Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
MoreBack to News Headlines
Why ASML’s new chip-making machine is a scientific marvel | Explained
Premium

Why ASML’s new chip-making machine is a scientific marvel | Explained Premium

The Hindu
Wednesday, March 6, 2024 10:10 AM GMT

Semiconductor lithography machines by ASML revolutionize computing with extreme precision, pushing boundaries of technology and innovation.

Computers denote data in bits – the famous 0s and 1s – using semiconductors. These are small physical devices that store these values and perform mathematical operations on them. The sum of all these operations is what allows the computer to compute.

We have powerful computers almost everywhere around us thanks to a technology called semiconductor lithography – the science of printing intricate circuits with extreme precision.

There are machines that automate this process, at a cost of anywhere between Rs 800 crore and Rs 1,600 crore. Only one company, ASML, headquartered in the Netherlands, makes them, giving it an absolute monopoly in a market worth $125 billion and rendering it the technology company with the highest market value in Europe.

In February, ASML unveiled its new ‘High NA EUV’ machine. It costs $350 million (Rs 2,900 crore) apiece and is as big as a double decker bus. Industry analysts say the machine ups ASML’s competition with Intel in the market for the most advanced semiconductors, to power the next generation of computers and smartphones.

This machine uses extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photolithography, a next-generation technology, to make the semiconductors. Here, simply speaking, the mould of the circuits of a transistor – a type of semiconductor – are transferred to a silicon wafer coated with a light-sensitive material called a photoresist. When light is shined on the photoresist, the mould solidifies and its gaps can be filled with wires to form the transistor.

The smallest feature size that can be moulded on the silicon wafer is governed by a physics principle called the Rayleigh scattering criterion. According to this criterion, the size of the feature to be projected on the wafer is proportional to the wavelength of light used and inversely proportional to the aperture of the lens that collects light before projecting it onto the wafer.

The proportionality with the wavelength of light includes a factor called ‘k’. Its value depends on many factors, including the operating temperature and the chemical properties of the photoresist, but has a maximum value of 0.25. In the inverse proportionality, the aperture indicates the amount of light that can be collected and focused on the wafer: the greater the aperture, the smaller the feature size.

Read full story on The Hindu
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
After U.S. labels The Resistance Front as global terror outfit, China calls for stronger regional anti-terror cooperation

China condemns terrorism, calls for regional cooperation to maintain security, in response to U.S. designation of TRF as terrorist group.

Brazil's former President Bolsonaro ordered to wear electronic ankle monitor

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro ordered to wear ankle monitor, barred from social media and contact with others.

Misbehaving monks: Sex scandal shakes Thai Buddhist faithful

Thai police arrest woman for extorting monks, sparking outrage over hypocrisy and corruption in the revered Buddhist monkhood.

Kremlin says it agrees with Ukraine that peace talks need to be stepped up

Ukraine and Russia agree to exchange prisoners and remains, but no date set for new talks; Kremlin responds to U.S. sanctions warning.

Head of UN rights office urges accountability for killings in Syria's Sweida

UN calls for accountability in Sweida killings, citing widespread rights violations and civilian casualties in Syria.

North Korea bans foreign tourists to newly opened Wonsan-Kalma beach resort

North Korea suspends entry of foreign tourists to new beach resort, dimming prospects for tourism development.

Indian-origin businessman charged with committing visa fraud in U.S.

Chandrakant Patel indicted for visa fraud in Lafayette along with law enforcement officials, creating false crime reports.

EU agrees 18th round of Russia sanctions over Ukraine war

EU approves strong sanctions against Russia, including lowering price cap on oil exports, to support Ukraine and weaken Russia.

Trump threatens to sue WSJ, Murdoch over story on alleged 2003 letter to Epstein

Trump threatens to sue Wall Street Journal over Epstein letter, denies writing raunchy note in scandalous collection.

China wants to return U.S. trade ties to a state of healthy development

China aims for healthy trade relations with the U.S., emphasizing mutual benefits and cooperation for sustainable development.

What does the August 2025 U.S. Visa Bulletin mean for Indian applicants?

August 2025 Visa Bulletin reveals key updates in green card categories, including EB-5 advancements for India and China.

Trump orders release of grand jury transcripts from Epstein case

Trump demands unsealing of Epstein grand jury testimony, accusing Democrats of perpetuating a scam, prompting AG Bondi's response.

Morning Digest: India warns against ‘double standards’ over Russian oil; PAC calls for Aadhaar review, flagging high failure rate of biometric verification; and more

The Hindu Morning Digest gives a select list of stories to start the day. Read the top news today on July 18, 2025

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Children exposed to heat wave worldwide may lose up to 1.5 years of schooling: Report

Climate-related stressors impact education outcomes, leading to learning loss and dropout in low and middle-income countries.

U.S. President Donald Trump posts morphed video of Obama being arrested

The short video clip, which appeared to originate from a TikTok user, showed Obama being arrested by the FBI.

Iran confirms fresh nuclear talks with European powers: State media

Iran confirms talks with European powers in Istanbul over nuclear program, amid escalating tensions with the US and Israel.

Putin meets Khamenei's top adviser Larijani for nuclear talks

Putin meets with Iranian official to discuss nuclear program; Russia maintains diplomatic stance amid escalating tensions in Middle East.

Trump, Xi might meet ahead of or during October APEC summit in South Korea, SCMP reports

President Trump may visit China before the APEC summit to negotiate tariffs, aiming to end the trade war.

Fire at Iran's largest oil refinery kills one in country's southwest

Abadan refinery fire kills worker, injures others, operations unaffected; Iran's largest refinery faces challenges amid sanctions.

Yulia Svyrydenko: Ukraine’s new Prime Minister Premium

Yulia Svyrydenko becomes Ukraine's 19th Prime Minister, focusing on economic revival and military strengthening amid Russian invasion.

Nine terrorists killed in counter-terrorism operation in Pakistan

Nine terrorists killed, three officials injured in counter-terrorism operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, praised by Interior Minister.

Erdogan tells Putin new clashes in Syria threaten region: presidency

Erdogan warns of regional threat in Syria, urges Israel to respect sovereignty in phone call with Putin.

Germany deports 81 Afghan nationals to their homeland in 2nd flight since the Taliban’s return

Germany deports Afghan men with rejected asylum applications, signaling a tougher migration policy under new government leadership.

Gaza civil defence agency says Israeli strikes kill 14

Emergency service reports air strikes and artillery shelling in Gaza, with casualties and ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Three people dead in training accident in Los Angeles, says official

Investigation underway after fatal explosion in LA County, with three dead and possible training accident suspected.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us