The mask aligner manufacturing giant ASML is present at the ongoing 3rd China Import Expo, and is exhibiting the DUV mask aligner at its own booth, Chinese media reported.
ASML did not show its new EUV mask aligner because it is not yet able to export EUV mask aligners to China, while the DUV mask aligner on display is capable of producing 7nm and above process chips.
ASML also brought its total lithography solution, including advanced control capabilities of the mask aligner table for computational lithography and measurement to improve edge positioning accuracy through modeling, simulation, and analysis.
ASML: Delayed delivery of lithography equipment to Wuhan due to travel restrictions
Prior to this, ASML CFO Roger Dassen discussed business with Chinese customers such as SMIC in a video interview at the earnings conference, stating that in some cases no license is required to export the mask aligner.
Roger Dassen pointed out that ASML is aware of the current regulations and their interpretation by the U.S. authorities, and certainly knows that these are relevant to specific Chinese customers.
But a broader understanding of the overall implications of the regulations for ASML would mean that ASML would be able to supply DUV lithography systems from the Netherlands to these Chinese customers without the need for an export license, he said.
There are two main types of mask aligners: EUV mask aligners and DUV mask aligners, which are dry split and liquid immersion mask aligners.
The liquid-immersion mask aligner, which was developed by ASML, has a wavelength of 193nm but an equivalent wavelength of 134nm. However, each additional exposure results in higher manufacturing costs and yield is difficult to control.
The EUV mask aligner uses a light source with a wavelength of 13.5 nm, which is an essential tool for breaking through the 10 nm process node.
In other words, even if the DUV (deep ultraviolet) mask aligner can find a replacement from Nikon and Canon, without ASML's EUV mask aligner, the 5nm production lines of chip giants TSMC, Samsung, and Intel will not be able to go into production.
Chinese company Han's Laser says it has received orders for its in-process lithography machine
