Many people are familiar with mobile phones, computers, and tablets, but many people don¡¯t know that the most technical part of manufacturing these electronic devices is the chip.
With the advancement of science and technology, microelectronic integrated circuit technology is becoming more and more widely used in various scientific and technological electronic products around the world. The development of the country is also inseparable from high-end chips.
TVs, computers, stereos, etc. all require the use of chips. As a country with a large population, China will account for more than 50% of the world's chip demand in the near future.
With such a huge demand, we can only rely on imports. The only brand is Huawei, but there is still a certain gap with international standards.
Huawei can do chip research and development, but it cannot manufacture it because high-end photolithography machines are required in the chip manufacturing process.
Lithography machine is the core equipment for the production of large-scale integrated circuits. It is the basis for manufacturing and maintaining the optical and electronic industries. It is also one of the most cutting-edge technologies in the world.
? Among them, the strongest company in the field of lithography machines is ASML, which comes from Windmill Country.
Yi Xiaohai doesn¡¯t know much about chips, but ASML Company is very familiar with it.
in the future,
In the global high-end lithography machine market below 45 nanometers, the market share of ASML Company in Windmill China has reached more than 80%, and ASML is the only provider of lithography machines in the world that can achieve 7 nanometer precision.
It can be said that ASML¡¯s photolithography machines almost monopolize the global market.
Because the difficulty of making ASML lithography equipment is too high, the annual output is not high, and ASML shareholders have to fight to get more equipment.
It¡¯s enough to see how popular ASML¡¯s photolithography machines are.
Among the many conditions put forward by Yi Xiaohai, one is that the Harder family negotiates with ASML to provide 10 latest model photolithography machines.
He was worried that the Harder family would bargain and deliberately put forward more excessive demands in Unilever's cooperation to turn the Harder family's attention in another direction.
At the same time, it can be regarded as a cover for his true purpose, preventing Hader from knowing his purpose.
It¡¯s just that Yi Xiaohai thinks too much,
He doesn¡¯t know at all that the current ASML company doesn¡¯t have that much confidence.
ASML can become the world's top lithography machine manufacturer. In addition to investing a lot of R&D funds, it also has the support of the United States and Europe.
Although ASML is a windmill company, it has the power of Europe and the United States behind it, and many key technologies are provided by the United States and European countries.
For example, Germany¡¯s advanced mechanical technology and world-class Zeiss lenses, light sources provided by the United States, etc.
But this only puts it into the top ranks of the lithography machine field, rather than a monopoly. There are currently three top lithography machine manufacturers in the world, and the other two are Nikon and Canon.
There is not much gap between the three major manufacturers at this time. The turning point came five years later in 2007.
In line with TSMC¡¯s technical direction, ASML has launched a 193-nanometer light source immersion system, which introduces liquid as a medium in the optical lens and silicon wafer.
Under the conditions of the original light source and lens, this technology can significantly improve the etching accuracy, and has become a mainstream technical solution for high-end technology.
His two major rivals, Nikon and Canon, focus on dry lithography with 157nm light source. This technical route was quickly abandoned by the market.
Since then, Nikon and Canon have slowly declined, and only then did ASML have a monopoly.
In conclusion,
ASML has not yet become the number one in the world. The current market is dominated by Nikon and Canon. ASML is still conducting research and development and acquiring other companies in an attempt to catch up.
Their research and development and mergers and acquisitions require funds, and Samsung, Intel and other companies have invested in them, but they need market recognition to complete technological improvements.
They couldn¡¯t ask for Yi Xiaohai¡¯s big order, but the shareholders headed by the United States didn¡¯t seem to be happy.
¡¡
ASML company is holding a meeting,
"The Han and Tang Dynasties needed 10 new lithography machines. Please share your opinions."
As soon as the chairman finished speaking, several directors raised objections.
"China is very ambitious, and its counterfeiting technology is top-notch and cannot be sold."
"On behalf of Intel, I oppose the sale to the Han and Tang Dynasties!"
"I object too."
The voting hasn¡¯t started yet, and it¡¯s basically one-sided, with the vast majority of directors not agreeing to sell to Intel.
"Let me say a few words."
The chairman raised his hand to ask everyone to be quiet.
"Yi Xiaohai can stay with usYou can buy it here, or you can buy it from Nikon and Canon. 10 units can bring us a profit of nearly 300 million. Should we give it up to others? "
He said me, and someone immediately jumped out:
"The company has no technical advantage in the field of photolithography machines. Why does Yi Xiaohai want to purchase large quantities from us? Isn't this possible a conspiracy?"
"Conspiracy?"
The chairman almost laughed:
"What impact can he have on us?"
"If they dismantle it and develop new technologies based on our technology, it will have an impact on us."
"I still say what I said, if you don't sell it, Canon and Nikon will sell it. They can still disassemble it for research and development. No one can stop it." "But it must not be sold by us!"
The chairman calmly tried to persuade;
"You must know that there are too many technical fields that need to be developed for lithography machines. No one company can complete it alone, including professional lithography testing and solution capabilities, ultraviolet light sources, optical lenses, etc.,"
¡°Take the company as an example. We have gathered together almost the world¡¯s strongest companies in various fields to successfully develop twinscanxt with dual workbench and immersion lithography technology.¡±
"So as long as we maintain investment in R&D, we can maintain our technological leadership. Even if China can manufacture it itself, it will only be a product that we eliminate."
What the chairman said is very reasonable, but the shareholders of the company headed by the United States are determined not to agree.
When things get to this point, the only thing left to do is vote.
"Since everyone has different opinions, let's vote to resolve it."
"Wait a moment!"
Intel representatives blocked the vote.
He is not a fool. The chairman proposed to sell the photolithography machine to Han and Tang Dynasties. Several shareholders in Europe did not express their opinions. It is likely that they had already discussed it before.
The result of the vote may not be what he wants to see.
¡°If the board of directors makes a decision, it will be very troublesome to change it and it will take some time.
"We will have a meeting tomorrow to decide, and we will think about it again."
The chairman knew what he was going to do and agreed directly.
The results of the company¡¯s board of directors soon reached Old Hader¡¯s ears.
He didn¡¯t know how much Yi Xiaohai valued this cooperation, so he decided to tell Yi Xiaohai in advance.
Because the United States is firmly opposed to it, it is expected to use other means to exert pressure.
Although ASML technology is not top-notch, you must show your attitude. After all, most technologies in Europe and the United States are blocked from China. If you sell them casually, those blockades are just decorations.