China Unveils 'Xizhi,' Its First Domestically Developed Lithography Apparatus
China has unveiled its first domestically engineered electron-beam lithography machine, called Xizhi. Having been developed by Zhejiang University, the creation serves as a strategic endeavor by the nation to cut reliance for foreign technology, especially when foreign access was restricted due to export sanctions from the United States and the Netherlands.
Circumventing Technology Restrictions
Till now, Chinese firms have been restricted to buying the older DUV (deep ultraviolet lithography) equipment. They have not had access to the more state-of-the-art EUV (extreme ultraviolet lithography) machines made by Dutch company ASML, so very much required for making chips smaller than 7nm. This has rendered the semiconductor sector in China severely disadvantaged, with such market leaders as TSMC and Samsung sprinting towards the mass production of 2nm processors.
Xizhi Functional Possibilities and Limitations
The Xizhi machine functions by directing focused electron beam irradiation to write circuits on silicon wafers. It can produce lines down to 8nm and has a positioning accuracy of 0.6nm, fulfilling the international technical standard for this technology; however, electron beam lithography is unsuitable for the high-volume mass production of microchips. The primary utility is in the research and test phases of chip development.
Domestic Impact and Future Ambitions
There are already reports that negotiations with research institutions and firms for the sale of Xizhi machines are in process, states Hangzhou Daily. This makes it more attractive for the domestic market because of its lower price compared with imported ones. It also marks a very fundamental step for China to set up its own microelectronics equipment ecosystem to survive external sanctions.
Beyond Xizhi, there are speculated to be more ambitious projects. Reports say HUAWEI is now testing an experimental EUV machine of its own. Should this project achieve mass production by 2026, it will potentially restore the ability of both HUAWEI and the wider Chinese industry to manufacture advanced chips that compete with Apple, Qualcomm, and NVIDIA.
