprise.
Today, both Chinese companies and ASML are facing a very complex situation. In particular, ASML, which occupies about 80% of the world's lithography machine market share, has expanded the scope of restrictions due to the entry of the United States.
Previously, ASML had restricted the shipment of EUV lithography machines to Chinese companies in accordance with the requirements of the United States. At present, it mainly relies on DUV lithography machines to achieve the mainland market. Since the United States restricts the development of advanced technology, the mainland focuses on the development of mature technology.
Especially in recent years, the mainland is building or planning to build dozens of factories, among which the most demanded is DUV.
ASML is aware of this trend, so it has increased the allocation of mainland China, increased personnel recruitment, and continuously expanded related institutions. Last year, it was also held for the first time"ASML China Day"activities, and participated in the Shanghai World Expo for four consecutive times.
These facts are enough to show that ASML attaches great importance to the mainland market, after all, the mainland has become its third largest export market. In order to further expand its market share, ASML is expanding its production capacity and plans to ship 600 DUVs by 2025.
Such a large shipment of DUV lithography machines is obviously due to the demand for DUVs due to the expansion of mature processes in the mainland.
However, the U.S. is once again eyeing ASML's DUV lithography machines and wants it to extend the restrictions on DUV shipments to Chinese companies. In this regard, ASML categorically refused, believing that it would cause interference to the global ** chain, and claimed to be a European company.
At the same time, the Dutch minister said that the United States should not dictate to its companies, and the Netherlands will not completely copy the US restrictions. But then there were reports from the United States that the Netherlands seemed to have reached another agreement with the United States to cooperate with the United States in implementing restrictive measures.
ASML is still reluctant, and the president even directly questioned the restrictive policy of the United States, basically indicating his attitude.
ASML's attitude is also reflected in its actions, it is constantly shipping to Chinese enterprises, not only Dingtai Jiangxin, Ruishi Chuangxin, etc. obtained ASML's lithography machine, some time ago ASML also won the bid for Hua Hong Semiconductor's 12-inch 1 lithography production line.
Shanghai Jiata Semiconductor also launched a tender for ARFI immersion scanning lithography machine, and ASML won the bid. In this regard, some foreign ** said that ASML insisted on giving DUV to Chinese companies, which seems to be the same as that of the Americans"Tough line"Coincidentally!
At present, we still need to buy ASML's lithography machine, but we hope to be able to use a domestic lithography machine as soon as possible!