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Japan is trying to rebuild its leading edge capability with Rapidus using IBM technology. Interestingly, IBM still does the research needed to make a fabricatio
by ryao 2y ago
Japan is trying to rebuild its leading edge capability with Rapidus using IBM technology. Interestingly, IBM still does the research needed to make a fabrication plant. They just don’t want to assume the risks from deploying it in production anymore as far as I can tell.
- alephnerd 2y ago> Interestingly, IBM still does the research needed to make a fabrication plant Yep. They still own the IP from the IBM Microelectronics days. Much of the breakthroughs in EUV were done in Upstate NY (especially at SUNY Albany, SUNY Polytechnic, and RPI), and a lot of that was co-owned by IBM, ASML, and TEL. > They just don’t want to assume the risks The capex - and pretty much. Semiconductor Fabrication is high cost, low margins, so it's difficult to spin up without industrial policy.
- ryao 2y agoIt is a shame that the 450mm transition did not occur. It would have been better for all parties as it should have lowered the cost of fabrication.
- alephnerd 2y agoYep! I lay the blame squarely on the failed NY Nanotechnology Initiative which turned a massive head start in fabrication R&D into corrupt pork barrel politics. Albany deserves it's own special section of hell.