Chinese semiconductor industry

AETHER said:

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@AETHER Thanks bro if you may below with English translation.

The first domestic key dimension measurement equipment was launched by SMIC, for the 300mm (12 inch) silicon wafer process​

2021/7/6 15:54:13 Source: Author: Yuanyang Editor: Yuanyang

July 6 News Recently, Epistar held the launch ceremony of the country's first critical dimension measurement equipment (CD-SEM), and officially announced that it had won the order and launched the machine SMIC.

▲ The picture is from Dongfang Jingyuan
The key dimension measurement equipment (model: SEpA-c410) released this time is geared towards the 300mm (12 inch) silicon wafer process, which can achieve key dimension measurement with high repeatability, high resolution and high productivity . After entering SMIC, it will pass the actual production line verification to further improve and perfect the equipment performance and move towards the overall goal of industrialization.
In order for chip foundries to produce high-yield chips, in addition to the main process of chip manufacturing, defect detection and the detection of various key dimensions are also indispensable links in the process flow. The 300mm silicon wafer measurement equipment issued by Dongfang Jingyuan is used to evaluate the process of each link within the scope of the effective process . For example, whether the thickness of the film meets the process standard, whether the chip will affect the electrical parameters of the silicon wafer after the completion of the etching process.
The launching ceremony marks that Oriental Epistar has once again made a major product technological breakthrough following its overcoming of electron beam defect detection technology in 2019, filling the gap in the domestic critical dimension measurement equipment (CD-SEM) market.
IT Home has learned that since its establishment, Dongfang Jingyuan has focused on yield control and improvement in key aspects of chip manufacturing. With the joint support of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economics and Information Technology, Yizhuang Management Committee, National 02 Major Project Group, partners and investors, we have continuously achieved important product technological breakthroughs. The company's computational lithography series software (OPC), electron beam defect detection The equipment (EBI) has passed the verification of the production lines of major international manufacturers and achieved order revenue, and has achieved remarkable results in the field of domestic equipment. The launch of this opportunity, Dongfang Jingyuan has added a vital link to the yield control product line, and has also solved another "stuck neck" problem in the field of chip manufacturing in my country.

The two mirror coating devices put into use in China have made my country a big step forward in the field of optical coating. The vacuum coating technology adopted by it has controlled the accuracy within 0.1nm. Optical coating refers to coating several layers of dielectric film on the photosensitive element of the instrument through a certain process. At present, in the lens manufacturing of EUV lithography machines, the requirement for this process is less than 50 picometers. It seems that China is getting closer and closer to the realization of this cutting-edge technology. I believe that in the near future, my country can Achieve greater breakthroughs in this area.

foofy said:

The two mirror coating devices put into use in China have made my country a big step forward in the field of optical coating. The vacuum coating technology adopted by it has controlled the accuracy within 0.1nm. Optical coating refers to coating several layers of dielectric film on the photosensitive element of the instrument through a certain process. At present, in the lens manufacturing of EUV lithography machines, the requirement for this process is less than 50 picometers. It seems that China is getting closer and closer to the realization of this cutting-edge technology. I believe that in the near future, my country can Achieve greater breakthroughs in this area.

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@foofy Sir for EUVL? they're researching materials, lens and mirrors by using the Shanghai synchrotron?

Recently, there are two good news in the semiconductor field . First, the first domestic high-energy synchrotron radiation light source equipment from the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences came out . At the same time, the domestic independent research and development of the mirror coating device also ended the experimental stage and began to be officially used in production.
Maybe you don't know how these technologies will affect China. Mention a word, and maybe you will gradually understand the value of these technologies. This word is "lithography machine." Yes, the technologies mentioned above are all important technologies used in manufacturing lithography machines, which are related to the two key components of lithography machines.

ansy1968 said:

@foofy Sir for EUVL? they're researching materials, lens and mirrors by using the Shanghai synchrotron?

Recently, there are two good news in the semiconductor field . First, the first domestic high-energy synchrotron radiation light source equipment from the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences came out . At the same time, the domestic independent research and development of the mirror coating device also ended the experimental stage and began to be officially used in production.
Maybe you don't know how these technologies will affect China. Mention a word, and maybe you will gradually understand the value of these technologies. This word is "lithography machine." Yes, the technologies mentioned above are all important technologies used in manufacturing lithography machines, which are related to the two key components of lithography machines.

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Yes. Mirror coating devices for euv. Still need to improve accuracy though

krautmeister said:

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As long as Nikon, and to a lesser extent Canon, exist as alternative suppliers of lithography machinery, China's own nascent lithography equipment industry will be confined mostly to China. The semiconductor industry outside China is totally dominated by the Americans and their puppets. For China to guarantee success, they need to start as the low cost supplier of lithography equipment. As long as Nikon is taking that space, China will not be able to break through it without superior technology, which it does not yet have. The first step is to ensure China's equipment makers have the government support, business and profits to sustain competition with ASML.

Sooner or later, America and its puppets will concoct "National Security" excuses to block China equipment sales. Imo, China should be protecting this crucial industry with something like 100-300% tariffs, and if necessary, outright sales bans. I only list tariffs vs sales bans to allow the more delusional China companies the ability to buy such foreign equipment in order to give them market DISADVANTAGES in order to bankrupt themselves easier. It's these kind of China companies who ignore the hostile strategic environment created by the Americans, are exactly what the Americans rely and depend on to harm China's business environment and society at large.

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As long as Nikon, and to a lesser extent Canon, exist as alternative suppliers of lithography machinery, China's own nascent lithography equipment industry will be confined mostly to China. The semiconductor industry outside China is totally dominated by the Americans and their puppets. For China to guarantee success, they need to start as the low cost supplier of lithography equipment. As long as Nikon is taking that space, China will not be able to break through it without superior technology, which it does not yet have. The first step is to ensure China's equipment makers have the government support, business and profits to sustain competition with ASML.

It will take years and years before China has to export a single litoghraphy equipment. Local production will take at least ten years to supply just what China needs. So no need to worry about Japanese competiton.

Again, putting tariffs, AT THIS MOMENT, is not very smart. Local manufacturing has not even started. In the meantime, China needs to produce chips, therefore, import of whatever source, (be it Dutch or Japanese) is more than welcome. The moment SMEE and/or CTEC star delivering reliable equipment, in decent volumes, than yes it will make sense to put barriers to imports of lithography equipment. Till then, China needs all the equipment it can lay hands on.

krautmeister said:

As long as Nikon, and to a lesser extent Canon, exist as alternative suppliers of lithography machinery, China's own nascent lithography equipment industry will be confined mostly to China. The semiconductor industry outside China is totally dominated by the Americans and their puppets. For China to guarantee success, they need to start as the low cost supplier of lithography equipment. As long as Nikon is taking that space, China will not be able to break through it without superior technology, which it does not yet have. The first step is to ensure China's equipment makers have the government support, business and profits to sustain competition with ASML.

Sooner or later, America and its puppets will concoct "National Security" excuses to block China equipment sales. Imo, China should be protecting this crucial industry with something like 100-300% tariffs, and if necessary, outright sales bans. I only list

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jfcarli said:

It will take years and years before China has to export a single litoghraphy equipment. Local production will take at least ten years to supply just what China needs. So no need to worry about Japanese competiton.

Again, putting tariffs, AT THIS MOMENT, is not very smart. Local manufacturing has not even started. In the meantime, China needs to produce chips, therefore, import of whatever source, (be it Dutch or Japanese) is more than welcome. The moment SMEE and/or CTEC star delivering reliable equipment, in decent volumes, than yes it will make sense to put barriers to imports of lithography equipment. Till then, China needs all the equipment it can lay hands on.

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Agreed. However, once the first domestic DUV immersion lithography machines are released, tariffs should be immediately implemented once production of such lithography machines have ramped up. I've stated in the past that I believe China will not achieve its most critical domestic semiconductor equipment, materials and production goals until sometime from 2026 onwards. Until that time, China will be in constant danger of having its high tech industries threatened with heavy handed sanctions or the nuclear option of a total semiconductor ban. The question is, what will happen once China has DUV lithography machines capable of mass producing 14nm nodes or even 7nm nodes at scale? Do you really believe the Americans would allow this given that they have already sanctioned SMIC from selling to Huawei and others on their entity list, as well as enforcing a global ban of <=16nm semiconductor equipment sales to China? No, it is almost a given that they will triple down what they have already doubled down on. They will use their power to force owners of not only ASML but also Nikon and Canon lithography equipment from producing for anybody on their entity list and any new entrants they deem a "threat" to their tech supremacy. China fabs who buy Nikon semiconductor equipment will be banned from selling their semiconductors to China companies just as ASML equipment owners are banned right now from selling to those on the entity list.

It doesn't matter if China achieves greater semiconductor IC self-sufficiency if it is built on foreign semiconductor equipment and materials. This would be a hollow victory because when you lack the core technologies such equipment and materials rest on, the rug can be pulled out from under China at any time. Much better to continue importing needed semiconductors now just as China has been doing for the last past decades and gain a truly independent and sanction proof domestic semiconductor industry in the next few years. If the last few years have taught us anything, it is that you cannot trust the Americans and neither it's closest allies, especially the 5-eyes.

krautmeister said:

Agreed. However, once the first domestic DUV immersion lithography machines are released, tariffs should be immediately implemented once production of such lithography machines have ramped up. I've stated in the past that I believe China will not achieve its most critical domestic semiconductor equipment, materials and production goals until sometime from 2026 onwards. Until that time, China will be in constant danger of having its high tech industries threatened with heavy handed sanctions or the nuclear option of a total semiconductor ban. The question is, what will happen once China has DUV lithography machines capable of mass producing 14nm nodes or even 7nm nodes at scale? Do you really believe the Americans would allow this given that they have already sanctioned SMIC from selling to Huawei and others on their entity list, as well as enforcing a global ban of <=16nm semiconductor equipment sales to China? No, it is almost a given that they will triple down what they have already doubled down on. They will use their power to force owners of not only ASML but also Nikon and Canon lithography equipment from producing for anybody on their entity list and any new entrants they deem a "threat" to their tech supremacy. China fabs who buy Nikon semiconductor equipment will be banned from selling their semiconductors to China companies just as ASML equipment owners are banned right now from selling to those on the entity list.

It doesn't matter if China achieves greater semiconductor IC self-sufficiency if it is built on foreign semiconductor equipment and materials. This would be a hollow victory because when you lack the core technologies such equipment and materials rest on, the rug can be pulled out from under China at any time. Much better to continue importing needed semiconductors now just as China has been doing for the last past decades and gain a truly independent and sanction proof domestic semiconductor industry in the next few years. If the last few years have taught us anything, it is that you cannot trust the Americans and neither it's closest allies, especially the 5-eyes.

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I agree with you completely, except for this:

"Much better to continue importing needed semiconductors now just as China has been doing for the last past decades and gain a truly independent and sanction proof domestic semiconductor industry in the next few years."

I think China should continue to buy all semicon equipment it can lay its hands on. Not only that, all spare parts it can buy, and all the needed chemicals etc... enough to guarantee a decent supply of chips for at least a couple of years.

What I fear is that they will simply stop supplying any chips at all. So, the more you can produce locally, even if only with DUV, the better.

krautmeister said:

It doesn't matter if China achieves greater semiconductor IC self-sufficiency if it is built on foreign semiconductor equipment and materials. This would be a hollow victory because when you lack the core technologies such equipment and materials rest on, the rug can be pulled out from under China at any time. Much better to continue importing needed semiconductors now just as China has been doing for the last past decades and gain a truly independent and sanction proof domestic semiconductor industry in the next few years. If the last few years have taught us anything, it is that you cannot trust the Americans and neither it's closest allies, especially the 5-eyes.

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I would disagree.

Suppose China produced the majority of the world's semiconductors, entirely using foreign semiconductor equipment and materials.

The US couldn't credibly impose sanctions, because it would hurt the US more than China.
And furthermore, the rest of the world wouldn't go along, because they know they have no choice but to support continued production in China and to buy those chips.

But we never got to that point before the US technology sanctions started.

And that's not to say China shouldn't seeking to develop its own domestic semiconductor equipment and material.

AndrewS said:

I would disagree.

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Corporations are like people.

The strongest human instinct is to survive.

So I agree that there will be defections, companies just thinking for their own survival.

When we see more credible and greater amounts about the IC inside China, once the defections start they won't stop.