Currently, TSMC andSamsungIt is the only one in the world that has completed the 3nm processFabs。However, although both companies have implemented the 3nm process, in terms of actual performance, there is a world of difference between the two. TSMC has incorporated the 3nm process into its products, and the proportion of revenue generated by this process is growing. On the contrary,SamsungDue to technical problems, the 3nm process has not been selected and applied by any customers, and even its own Exynos chips have not chosen to use the 3nm process. It is generally believed in the industry thatSamsungThe yield of the 3nm process is extremely low, resulting in no one daring to use it and willing to use it. It can be said thatSamsungAlthough it claims to have the mass production capacity of the 3nm process, in fact, there are big problems with the technology, and it cannot be really applied to the product at all. This is impressive, but also can't help but recall the beginning, 2015,SamsungLaunched14nmFinFET transistor technology, which was technologically ahead of TSMC's 16nm process, was so ordered by Apple A9 processors at the timeSamsungand TSMC equally, respectivelySamsungof14nmprocess and TSMC's 16nm process. This also fully demonstrates the timeSamsungtechnical advantages. Actually,SamsungAble to push14nmThe development of FinFET technology is made possible by a technicianLiang Mengsongcontribution. Liang MengsongHe used to be one of TSMC's core technical staff, but out of dissatisfaction with TSMC, he chose to leave and joinSamsung。In14nmPreviously, MOSFET transistor technology was commonly used in the industry, while companies such as TSMC have implemented the 20nm processSamsungIt is still stuck at 28nm. Liang MengsongIn the case of opposition from the crowd, it is firmly advocated to letSamsungAbandon the 20nm process and upgrade directly from the 28nm process14nmprocess, and adopt the latest FinFET transistor technology. SamsungRightLiang MengsongI held trust and decided to make up my mind to take a gamble and conquer it directly from the 28nm process14nm, abandoning the 20nm process and realizing the transition from MOSFET transistor technology to FinFET transistor technology. At the end of 2014,SamsungRealized14nmThe production of the FinFET process and the full-scale mass production in 2015 led the world in one fell swoop, which shocked TSMC, UMC and other companies. TSMC had to hastily upgrade its process to come up with 16nm FinFET transistor technology, and it has to admit that it is lagging behindSamsung。Since then,SamsungContinuing to work hard, we have successively launched 10nm,7nmprocess, it seems to be intended to surpass TSMC. However in 2017,Liang MengsongAddedSMIC。Subsequently,SMICIt was achieved quickly14nmThe breakthrough of FinFET technology has been verified7nmFeasibility of the process. However, due to factors such as device limitations,SMICThe progress of the process has been affected to some extent, but it goes without saying. We can have reason to believe that ifSMICThere are no restrictions and EUVs can be purchased freelyLithography machine, I'm afraid that now its strength is no longer lagging behindSamsungand TSMC, and may even achieve a lead in the 3nm process. The above is a preliminary description of the current scenario.
TSMC as the world's leadingFabsOne of them has successfully put the 3nm process into its products and achieved a good revenue contribution. According to the data, in the third quarter of 2023, the 3nm process contributed 6% of TSMC's revenue, and increased the contribution to 15% in the fourth quarter, becoming one of the company's main revenues**. This impressive performance not only proves TSMC's strength in advanced processes, but also sets a clear and reliable benchmark for the industry. The successful implementation of TSMC's 3nm process is not only due to its long-term continuous investment in technology research and development and equipment investment, but also due to its keen insight into market demand and timely adjustment of its own development strategy. TSMC's close cooperation with customers and deep attention to industry technology developments enable it to seize market opportunities in a timely manner and provide solutions that meet customer needs. TSMC's success story tells us that continuous technological innovation and market acumen are the keys to a company's competitive advantage.
In contrast,SamsungThe reviews received on the 3nm process are not encouraging. In addition to not being chosen by any customer, even its own Exynos chips did not use the 3nm process, but chose the relatively backward 4nm process. This situation has aroused widespread concern and questions in the industry, what exactly is itSamsungIs the 3nm process so unpopular? Industry insiders generally believe thatSamsungThe 3nm process has serious problems with yield, which prevents it from being applied in real products. Low yield means that there are many defects in the manufacturing process, which has a great impact on the stability of product quality and performance. This will not only increase production costs, but may also trigger product failures andCustomer Complaintsand other serious consequences. InMarket competitionIn today's increasingly fierce market, customers are more demanding high-quality and high-performance products, and for the 3nm process, the yield requirements are more stringent, and any slight gap may resultMarket competitionWeakening of forces. ForSamsungAlthough certain achievements have been made in process research and development, the lack of yield control is still an insurmountable threshold.
Liang MengsongHe is a technician with important influence in the field of semiconductors. He was once a core technical staff member of TSMC, leading the company's breakthrough in the 16nm process and laying a solid foundation for TSMC in process technology. However, due to various reasons, he chose to part ways with TSMC and joinedSamsung。ExactlyLiang Mengsongtechnical insight and decision-making skillsSamsungto be in14nmBreakthrough progress in the FinFET process and success ahead of global competitors. Liang MengsongDare to take the risk of abandoning the 20nm process that was commonly used in the industry at that time, and decided to willSamsungBring it directly in14nmThe era of craftsmanship and the introduction of newer FinFET transistor technology. This decision was very forward-thinking and innovative, and successfully willSamsungIt has been pushed to a whole new stage of competition. Liang Mengsongof the accession asSamsungIt has brought huge technological dividends and pushed it to the forefront of the global semiconductor industry. However, what many people may not have expected isLiang MengsongInSamsungThe contributions don't stop. After that,Liang MengsongAddedSMICand helped the company achieve it quickly14nmFinFET technology and7nmA breakthrough in craftsmanship. SMICDue to the limitations of equipment limitations and other factors, it is not possible to cooperate with TSMCSamsungDirect competition, but its technical strength and potential are still impressive. Some think that ifSMICWithout these restrictions, EUVs can be purchased freelyLithography machineand other advanced equipment, then its strength may no longer lag behind TSMC andSamsung, even in the 3nm process, it can achieve a leading position. This also shows the key point that the importance of key technical personnel to the development and competitiveness of a business cannot be underestimated.
TSMC andSamsungAs the second company in the world to successfully implement the 3nm processFabs, but its performance is far from the same. TSMC has applied the 3nm process to its products and has made significant revenue contributions, becoming one of the company's main revenues**. On the contrary,SamsungThe 3nm process encountered a series of problems, and the yield was low, resulting in no customers choosing it, and even its own Exynos chips were not used. It is generally believed in the industry thatLiang Mengsongof resignation pairsSamsungThe impact has been on the loss of an important promoter and decision-maker in process development. SMICInLiang MengsongWith the addition of the made14nmwith7nmThe breakthrough of the process shows great potential. However, due to factors such as device limitations,SMICThe strength is still somewhat limited and cannot be compared with TSMCSamsungDirect competition. All of this shows that in the semiconductor industry, key technical personnel are essential for the growth and competitiveness of enterprises. Only with continuous technological innovation and market acumen, as well as the emphasis and investment in key talents, can companies maintain a competitive edge and succeed in the industry.