Chapter 77 One dares to brag, and a group dares to believe
Under the leadership of Gao Yongming, the access control of Loongson International was also opened one after another, and they came to the changing area.
If you want to enter the area where the photolithography machine is located, you must change into dust-free clothing.
The more sophisticated the machine, the more it requires a highly clean environment. Even if we know that the photolithography machine is not that fragile, with the technical conditions of the Dragon Kingdom, we simply cannot afford to gamble.
Because once there is a problem with the lithography machine, you can’t find anyone to repair it. You can only ask the original manufacturer to send an engineer, or send the lithography machine back. Either way, the cost of repair is as high as thousands. Ten thousand.
It is necessary to wear dustproof clothing to eliminate potential risks.
Gao Yongming, two Loongson International executives, as well as Chen Xing, Qu Cheng, and Lin Tian all dressed neatly and entered the lithography machine area after comprehensive sterilization and disinfection.
"Please follow me."
Gao Yongming led the way.
When everyone passes through the corridor of about 20 meters, the access control system automatically recognizes them and opens the glass isolation door.
After passing through several gates in a row, Chen Xing finally saw the lithography machine.
Unlike the reduced pictures on the Internet, the photolithography machine looks like a small passenger vehicle.
The length, width and height are about six meters, three meters and three meters. The overall appearance is like a huge white container. Inside, there are ten containers produced by advanced countries around the world and assembled by the Dutch ASML company. More than 10,000 precision parts.
Gao Yongming also stepped forward and explained to everyone: "This is a 28-nanometer process DUV lithography machine. It uses a deep ultraviolet light source with a wavelength of 193 nanometers. It can convert 28 nanometers and 34 nanometers at one time. Nano, 48 nanometer and above nanometer process chips have been exposed, which is currently the mainstream machine produced by our Loongson International. "
"If you want to produce 20 nanometer chips, then the accuracy of this 28 nanometer process photolithography machine. The resolution is not enough, and a more advanced 20nm process lithography machine is needed.”
“Please continue to follow me”
Gao Yongming briefly introduced 28nm. The photolithography machine for the manufacturing process continued to lead the way, and Chen Xing and others followed for another twenty meters and passed an access control.
When entering the area of another lithography machine, Chen Xing couldn't help but be amazed. This lithography machine occupies a large area.
The height may be four meters, the width may still be three meters, but the length is at least seven meters, or even eight meters!
With such a huge volume, the shock-absorbing platform and steel structure shell of this photolithography machine must have been comprehensively upgraded.
When Gao Yongming looked at this huge lithography machine, his eyes showed a touch of pride, and he solemnly announced:
“This! It’s the latest 20-nanometer DUV lithography machine we ordered from the Dutch ASML company. The price in Taiwan is 220 million. With it, Loongson International has officially entered the ranks of 20-nanometer chip foundry companies. "
20-nanometer chip foundry is barely keeping pace with the world.
If independent mass production can be achieved, Longguo’s mainstream 28-nanometer chips may have to be upgraded to the 20-nanometer level.
A small step for Loongson International, but a big step for the development of Longguo Chip.
Hearing the price of a photolithography machine, Chen Xing couldn't help but marvel. If you buy a photolithography machine for 220 million, you still need to explore the process technology yourself. The chip industry is indeed not something ordinary companies can play.
With such a harsh operating environment, even if you don’t invest hundreds of millions of dollars in building it, even having a photolithography machine will be useless.
The lithography machine is no different than other machines. It is too delicate. Any interference may affect the light source of the lithography machine, thus affecting the final production.
Qu Cheng grasped the key point and asked puzzledly: "You mean that Loongson International has just entered 20 nanometers, so what about 14 nanometer chips?"
"Ah...this..."
Gao Yongming was a little messy in the wind.
He really wants to say something now, you didn’t say you were going to make a 14nm chip when you came here!
At this time, the Loongson International engineer standing next to Gao Yongming spoke.
“That’s it, Mr. Qu, the machine we purchased is a DUV lithography machine. Its light source is deep ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 193 nanometers. It is not an EUV lithography machine and cannot emit 13.5 nanometer wavelengths. We want to create a 14-nanometer chip using extreme ultraviolet light, but maybe...well...we are still a little way off."
Qu Cheng was stunned, and then said doubtfully: "No. Ah, Feng Chengming said last time that you have put 14 nanometers on the agenda. "
Feng Chengming, chief engineer of Loongson International, is also an academician of Longxin Academy of Sciences.
Gao Yongming: "..."
The case has been solved!
He knew someone was bragging!
One dares to brag, the other dares...
No!
He really dares to believe a group of academicians! ! !
Two Loongson International engineers also realized that they finally understood why Chief Feng Chengming said he felt unwell overnight and went to the Imperial Capital to see a doctor.
After Xunsiyou boasted about his awesomeness, he ran away first?
Gao Yongming and the two engineers are very embarrassed. They don’t know how to explain it now, especially the curve they are facing.
Chen Xing frowned secretly. He looked at the three people at Loongson International who were hesitating, and seemed to vaguely guess something.
And according to what they mean, if there is no extreme ultraviolet lithography machine with a wavelength of 13.5 nanometers, then 14 nanometer chips cannot be produced. Is this trip in vain?
Qu Cheng, whose face was ashen on the side, had already cursed Feng Chengming hundreds of times in his heart. No wonder he posted on WeChat Moments overnight saying he was not feeling well and wanted to go to the imperial capital to recuperate. He was thinking, are you bragging?
Forget it!
He also deceived a group of academicians!
Qu Cheng can’t get off stage now. This is really embarrassing.
Originally, they wanted to choose TSMC as their foundry, but these old guys asked Chen Xing to choose Loongson International under the guise of a guarantee. In the end, they didn’t even have suitable photolithography equipment?
What a shame!
I’m too embarrassed to see anyone!
Qu Cheng's face was livid and his cheeks were still a little hot. If he had to choose again, he would let Wang Jirong come.
At least it’s embarrassing for him, not Qu Cheng’s face...
“In other words, Loongson International can only OEM 20 nanometer chips at present, right?”
< br>Chen Xing broke the awkward atmosphere.
Although a day or two was wasted, it doesn’t matter. It’s all about giving face to the academicians. After all, without them, Qingzhou’s 14nm processor chip would not have been designed so quickly.
If Loongson International doesn't work, then look for other foundries.
“There’s still...a little distance...”
An engineer replied tremblingly.
20 nanometers to 14 nanometers, you just say it is a little distance, right?
Chen Xing sighed slightly. Without an EUV lithography machine with a wavelength of 13.5 nanometers, even if there were red-quality lithography talents, it would probably be useless.
Let him rub his hands?
It’s impossible for him to build an EUV lithography machine, right?
Listening to everyone's conversation, Lin Tian fell into silence. He didn't expect that Longguo's equipment foundation was so poor. It didn't even have an EUV lithography machine. Was it too restricted?
“Alas!”
Chen Xing sighed, he did not hesitate, and said to smooth things over for Qu Cheng and Gao Yongming:
"It seems that our chip companies in the Dragon Kingdom still need to work harder, but this time it is not in vain. We can visit the lithography machine up close, and we can also face the gap with the West, and we can catch up in the future."< br>
After the steps were set up, Qu Cheng and Gao Yongming naturally wanted to go down the stairs.
However, before they could speak, Lin Tian said to Chen Xing in a serious tone: "If the president needs it, the 20-nanometer process DUV lithography machine can produce 14-nanometer lithography through multiple exposure technology. chip, but you need to pay several times the tape-out cost”
(End of this chapter)