Samsung Accelerates 2nm GAA Wafer Production with ASML’s High-NA EUV Machinery in Local Manufacturing

Samsung has officially announced the Exynos 2600 as its pioneering 2nm Gate-All-Around (GAA) chipset. Recent reports indicate that the mass production of this high-performance System on Chip (SoC) has commenced. In its quest to compete with industry leader TSMC, the Korean tech giant is keen to minimize losses and enhance manufacturing yields, demonstrating its capability to produce cutting-edge silicon at scale. To this end, insiders suggest that Samsung is acquiring additional high-NA Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines from ASML, integrating this advanced technology into its production facilities. While such machinery comes with a staggering price tag, the potential competitive advantage it offers is substantial.

High-NA EUV Machinery: A Necessity for 2nm GAA Circuitry

Each of ASML’s high-NA EUV machines costs over $400 million, a factor that may contribute to TSMC’s reluctance to transition to this technology, especially since its current tools can successfully handle the shift to 1.4nm production. As per reports from Fnnews, Samsung’s hefty investment in these advanced machines is aimed at gaining a competitive edge in GAA production at the 2nm node. Previous updates indicated that during test runs of the Exynos 2600, Samsung’s manufacturing yields for this process were only 30 percent, a statistic that emphasizes the need for improvement.

For mass production to be economically sustainable, yields must reach a minimum of 70 percent. Thus, the introduction of high-NA EUV machines may be critical for Samsung in achieving this benchmark, as ASML’s technology is vital for fabricating the ultra-fine circuits required for the 2nm GAA process. However, even with considerable financial resources, Samsung’s ability to acquire these machines is limited; ASML can only produce five to six units each year, and these units are also subject to strict export controls.

Currently, it appears that Samsung plans to utilize its cutting-edge 2nm GAA technology solely for the Exynos 2600. While the company has completed the initial design for its second-generation 2nm GAA process, convincing potential clients of Samsung’s reliability as a semiconductor partner may take additional time.

News Source: Fnnews

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