China advances in chip lithography and challenges ASML's monopoly
The global technology sector is witnessing a significant shift as China appears to be approaching the challenge of the privileged status that ASML, the Dutch company, has maintained in the manufacturing of lithography machines for advanced chips. With its almost absolute monopoly in this field, ASML has been a pillar of the European industry for years, facilitating U.S. leadership in semiconductor technology. Now, the situation is taking a new turn as China's leading chip manufacturer, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), has begun testing its first deep ultraviolet lithography (DUV) machine, made in China.
A Significant Advancement for SMIC
The machine that SMIC is testing was developed by Yuliangsheng, a Shanghai-based startup. This DUV equipment is essential for printing circuits on silicon wafers, a task that previously relied almost entirely on technology provided by ASML. The possession of this domestic machine represents a crucial step towards China’s self-sufficiency in semiconductor production.
The Importance of Domestic Machinery
SMIC's ability to develop and operate its own deep ultraviolet lithography machine is key at a time when China's semiconductor industry has faced restrictions imposed by trade sanctions. Although the company already has ASML DUV machines acquired before these sanctions, having local technology will allow SMIC to continue advancing without reliance on external factors. For a time, the Chinese industry has faced a "bottleneck" in its large-scale production, and the move towards domestically manufactured DUV machines is seen as a possible solution to this issue.
Technical Capabilities of the New Equipment
The machine currently in testing features a 28 nm DUV lithography process that uses immersion technology, similar to that employed by ASML. Through the use of "multiple patterning" techniques, this equipment can produce 7 nm chips. According to projections from the Financial Times, experts suggest that, with proper development, it could also generate 5 nm chips, albeit with lower yields. This advancement could enable companies like Huawei to enhance their future flagship devices, equipping them with 5 nm chips produced by fully Chinese technology. Until now, Huawei has been constrained by a stagnation in 7 nm chip production.
Challenges in Mass Production
Despite the promising results from initial tests, the path to mass production is complex and could take years. Calibrating a new lithography machine requires a minimum period of one year to ensure it operates with the necessary stability and performance. Moreover, while most components used in the new machine are domestically sourced, some parts still rely on imports. It is worth noting that even ASML had to collaborate with other companies to achieve the development of its extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography technology.
The Long-Term Goal: Overcoming the 'Bottleneck'
Advancement in DUV technology is just an interim step on the road to China's semiconductor self-sufficiency. As previously mentioned, the "bottleneck" not only affects production capacity but also the lack of access to extreme ultraviolet lithography machines, which remain prohibited for Chinese access to this day. Nevertheless, companies like SiCarrier are allocating significant resources to researching and developing their own EUV machines under a project code-named "Mount Everest." Although these initiatives are at very early stages, they represent the only path for the Chinese industry that seeks to manufacture advanced chips at scales smaller than 5 nm.
Conclusions
China's advancement in lithography technology development for chips demonstrates the nation’s growing capacity to compete in the semiconductor realm, traditionally dominated by European and American players. While the challenges are considerable and achieving full autonomy in this sector will take time, current efforts underscore a clear desire to close the technological gap. The landscape of the global semiconductor market may be changing, and the future promises greater competition.
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