Rapidus quality: 2nm chips surpass TSMC

Rapidus quality: 2nm chips surpass TSMC

– Fully automated “front-end and back-end processes”

– 100% yield, 60% shorter delivery time

Summary from Katsumata Hisayoshi’s article in Worldview.

International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM):

Rapids and IBM announced the results of their research on 2nm semiconductors.

1. GAA (gate-all-around) was adopted for 2nm semiconductors.

2. SLR technology was developed, and an insulating film was devised to prevent electricity from leaking from fine circuits.

2nm technical requirements were resolved, and power savings were achieved through precise control of voltage.

Rapidus 2nm chip performance:

Japanese semiconductors have reached a stage where they are at the top of the world.

1. GAA surpasses conventional 2nm chip FinFETs.

2. Rapidus has overtaken TSMC in 2nm technology and performance.

Full automation of “front-end” and “back-end” processes:

We have achieved “full automation of front-end and back-end processes” in semiconductor manufacturing.

Full automation can shorten the delivery time for 2 nano chips by 66%.

Chitose Factory in Hokkaido:

Hokkaido is home to Chitose Airport, which is extremely convenient for transporting semiconductor products.

1. Companies are preparing to provide special support for the transportation of materials.

2. Hokkaido University and four technical colleges in the prefecture will support the supply of human resources.

We will also strengthen academic collaboration with Kyushu University and Tohoku University.

Measures against PFAS (fluorinated organic compounds):

Chitose has an abundant amount of water. However, it is important to remove PFAS from wastewater.

Rapidus has signed a wastewater quality testing agreement with Chitose City.

Partnership with IBM:

IBM has already given up its PC business and does not currently have a manufacturing department.

However, it is a front-runner in areas centered on AI, cloud computing, and data analysis.

Rapidus has absorbed the results of cutting-edge semiconductor research through its partnership with IBM.

Semiconductor manufacturing: Full automation of front-end and back-end processes

1. Back-end processes are a field that requires a lot of labor.

2. By automating them, product yield rates will increase dramatically.

Rapidus will achieve a 100% yield rate for 2nm semiconductors by automating all processes.

Profitability and product yield rate of semiconductor companies:

The profitability of semiconductor companies is determined by the quality of this product yield rate.

Samsung’s yield rate:

Samsung is suffering a huge loss due to a yield rate of less than 50% for 5nm semiconductors.

https://hisayoshi-katsumata-worldview.com/archives/37462095.html

Samsung: Struggling to build US factory

Summary from an article by Hisayoshi Katsumata published in Worldview.

Samsung’s US factory construction plan:

1. During President Biden’s term of office, a construction plan for a new US factory will be finalized.

2. If Samsung does not sign this contract, the US subsidy contract will expire.

Samsung has not been able to establish 2nm manufacturing technology and is considering a plan to transition to older semiconductor production.

Hankyoreh Newspaper: December 9th

1. Samsung Electronics’ US semiconductor subsidy negotiations are prolonged.

2. Taiwan’s TSMC finished negotiations last month and is preparing for local production.

US Department of Commerce semiconductor subsidies: December 9th

1. In the first half of this year, 11 companies have signed US subsidy and preliminary memorandums of understanding.

2. Samsung has not yet signed a final contract with the US.

Contents of Samsung’s preliminary memorandum:

The content presented to the US government is based on large-scale local investment and local production of cutting-edge semiconductors.

1. In exchange for receiving $6.4 billion from the US, the company will invest $40 billion locally.

2. They will start operating the 2nm process in Texas from 2026.

At present, neither Samsung nor TSMC have been able to commercialize 2nm semiconductors.

Samsung’s 5nm yield rate:

1. Samsung’s 5nm yield rate is less than 50%.

2. TSMC has achieved a 5nm yield rate of 70%.

TSMC’s major customers:

They have secured Apple, AMD, NVDIA, and others as customers for their Arizona plant.

There is absolutely no point in Samsung building a plant in the US.

https://hisayoshi-katsumata-worldview.com/archives/37430908.html#google_vignette