Canon Wants to Challenge ASML with a Cheaper 5 nm Nanoimprint Lithography Machine

[AleksandarK]

Japanese tech giant Canon hopes to shake up the semiconductor manufacturing industry by shipping new low-cost nanoimprint lithography (NIL) machines as early as this year. The technology, which stamps chip designs onto silicon wafers rather than using more complex light-based etching like market leader ASML's systems, could allow Canon to undercut rivals and democratize leading-edge chip production. "We would like to start shipping this year or next year...while the market is hot. It is a very unique technology that will enable cutting-edge chips to be made simply and at a low cost," said Hiroaki Takeishi, head of Canon's industrial group overseeing nanoimprint lithography technological advancement. Nanoimprint machines target a semiconductor node width of 5 nanometers, aiming to reach 2 nm eventually. Takeishi said the technology has primarily resolved previous defect rate issues, but success will depend on convincing customers that integration into existing fabrication plants is worthwhile.

There is skepticism about Canon's ability to significantly disrupt the market led by ASML's expensive but sophisticated extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography tools. However, if nanoimprint can increase yields to nearly 90% at lower costs, it could carve out a niche, especially with EUV supply struggling to meet surging demand. Canon's NIL machines are supposedly 40% the cost of ASML machinery, while operating with up to 90% lower power draw. Initially focusing on 3D NAND memory chips rather than complex processors, Canon must contend with export controls limiting sales to China. But with few options left, Takeishi said Canon will "pay careful attention" to sanctions risks. If successfully deployed commercially after 15+ years in development, Canon's nanoimprint technology could shift the competitive landscape by enabling new players to manufacture leading-edge semiconductors at dramatically lower costs. But it remains to be seen whether the new machines' defect rates, integration challenges, and geopolitical headwinds will allow Canon to disrupt the chipmaking giants it aims to compete with significantly.



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[Ferrum Master]

Basically it is Canon vs Carl Zeiss.

 

[thesmokingman]

This is good news if they could break ASML's grip on the industry.

 

[Denver]

It looks promising, the software seems to contribute a lot to the high cost, maybe ML will help in this case... The mountain doesn't stop rising:

 

[P4-630]

I mean have they even ever made a printer that worked flawlessly without issues for at least 3 years?......

 

[Dristun]

I mean have they even ever made a printer that worked flawlessly without issues for at least 3 years?......

Yeah, lol. But their cameras are pretty good, if overpriced a bit!

 

[Denver]

I mean have they even ever made a printer that worked flawlessly without issues for at least 3 years?......

You raise a good point, I don't want my processor faded from printing failures;

 

[Ferrum Master]

You raise a good point, I don't want my processor faded from printing failures;

Glad it ain't EPSON... you would have an error about Magenta or Cyan when printing BW

 

[Wirko]

Glad it ain't EPSON... you would have an error about Magenta or Cyan when printing BW

This machine will be much more advanced, it will complain about low magenta when trying to print EUV.

 

[trsttte]

It's funny to think one of the biggest camera manufacturers and a big player in industrial equipment still goes to the trouble of annoying users about stupid ink cartridges that makes them a few bucks compared to industrial equipment. Like, there's a team of engineers who's job is to figure out ways to annoy a customer enough that they'll only buy original ink cartridge instead of having those resources help them regain a meaningfull market share in the silicon lithography market.

Same goes for HP, selling computers by the boatload but still wastes time and reputation messing around ink cartridges.

 

[Wirko]

It's funny to think one of the biggest camera manufacturers and a big player in industrial equipment still goes to the trouble of annoying users about stupid ink cartridges that makes them a few bucks compared to industrial equipment. Like, there's a team of engineers who's job is to figure out ways to annoy a customer enough that they'll only buy original ink cartridge instead of having those resources help them regain a meaningfull market share in the silicon lithography market.

Same goes for HP, selling computers by the boatload but still wastes time and reputation messing around ink cartridges.

And this is the Canon we're talking about:

Canon sets a new innovation record, ranking top 5 in patents for 38 years in a row

Canon shows unwavering consistency in innovation, as the only company to rank top 5 in patents for 38 straight years

www.digitalcameraworld.com

... but maybe many of those patents are "method and apparatus to force paying customers to pay more often".

 

[Minus Infinity]

And this is the Canon we're talking about:

Canon sets a new innovation record, ranking top 5 in patents for 38 years in a row

Canon shows unwavering consistency in innovation, as the only company to rank top 5 in patents for 38 straight years

www.digitalcameraworld.com

... but maybe many of those patents are "method and apparatus to force paying customers to pay more often".

I used to work for Canon and most of the patents they "forced" us to write were junk and in no way not obvious to the layman. Patents for patents sake. And you whole career at Canon revolved about how many patents you generated leading to further frivolous "patents". You basically tried to patent any rubbish to survive.

 

[ScaLibBDP]

I mean have they even ever made a printer that worked flawlessly without issues for at least 3 years?......

Take into account that Canon also makes Digital Processors and CMOS sensors for digital cameras. If Canon repurposes at least one factory for making computing chips ( a Foundry Service for external clients! ) it will be a really right step forward.

 

[Minus Infinity]

Take into account that Canon also makes Digital Processors and CMOS sensors for digital cameras. If Canon repurposes at least one factory for making computing chips ( a Foundry Service for external clients! ) it will be a really right step forward.

Canon don't make the processors, Texas Instruments do. They do make their own sensors, but these days are minuscule compared to Sony sensors group.

 

[TechLurker]

It's nice to see something challenge EUV; and doubly so coming from Japan, especially after Canon was denied access to the tech back in the 90s and which ended up leading to a virtual monopoly after the other two American companies with EUV licenses gave up and ASML took total control. I hope Canon succeeds, more to bring more competition back into the field and improve production yields in general. Especially since wafer demand is only going up.

That said, I wonder if Nikon is also still in the game (they still produce high-quality DUV machines), or if they'll team up with Canon and further market their nanoprinting process under license.

In terms of customers, some of those companies that want to do their own mini-fabs could be a target, like OpenAI, while other companies who gave up the small node race might be able to jump back in, like GloFo.

 

[Tomorrow]

I mean have they even ever made a printer that worked flawlessly without issues for at least 3 years?......

I bought a Canon multi-function b/w laser printer 7 years ago. Thus far it has not even required cartridge change.
Could be the fact that it's a business oriented product. The exact product is Canon i-SENSYS MF229dw. The cost was about ~250€.

Of course if you buy consumer oriented inkjet junk then i would not be surprised by the failure rates.

 

[Mawkzin]

It looks promising, the software seems to contribute a lot to the high cost, maybe ML will help in this case... The mountain doesn't stop rising:


View attachment 332017

The software in the image is the chip firmware?

 

[Denver]

The software in the image is the chip firmware?

No, chip development involves the use of multiple software tools at different stages of the process; Tools for Logical Design, Verification, Physical Synthesis, Circuit Simulation, etc...

 

[Aquinus]

Yeah, lol. But their cameras are pretty good, if overpriced a bit!

For those of you who haven't used a modern mirrorless Canon camera, their auto-focus system is quite literally one of the best in the world. Their cameras might be a bit expensive, but they're also pretty solid too.