Samsung Acquires ASML High-NA EUV Machines for 2nm Chip Development
Samsung has indicated that its up-and-coming Exynos 2600 will be its first chipset built using a 2nm GAA process, and latest reports have suggested that mass production will commence in the future. For the purpose of preparing this competitive feature in advance against TSMC, Samsung is acquiring advanced high-NA EUV machinery from ASML for its production lines.
Improving Yields The Real Challenge in 2nm Production
One of the main reasons this investment was made was to improve production yield on the 2nm GAA process. Earlier testing on the Exynos 2600 apparently returns a yield of only 30 percent. In order for mass production to be financially viable, that number needs to be pushed to at least 70 percent. The high-NA EUV machines are crucial to this, as they help to achieve the ultra-fine circuits required by this 2nm process with cutting-edge technology.
A Very Costly and Limited Supply Solution
This strategic move from Samsung does come with very high hurdles. Each high-NA EUV machine from ASML costs more than $400 million, and that amount is said to be what has discouraged even TSMC from upgrading its tool kit. On top of the amount, another constraint to the machine is that the report said ASML manufactures five to six such machines a year, subject to the government export controls of the buyer's countries, which makes it much harder for Samsung to purchase as many units as it might need, even with sufficient funds.
Initial Application in The Exynos 2600
For now, the company will likely restrict its 2nm GAA technology to the Exynos 2600. While work on the second-generation 2nm node has been finalized, it will probably take a while for the external customer base to accept this foundry as a practicable and dependable semiconductor partner again.
