"The lithography machine is a very sophisticated and complex semiconductor equipment, and we at ASML have also gone through a long period of research to get to where we are today, and it is quite good that you can make progress when you start late."

On the way, Tonino still showed the strength of his company, and he didn't forget to praise the fake model after speaking.

The smile that appeared on the corner of his mouth never disappeared.

He had already decided in his heart that the lithography machine developed by Xu Yun was at most a 28-nanometer process, and it did not pose any threat to ASML at all.

Naturally, there is no burden.

Thinking that he would soon be able to complete his task and return to the company, he couldn't help but speed up his pace.

Next to him, Xu Yun, Luo Changhui and others looked at each other when they heard the voice, and remained silent tacitly.

Although there was no expression on his face, he was afraid that he was about to laugh.

It can only be said that this dignified ASML technical executive is becoming more and more sympathetic.

After about ten minutes, a group of more than ten people finally arrived at the floor where the first domestic extreme ultraviolet lithography machine was located.

Since this lithography machine is constantly making chips, there are people on duty in the central control system room.

I saw Xu Yun, Luo Changhui and others coming in.

Hurriedly got up to say hello.

"Director."

"Professor Xu."

Luo Changhui waved his hand at him and said with a smile: "Sit down, how is the running status of the lithography machine today?" ”

"It's all running normally." The officer on duty answered.

Xu Yun didn't care about Luo Changhui's conversation, then he looked at Tonino beside him and took the initiative to introduce: "Professor Tonino, please see, this is the first extreme ultraviolet lithography machine we independently produced." The smile that appeared on the corner of his mouth became more and more playful when he spoke.

As soon as the words fell.

Before the other party answered.

Again, he added: "I would also like Professor Tonino to give advice." ”

Needless to say, Tonino's attention had long been focused on the large equipment in front of him.

The expression on his face flashed with a hint of discoloration.

Soon it was back to normal.

Obviously, I didn't expect the Institute of Optoelectronic Technology to successfully assemble a usable lithography machine in just over a year.

But that wasn't enough to get his attention.

He firmly believes in his own judgment.

Xu Yun's team has conquered up to 28 nanometer process lithography machines.

Although it is difficult to judge the process of the lithography machine in front of you from the appearance alone.

"Absolutely."

It was very easy to agree, and then said directly: "For the lithography machine, it is necessary to ensure that there will be no frequent failures, otherwise it will seriously affect the progress of the order, and I can guide you on how to avoid failures as much as possible." At this point, the look on Tonino's face quickly became more and more confident.

It's a pity that just as he was about to continue, he was interrupted by Xu Yun beside him.

"Excuse me, Professor Tonino."

"Professor Xu."

"It's a waste of your time." Tonino saw that his speech was interrupted, and his tone was a little impatient.

In his opinion.

As the world's top semiconductor equipment company, he has a lot of power as the chief technology officer, and he instructs Xu Yun's lithography team on the technical knowledge of lithography machines, which is difficult to find with a lantern.

I don't know how many semiconductor-related companies want to invite him to exchange and cooperate in the past.

As a result, he was interrupted by someone now.

It is inevitable that you will feel very shameless.

According to his thoughts, Xu Yun and the others should listen carefully at this time.

Rather than giving an opinion.

"Professor Tonino doesn't need to be angry, maybe Professor Xu has other plans."

When Luo Changhui heard this, he took the lead in playing a round to avoid unnecessary conflicts.

Of course, Xu Yun didn't deliberately interrupt Tonino, mainly because in his opinion, Tonino didn't even understand the equipment in front of him, and how to guide him without knowing the specific value.

If it is only perfunctory, then there is no need to listen to the so-called guidance.

Thinking of this, he asked directly.

"Shouldn't Professor Tonino first learn about our self-developed lithography machine?"

"There's no need for that." Hearing Xu Yun's concern, Tonino casually explained: "Our company's research on the lithography machine of the 28nm process is very mature, and even if it is a trivial technology, it can still provide great help to you. ”

After speaking, he didn't continue to argue with Xu Yun, and even planned to continue what he had just said.

However, Xu Yun didn't plan to expose this matter.

The next second a smile on the corner of his mouth, and the language explained it clearly.

"Professor Tonino, you seem to have gotten something wrong."

"I'm sorry."

"Our extreme ultraviolet lithography machine is a 7-nanometer chip manufacturing salary."

As these words reached Tonino's ears, his whole person was instantly like a thunderbolt, and his eyes were full of surprise.

After a few seconds of pause, he said, "This joke is not funny at all." ”

"Xu."

"Is this your unique humor?"

At this time, Xu Yun didn't bother to pretend to be with the other party, and chose to have a direct showdown.

Ignoring the other party's hard mouth, Xu Yun looked at the staff on duty and said, "Let Professor Tonino see the configuration of our lithography machine." ”

"It's best to give me some pointers."

"After all, in this field, they ASML are already very mature."

"It's Professor Xu." The officer on duty replied with a smile on his face.

After speaking, he immediately called up the configuration performance of the lithography machine, so that Tonino could recognize this realistic blow.

Luo Changhui next to him said bitterly: "Professor Tonino, we didn't lie to you in this matter. ”

And at this moment, the expressions of the two waves of people have also become a stark contrast.

Some of the company personnel who came with Tonino did not touch the technical level, but they also understood what the 7nm extreme ultraviolet lithography machine represented.

It's hard to believe.

On the other hand, the people in Yang Jing's research institute can be said to be proud at this time.

I didn't have any say in the semiconductor field before, and I don't know how many targeted regulations I was forced to accept.

Now that I have finally had my own high-end lithography machine, I saw the surprised expression of ASML's technical executive, and I could say that I was as happy as I wanted.

If it weren't for the fact that everyone had a relatively high level of cultivation, it is estimated that they would have laughed out loud a long time ago.

As the focus of the audience's attention, Tonino naturally looked at the configuration for the first time in order to prove that his judgment was correct.

Desperate to find evidence that it's not a 7nm process.

Pity.

He failed.

After a few minutes of careful inspection, his whole life was like a deflated balloon, and his eyes lost their brightness.

It's like the confident look just now.

He muttered to himself.

"Impossible."

"How could you have developed a 7nm process lithography machine so quickly?"

"It can't be done."

After confirming that the lithography machine in front of him uses an extreme ultraviolet light source, and all technologies have reached the level of 7nm process, he only feels that he is a little doubtful about life now.

His knowledge and decades of experience at ASML told him that it was impossible for Xu Yun to develop a high-end lithography machine.

But Xu Yun really did it.

This undoubtedly made his worldview collapse, and he still couldn't accept this fact in a short time.

As the room fell silent, Tonino's breathing could be heard as he breathed heavily.

"You don't matter, Professor?" The blonde female assistant accompanying her hurriedly hugged Tonino and asked with concern.

I'm afraid that something will happen to this trip to Jincheng.

Fortunately, Tonino doesn't seem to have any heart problems, otherwise he suddenly suffered such a big mental stimulation, and he really couldn't have been able to carry this matter smoothly.

"I'm fine."

Tonino took a deep breath and let go of the female assistant's support.

The next second raised his gaze to look at Xu Yun again, and asked very expectantly: "You should have studied this extreme ultraviolet lithography machine for many years, right?" ”

Yes.

After being stimulated, Tonino gave himself a reluctantly acceptable reason.

That is, this lithography machine is the result of many years of research.

It's just that it hasn't been made public before.

Although this is still frightening, at least the two sides are still on the same level.

After saying this, he looked at Xu Yun firmly.

I was nervous.

I want to hear the answer right away, but I'm afraid of being disappointed.

Until he saw a meaningful smile appear on Xu Yun's face.

Faced with this question, Xu Yun did not choose to answer, but turned his eyes sideways to look at Liu Xing who was standing behind.

"Liu Xing."

"It's up to you to answer Professor Tonino."

"It's Professor Xu." Liu Xing nodded with secret joy in his heart, took two steps forward and said in a deep voice to Tonino: "That's Professor Tonino, this extreme ultraviolet lithography machine was developed by Professor Xu after taking over the project. ”

"It's been more than a year since today."

In the last sentence, he deliberately accentuated his tone to enrich his emotions.

"It's only been a little over a year?"

Tonino was completely stunned by this answer, and at this moment there seemed to be nothing else in his mind except question marks.

Repeating this sentence in his mouth, he gradually lost his mind.

Thinking back to the hard work he put into ASML to research lithography machines, as well as the time and money consumed by the company, he suddenly seemed so stupid compared to Xu Yun.

Projects that others can solve in more than a year, they take several times as long.

The pride of the past was instantly shattered.

The key is that Xu Yun took over this project in such a short time, so that the process of the lithography machine has made a big leap, and it can directly manufacture chips with 7nm specifications.

Achieving such a speed of 5 nanometers or even 3 nanometers is not worth mentioning.

One can imagine the impact on the semiconductor field when the news spreads after the official delivery of this lithography machine.

"Is it a big change like the battery industry?"

At this point, Tonino secretly thought to himself that he regretted this trip with some mixed feelings.

And just when he completely lost interest and wanted to return to the company as soon as possible to report to CEO Peter Win, Luo Changhui's voice sounded in his ears again.

"Is the test data of the chip out today, and what is the defect rate?"

Although the staff on duty sitting in front of the main control system didn't know why Luo Changhui suddenly asked this in front of everyone, he immediately reported the results out of his own responsibility.

"According to the report, the defect rate is basically the same as the previous few days, and it is still below two percent."

As soon as this remark came out.

The others looked indifferent.

Tonino almost dropped his jaw in shock.

"What?"

"Two percent?"

didn't care about his own image, and immediately exclaimed twice.

No one knows better than him what this number means, and even ASML, the world's top semiconductor equipment company, cannot guarantee that the defect rate of chips is less than 2 percent.

As we all know, every batch of chips manufactured will definitely have defective chips that do not meet the standards.

These need to be excluded and counted as fab costs.

In order to reduce the defect rate of the chip, it is natural to start with the performance of the lithography machine and the important photoresist.

Basically, the more mature the process, the lower the defect rate.

For example, the defect rate of manufacturing a 14nm chip is definitely much lower than that of a 7nm chip.

ASML has been working in the field of lithography machines for many years, and is now working on the 3nm chip process.

However, it can only maintain the defect rate of the chip at 5%.

Relying on his own talent and strength, Xu Yun led the project team to develop a 7nm process lithography machine in less than two years, which is indeed very surprising and unbelievable.

But after all, this is a freshly assembled lithography machine.

If you want to reduce the defect rate of the chip as much as possible, it is necessary to debug the lithography machine for a long time.

In this process, the effect of photoresist is also limited.

Under normal circumstances, it is difficult for this lithography machine to maintain a defect rate of 5%.

Not to mention less than two percent.

Perhaps he had misjudged the process of this lithography machine, but he never believed that there would be such a low defect rate.

The thought stayed here, and there was some light in his eyes, and he directly aimed the finger at Xu Yun.

Express yourself on the spot.

"Professor Xu."

"I admit that you have indeed performed miracles to conquer high-end lithography machines in a short period of time when the technology is blocked."

"But there's no need to deliberately create a false flaw, right?"

"Don't you think two percent is too outrageous?"

Xu Yun listened to all of Tonino's words in his ears, and he could only say that he couldn't cry or laugh in his heart.

Of course, he knew that Luo Changhui's mention of the defect rate at this time must have been deliberate.

The purpose is nothing more than to put on a good show.

After all, this is related to the follow-up domestic extreme ultraviolet lithography machine to open the market, and there is no need to hide it.

However, Tonino's performance was a bit of a lesson.

Obviously, he was slapped in the face just now, and suddenly he became so sworn again.

I really don't know where he got this confidence.

"Professor Tonino, since you want to pursue thrills, then I can only help through to the end."

He muttered to himself, and then said to the officer on duty, "Take out the file of the chip test results and let Professor Tonino see it." ”

He was well aware that in such a situation, any explanation would pale in comparison.

Unable to convince Tonino who is trapped in his own world.

So let's just talk about the facts.

This is also the reason why he did not answer Tonino's question and directly asked the officer on duty to take the documents.

At this moment, the officer on duty still didn't know the situation, not to mention the color that Luo Changhui secretly used.

Wen Sheng didn't hesitate at all, and hurriedly took out the test file.

"Professor Xu, this is the latest test data today." While handing it to Xu Yun with both hands, he didn't forget to say something.

"Hmm."

Xu Yun took the document and nodded at the other party, and then faced Tonino.

"Professor Tonino."

"Regarding the defect rate of the chip of our lithography machine, I think you will have the answer in your heart after reading this."

Looking at Xu Yun's unusually calm face, Tonino suddenly couldn't make up his mind.

He thought that after he said that, the other party would show a panicked or embarrassed look.

But the truth is that he didn't see any of that.

Especially now, Xu Yun directly took out the test data report, which doesn't look like a fake.

"Can their chip defect rate really drop below two percent?"

A large number of thoughts flashed through his mind, and he himself was startled when the thought came to him.

I just think it's crazy.

But at this point, we have to get the final answer anyway.

Thinking of this, Tonino's fingers trembled slightly, but he still took the file and looked through it carefully.

The whole face is getting more and more ugly.

"It's true."

"You've really dropped the defect rate to less than two percent!"

After about half a minute, Tonino suddenly raised his gaze and subconsciously exclaimed.

Even if the facts are in front of you, it's still hard to believe.

As a professional in this field, he can easily understand the meaning of the data in the report.

Know more that this is completely true.

was slapped in the face twice in a row, and after he said this, the whole person seemed to be completely drained.

When the body loses its center of gravity, it falls backwards.

Fortunately, the entourage standing next to him had already paid attention to the situation, and immediately reached out to help him when the situation was critical.

This avoids falling to the ground.

"Professor Tonino."

"Are you alright, Professor, Professor Tonino!"

The people who came with Tonino were all from ASML, and they were well aware of Tonino's place in the company.

Definitely don't want anything to happen.

Therefore, at this time, they all shouted and showed great concern.

Tonino, who was hit one after another, was just mentally exhausted and unwilling to think about anything in his head.

But there is nothing wrong with the body, and he is still conscious.

At this time, Xu Yun, as the host, was also busy and said: "If Professor Tonino is unwell, go back to the hotel to rest first, and we won't be too late to talk about mutual exchanges tomorrow." ”

What he said sounded really sincere, but it was a pity that there was no way for Tonino to communicate at the moment.

After taking a deep breath and barely standing up straight, he replied, "Thank you very much Professor Xu for your concern, but because of my health, I'm afraid this exchange activity will end early." After saying that, he turned around and left the room with a few entourage.

Tonino was stimulated a lot today, but he wasn't a fool.

The Institute of Optoelectronic Technology can keep the chip defect rate at a historically low range of less than 2 percent, where do you need his guidance and communication.

After figuring out the current situation, he just wanted to return to the company as soon as possible and inform Peterwin of the situation.

At present, it can be determined that the Institute of Optoelectronic Technology has conquered the high-end extreme ultraviolet lithography machine.

And it will be officially delivered soon.

At that time, they will be the most powerful competitor of ASML.

Perhaps they were able to use the 5nm chip lithography machine to occupy some advantages to ensure their own market, but now the defect rate alone can turn the opponent into a winner.

Coupled with the high-end photoresist whose cost is much lower than that of Neon Company, I believe that as long as the head of the wafer factory is not struck by lightning, it will choose to purchase this lithography machine developed by Xu Yun of the Academy of Sciences.

What's more, with Xu Yun's level and research speed, I am afraid that it will not be too far from realizing 5nm process chips.

By that time, perhaps ASML will cease to exist.

The company's existential crisis is at stake, and he must immediately return to the company to inform the situation and discuss a response plan.

Xu Yun could guess what Tonino was thinking now, and this was exactly what he wanted to see.

Therefore, it was not blocked.

"That's a shame, Professor Tonino, I hope you'll be able to come back next time you have time."

In the end, the response with a little emotion was not said more.

However, Luo Changhui next to him hurriedly instructed Yang Jing: "Old Yang, you send Professor Tonino to the institute." ”

"No problem."

Yang Jing agreed happily when he heard this.

Soon only Xu Yun, Luo Changhui, and Liu Xing and other staff on duty were left in the room.

There is no outsider, Luo Changhui no longer hides anything, and lets the emotions in his heart be shown through the joy on his face.

"This Professor Tonino is really going to doubt his life this time?"

"But it's a good thing for us, and I believe it won't be long before ASML makes a move." Xu Yun and Luo Changhui looked at each other and smiled, and said what would happen next.

Liu Xing, who was watching the whole process next to him, looked at the position at the door and said thoughtfully: "Isn't it a little too much for us to hurt his self-esteem?" ”

"Don't worry."

Xu Yun smiled when he heard this, and said, "People's psychological endurance is much stronger than yours." ”

Liu Xing was slightly embarrassed when he heard this.

As of this time, Xu Yun can be said to have completed all his tasks in Jincheng.

Next, it is only necessary to wait for the end of the test cycle to officially announce the delivery ceremony of the lithography machine.

This also represents the complete disappearance of weakness in the field of semiconductors.

Thinking that he was already planning to return to Jingzhou City, he simply took this opportunity to inform Luo Changhui.

"Academician Luo."

"Now that the lithography machine project has been successfully completed, I plan to go back to Jingzhou City tomorrow to have a good rest for a while."

As soon as these words came out, before Luo Changhui could speak, Liu Xing next to him showed strong reluctance.

Subconsciously asked, "Professor Xu, are you leaving?" ”

"My mission has been completed, and I will definitely return to Jingzhou City." Xu Yun looked at Liu Xing and explained, "I'll come back to see you when I have time." ”

Luo Changhui knew that Xu Yun was about to become a father, so he naturally wouldn't dissuade him at this time.

What's more, Xu Yun has made great contributions to the Institute of Optoelectronic Technology.

"You can go back to Jingzhou to spend time with your family, there will be no problems with me, and I will drink your child's full moon wine at that time."

Luo Changhui stretched out his hand and patted Xu Yun's shoulder, and said such a sentence with a smile.

"No problem."

Xu Yun agreed with a smile on his face.

After dealing with this side of the matter, Xu Yun did not stay in the main control room for a long time.

Immediately took the lead in leaving and went back to the dormitory to pack up his things.

……

……

Let's talk about Tonino's side.

Frightened, he didn't even spend the night in Jincheng, so he took the nearest flight to take people back to the company's headquarters.

After a dozen hours of flight, it finally landed at Eindhoven City Airport.

With the tossing back and forth of his body and the stimulation of his mind, Tonino already looked very tired.

But he knows very well how important the information he has is to the company.

It must be reported as soon as possible.

Therefore, after landing, he first made an appointment to meet Peterwin, and then rushed to the company as quickly as possible.

As the CEO of ASML, Peter Wyn sent Tonino to the Institute of Optoelectronic Technology for exchange and study, mainly to determine the progress of the lithography machine project that Xu Yun was responsible for.

Ensure that the company's position in the semiconductor field is not threatened.

In fact, with their ASML strength, there is no need to worry about this aspect at all.

Don't even send technical executives for so-called exchanges.

But who made Xu Yun's fame too great, coupled with the other party's achievements in the scientific community, is indeed an opponent that cannot be underestimated.

Even if I believe that Xu Yun cannot solve the problem of high-end extreme ultraviolet lithography machine in a short time.

On-site verification is also required.

But to his surprise, just now he suddenly received a call from Tonino.

Learned that the other party had returned.

According to the time calculation, Tonino should be staying at the Institute of Optoelectronic Technology for exchange right now, why did he go home so quickly.

There are a lot of doubts in this.

Even if it is determined that the lithography machine project that Xu Yun is responsible for is not successful, there is no need to rush so quickly.

However, Tonino didn't make it clear on the phone, so he had to push off the later meeting first.

Wait for Tonino to arrive at the company and ask in detail.

That's it.

After almost half an hour of waiting, there was a knock on the door of his office.

"Please come in."

Tonino pushed the door open and walked to his desk to stop.

Without waiting for Peterwin to inquire about the situation, he took the lead in speaking: "Boss, I have an important situation to report to you. ”

"Don't be in a hurry, say it slowly."

Peter Wen raised his hand to signal the other party to sit down first, and then asked, "Is the other party's research progress on lithography machines all false?" ”

"I'm afraid that all of us look down on Xu Yun." Tonino shook his head when he heard this, his face very dull.

Then he told what he had learned.

"Under Xu Yun's responsibility, the Institute of Optoelectronic Technology has not only successfully assembled the lithography machine, but also its chip manufacturing process has reached 7 nanometers."

"They have completely broken through the blockade of lithography machine technology."

"I'm afraid that soon we will have one more strong competitor in ASML."

Peterwin stood up with disbelief in his eyes.

barely had time to think, so he questioned: "How can they conquer the 7nm process lithography machine in such a short time, are you deceived by them?" ”

"Boss."

"I know it's hard to believe, but that's what I see with my eyes."

"They're already making 7-nanometer chips right now."

"It is estimated that it will not be long before the delivery of the first lithography machine will be officially announced."

Tonino was not surprised by Peterwin's performance, after all, his reaction was not much better at first.

He was still sitting in his chair, but he said this with a calm face.

After all, after being on the plane for so long, even if he was emotional before, he calmed down.

Peter Wynn couldn't convince himself to believe it, but he knew that Tonino would never talk nonsense about such a thing.

Since it has been said to this extent, it must be true.

After a few moments, he digested the news and sat back down in some dismay.

"He is truly the most genius scientist in the history of mankind, and his achievements are truly miraculous."

As a company owner, the most important thing is to stay calm at all times, otherwise self-chaos will only make the situation worse.

So he just sighed in the end.

Speaking of Xu Yun, his emotions are more complicated, from the perspective of the entire human civilization, it is undoubtedly a lucky thing to have a genius and young scientist like Xu Yun.

In the coming decades, it is possible to bring human civilization to a new level.

But the pattern is a little lower, only from the company's point of view, Xu Yun's victory over the 7nm process lithography machine is equivalent to setting up a strong opponent for them.

In the future, they will not be the only ones in the field of semiconductor equipment.

However, since the matter is a foregone conclusion and cannot be changed, the only way to deal with it is to determine the response plan as soon as possible.

Lay out for the next competition.

The thought lingered here, and Peterwin quickly cleared the distractions from his mind.

Make a decision right away.

"You are ready to join me in the company's high-level meetings, and now we can only speed up the research and development of 5nm and 3nm lithography machines, and always keep them ahead of the curve in technology."

Peter Wen knows very well that his own has always been a technological advantage, since Xu Yun has conquered the 7nm process lithography machine, he can only develop a more precise process and a stronger extreme ultraviolet lithography machine, so that as long as he always maintains a leading technology, he can occupy a competitive advantage.

Unfortunately, this decision did not take long to take shape, and it was crushed by Tonino's next news.

"Boss."

"With the perverted research speed of the other side, I'm afraid it will be difficult for us to have a technological advantage."

"In addition, their chip defect rate is less than two percent."

If Peterwin still has the fighting spirit just now, he thinks that with ASML's heritage and technology, he is not afraid of competition.

Then after listening to this sentence, the whole person no longer knows what to say.

Equal technology may still be able to compete fairly, but the defect rate is an irreparable advantage.

What's more, the other party also has a low-cost high-end photoresist.

Judging from these two points alone, the company's future can be said to be bleak and directionless.

"Alas!"

Eventually, Peterwin took a deep breath and sighed, and set his eyes on Tonino again.

"What do you think we're going to do next?"

"I'm afraid that the only way to stop them from continuing their research is to open them up to the sale of high-end lithography machines."

Compared to researching a product, there is undoubtedly less investment in buying it directly.

Previously, they banned the sale of high-end lithography machines, which forced Xu Yun to take charge of the lithography machine project, so that completing the research in a short time posed a huge threat to them.

Changing the strategy now and opening up sales may be able to discourage the Institute of Optoelectronic Technology from continuing its research.

Although no one knows how the situation will develop, it is undoubtedly the best solution for now.

After thinking about it for a moment, Peterwin no longer hesitated, and immediately opened his mouth to express support for Tonino's plan.

"Now that's all I can do, I'll immediately call a meeting and announce it, hoping it won't be too bad."

……

(End of chapter)