The Rebirth of the Male God Starts From Playing Games

  Chapter 301 298. Isn’t this a losing game?

  Zhang Rujing said, “We are already working on the development of the next generation of chip production processes, but this will definitely take a time process, and it is estimated that it will not be so fast.”

  "The lithography machine we are using now is the world's most advanced 193nm wavelength lithography machine, which is the same as that of TSMC."

  Speaking of this, Zhang Rujing thought for a while, “This is equivalent to everyone is a sculptor, and the tools used are the same. The quality of the final product is good or bad, and the precision... depends on the level of craftsmanship.

  If we want to produce the next generation of 45nm chips, as far as the current equipment is concerned, what we can do is to improve the technology. At least next year, we can break through 60nm. "

  Zhang Rujing took a sip of wine, his face turned red.

  “Now SMIC has several ways to improve the fineness of the chip, one is to use multiple exposures to obtain a higher-precision chip.”

   "Huh?" Cao Yang suddenly raised his head, feeling a little shocked.

  Because of this technique, he hadn't heard of it in his previous life.

  Is there still this kind of technology?

  "This method can indeed produce chips of 45 nanometers or even lower nanometers, but the shortcomings are obvious," said Zhang Rujing. "Multiple exposure requires a geometric exponential increase in technology.

  You are equivalent to cutting in the same place continuously when doing micro-engraving, and every cut is extremely accurate.

This is a very difficult thing. At the same time, due to multiple exposures, the yield rate will definitely drop sharply, leading to an increase in production costs. I estimate that even if we can surpass TSMC and produce 30 or 20 nanometer chips, such a chip wants to be sold. If you give it to Bomi, the price may be as high as more than 1,000, or even 2,000 yuan. It is estimated that it will be difficult for you to bear.

  It is difficult to mass produce. This is the biggest problem encountered by multiple exposures at present, but we are also exploring. Maybe in a few years, our multiple exposure technology will be able to make a breakthrough, and mass production may be carried out at that time. "

Well……

   Cao Yang rested his chin and fell into thinking.

  In fact, he is calculating a problem——

Now SMIC’s chip for Bomi is 90nm, a piece of 380 yuan, up to 1,000 yuan, a 45nm, or even 30nm, we seem to be able to make a profit, and we will increase the price a little bit by reducing the dimension. , Relying on chips to crush Apple to establish an advantage and then reversely promote chip manufacturing in the future?

   Does this road work?

"There is another kind," Zhang Rujing was a little excited today, and continued with a smile, "Immersive technology, filled with high refractive index liquid between the lower surface of the last lens of the projection objective of the lithography machine and the photoresist on the silicon wafer. .

  TSMC is now using this lithography method.

  It’s also interesting to think of it. When TSMC Linmoto proposed the infiltration technology 4 years ago, the industry still sneered at it, thinking it was an impossible technical method.

  But two years ago, their immersion technology was successfully researched. Now, because we don’t have a specific production process and technology, we can only explore it by ourselves. "

  Cao Yang still has some impressions of this.

  The most important reason why TSMC has opened a gap with other major manufacturers is the immersion lithography technology invented by Lin Benma.

Before the emergence of this technology, the world's leader in the field of lithography was Nikon in the East Island. When Lin Benma proposed the feasibility of immersive technology, it was equivalent to hitting the world-class leaders of Nikon and IBM. Face.

Because they are still studying how to use X-ray for lithography, because X-ray has a shorter wavelength than deep ultraviolet, but Lin Benma told them that it is not that complicated. Based on the current deep violet DUV lithography machine, Add a little bit of water to soak it, and through the change of the refraction angle, a more precise chip can be manufactured.

  This undoubtedly tells them that you are taking the wrong path.

  How can IBM and Nikon tolerate this?

   has invested tens of billions of dollars in research and development funds, and they are suddenly questioned.

  The emergence of any disruptive new technology will always be subject to huge resistance from traditional forces. Lin Benjian’s immersion lithography was almost blocked by Nikon, Canon, IBM and other giants. Nikon even put pressure on TSMC to ask Lin Benjian to hide.

  The fall of the giants is always the same. Kodak first produced a digital camera that year, but because of fear that the digital camera threatened its film business, Kodak made a decision-it must be hidden and not let others know.

  Nikon’s IQ is exhausted before the huge existing economic benefits.

Although Nikon still occupies the leading position, Cao Yang knows that in the near future, when TSMC’s 45-nanometer appears, Asim’s lithography machine will pull Nikon off the horse in terms of market share and let a giant fall. .

  In fact, there are already signs of this faintly now.

  At present, although SMIC knows that Lin Benma has used immersion technology to help TSMC make a major breakthrough below 60 nanometers, SMIC does not know the specific method and process technology.

  So now it is also the stage of crossing the river by feeling the stones.

"The immersion technology is not complicated in principle, but it is still the problem and it takes time." Zhang Rujing took a sip of wine sadly, and said uncomfortably, "We are trying to use the immersion technology, and it will be upgraded to the 60-nanometer level next year. It shouldn't be a problem."

  The use of immersion technology for chip production eliminates the need for multiple exposures, the yield rate is guaranteed, and the production cost should be similar to the current 90-nanometer chip.

  So even if Bomi does not have a 45-nanometer chip next year, it can still buy 60-nanometer from SMIC.

  However, Cao Yang will certainly not be satisfied with this. Bomi’s chip design has to continue to dig deeper. To maintain the lead over Apple, then TSMC’s 45-nanometer chips must be introduced first.

  Unless SMIC is able to overtake in a curve.

  If you want to achieve a technological breakthrough that exceeds TSMC, you have to make a breakthrough from the lithography machine itself. But our country so far, there is no company that can independently produce lithography machines. To be precise, there is no independent production of 193nm or even shorter wavelength lithography machines.

  It is 2006. In the field of lithography machine, Nikon of Toshima is the leader, and the future king of lithography machine Asmar Amsl has not yet risen. The first EUV lithography machine will not be produced until 2012.

  In terms of time, maybe we still have a chance.

  At least Cao Yang thought so.

  ……

   "The immersion method changes the refraction of light to achieve shorter light waves, right?" Cao Yang asked.

   "Yes." Zhang Rujing smiled, "This is a junior high school physics problem. The wavelength of the refracted light is equal to the wavelength of the incident light divided by the refractive index. The higher the refractive index, the shorter the final refraction wavelength.

  Currently, the immersion lithography technology separates short wavelengths by increasing the refractive index and refraction angle of the incident medium, thereby improving the fineness of the chip. "

   Thinking of this, Cao Yang smiled slightly, “Then why not just use shorter wavelength light?”

Zhang Rujing shook his head, "No, because IBM has studied it before. X-ray waves have a shorter wavelength for the current deep ultraviolet light. But in this case, the water medium has a very poor refraction effect on X-rays. Below a certain wavelength, the water is not completely transparent to them, and occlusion and noise will be generated. There is no way to solve this."

   "No, I mean, instead of using immersion lithography, dry lithography is used, but the light wavelength is shortened to double digits." Cao Yang said.

"what?!"

  It's not just Zhang Rujing, all the big guys here all have an expression of seeing a ghost.

Ni Guangnan and Liu Qiang were born in chips. Although Huawei President Ren did not engage in technology research and development in this area, he still knows a little bit, and the chip is equivalent to the heart and indispensable to the entire high-tech field. , I will deal with the chip no matter what, I probably understand it if I haven't done it.

this……

  It is necessary to know that the ability to produce 193-nanometer deep ultraviolet light is already the limit, and deep ultraviolet light can be increased to 157nm at most.

If the immersion method is used and pure water is used as the immersion liquid, the refractive index is 1.44, so the equivalent wavelength is reduced from 193nm to 134nm (193nm/1.14=134nm), the resolution is also improved, and the process node can be 45-22nm Step forward.

  Now Cao Yang actually said to use a double-digit light source with a wavelength of less than 100 nanometers. This is simply a fantasy.

  So Zhang Rujing was taken aback and laughed, "If there is such a light source, we can produce single-digit nano-level chips."

  At that time, the improvement in chip processing performance brought by it can be described as a leap.

   "Yes, even stable deep ultraviolet light can't be produced in China now. Where can I get such a short-wavelength light source?" Professor Ni also followed.

Um……

  Not only does it exist in China, but also in foreign countries. It will not appear until ASML acquires Cymer, the top light source company in 2012, that extreme ultraviolet stable light sources with light wavelengths as short as 13.5nm will appear.

  This is a problem for the whole world, and it also means an opportunity.

  It's just that Cao Yang has no way to be sure now.

Cao Yang’s current impression is very vague. After all, he did not study these majors in his previous life. It was only because of the sanctions against Huawei 20 years ago that he learned a lot about the lithography machine, and he only had a little knowledge of certain principles. Knowing the literal meaning, staying at the level of comparative theory, he doesn't understand the specific content at all.

but……

  He thinks he can wait a few days to go to his alma mater to ask, if Cao Yang remembers correctly, in fact, by 2021, our National National Tsing Hua University will be able to independently develop stable extreme ultraviolet light.

   is less than 10 years behind AMSL.

   "Hahaha, I just have this idea, I haven't thought about how to realize it."

  Cao Yang just smiled, and did not continue this topic. When he can really find a solution, then he can join the big brothers in joint research and development. It feels that it is more feasible.

  ……

  Everyone talked for a while, everyone has high expectations for Bomi's smartphones, and they are very optimistic about the prospects of Bomi and the future of the smartphone industry.

  It was about 9 o'clock in the evening, when everyone left the table.

  Cao Yang sent the big guys to the car one by one.

  Finally, when bidding farewell to Zhang Rujing, Cao Yang hesitated and said, “Mr. Zhang, I heard that the lawsuit between TSMC and SMIC seems to be very serious recently. Is there such a thing?”

  Zhang Rujing was taken aback for a moment, a cloud of sorrow appeared on his face.

  As far as Cao Yang is concerned, the biggest trouble for SMIC currently lies in lawsuits. Zhang Rujing has been accused by TSMC of infringement of intellectual property rights.

  Because in terms of equipment, SMIC and TSMC currently use the same DUV lithography machine, the difference is only in the immersion technology and manufacturing process.

  If the previous life did not cause Zhang Rujing to leave SMIC because of TSMC’s accusation, and then SMIC entered an era where there was no leader and the internal friction was very serious, but instead dedicated to scientific research and development, then might it be able to catch up with TSMC?

  SMIC is a company that has a long history. Founder Zhang Rujing has been involved in lawsuits and cannot devote himself to technology development.

  Later, after Zhang Rujing left SMIC, SMIC suffered a lot of sadness, the founder left, and the old team fell apart. During the Tang Dynasty, with the help of major shareholder status, he played a game of power.

  It can be said that if there is less toss, SMIC should not lag behind so many years in the level of chip manufacturing.

   "Yeah..." Zhang Rujing smiled bitterly with a bit of frustration, "This is all an old grudge with TSMC. They probably won't give up until I leave SMIC."

  "Don't do that," Cao Yang said quickly, "SMIC needs you. It is more important than anything to provide SMIC with a stable development environment."

   "Yes..." Zhang Rujing said with a sigh.

  But what's the solution?

They are not the party who took the initiative to fight the lawsuit. TSMC accused them of infringement of intellectual property rights. In fact, everyone has reached a settlement before. SMIC paid TSMC US$175 million and reached a patent exchange agreement between the two parties within 10 years. I did not expect TSMC to turn its face so quickly. Denying the person, he filed a lawsuit again this year against SMIC for infringement, which made Zhang Rujing feel more anxious.

The entanglement between TSMC and SMIC has a long history, mainly because of Zhang Rujing’s qualifications and contacts in the semiconductor industry, which made TSMC very jealous. At the same time, Zhang Rujing has mastered many of TSMC’s mature production technologies, and when he went to the mainland to create SMIC At that time, a group of core teams were taken away from TSMC.

  So basically, if Zhang Rujing does not leave SMIC, TSMC will not give up.

  The first TSMC lawsuit against SMIC was in December 2003, more than three years after the establishment of SMIC.

  TSMC, TSMC’s North American subsidiary and WaferTech have jointly announced that they have filed a number of patent infringement lawsuits against SMIC and SMIC’s US subsidiary in the Northern California Federal District Court on the afternoon of the 19th local time in the United States.

  TSMC alleged in the complaint that SMIC obtained TSMC trade secrets and infringed TSMC patents through various improper methods. If it had recruited more than 100 TSMC employees, and required some personnel to provide TSMC trade secrets.

  At the same time, TSMC also said that a SMIC executive asked a front-end Semiconductor Manufacturing Manager to obtain semiconductor process technical information for him, which has seriously violated the company’s business secrets.

  This litigation took less than two years. In February 2005, TSMC and SMIC reached a settlement. TSMC stated that it had reached an out-of-court settlement agreement with SMIC on patent infringement and related disputes.

  According to the content of the agreement, SMIC will pay TSMC approximately US$175 million to settle the alleged patent and trade secret litigation.

  However, one year after the settlement, TSMC once again filed a lawsuit against SMIC. In the lawsuit, SMIC violated the settlement agreement with TSMC and used illegal means to misappropriate company trade secrets.

  TSMC requested the court to rule that SMIC immediately cease related infringements and compensate TSMC for related losses.

However, in the last settlement agreement, TSMC and SMIC have already clarified the exchange of interests between the two parties and the content of each other's patent authorizations. At this time, they are still clinging to each other. In addition to some of TSMC’s grievances against Zhang Rujing, Cao Yang didn't believe it without a black hand behind the scenes.

  Because chips are the top priority for the semiconductor industry, many high-precision products rely on chips.

  Some countries don’t want the rise of China’s chips, so they must suppress it at all costs.

  In the previous life, it was precisely because of this litigation in 2006 that it lasted for more than three years, and it was not until 2009 that a settlement was reached again.

According to the content of the settlement agreement, SMIC will pay TSMC US$200 million in cash in four-year installments, and issue 1.789 billion new shares to TSMC, accounting for approximately 8% of SMIC’s issued share capital on October 31, and grant TSMC a license. According to the subscription price of HK$1.3 per share, the subscription warrants for 695 million SMIC shares (subject to adjustment) can be exercised within three years from the issuance.

After the issuance of shares takes effect, TSMC will obtain approximately 10% of the total issued share capital of SMIC.

  Zhang Rujing completely left SMIC, and after his deputy Qiu Ciyun became the ceo, SMIC only improved slightly.

  This war brought a lot of blows to SMIC.

  Originally, production was tight, and the annual revenue was limited under the squeeze of TSMC. Coupled with various compensations and lawsuits, SMIC was stuck in a quagmire and unable to extricate itself, leading to falling behind.

  Cao Yang didn't want this life to end in this way, so he wanted to stretch out Rujing.

  "Do you know?" Cao Yang said with a smirk. "Sometimes, you have to rely on. Since SMIC is in Shanghai, China, I don't understand one thing. Why do we have to go to the United States to fight the lawsuit?"

  A TSMC, which is controlled by the United States behind the scenes, went to the United States to fight an infringement lawsuit. Isn’t SMIC a stable loser?

  If SMIC has the prefix of “national” behind it, then if the lawsuit is brought at the national level, there may be hope of winning.

  Even if Zhang Rujing really wants to retire in the future, the country will do everything possible to ensure the stable development of SMIC.

  "Huh?" Zhang Rujing's eyes lit up when he heard Cao Yang's words.

  ……

  (End of this chapter)