As we all know, in the process of chip manufacturing, the most important equipment is a lithography machine, which accounts for 20-30% of the cost of chip manufacturing equipment and 30% of all manufacturing labor hours.

As we all know, in the chip manufacturing process, the most important equipment is a lithography machine, which accounts for 20-30% of the cost of chip manufacturing equipment and 30% of all manufacturing labor hours.

The most important thing is that lithography machines are currently monopolized by a company, especially high-end EUV lithography machines. This company is ASML, a company in the Netherlands.

First take a picture, let’s briefly introduce how powerful ASML is on lithography machines. I guess you will understand it by looking at the picture. This picture is the current major photolithography machine technology picture in the world.

Currently, ASML covers all the lithography machines and can be produced. Only ASML can produce the ultra-high-end lithography machines used in 7nm and 5nm, while only ASML and Nikon can produce the high-end lithography machines, as for Canon and Shanghai Microelectronics are still at the 90nm node, which is obviously a lot different.

. In order to buy ASML lithography machines, TSMC, Samsung , intel, etc. all invest in ASML and are shareholders of ASML. Therefore, ASML lithography machines will be given priority to companies such as TSMC, Samsung, and Intel. As for other companies, if you want to buy ASML lithography machines, you have to wait for ASML to have extra.

Of course, more importantly, ASML's lithography machine is not something that can be bought just by wanting to buy. The United States also intervenes in it. Through the Vanahson Agreement, ASML's shipment is not something that ASML wants to sell to whoever it wants to sell, and it is not something that can be bought with money.

For example, it is unlikely that customers in mainland China want to buy EUV lithography machines at present. ASML cannot be sold even if you want to, and the United States does not allow it.

Recently, ASML's China President Shen Bo said in an interview that the company is open to exporting integrated circuit lithography machines to China. Currently, only EUV lithography machines cannot be provided to Chinese customers (mainland), and other products (DUVs) can be shipped normally. What is the difference between

EUV lithography machine and DUV lithography machine? In fact, it is divided according to different exposure sources, such as EUV type (extremely deep ultraviolet rays), DUV type (deep ultraviolet rays).

If we look at the chip process, DUV can basically only reach 25nm. Through multiple exposures, it can achieve up to 7nm, but the yield cannot be guaranteed, and EUV can meet the wafer manufacturing needs below 10nm.

is visible. If we want to make chips of 10nm or below, we really have to work hard to develop our own lithography machine. Don’t count on ASML. The so-called openness actually refers more to mature processes, not advanced processes.