Processor technology is becoming more expensive and more inaccessible day by day. However, Canon has come up with a new processor production technology. In this sense, the company announced the nanoimprint lithography (NIL) device that currently produces 5nm processors.
As you know, you need EUV (extreme ultraviolet lithography) machines to produce 7nm processors in the world. The only Dutch company ASML produces these machines in the world. These devices, which are the size of a bus, may be losing their throne. In this sense, China can escape the US embargo thanks to this new lithography technology. But how does this new processor technology work?
China, US processor embargo can be broken thanks to Canon lithography device
Canon announced that they have now reached the 5nm processor level without the need for an optical layout. In short, this will both reduce the size of the device and reduce costs. However, one of the important developments is that this technology is not optical-based. The US embargo prevents China from acquiring optical-based lithography devices. In this sense, China seems to have found a new way out.
China has been under US embargo in both processor production and many other areas for a long time. For now, the Chinese processor company SMIC has progressed to the level of producing 7nm processors. However, it cannot reach optical-based lithography devices to get down to lower nanometers.
But how does Canon lithography technology work if it is not optically based? Optical lithography machines use optical equipment to create hair-thin circuit patterns on 5nm and below processors. Thus, it is possible to place more frequent transistors on the processor.
Canon’s NIL lithography machine, on the other hand, prints the resistor like a stamp, unlike traditional optical lithography equipment, to create a circuit pattern where the transistors will be placed. This circuit pattern can then be reproduced faithfully. Of course, these explanations are a very simple explanation of the new processor technology.
So, do you think China can break the US embargo with Canon lithography device for processor production? We are waiting your comments.