Technology company, I will become the light of China!

Chapter 77 One dares to brag, but 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 engineers or send the lithography machine back. Either way, the cost of repair is as high as tens of millions.

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 come with me."

Gao Yongming led the way.

When people pass through the corridor about 20 meters away, 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.

Different from the reduced pictures on the Internet, the real-life photolithography machine looks like a small passenger vehicle.

It is about six meters long, three meters wide and three meters high. The overall appearance is like a huge white container. Inside, there are more than [-] precision parts produced by advanced countries around the world and assembled by the Dutch ASML company. .

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 28 nanometers, 34 nanometers, 48 ​​nanometers and above at one time. Nano-process chips have been exposed and are currently the mainstream machines produced by our Loongson International."

"If you want to produce 20-nanometer chips, the accuracy and resolution of this 28-nanometer process lithography machine are not enough, and you need to use a more advanced 20-nanometer process lithography machine."

"Everyone, please continue to follow me."

Gao Yongming briefly introduced the 28nm process lithography machine and continued to lead the way. Chen Xing and others followed for another 20 meters and passed an access control.

When entering the area of ​​another lithography machine, Chen Xing couldn't help but marvel at how large 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 revealed a touch of pride, and he solemnly declared:
"This machine! It's the 20-nanometer process DUV lithography machine we recently ordered from Dutch ASML company. The price of a single machine is 2.2 million. With it, Loongson International has officially entered the ranks of 20-nanometer chip foundry companies."

20nm chip foundry is already barely keeping pace with the world's forefront.

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.

Chen Xing couldn't help but marvel when he heard the price of a lithography machine. If you buy a lithography machine for 2.2 million, you still need to explore the process technology yourself. The chip industry is indeed not something ordinary companies can play.

Just for such a harsh operating environment, even if we don’t invest hundreds of millions of dollars to build it, even if we have a photolithography machine, it 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 in confusion: "You mean 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 wants to say something now, you didn’t say you were going to make 14nm chips 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 extreme ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 13.5 nanometers. Think about it. Making 14nm chips, maybe...well...there is still some distance to go." "Can't we make it?"

Qu Cheng was stunned for a moment, and then said doubtfully: "That's not right. Feng Chengming said last time that you have put 14nm on the agenda."

Feng Chengming, chief engineer of Loongson International, is also an academician of Longxin Academy of Sciences.

Gao Yongming: "..."

Case solved!
He knew someone was bragging!
One dares to brag, the other dares...

Do not!
How dare he trust 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 finished bragging, he ran away first?
Gao Yongming and the two engineers were very embarrassed. They didn't know how to explain it now, especially because of the difficulty they faced.

Chen Xing frowned secretly. He looked at the three people at Loongson International who were hesitating, and seemed to vaguely guess something.

And judging from what they said, if there is no EUV lithography machine with a wavelength of 13.5 nanometers, then 14 nanometer chips cannot be manufactured. 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?
Just blow it!

He also deceived a group of academicians!
Qu Cheng can't get off the stage now, it's really embarrassing.

Originally, they wanted to choose TSMC as an OEM, 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?

Humiliated!

Faceless!
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...

"That is to say, Loongson International can only OEM 20nm chips at present, right?"

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 14-nanometer processor chip would not have been designed so quickly.

If Loongson International doesn't work, then look for other foundries.

"Still...there's still a little distance..."

An engineer replied shakily.

From 20 nanometers to 14 nanometers, you would 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?

There's no way he can get an EUV lithography machine out, 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?
"Ugh!"

Chen Xing sighed. He didn't hesitate and smoothed things over for Qu Cheng and Gao Yongming:
"It seems that our chip companies in the Dragon Kingdom still have to work harder, but this time it is not in vain. We can visit the lithography machine up close, and we can face the gap with the West, and we can catch up in the future."

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 DUV lithography machine can produce 14-nanometer chips through multiple exposure technology, but it requires a lot of effort. Several times the tape-out cost.”

(End of this chapter)