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Chapter 110 - Chapter 110: What is Curve-Saving the Country?

Chapter 110: What is Curve-Saving the Country?

Zheng Zhenchuan's eyes flickered a few times.

After spending so much time with the Yuanxin team, if he still couldn't figure out Yuanxin's ambition and Su Yuanshan's vision, he would have wasted several decades of his life.

Clearly, Su Yuanshan's sigh and his thoughtful expression earlier were a sign of dissatisfaction with the current model and future expectations.

However, Zheng Zhenchuan also knew that Su Yuanshan was passionate—even obsessed—with the domestic production of lithography machines—at least the technology part—otherwise, he wouldn't have rushed over immediately after hearing that the lithography machine had been successfully installed, and with just one phone call, invited engineers from Huajing over.

After pondering for a while, Zheng Zhenchuan looked at Su Yuanshan and said, "Xiao Su, tell me your forecast for the lithography machine market."

Su Yuanshan nodded, staring at Zheng Zhenchuan. "Since the 60s and 70s, from Fairchild and IBM's tinkering to make contact lithography machines, it has been only about two to three decades. During this time, contact lithography machines were phased out, and the technology has continuously evolved, becoming more complex. In recent years, old lithography machine companies like GCA and Ultratech have exited the market, and Nikon and Canon have risen due to their mastery of lens technology."

"But in the long run, I don't think much of these two companies."

"Why?" Li Mingliu asked.

"Because they are companies from the Niguo (Japan), because they've been abandoned by their parent company, and because the closer they get to the high-end, the more the industry will fragment," Su Yuanshan glanced at Li Mingliu and said softly.

"From the semiconductor industry perspective, lithography machines are just one part of the chip production line. It seems already quite segmented, but we can foresee that in the future, lithography machines will become more complex, more precise, and more limiting for high-end chips. Therefore, it will definitely split into two areas: components and technology."

Su Yuanshan paused, trying to avoid discussing the future EUV alliance and instead focus on explaining the importance of "integrating technology."

"Right now, when we talk about lithography machine technology, it involves both component manufacturing and component integration. In the simpler mechanical environments, we have a concept that, as long as it's mechanical, it can be replicated after disassembly. If it can't be, then the components don't meet the standards."

"Now, we can't say that this concept is wrong, but as mechanical structures become more complex, especially after the addition of anti-disassembly technology... even if you can disassemble and reassemble it, how long will it take? Will it be marketable once assembled? Will it be safe from lawsuits? We are actively applying to join the WTO!"

Zheng Zhenchuan looked at Su Yuanshan and said, "So in the new report, our goal is to base it on existing technological accumulation and study complete machines with independent intellectual property rights."

"That's right, independent intellectual property rights are crucial. But... right now, we still have to rely on special methods to acquire some key components. Uncle Zheng, have you considered this?"

Zheng Zhenchuan fell silent.

Su Yuanshan sighed again. "I remember saying before that in the future, the most advanced lithography machines will be made by the whole world—look at the Star-Spangled Country, they no longer have any lithography machine manufacturers. But they don't care because they can buy them."

Zheng Zhenchuan looked at him, "You mean, it's impossible for us to do it solely with the Optical Machine Institute and Yuanxin?"

"If we continue to cooperate in the current form, the best result would be that because we can't obtain parts from the 'whole world,' we will only be able to produce machines that are one to two generations behind. And in a winner-takes-all market, being behind means being cannon fodder."

At this moment, Xi Xiaoding asked, "What's the solution?"

Su Yuanshan turned around, glanced at Xi Xiaoding, and smiled nonchalantly. "The simplest solution is to go to Xiangjiang, take advantage of the free port there, obtain the necessary components, and simultaneously complete technological upgrades."

At this moment, Xiangjiang was nothing like it would be in the future; eight years ago, the Fourth Ministry of Machinery, the Seventh Ministry of Machinery, and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation had already "infiltrated" Xiangjiang, using a curve to save the country, setting up Huake, Xinghua, and Xianke, some of the most advanced wafer fabs in the country at the time.

Su Yuanshan recalled Lin Benjian, who had just started his business in Silicon Valley this year—he would return to TSMC eight years later and propose immersion technology, collaborating with ASML to break through the 193nm wavelength immersion lithography. After that, Nikon and Canon would suffer a crushing defeat.

At the time, ASML had chosen immersion lithography only out of desperation, and with one bold move, they turned the tables. TSMC was the first to break through the 130nm process and left UMC far behind.

Of course, in the long term, Nikon and Canon's defeat was inevitable. From the time of the two semiconductor agreements to the EUV alliance's abandonment of Niguo, it was clear that the U.S. had abandoned them.

If Nikon and Canon could fall, then the road for domestic lithography machines was even more uncertain.

But now, with Su Yuanshan involved, he knew the future development direction. He knew that immersion technology was a necessary path, he knew that EUV was crucial for the future, and he knew about FinFET—this was one of the reasons he chose to apply physics.

As Su Yuanshan finished speaking, Zheng Zhenchuan chuckled helplessly, "Anything more difficult? The issue of confidentiality alone is already a huge obstacle."

Xiangjiang used to be manageable, but with the approach of 91, spies were everywhere, and the Optical Machine Institute, as a confidential unit, couldn't possibly work there.

Su Yuanshan smiled, "The more difficult thing to say, though it sounds simple, is that the entire domestic industrial system needs a comprehensive upgrade, from raw materials to components, from light sources to lenses, from bearings to motors, everything has to catch up to the international advanced level."

The meeting room fell into a long silence.

This was no longer a matter of difficulty, but a matter of whether they dared to even think about it.

Even the most confident and optimistic person wouldn't think that this could be achieved in the short term.

The meeting room fell into a brief silence.

Bang!

Li Mingliu lightly hammered the table, angrily saying, "Then why are we even bothering?!"

"The problem is, even if it's just a fart, we still have to keep going."

Su Yuanshan calmly looked at Zheng Zhenchuan, "Uncle Zheng, my determination to support the domestic production of lithography machine technology will not change. So, please stick with it. If possible, your group can even move into the Yuanxin Technology Park. We plan to invest nearly 500 million into research and development next year."

"At the same time, this lithography machine can also be brought into Yuanxin's clean room for scientific research. Of course, when dividing the results, Yuanxin will definitely strive for maximum benefits." Su Yuanshan paused, "This is the path we are currently taking, targeting the secondary market and giving up the high-end market."

But there was one thing Su Yuanshan didn't say.

That was, Yuanxin would rely on its cooperation with the Chengguang Institute to bring out the immersion technology early, then license it to all lithography machine companies. Simultaneously, they would pour money into a specific field of lithography machines, like the light source.

Since the future of lithography machines would undoubtedly be "made by the whole world," the domestic industry would give up the high-end machine market and instead become a technology provider, like Star-Spangled Country.

Then, if competitors truly wielded the big stick, at least the domestic market wouldn't be left completely defenseless.

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