The semiconductor giant ASML announced in a press release published on Monday June 3, the opening of a test laboratory for its EUV lithography equipment. A new 100% European project since it takes place in collaboration with the Belgian company Imec.
ASML wants to sell more of its new EUV machines
The infrastructure is located in Veldhoven, Netherlands, home of ASML. This company is the undisputed leader in semiconductor manufacturing machines thanks to its extreme ultraviolet lithography technology known as EUV.
Its devices are used by Samsung and TSMC, since they make it possible to manufacture the best chips in the world. ASML recently launched the new generation and only Intel can boast of having one of them, to produce chips from 2025.
As for Imec, it is a company specializing in chip research. The laboratory will be jointly managed by the two companies. Its construction began several years ago with one objective: “ providing cutting-edge chipmakers, as well as suppliers, with access to the first high-NA EUV scanner prototype », explains ASML.
“ Imec and ASML help them de-risk technology and develop High NA EUV use cases before scanners are operational in their factories », Adds the Dutch group.
High NA EUV is precisely the name of the new machine, launched at the beginning of the year. In other words, the laboratory will allow ASML’s main partners to take control of this $350 million machine, before using it in their production factories.
This cutting-edge tool is supposed to enable the manufacture of even thinner and faster semiconductors. A dozen have already been ordered. This laboratory undoubtedly aims to accelerate sales by allowing preliminary tests.
