DUV immersion lithography machine is cut off, who is more affected by Chinese enterprises or ASML?
To understand the importance of lithography technology to the semiconductor industry, it can be said that ASML's lithography production in the Netherlands is at the heart of the entire semiconductor value chain.
However, the Netherlands announced some time ago an export license for ASML, prohibiting the company from exporting NXT:2000 i or higher specification underwater ultraviolet equipment to China. Now, this export control will be expanded to include even low-cost deep ultraviolet underwater lamps that will no longer be available to domestic wafers**.
According to the annual report released by ASML some time ago, Chinese companies also have a limited number of low-performance DUV lithography machines.
The Netherlands has further relaxed export restrictions to China, and even deep ultraviolet underwater lamps can no longer be exported. Is it the Chinese company or ASML that will be most affected? Follow this article for a more in-depth investigation.
i.Impact on the development of Chinese enterprises.
Let's start with deep UV immersion lithography, which is widely used in a wide range of advanced processes from 14nm to 7nm and is an integral part of chip manufacturing.
With the increasing miniaturization of wafer fabrication technology, lithography technology has higher requirements for precision and stability. Embedded deep ultraviolet lithography technology has the characteristics of high technical threshold and large market demand, and is an indispensable production line for semiconductor manufacturers in China.
In China, deep ultraviolet immersion lithography is at the core of high-end chip production, and low-cost deep ultraviolet immersion lithography is indispensable for mature processes such as 28nm.
However, due to the strict control of deep ultraviolet (UV) lithography technology in the Netherlands**, Chinese companies are unable to purchase high-quality UV lithography equipment, which affects the production efficiency of the production line. This is a big shock for Chinese companies that are trying to make breakthroughs in advanced technology.
Major domestic IC manufacturers will be disrupted in terms of the use of low-end DUV lamps or mature processes. They will also face technical bottlenecks, production delays, and loss of market share.
At the same time, this may also cause China's semiconductor industry to lag behind in some basic technologies, widening the gap with the rest of the world.
Obviously, Chinese semiconductor companies will not sit idly by. In the face of export controls, Chinese companies must accelerate the pace of independent R&D and innovation. The successful implementation of this project will help the Chinese semiconductor industry make great strides in lithography and other necessary equipment, reducing dependence on foreign technology.
ii.ASML Impact Study.
For ASML, the loss of the Chinese market will affect the company's business activities. China is the world's largest consumer market for semiconductors, and there is a huge demand for some key equipment, including lithography machines. Losing this market will impact ASML's sales and profits.
However, it is important to recognize that ASML has its own customers and markets around the world, so its business roots remain strong. However, China is ASML's largest revenue**, and if this market is lost, ASML may be gone forever.
At the same time, ASML is actively working to diversify its business model to meet the challenges of export controls.
For example, the development of next-generation lithography technology, the expansion of foreign markets, and the strengthening of cooperation with the United States and other countries. These initiatives will help ASML maintain its competitiveness in the international semiconductor industry chain and reduce its dependence on the Chinese market.
It should be noted, however, that while ASML is actively addressing export control issues, there is still a degree of uncertainty in its commercial activities.
Export controls will not only restrict the sale of products in China, but will also cause other countries or regions to follow suit, further increasing the pressure on ASML's business. In addition, the progress of Chinese semiconductor companies in independent R&D and innovation will also have an impact on ASML's business.
iii Conclusion.
The Chinese semiconductor company is subject to a general Dutch regulation of low-cost ultraviolet devices. This situation will have a significant impact on the productivity and quality of the company's products, and may even lead to a backlog of technology, affecting its competitiveness in the market.
It also encourages Chinese companies to accelerate their own R&D and innovation, and promote inter-industry cooperation. This is not good for ASML, which believes that there will be more and more competitors in the future. In addition, ASML's loss of the Chinese market will also affect the company's activities, and if it loses this market, it will be difficult to regain it.
Therefore, further easing Dutch export restrictions to China has both advantages and disadvantages for both Chinese companies and ASML.