1991 Starting from the core

"We need to be clear that Hongxin has built a dual-workpiece stage Krf lithography machine. This is a fact. At the same time, we need to believe that as far as the lithography machine is concerned, after adding a dual-workpiece stage, the comprehensive utilization rate will increase. It will definitely exceed the current single-workpiece lithography machine, otherwise Deyuan will not purchase it."

Takano Ippei's voice echoed in the conference room, and everyone fell silent.

Everyone present knew that during the rising semiconductor market, they were not building photolithography machines, but money printing machines - whoever was more efficient would print more money.

The dual workpiece stage lithography machine structurally surpasses the single workpiece stage.

It is conceivable that even if Hongxin cannot break through the Arf lithography machine for a while, it can quickly complete the occupation of the low-end market with only the dual workpiece stage.

And judging from the speed at which they researched single workpiece tables, how could they possibly lag behind in Arf technology?

"This morning, I have received messages from NEC, Toshiba, Intel, Texas Instruments and many other partners. They are all asking us how long it will take for us to launch the dual workpiece stage."

Takano Ippei looked at Itosuke, the director of the equipment department, and knocked on the table gently: "I also want to ask how long it will take for our double workpiece table."

Itosuke felt Takano Ippei's anger from the corner of his eye, and he swallowed hard. Even though I have a thousand slanders in my heart, I don’t dare to contradict him head-on.

Nikon, like most Chinese companies, believes in "don't ask for anything from others". If you can do it yourself, you will never "trouble" others. Although this can maximize benefits and create and preserve technical secrets, the shortcomings are also very obvious - each company is a closed loop of the industrial chain and cannot complete technical exchanges with other companies.

And although the dual workpiece table project was launched last year, it was so difficult that everyone had a sense that it was impossible to complete... So much so that some internal people simply cut off the dual workpiece table team. As a matter of fact, just keep a few people interested.

Now let’s ask him how long it will take, who knows?

"Mr. President, our investment in the research and development of the double workpiece table is not enough." Feeling that everyone was looking at him, Ito hesitated and raised his head to look at everyone: "Please give us some time. and support."

"How long will it take?" Takano Ippei persisted.

Itosuke almost couldn't hold back a mouthful of blood.

"We don't know how long it will take. If we can get Hongxin's dual workpiece table prototype, we will be able to give an accurate answer."

"How to get it? Do you mean we should place an order to buy one?" Takano asked rhetorically.

"..."

At this time, Matsuda Ryo suggested again: "Mr. Ito, if you have to see the prototype, I think we can try it through our after-sales technical engineers in Deyuan. Theoretically, they can have access to all lithography machines in Deyuan. "

Itosuke was startled and said hesitantly: "Matsuda-kun, do you mean to let them become commercial and technical spies?"

"Spies sound too ugly. I believe Hongyuan will not be stupid enough to package technical documents and sell them to the wafer factory. But let them take a look at the head office?"

Itosuke opened his mouth and wanted to refute Matsuda Ryo. If you can understand this thing at a glance, then how could the equipment department not have a clue after working on it for a year?

But being able to take a look is much better than being blind.

At this time, the door of the conference room was suddenly opened from the outside. Everyone turned around and saw Mr. Shoichiro Yoshida, general manager of Nikon, standing at the door.

"Hongyuan's dual workpiece table was not developed by Hongyuan itself, but was developed by another company."

Shoichiro Yoshida looked at everyone, strode to an empty seat and sat down: "If you can't come up with a double workpiece table solution within two years, we will have to find another way."

"But... Mr. Yoshida, will the mainland allow the export of double workpiece tables?" Takano Ippei asked in shock.

"According to the information Yuanxin gave me, the mainland should do it, but there should also be a window period for banning exports." Shoichiro Yoshida glanced at everyone again and said solemnly: "And Mr. Su's answer, this window period should not be long. .”

"That……"

Everyone looked at each other.

Can I buy it?

If you can buy it, do you still need to research and develop it?

"But even if they can export the double workpiece table independently, we must devote all our efforts to research and development, and we must master the double workpiece table technology ourselves!"

"Yes!" Itosuke nodded immediately: "Mr. General Manager, we will immediately increase investment in funds and personnel."

"By the way, Mr. Su told me that both Yuanxin and Deyuan are technology companies that purely pursue technology and efficiency. The reason why they chose Hongxin for the Krf order was not because Hongxin was from mainland China. Products, purely because of Hongxin’s Krf lithography machine, have already surpassed all of us in terms of overall efficiency.”

"And Deyuan's past orders also confirm this."

Yoshida Shoichiro frowned tightly, thinking about the content of the call with Su Yuanshan, and said slowly: "Everyone, we have taken the lead in the next generation of 157nm wavelength light source. This is our big advantage. As long as we continue to maintain the wavelength If we take the lead, we can continue to occupy the high-end market and receive a steady stream of orders.”

"So, while paying attention to the dual workpiece stage, we also need to increase investment in F2 light sources."

*

*

Three days later, experts from the ministry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Huajing, Deyuan, Yuanxin and other parties gathered in the provincial capital. Participate in the certification and acceptance of Hongyuan Krf lithography machine. After unanimous recognition from many parties, it is believed that this dual-workpiece stage lithography machine has surpassed similar foreign products and is an internationally leading product!

The next night, the news broadcast spent a full three minutes introducing the situation of the lithography machine. The performance of the lithography machine even appeared on the screen.

…

"Nikon is probably struggling with the F2 light source."

Su Yuanshan, Zhou Boguang, Zhang Rujin, Lin Benjian and others were sitting in the rooftop garden drinking tea and chatting happily.

As the top bosses in the domestic semiconductor industry, they naturally talk about semiconductors.

"Why do you say that?" Zhou Boguang's face glowed red. Being able to witness the rise of domestic lithography machines, he, an old semiconductor man, felt proud. But when he heard Su Yuanshan talking about the next generation light source, he immediately became serious: "Do they have an idea?"

"I don't know, it should be so." Su Yuanshan winked at Lin Benjian: "Uncle Lin, you are an expert, do you think F2 is optimistic?"

"Me?" Lin Benjian chuckled: "Of course I'm optimistic about it."

But Lin Benjian knew better...Su Yuanshan was deceiving Nikon!