Dutch chipmaker ASML will invest $760 million in a partnership with South Korean chipmaker Samsung Electronics to build a manufacturing facility that develops advanced chip technology in South Korea.
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The announcement came as South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol is in the Netherlands for a four-day visit aimed at creating a “processor alliance” between the two countries.
ASML is the world's only manufacturer of the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines needed to manufacture the most advanced processors, such as those used in Apple 's latest iPhones , which are manufactured by Taiwan's TSMC.
“ Technological innovation led by ASML is a powerful driving force of the Fourth Industrial Revolution around the world. Dutch processor companies such as ASML and ASM are building new facilities for production, research and development, as well as talent training in Korea ,” the South Korean presidential office said on Tuesday
Yoon visited ASML's headquarters on Tuesday with King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and was given a tour of the production facility for next-generation EUV machines.
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Samsung is the world's largest maker of dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) chips, which are used in consumer devices such as smartphones and computers. The manufacturing companies are focusing on ASML's EUV machines to produce faster and more efficient processors than their competitors.
According to the announcement, ASML will collaborate with SK Hynix, the world's largest DRAM memory manufacturer, to reduce energy consumption and costs for EUV through hydrogen recycling technology.
Before his visit to the Netherlands, Yoon told the AFP news agency that processors are “the axis of Korea-Dutch cooperation.”.
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EUV lithography technology offers many advantages in microfabrication. One of the main advantages is the precision and resolution it offers. EUV lithography uses high-energy infrared radiation to image microstructures in a material. This allows the production of microstructures with great precision and detail, which is essential for the manufacture of complex electronic devices.
Another advantage of EUV lithography technology is increased productivity. EUV lithography allows multiple microstructures to be printed simultaneously on a single material, thereby reducing production time. This is especially important in microfabrication, where efficiency and speed are critical parameters.
In addition, EUV lithography technology offers greater strength and durability. EUV radiation is more energetic than the ultraviolet radiation used in other lithography methods. This allows for the fabrication of microstructures that are more resistant to various impacts, such as heat and chemical reaction, as is the case with Samsung processors.
Finally, EUV lithography technology allows for the production of smaller microstructures. EUV radiation has a shorter wavelength than other lithography methods, allowing for the fabrication of smaller structures. This is critical in microfabrication, where the packaging and density of microstructures are important parameters for the performance and efficiency of electronic systems.
Source: CNBC News
