Chinese Engineers Attempt Reverse Engineering of ASML’s DUV Machines, End Up Breaking Them and Seeking ‘Technical’ Assistance from Dutch Firm

The quest for a significant advancement in lithography technology has seen Chinese engineers reportedly struggling with ASML’s DUV equipment, leading to unexpected complications that prompted them to reach out for assistance.

The Challenges of Reverse Engineering ASML’s DUV Tools: A Humbling Experience

The Chinese semiconductor sector confronts a pivotal obstacle in enhancing chip production due to limited access to state-of-the-art lithography equipment. This shortfall has hindered companies like SMIC from increasing their manufacturing capacities substantially over recent years. In their pursuit of self-sufficiency, Chinese engineers appeared eager to reverse engineer ASML’s DUV machinery, a process detailed in a report by The National Interest.

Interestingly, a source reports that in recent months, the Chinese have been caught trying to reverse-engineer the ASML DUV lithography machine.

But in the process of disassembling one of their older ASML systems, the Chinese apparently damaged it, prompting them to call ASML to send assistance to repair the broken device. Once ASML technicians arrived in China, they soon discovered that the machine had not simply broken down, but had broken because the Chinese attempted to disassemble and reassemble it.

This situation presents an intriguing blend of irony and amusement. While the specific source of this account remains unverified, the backdrop of China’s intense ambition for breakthroughs in the semiconductor field lends credibility to such claims. Once the machinery failed, Chinese engineers opted to summon ASML for repairs, who promptly exposed the circumstances surrounding the malfunction.

ASML EUV Machine — An ASML EUV machine, comparable in size to a bus

Reverse engineering a DUV machine is far from straightforward; it demands expertise in managing delicate, high-precision components. ASML is recognized for its cutting-edge lithography equipment, making the task of ‘decoding’ its sophisticated technology exceptionally challenging. Notably, the machinery incorporates detailed calibration benchmarks, intricate testing protocols, and specialized components that necessitate the expertise of ASML to operate effectively.

Although China has made strides in developing its domestic lithography solutions, it still lags in achieving the performance standards that ASML has set. The ongoing pursuit of self-reliance in semiconductor technology highlights the complexities involved and the daunting challenges that lie ahead for the Chinese tech industry.

Source & Images