What’s harder to find than microchips? The equipment that makes them

Re:What’s harder to find than microchips? The equipment that... by DeathArrow on Sunday November 07, 2021 @02:23AM (#29137270)

Since the US ban, the Chinese are hard at work at cracking the technology required for lithography. They got it until 32nm.

After they succeed and they fill their internal demands, I think we will see cheaper machines for sale.

I wouldn't wonder if in 5 years we can buy 5nm machines from Alibaba website.

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Re:What’s harder to find than microchips? The equipment that... by RF_Savage on Sunday November 07, 2021 @02:44AM (#29137341)

The hard things start below 28nm. Before that you can get away with more traditional optics and optical litho. I fully expect there to be domestic chinese fab equipment companies competing head on with Japanese and American suppliers in processes larger than 28nm. But 5nm has taken more than a decade of R&D and is likely not easily copied.

I'd rather dream about garage scale processes with "green" less poisonous chemicals for artisanal IC production.

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