The Millennium Semiconductor Survival Guide

“I have said in a post a long time ago that immersion type is the future of photolithography machine development.

It is better to find a medium than a light source. Something as simple as adding a layer of medium to change the wavelength has actually troubled companies in the chip industry for so many years.

It can be seen that foreigners are not smart enough. "

The doctor who posted this post also posted a screenshot of his discussion about lithography machines three years ago, in which he talked about how changing the medium might have miraculous effects.

"In the end, Chinese companies came up with this solution. This is the unique wisdom of Chinese people."

"Dr. Lin from Xinxin seems to be Vietnamese."

"His ancestral home is Chaoshan, which means he is a Chinese."

"It shouldn't be that simple. What if it can be done by just adding a layer of media? Why can't foreign companies not think of it?

I don't believe that only the Chinese have thought of this method.

It should be that that layer of medium is very difficult to find, just like Edison conducted thousands of experiments to find suitable materials for filaments before he found the right material.

It probably took this long to find this medium.

Other companies have also looked for it, but they have not found it. Chinese companies have more luck or more experiments. "

It was much more difficult to collect data in 2006 than it was twenty years later, and it was less difficult to circumvent the firewall than twenty years later. However, there was no translation software, and all kinds of self-media were far less developed than later generations. Basically no one could use immersion lithography machines. Make it clear.

Netizens can only speculate on what the immersion lithography machine is about based on a few words in the news broadcast by Yangma.

Attributing the breakthrough of Xinxin simply to finding the medium, foreigners would not have thought of this trick.

"A company introduced a soap packaging production line. It turned out that the production line had a flaw. There were boxes that flowed through the assembly line without being loaded with soap. They invited a doctor to design a sorting solution. empty box.

The doctor set up a scientific research team, used microelectronics, automation, detection and other technologies, and spent 900,000 to finally successfully solve the problem. Whenever an empty soap box passes through the production line, detectors on both sides will detect it and drive a robot to push the empty box away.

Another company also bought this production line. After the boss discovered this problem, he hired workers to solve it. The workers spent 190 yuan to place a high-power electric fan next to the production line and blow it fiercely. As long as any empty boxes flowed through the assembly line, they would be blown away. "

This story is similar to what netizens think of the immersion lithography machine as just adding a layer of medium.

Of course, there are various follow-ups to this story. Some say that the doctor later upgraded the system and established a complete quality inspection system, which effectively improved product quality and market competitiveness.

To be honest, the following method is also a method, and it is a good method if it can solve the problem.

Another follow-up is more interesting. The first company told its story, then raised 9 million, and the boss cashed out 8.1 million and left. The second company made an announcement, claiming to have conquered a key technology and lowered the cost by 98% compared to its peers. After applying for a patent, the boss cashed out 18 million and left.

This technological breakthrough of Xinxin has opened up a hole in the chip field for China. In the upstream and downstream links of the chip, a key node is finally controlled by Chinese companies.

Although Xinxin is a leader in mobile chip design, whether it is the A series of chips or the Yanque and Honghu series of chips, they have better performance and lower energy consumption than chips of the same process designed by other companies.

But this is not critical, because not using chips from the new core system is not fatal. Texas Instruments, Qualcomm, and Samsung are all eyeing this market, and they wish they would not sell new cores.

Only lithography machines, which represent the most advanced processes, can be called critical nodes.

After Xinxin announced its technological breakthrough, domestic public opinion was lively, and the scene at the Tokyo Semiconductor Equipment Show was lively. Xinxin's location was crowded, and almost every semiconductor company sent people to Xinxin's booth to pick up introduction materials.

Nikon and ASML were both jealous and wanted to inquire about the situation and came to chat.

"Lin Jun, when you came to Nikon to buy technology, I had a hunch that Xinxin would become an important rival of Nikon in the field of lithography machines.

As a result, Xinxin's development is faster than I expected. In just five years, Xinxin has successfully achieved overtake. I really read you right. "Mirou Kariya smiled on the outside, but in fact he felt regretful inside.

I regret that I had to sell the photolithography machine technology to Xinxin. If I had not made this choice back then, Nikon would not be so passive now.

Mirō Kariya, translated as "Michiro Kariya" by Chinese media, joined Nikon after graduating from Yokohama National University and worked in Nikon's cameras, lenses, precision instruments and other departments. On September 6, 2005, Nikon's new CEO was appointed at the board meeting.

For Yoshiro Kariya, he first came to Shenhai as early as 1998. At that time, he had just taken over Nikon's camera department and held a higher-middle-level position. Shenhai was not very developed at that time, and the scene in China at that time was He was deeply impressed.

It was during his visit to China at that time that Kariya Miiro had the impression that Chinese companies were not very good, so when Xinxin later purchased Nikon's backward technology, he, as a member of the senior management team, voted in favor.

Lin Benjian did not show a proud look. In his opinion, Nikon is a respectable opponent. They will most likely struggle with Nikon for a long time. This is only a temporary victory, and he will not show his secret happiness: "President Kariya, Xinxin has always maintained a good cooperative relationship with Nikon.

I am very grateful to Nikon for what happened back then, and said hello to Chairman Yoshida for me. "

The previous ones are just polite words. Xinxin gives money and Nikon gives technology. It is a business where you pay the money and deliver the goods. There is no gratitude. If you switch to Canon or ASML, you will still sell to them. It is nothing more than the quality of the technology.

The last sentence is sincere. Hayashi respects Nikon's former chairman and current consultant Shoichiro Yoshida.

The defeat of Neon led to the bankruptcy of Shoichiro Yoshida's family business. He joined Nikon in 1956 after graduation and single-handedly led the development and rise of Nikon lithography machines. He played a vital role in integrating optical instruments and precision instruments at Nikon, helping Nikon has achieved a monopoly in the field of photolithography machines.

Without him, there would be no subsequent Nikon lithography machines. He created a new business field for Nikon. Nikon's lithography machines can be sold to Americen, IBM and Texas Instruments, and they are inseparable from him.

Compared with Mirou Kariya who only voted in favor, Shoichiro Yoshida's consent was the key to Xinxin's ability to obtain Nikon's lithography machine technology.

After his retirement, Yoshida Shoichiro gave an academic report at the Microelectronics Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The academic report was of a very high standard and was personally hosted by the deputy minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology at the time, in order to see if he could get anything out of Nikon. .

Kariya Mirō smiled and said, "Okay."

He paused for a moment and then said: "Lin Jun, Xinxin came to us to buy technology before.

This time Nikon wants to purchase new core technology, do you think it’s okay?

Because the lithography machine technologies of Xinxin and Nikon are very similar, we can directly use your results on immersion lithography machines. We hope to purchase your results on immersion lithography machines. "

Nikon is not panicking because they believe that once they break through the 157nm dry lithography machine, the market taken away by new cores can also be snatched back by them.

With the help of immersion type, 157nm lithography machine can have greater advantages.

But this involves a key point, and that is time. Nikon cannot give the new core more time. If the yield rate of the new core is too high, even if Nikon can win back the market, it will have to pay a very high price.

So even though Kariya Yiro knew that it was unrealistic to buy the most advanced lithography machine technology from Xinxin, he still wanted to try it.

For Nikon, it is very important not to lose too much market to new chips and gain too much time advantage.

Lin Benjian said: "What we are buying is Nikon's one-generation backward technology, and Nikon will not sell us the most advanced technology.

Although I haven't asked Newman what he means, I guess he won't agree either. "

Because Zhou Xin is so famous, Newman has almost become synonymous with him outside. There are many people with this name. Without a prefix, Newman is assumed to be Zhou Xin.

Therefore, it is customary to use the word Newman in communication among foreigners.

Kariya Yiro took a step back: "We only need to buy the objective lens system of the immersion lithography machine, and we don't need anything else."

Lin Benjian said helplessly: “Does President Kariya think that I don’t know what our redesigned objective lens system means to Nikon?

For Nikon, with this set of objective lens optical paths, you can save at least a year, combine the 157nm wavelength light source with the infiltration method, and regain the advantages of the manufacturing process.

Sorry, we have a good cooperative relationship with Nikon, but we are also in direct competition in the field of photolithography machines.

Although we have achieved technological breakthroughs, Nikon still occupies an advantage in the market, and we have not yet transformed our technological advantages into market advantages.

At this point in time, it is impossible for us to transfer this technology. "

Lin Benjian did not say anything. When this technology falls behind, transfer will not be impossible.

Mirou Kariya sighed: "Sure enough, it seems that my attempt has failed. Mr. Lin, the competition between Nikon and Xinxin has now officially begun."

His subtext is that Xinxin was not a competitor at all in the field of lithography machines before.

Almost immediately, Nikon, Canon and ASML took turns coming to Xinxin's booth to chat with Lin Benjian, hoping to acquire Xinxin's technology. They all came with slim hopes and left with disappointment.

But they are not too desperate, because Nikon knows that it is not far away from the 157nm dry lithography machine. The laboratory samples have been developed, and it is just a process of debugging and calibration.

ASML relies on Americen Capital as its backing. It has always been a pursuer. It was chasing Nikon before and now it is chasing Xinxin, so it is not too frustrated.

Those who really regret or even feel panic are TSMC and Samsung. TSMC is even more panicked than Samsung.

Because they are all in the chip foundry business, Xinxin has achieved a breakthrough in the manufacturing process. You must know that Xinxin also has chip foundry business. Xinxin’s 40nm lithography machine will definitely be supplied to its own factory first, and then to other manufacturers.

Xinxin's process leadership in the foundry field will last at least half a year to a year. Coupled with its advantages in yield and running-in, Xinxin's advantages will at least be reflected in this entire generation of process technology.

Today's chip designers are not as powerful as Apple. The chip demander has to pay for the waste in chip foundry. For example, if a total of 100 chips are produced, the yield rate is 99%, which means that 99 good chips are produced. For chips, the chip demander must settle the bill with the chip foundry based on 100 pieces.

Because Xinxin starts manufacturing the 40nm process faster, its yield rate will be higher than that of TSMC for a period of time. This means that the chip demand side's single-chip cost for Xinxin will be lower than that of TSMC.

This is a fatal blow to TSMC. Nikon and ASML have back-ups and ways to overtake in the face of this blow, but TSMC does not. They are just technology integrators.

What TSMC regrets even more is that they invited Lin Benjian at the same time as Xinxin. As a result, Lin joined Xinxin. After receiving the news, Zhang Zhongmou thought that if Lin Benjian had joined TSMC at that time, TSMC would be the first to achieve technological breakthroughs. .

Samsung is also uncomfortable, but because Samsung is an IDM model, that is, it is involved in everything from chip design to chip foundry, and even front-end consumer electronics, so the impact on Samsung is limited.

“We internally expect to start receiving 40nm orders in the first quarter of next year.

Of course, 40nm lithography machines must be given priority to Xinxin’s own chip foundry, but considering the good relationship between us and Intel, we will also supply to Intel if Intel needs it.

We can provide samples to Intel first, and you will do production verification first. If you think there is no problem, we will sign a contract. "Lin Benjian was chatting with Barrett, Intel's chairman of the board of directors.

There are many big names coming to the Tokyo Semiconductor Equipment Show this time.

"Newman? Okay, no problem, I will say hello to him for you. He is also looking forward to seeing you, but he has other things to do recently, so he has no time to attend the Tokyo Semiconductor Show."

"You want to go to Zhangjiang to visit him in person? Okay, I'll ask you what he means later, and then I'll get back to you.

I'm guessing Newman would be willing to meet with you. "

"Xinxin and Intel have always maintained a good cooperative relationship."

"Yes, we are Intel's most important partner in China and even the Asia-Pacific region. I understand the importance of new cores to Intel."

Lenovo would be sad if it knew that Intel's chairman of the board said that Xinxin is their most important partner in the Asia-Pacific region. They have only used Intel CPUs for more than ten years to grab this title. What kind of spirit is this.

TSMC will also be jealous. You are our shareholder and I help you manufacture so many chips every year. I am not as important as the new core?

"Intel wants to cooperate more closely with Xinxin? Does it want to conduct an equity swap with Xinxin?

I'm afraid you have to talk to Newman in person about this, it's not something I can decide. "

Procrastination occurs. . .

I sat in front of the computer at eight in the morning and finished writing two thousand words at twelve in the evening. I didn’t even know where the time went in between.