Intel leverages High NA to advance semiconductor manufacturing
- ASML's High NA machine, which costs over $400 million, is the latest advancement in semiconductor fabrication technology.
- Intel and Samsung have reported significant productivity increases and efficiencies when utilizing the High NA technology.
- The introduction of High NA represents a pivotal moment for the semiconductor industry, positioning ASML as a key player in future chip production.
In the United States, ASML has recently developed a groundbreaking chipmaking machine known as High NA, which comes with a price tag exceeding $400 million. This advanced equipment is significantly larger than a double-decker bus, reflecting its capabilities in transforming the semiconductor manufacturing process. The High NA machine has garnered attention for its ability to produce more wafers with improved reliability and efficiency. During a conference in February, Intel reported that it had already utilized High NA for the production of approximately 30,000 wafers, highlighting its efficiency and reliability compared to older machines. Additionally, Samsung discussed the machine's potential to lower production cycle times by 60%, which allows for greater operational output on chips. The benefit is largely due to High NA's capacity to project chip designs at higher resolutions, enabling greater device density on each wafer and reducing the need for multiple patterning techniques. This advancement is crucial for meeting the increasing demands of the semiconductor industry, as companies like Intel are investing in new fabrication facilities across the U.S. Meanwhile, ASML's older DUV machines still account for a significant portion of its revenue, demonstrating the ongoing reliance on established technology even as newer innovations are introduced. With over 80% of ASML's business coming from Asia, the anticipated expansion of High NA installations in the U.S. reflects a strategic shift in production capacities closer to key markets. In conjunction with this technological advance, ASML is training a workforce to support the adoption of EUV and DUV machinery, ensuring that the industry's demands for skilled labor keep pace with the rapid evolution of semiconductor fabrication technologies. With plans to deliver at least five more High NA systems within the year and ramping up to a production of 20 machines in subsequent years, ASML is positioning itself as a leader in advanced semiconductor manufacturing technologies.