China has prepared a prototype lithography machine for making advanced chips in Shenzhen. This machine can generate EUV light and is part of China’s campaign for semiconductor self-reliance. According to experts, this can bring strategic and technological changes in the global tech industry.
China’s Advanced Chip Mission: A prototype lithography machine developed in Shenzhen, China has caught the attention of the tech world. In this secret project, former ASML engineers and Chinese scientists have together created a machine that can generate EUV light. The aim is to enable China to produce high-end chips on domestic machines, making it independent from US and Netherlands-based supply chains. This initiative is part of President Xi Jinping’s priorities and semiconductor self-reliance drive.
Goal of advanced chip manufacturing
The purpose of this secret project is to enable China to manufacture advanced chips entirely on domestic machines. China plans to become completely independent from the American supply chain. The initiative is part of China’s semiconductor self-reliance drive, in line with President Xi Jinping’s priorities.
The prototype doesn’t yet have fully functioning chips, but it’s already generating EUV light. Experts say EUV lithography machines are essential for making faster and higher-capacity chips, which are used in AI, high-end smartphones and military systems.
What does a lithography machine do?
Lithography machines print tiny circuits on silicon wafers. Using EUV light, circuits are made that are thousands of times thinner than a human hair. ASML is currently the only company selling such machines in the world, and a single system costs around $250 million (Rs 2075 crore).
China is not allowed to buy EUV machines from ASML. Since 2018, America has put pressure on the Netherlands that ASML should not sell this system to China. ASML CEO Christophe Fouquet said in April that it would take years for China to develop such technology, but the Shenzhen prototype suggests China is closer than many experts expected.
impact on global tech
This project of China can increase global competition in the semiconductor industry. If China succeeds, it will be able to make advanced chips on domestic machines, independent of US and Netherlands-based supply chains. Tech world analysts are considering this as a strategic and technological success for China.
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