Becoming Rich with Daily Scavenging APP-Chapter 585: Electron Beam Lithography Machine

Electron beam lithography machine?

Chen Yiyang was intrigued upon hearing this and immediately said, "Take me to see it."

Chen Yiyang had long wanted to invest in lithography machines.

However, after learning about EUV lithography machines, he understood that this wasn't a matter that could be rushed, so he simply invested in a few related companies.

Unexpectedly, at this technology transformation base, he could still see products related to lithography machines.

Chen Yiyang and several experts quickly arrived at the location and saw the real appearance of the Xi Zhi lithography machine.

Xi Zhi Electron Beam Lithography Machine Diagram.

Looking at the lithography machine in the laboratory, Chen Yiyang turned his head somewhat puzzled and asked the expert beside him, "Why does this lithography machine look different from the ones I've known before?"

"Mr. Chen, the ones you saw before were EUV lithography machines; ours is an electron beam lithography machine."

"What is the difference between the two?" Chen Yiyang asked.

"Electron beam lithography machines and EUV lithography machines are two completely different technological routes."

The expert explained to Chen Yiyang, "Electron beam lithography machines use high-energy electrons to directly draw circuits on silicon substrates, achieving extremely high precision.

For instance, our Xi Zhi lithography machine has a precision of 0.6nm, akin to painting precision at the nanoscale level on a chip."

"0.6nm?" Chen Yiyang was a bit shocked upon hearing this, "Doesn't that mean it has higher precision than EUV lithography machines?"

"Yes." The expert continued, "The advantage of electron beam lithography machines lies in their extreme precision. They can do everything that the most advanced EUV lithography machines can achieve nowadays."

This was the first time Chen Yiyang learned about electron beam lithography machines.

However, he quickly pondered that since electron beam lithography machines can do what EUV lithography machines do, why haven't they become mainstream?

"Is there an issue of efficiency with electron beam lithography machines?"

"Yes, Mr. Chen." The expert went on, "Electron beam lithography employs a point-to-point scanning method, requiring several hours to process a wafer, significantly less efficient than EUV lithography."

"How much lower in efficiency?" Chen Yiyang inquired.

"About a hundred times less efficient," the expert said helplessly.

Now, Chen Yiyang understood why electron beam lithography machines are not mainstream.

Both are methods of reproduction; electron beams write stroke by stroke, while EUV uses direct stencil printing.

This critical flaw makes electron beams commercially unviable as competitors to EUV.

The expert next to him sensed Chen Yiyang's thoughts and quickly said, "Although electron beam lithography machines cannot compete with EUV in the commercial space, they remain crucial.

While not suited for mass chip production, they can fabricate small batches.

Companies like Hua Wei, researching 3nm or even 1nm chips, can use electron beam lithography machines for small batch production to validate chip performance or continue iterative research, especially when EUV machines are unavailable."

"If that's the case, possessing electron beam lithography machines means domestic chip research won't lag far behind.

Once EUV lithography machines are developed, phone manufacturers can directly use them for large-scale commercial production without needing further technological iteration or validation."

"Exactly." The expert continued, "Moreover, electron beam lithography machines are useful in researching quantum chips, playing a significant role in humanity's next generation of chip development."

"What is the current development progress of such electron beam lithography machines abroad?"

"If Xi Zhi can be commercialized properly, we would only be one generation behind foreign electron beam lithography machines, lagging slightly in line width, but the gap is negligible.

More importantly, even electron beam lithography machines are embargoed from us internationally.

The emergence of Xi Zhi represents progress from having nothing to something; in electronic chip research, we won't lag behind others, merely commercially behind."

This expert spoke truthfully.

The presence of electron beam lithography machines resolved the domestic issue of whether we have them or not.

Previously, foreign nations could produce high-precision chips while we could not.

Now we can produce them, albeit without commercial viability.

But that's not crucial.

Capability to produce is fundamentally what matters most.

Even if domestic relations with Europe and America completely break down, halting chip supply.

Domestically, while it might be challenging in civilian areas, research can still progress.

"How much does an electron beam lithography machine cost?" Chen Yiyang asked.

"Selling at normal profit margins, a machine would cost twenty million US dollars. A Dutch EUV lithography machine costs around a billion each."

Meaning fifty electron beam lithography machines equate to the price of one EUV.

"What about the costs of chip production?" Chen Yiyang asked.

"Electron beam lithography doesn't require masks; the production cost per wafer is lower than EUV's. It's just slower; not indicative of higher chip manufacturing costs, and chips made by electron beam lithography perform better than those by EUV."

After understanding this, Chen Yiyang comprehended.

Electron beam lithography machines simply cannot be commercialized.

After all, the efficiency of several hundred electron beam machines might compare to one EUV under current commercial conditions, thus incurring too high a cost.

However, in the event of comprehensive conflict, domestic reliance on electron beam lithography machines temporarily isn't unfeasible.

"Great. Are you lacking funds for this project presently? I can invest a bit."

"We are indeed short of funds." Upon hearing Chen Yiyang's words, several experts immediately displayed pleased expressions.

The very reason for inviting Chen Yiyang today was this.

Xi Zhi is just a step away from commercialization, yet it's the time when funds are most needed.

With Chen Yiyang's investment, Xi Zhi could enter the commercial market faster.

Moreover, it would drive ongoing research on Xi Zhi.

With electron beam lithography, mostly used in research rather than commerce, the global market demand is around two to three hundred million US dollars annually.

By comparison, DUV lithography machine demand is two billion US dollars annually, and EUV is 1.26 billion US dollars annually.

The gap is significant, necessitating stable early investments.

Furthermore, the expert dared not boast too much before Chen Yiyang.

Realistically, should electron beam lithography continue developing, it might certainly achieve large-scale chip production like EUV.

Reflecting on historical experience, numerous human scientific pathways are sometimes a matter of chance.

Looking back, the paths mature enough for large-scale commercialization weren't necessarily optimal but instead gained funding support due to various reasons, accelerating progress beyond other paths until fully realized.