18 ms·

ASML (or as the news once called them "an obscure Dutch firm") is the magic behind our most cutting edge technology, they make the machines that make the chips

ASML (or as the news once called them "an obscure Dutch firm") is the magic behind our most cutting edge technology, they make the machines that make the chips in all of the most advanced technology. If this AI boom is like the gold rush, and GPU makers are the guys selling the shovel to the gold miners, well ASML is the guy making the shovel making machine to sell to GPU makers. They're also at least partially responsible for the massive chip shortage we have been going through. ASML was expecting to get their newest technology figured out and sold to chip manufacturers, but ran into some unexpected hurdles and it was delayed. Those chip makers had been expecting this new tech, and so were their customers, and now had to alter their plans to use "not the latest and greatest chips" but rather the next best thing they could get their hands on. Now all those devices that wanted the new chips have to fight over the ones that are already existing, and meanwhile COVID causes tech needs to skyrocket (honestly, just Chromebooks for schools alone were a massive amount) while also screwing up shipping, and Crypto is obviously still all the rage. So massive demand spike combined with a lower supply, leads to a huge shortage and price spike for devices with chips.

ChuckNorris89 3y ago
Not to steal your thunder, but the secret sauce to ASMLs success, the EUV tech, was developed by Sandia Labs USA and ASML bought the license to use it, and the other secret sauce, the insanely tricky EUV light source is developed and built by Cymer USA which ASML also bought. So, pretty sure the US deserves at least an honorable mention here for inventing and building the tech ASML packages and sells.
- Nickels2102 3y ago
  No, I totally understand, I'm not trying to say the modern world was entirely invented by the Dutch, most successful companies have bought at least some of the tech they now use. I just think that 99% of the world has no idea that ASML exists, and yet it's so incredibly crucial. I included that bit about them being Dutch because, one of my best friends works for ASML on the east coast, and apparently ASML finds that news quote funny enough that they have some shirts and swag with that quote on it.
- User23 3y ago
  And for that and possibly other reasons the USA controls where the technology can be exported. That said it’s not like you just buy the lithography machine and some technicians and now you’re competing on par with TSMC. There is serious additional engineering to use the machines in a fab.
renewiltord 3y ago
ASML posts are the Speed Check stories of lithography. Everyone constantly brings them up here, dear god. There we were, kings of light, floating in our clean rooms, positive pressure or vacuum sealed as we desired, not a mote of dust in the air. There were a lot of things we couldn't do, but we had the tightest process node and we loved reminding our fellow photolithographers of this fact. I wouldn't use the word 'fun' to describe what we're doing. Intense, maybe. Even cerebral. But there was one day when it was pure fun. Peter and I were finalizing tape-out and needed another few hours, but somewhere in Amsterdam soon we'd made it. The machine was performing flawlessly and yield was good. I was feeling a bit sorry for Peter, since he handles sales and misses all the fun of EUV lithography. Just to get a sense of what he had to contend with I pulled his calendar and got on the conference call for a vendor comparison. A shaky Canon salesperson got on the call and volunteered their best process size: "Canon can do a 20 nm process node, I think". The thing you have to remember about the TSMC guys is that they're pros and always speak in this professional voice that I like to call the Hsinchu Voice. "Copy that, Canon. We can put you in the Fiats and Citroens". Anyway, moments later pops in this Nikon guy, with theirs: "We, Nikon that is, can do an 18 nm". Boy, he must think he's really dazzling his camera-business friend. But then, on came the Lam Research guy and you knew these guys were good because he was cool as a cucumber. Drops in, 4 words, and he knew he was in the game: "Lam Research, 12 nm". I'm thinking to myself that this is a ripe situation, but Peter ran the call on our side, and I had to remind myself not to undermine him. Still, that Lam guy had to die, and die now! My inner techbro was screaming against my corporate persona. Then I saw Peter reach forward and hit the unmute button. That's when I knew we were really a team. "TSMC, how's our process doing?". Cool as ever came back TSMC's response in that Hsinchu calm: "We've got great yields at 5 nm, maybe considering going a nm lower?" You could tell TSMC was proud reading out those numbers. But what made it certain we'd be lifelong friends is when Peter in his best photolithographer's voice said "Ah, TSMC, much thanks, I think we can do 3 nm this time". For a moment, Peter was a god. Lam had been flamed. All lithographers had been forced to bow before the king of angstroms. A fine day's work. For once, it was fun.

ChuckNorris89 3y ago

Not to steal your thunder, but the secret sauce to ASMLs success, the EUV tech, was developed by Sandia Labs USA and ASML bought the license to use it, and the other secret sauce, the insanely tricky EUV light source is developed and built by Cymer USA which ASML also bought. So, pretty sure the US deserves at least an honorable mention here for inventing and building the tech ASML packages and sells.

Nickels2102 3y ago
No, I totally understand, I'm not trying to say the modern world was entirely invented by the Dutch, most successful companies have bought at least some of the tech they now use. I just think that 99% of the world has no idea that ASML exists, and yet it's so incredibly crucial. I included that bit about them being Dutch because, one of my best friends works for ASML on the east coast, and apparently ASML finds that news quote funny enough that they have some shirts and swag with that quote on it.
User23 3y ago
And for that and possibly other reasons the USA controls where the technology can be exported. That said it’s not like you just buy the lithography machine and some technicians and now you’re competing on par with TSMC. There is serious additional engineering to use the machines in a fab.

renewiltord 3y ago

ASML posts are the Speed Check stories of lithography. Everyone constantly brings them up here, dear god. There we were, kings of light, floating in our clean rooms, positive pressure or vacuum sealed as we desired, not a mote of dust in the air. There were a lot of things we couldn't do, but we had the tightest process node and we loved reminding our fellow photolithographers of this fact. I wouldn't use the word 'fun' to describe what we're doing. Intense, maybe. Even cerebral. But there was one day when it was pure fun. Peter and I were finalizing tape-out and needed another few hours, but somewhere in Amsterdam soon we'd made it. The machine was performing flawlessly and yield was good. I was feeling a bit sorry for Peter, since he handles sales and misses all the fun of EUV lithography. Just to get a sense of what he had to contend with I pulled his calendar and got on the conference call for a vendor comparison. A shaky Canon salesperson got on the call and volunteered their best process size: "Canon can do a 20 nm process node, I think". The thing you have to remember about the TSMC guys is that they're pros and always speak in this professional voice that I like to call the Hsinchu Voice. "Copy that, Canon. We can put you in the Fiats and Citroens". Anyway, moments later pops in this Nikon guy, with theirs: "We, Nikon that is, can do an 18 nm". Boy, he must think he's really dazzling his camera-business friend. But then, on came the Lam Research guy and you knew these guys were good because he was cool as a cucumber. Drops in, 4 words, and he knew he was in the game: "Lam Research, 12 nm". I'm thinking to myself that this is a ripe situation, but Peter ran the call on our side, and I had to remind myself not to undermine him. Still, that Lam guy had to die, and die now! My inner techbro was screaming against my corporate persona. Then I saw Peter reach forward and hit the unmute button. That's when I knew we were really a team. "TSMC, how's our process doing?". Cool as ever came back TSMC's response in that Hsinchu calm: "We've got great yields at 5 nm, maybe considering going a nm lower?" You could tell TSMC was proud reading out those numbers. But what made it certain we'd be lifelong friends is when Peter in his best photolithographer's voice said "Ah, TSMC, much thanks, I think we can do 3 nm this time". For a moment, Peter was a god. Lam had been flamed. All lithographers had been forced to bow before the king of angstroms. A fine day's work. For once, it was fun.