20 years of restarting life

Chapter 3679 Why did Zhao Chang'an choose 5500?
Zhao Chang'an nodded. The TWINSCAN AT:750T uses a KrF light source (krypton fluoride laser) system with a wavelength of 248nm, which supports a minimum process technology of 130nm. Its advantage is the dual-wafer platform of the TWINSCAN system, which greatly improves work efficiency.

PAS5500目前使用的有i-line光源（高压汞灯）365nm，最小工艺制程800-250nm，248nm的KrF激光光源，最小工艺制程到180-130nm。

The difference between the two is that the TWINSCAN AT:750T has higher working efficiency, but is more expensive, and has a more sophisticated and complex overall architecture with more parts.

It is foreseeable that ASML will take TWINSCAN AT to the 365nm i-line light source and 193nm ArF (argon fluoride) light source fields in the next step, forming a systematic light source span to meet users' different chip manufacturing process needs.

However, since the PAS5500 already has a sufficient range of light sources and many models, and has been proven by ten years of continuous technological improvement and stability, Zhao Chang'an could tolerate even if the single-unit efficiency was a little lower.

If a single machine is inefficient, just buy a few more. And if there are enough orders, we can have the workers work in three shifts. The bolder you are, the more you can produce. There are always more solutions than problems.

Looking at what Xiao Yangming said about the 5500 being out of stock this year, while the 750 order was only booked until May, Zhao Chang'an knew that these capitalists were all incredibly shrewd. After all, it was more cost-effective to spend a little money to pay workers' wages than to spend more money to buy expensive machines.

In fact, in Zhao Chang'an's previous life, ASML rose from a company on the verge of bankruptcy to become the second largest in the industry with the PAS5500. It wasn't until 06, when the world's first immersion lithography machine, the TWINSCAN XT:1700i, a 193nm lithography machine with a minimum process technology of 45nm, was launched and put into mass production, that the low-profit PAS5500 series was gradually discontinued. After sixteen or seventeen years of continuous research and development, the PAS5500 had more than a dozen models.

ASML's Twinscan AT system dual-wafer platform does not have sufficient cost-effectiveness advantage in current process technologies, because even though ASML acquired SGV, it still has two powerful stepper lithography machine companies, Nikon and Canon, that can provide similar products.

Whether it's the G-line 436nm light source, or I-line and KrF, the competition for market share among these three companies has always been fierce.

Moreover, in the G-line and I-line fields, in addition to these three companies, Hitachi, ABM, NuFlare Technology (a subsidiary of Toshiba), TEL (Tokyo Electron), and Sharp also have mature stepper lithography machines for sale.

ABM, founded in 1986 and headquartered in San Jose, Silicon Valley, USA, purchased a G-line light source stepper lithography machine from Jiangcheng Research Institute at the beginning of last year. Currently, its products cover G-line and I-line light source bands, with a minimum process technology of 220nm.

ABM's largest customers are NASA and Intel. Due to its relatively low prices and convenient domestic transportation, about half of the universities and research institutions in North America that use G-line and I-line light source bands purchase ABM lithography machines, making it the second largest lithography machine supplier in North America, after SVG.

However, ABM has made it clear that it has no intention of developing and manufacturing lithography machines with narrower light sources. Even in the next few decades, the demand for lithography machines with processes above 220nm will remain very high, and for ABM, one trick is enough to make it work.

Just like SVG invested a lot of money in the research and development of 157nm process, but the profit was low and ASML reaped the benefits.

With so many competing companies, the profit margins for lithography machines are high, but not excessively so.

It wasn't until stepper lithography machines entered ArF and ArFi (193nm, water medium) that a real technological barrier was established, and the era of exorbitant profits for stepper lithography machines below 65nm process technology arrived.

-

Just then, the airport loudspeakers announced that Wang Yu and his group's international flight was about to arrive. Zhao Chang'an said to Xiao Yangming, "Haven't seen your old classmate for a few years, have you?"

“When I was studying at MIT, I often organized gatherings for people from my hometown to meet up. That’s how I met my wife. We basically lost contact after that. It wasn’t until four years ago that she found me through a classmate in Europe.”

When Xiao Yangming spoke of four years ago, a complex expression appeared on his face.

“If you had responded to President Tang’s call to return to China and teach at the university back then, you might be a teacher in our microelectronics department now. I might even ask you and Professor Wang to come here this time to participate in the negotiations with ASML.”

Zhao Chang'an smiled and said, "There's nothing to regret. It's just that we've come full circle and come back to where we are." "Thank you for your comfort. I know I've let down the country's nurturing and the school's expectations."

Zhao Chang'an didn't see any 'deep remorse' on Xiao Yangming's face. Since he broke the contract and didn't return to the country, and ignored Tang Wenxuan's letter four years ago, it already showed that no matter what, he didn't really care.

Of the dozen or so letters Tang Wenxuan sent four years ago, only Wang Yu returned to China. Tang Wenxuan made fun of himself about this for several years. However, apart from Xiao Yangming, the others, even if they didn't return to China, replied to Tang Wenxuan, politely declining with reasons that they didn't know if the messages were true or not, but that they always showed their attitude.

Four of them made donations to their alma mater, some more than others, and two of them purchased thousands of dollars worth of professional books and donated them to the school library.

The fact that your alma mater contacted you and extended an invitation is an affirmation of your achievements over the years. Moreover, you used your government-sponsored study abroad status but did not return to China, which put your alma mater in a difficult position, and you didn't even say a word. To be honest, it is indeed a bit dishonest of you.

Wang Yu did not reveal this information to Zhao Chang'an, but he mentioned the name when he was chatting with Tang Shuang. Later, Tang Shuang chatted with her father at home and learned that this person had been invited by the school. As for anything else, Tang Wenxuan never mentioned it to his daughter.

It was Tang Shuang who felt something was amiss and had someone investigate.

"There's nothing to be ashamed of or sorry about. The success of our overseas students is a source of pride for our alma mater."

Having spent so many years navigating the complexities of society, the seasoned veteran Zhao Chang'an naturally possesses a shrewd and impeccable way of speaking.

Xiao Yangming forced a smile, but only he knew what he was thinking about his upcoming meeting with Wang Yu.

-

That evening, Zhao Chang'an hosted a welcome dinner for Su Bo and the others at the hotel, which Ye Yiyi also attended.

"Time flies! It's been ten years since we last met. Let's have a private chat!"

Wang Yu stood up and raised his wine glass to Xiao Yangming.

"Yes, it's been ten years, but we're still struggling. It seems like none of us have achieved the ambitious goals we made back then."

Xiao Yangming couldn't help but sigh, "I'm almost forty in the blink of an eye."

"Welcome everyone to Europe. I can be your guide when I have time between negotiations. Some of the attractions and food here are quite good."

Ye Yiyi also smiled and raised her glass to toast everyone.

Qi Xuan'er gave Ye Yiyi a deep look, then glared at Zhao Chang'an with a slightly fierce look, clearly assuming that the two of them were having an affair.

Zhao Chang'an could only give Qi Xuan'er a friendly smile in response. After all, there was a negative two centimeters between them. Fortunately, Zhao Chang'an pulled back from the brink at the time, otherwise their relationship would not have been so innocent, but would have included another woman.