3 ms·

> That doesn't happen without a very good reason. That reason is that ASML wouldn't be in the position it is without USA's early investment into EUV technology

by audunw 3y ago

> That doesn't happen without a very good reason. That reason is that ASML wouldn't be in the position it is without USA's early investment into EUV technology, and ASML relies on its own imports from USA that USA could block (not allowed under current US legislation but they could obviously change that if there was enough political pressure). No need for NATO conspiracy theories. USA is a good partner to ASML. Why the hell would they piss off their most valued partner to satisfy a country (China) that is dead set on copying as much of their technology as they can?

jacquesm 3y ago
Yes, that acquisition jumpstarted ASML's present day lead in that domain. But they were the only party in the whole world at the time that could take advantage of that tech. So it was good for everybody but that did mean that some strings got attached. But within NATO ASML is strategic, there is zero doubt about that.
- selimthegrim 3y ago
  Canon couldn't have?
  - jacquesm 3y ago
    No, they couldn't have. Canon makes nice stuff but they're nowhere near where ASML is. It is however possible that Canon will at some point in the future be able to compete with ASML for all of its line-up, but Canon will have to make up for at least a decade of lag and for the industry that means that they're not relevant for the cutting edge. The amount of investment that they would need to make to be a serious threat to ASML is something they do not currently have in the works. Industry watchers are skeptical about Canon's 'NIL' product, there are serious concerns about flaws in the process resulting in low yields. Maybe they'll be able to iron those out and then they may well become a contender. But it's an entirely different path than the one that ASML took and as those bets come a bit of a risky one (but with correspondingly high pay out if they get it to work). For now ASML is 90% of the market or so...

by audunw 3y ago

jacquesm 3y ago

Yes, that acquisition jumpstarted ASML's present day lead in that domain. But they were the only party in the whole world at the time that could take advantage of that tech. So it was good for everybody but that did mean that some strings got attached. But within NATO ASML is strategic, there is zero doubt about that.

selimthegrim 3y ago
Canon couldn't have?
- jacquesm 3y ago
  No, they couldn't have. Canon makes nice stuff but they're nowhere near where ASML is. It is however possible that Canon will at some point in the future be able to compete with ASML for all of its line-up, but Canon will have to make up for at least a decade of lag and for the industry that means that they're not relevant for the cutting edge. The amount of investment that they would need to make to be a serious threat to ASML is something they do not currently have in the works. Industry watchers are skeptical about Canon's 'NIL' product, there are serious concerns about flaws in the process resulting in low yields. Maybe they'll be able to iron those out and then they may well become a contender. But it's an entirely different path than the one that ASML took and as those bets come a bit of a risky one (but with correspondingly high pay out if they get it to work). For now ASML is 90% of the market or so...