Chinese semiconductor industry

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tokenanalyst

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Shengmei Shanghai's original electroplating technology has achieved a qualitative leap in front-end dual damascene and advanced packaging, 3D TSV and third-generation semiconductor applications, and launched Ultra ECP map (front-end copper interconnect electroplating equipment) , Ultra ECP ap, Ultra ECP 3d, Ultra ECP GIII and other devices. Whether it is multi-ring anode technology, second anode technology, or high-speed electroplating technology, they all show excellent performance in the customer's production line.

"Let's focus on high-speed electroplating technology. Shengmei Shanghai developed the technology in 2019, introduced it to the market in 2020, and applied it to SnAg in 2021. It also uses a paddle designed by itself to optimize the process according to needs." Jia Zhaowei According to the introduction, on the one hand, the use of high-speed plating technology can improve the coating performance of copper (Cu) and tin-silver (SnAg); throughput and reduced process time.

It is reported that high-speed copper electroplating technology has been applied to the Ultra ECP ap electroplating equipment of Shengmei Shanghai, which can perform many key wafer-level packaging electroplating processes, including copper bumping and high-density fan-out (HDFO) processes. Specially designed for fast and uniform plating. The device performs well in copper, nickel, tin, silver and gold electroplating processes.

At present, Shengmei Shanghai Ultra ECP ap has achieved a lot of industrialization and has been used by many customers in its advanced wafer-level packaging process. In February this year, Shengmei Shanghai received multiple purchase orders for 8 sets of Ultra ECP ap advanced packaging electroplating equipment; in May, Shengmei Shanghai signed a contract with a Chinese advanced wafer-level packaging customer for 10 sets of Ultra ECP ap high-speed electroplating equipment Bulk purchase contracts.

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jim1980

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well, semiconductor foundry doesn't actually require all that many EEs. Mostly chemists/physicists, chemical engineers, materials scientists for degree holders, and a surprising amount of technical laborers. So, basically, people who have no choice to go into software.
You made fair point. However, in most American university, except maybe Chemistry Engineering, vastly students majored what you listed are F-1 students. It is still labor issue, In my view.

Most Americans (even children of first gen) want to major in Medicine related field like doctor, pharmacy or dental, Business and Law first. Then after that in Tech, most students want to major in Software/data science/Actuary. Chemical Engineering got some people because it has high entry salary. Very few Americans want to major in theoretical field like Chemistry or Physic. If they do major in Chemistry in college, they want to go medical school, pharmacy school or dental school.
 

FairAndUnbiased

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What kind of engineers does it take to make the equipment? I would guess it's everyone, mechanical, chemicals electrical, etc.
For CVD/ALD deposition and etch, the key tech is the vacuum chamber coating, gas dispenser and heater platen, with etch also requiring plasma control. The heater controls are mostly done by EEs, maybe MechE. The chamber coatings, dispenser design, heater design and plasma control is all chemistry, physics and materials science.
 

tonyget

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Don't know the detail of it. But if it's true,it's worrisome. I have been worry about it ever since the new UVL rule come out,in my opinion it's more dangerous than just straight put Chinese companies on blacklist,because it's a trap.

From individual company's prospective,it is in their interest to cooperate with US officials so they can be cleared fromn UVL. But for Chinese semiconductor industry's long term interest,it is harmful. Beacuse it will give the US effect control over Chinese semiconductor companies,the US will have a deep and updated information regarding these companies's capability and technical progress,and US can always adjust the export control criteria to better control and slow down these Chinese companies because they now have the inside information. The US can influence these companies's future progress and business decisions,because they want to cooperate with US officials.

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tphuang

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Chinese chip designers may be gimping their chips to allow them to still be produced by US controlled fabs

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I mean it's quite obvious that nerfing it is the way to go. Once you set a particular requirement, then you can design chips right under that and be compliant. I'm pretty sure that's what Nvidia with do with their H100 also.

It's interesting that they let out a "secret" that Alibaba T-head is working on an AI chip that will be produced by TSMC. No mention of Yitian-710 in there. I can only presume that after some clarification, Samsung will have no problem continuing to produce it. The restrictions are probably limited to AI chips.

I think there is quite a bit of fuzziness right now still. TSMC/Samsung are both trying to not get into trouble.

Of course, they keep interviewing Paul Triolo who will repeat the tired old line that China is doomed. What a waste of time. The guy doesn't even try to look into where SMIC is at.

Don't know the detail of it. But if it's true,it's worrisome. I have been worry about it ever since the new UVL rule come out,in my opinion it's more dangerous than just straight put Chinese companies on blacklist,because it's a trap.

From individual company's prospective,it is in their interest to cooperate with US officials so they can be cleared fromn UVL. But for Chinese semiconductor industry's long term interest,it is harmful. Beacuse it will give the US effect control over Chinese semiconductor companies,the US will have a deep and updated information regarding these companies's capability and technical progress,and US can always adjust the export control criteria to better control and slow down these Chinese companies because they now have the inside information. The US can influence these companies's future progress and business decisions,because they want to cooperate with US officials.

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Well, the only important parties from what I can remember are YMTC and that subsidiary of Naura. It probably doesn't matter much for Naura to have its subsidiary cooperate with the US gov't. As for YMTC, the decision will be up to the company. I'm sure if the terms are too harmful to China's semiconductor industry, Chinese gov't will step in.

Based on how reckless US gov't has been in this case, I doubt they are methodical enough to come up with control criteria that can control YMTC without it just stopping cooperation.

SMIC has stopped unveiling their technical progress since earlier this year,and I don't expect this new quarterly report to be different
well, they will probably get asked if this affects them. And we will also find out if there is any change to their expansion plans. Both are helpful info for us.
 

tonyget

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Well, the only important parties from what I can remember are YMTC and that subsidiary of Naura. It probably doesn't matter much for Naura to have its subsidiary cooperate with the US gov't. As for YMTC, the decision will be up to the company. I'm sure if the terms are too harmful to China's semiconductor industry, Chinese gov't will step in.

Based on how reckless US gov't has been in this case, I doubt they are methodical enough to come up with control criteria that can control YMTC without it just stopping cooperation.

It's classic carrot-and-stick tactic. Let's assume the US tells these Chinese companies,that you either stop working towards more advanced stuff than you already have,or I will cut you off completely.

What do you think the likelihood these companies will respond?They have got two choices,either get cut off from US supply and wait for domestic supply to mature,that's the long term choice;or they can choose to comply the US rule and stay afloat,with the hope that the US may relax the control in the future

Unfortunately many business leaders will choose the short term benefit over long term. People always say that Western companies are shortsighted,I don't think Chinese companies are any different,unless the Chinese government step in.

The reason I bring this up,is because recently a blacklisted Chinese company(Wuxi Biologics)got delisted,after "cooperating" with US officials. Don't know under what kind of circumstances did this happen,what concessions did Wuxi Biologics give to the US. I just have feeling that this is a very bad precedent. I don't think there is any law in China prohibit companies to cooperate with foreign government as of now.
 

manqiangrexue

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It's classic carrot-and-stick tactic. Let's assume the US tells these Chinese companies,that you either stop working towards more advanced stuff than you already have,or I will cut you off completely.

What do you think the likelihood these companies will respond?They have got two choices,either get cut off from US supply and wait for domestic supply to mature,that's the long term choice;or they can choose to comply the US rule and stay afloat

Unfortunately many business leaders will choose the short term benefit over long term. People always say that Western companies are shortsighted,I don't think Chinese companies are any different,unless the Chinese government step in.
This is exactly what I'm talking about. When they "cooperate," do they really, or do they put on some show. If I had a tech company and wanted to invest in some things, it would be very easy for me to hide them from you if you came to inspect. So if you came and did an inspection and failed to find anything, then I can afterwards continue to do my hidden research while benefitting from your partnership, which I could not with a blanket ban.
The reason I bring this up,is because recently a blacklisted Chinese company(Wuxi Biologics)got delisted,after "cooperating" with US officials. Don't know under what kind of circumstances did this happen,what concessions did Wuxi Biologics give to the US. I just have feeling that this is a very bad precedent.
Wuxi's useless; they use all American Illumina tech for their genetic testing. I don't have any idea what the US wanted to stop them from doing, probably some licensing and fees or something stupid. Their whole business was buying US reagents and machines to provide clinical services to Chinese patients. Wuxi caved because they things they were doing are not important or supported by the Chinese government and they had no technology to develop or defend anyway.
I don't think there is any law in China prohibit companies to cooperate with foreign government as of now.
There can be if this game goes in America's favor. It can happen immediatley because Chinese doesn't use a ridiculous system of checks and balances being controlled by rival political factions. There can be one meeting and the law will be put into place. But there isn't. So...
 
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