Riding the wind of rebirth

"AMD has released the K6-2 processor, which uses a 0.25-micron process and has performance comparable to the Pentium II processor. In addition, it introduces 3D Now technology for the first time, providing better support for 3D graphics processing."

"IBM released their PowerPC G4 processor, which also uses a 0.25-micron process and integrates dual cache for the first time, with performance nearly twice that of its predecessor."

"It is foreseeable that future central processing unit (CPU) technology will develop towards faster speeds, smaller sizes, and lower costs, and copper chip manufacturing technology is a crucial key technology for achieving this. We must master this technology before it is included in the Wassenaar Arrangement!"

Hu Changfeng lightly traced the sofa armrest with his fingernail: "Given your relationship with IBM, how could you possibly secure this technology transfer agreement?"

“It would be difficult for us to succeed on our own,” Zhou Zhi said. “But if we have Samsung and Sony working together, putting them at the forefront, and then acquiring the licenses from Samsung or Sony through third-party transfers, we should have a much better chance of success.”

“This suggestion came from IBM. It’s not that they don’t want to make the money; they just don’t want to take on the subsequent political risks,” Zhou Zhi said. “So they will design a strict set of management measures to control the patents. The core technologies in the patents are materials technology, namely tungsten contact technology and copper ion floating isolation technology. If we accept their technology transfer, we must give up developing these two technologies.”

"Isn't that still putting us in a very tight spot?" Hu Changfeng frowned even more deeply. "Doesn't this mean all the risks have been shifted onto our shoulders? That's outrageous! Do you think Samsung and Sony can accept that?"

“Those two countries developed by acquiring patents and the US’s industrial transfer policy, so of course they are happy to accept it.” Zhou Zhi laughed. “This is a business they are familiar with, so they don’t think there will be any problems. Even if the pigs don’t escape being slaughtered in the end, at least they will have enough to eat for a year.”

"Your analogy..." Hu Chengfeng couldn't help but chuckle at Zhou Zhi's witty remark, but then he thought, "Wait a minute, why are you so relaxed? What mischief are you up to?"

Zhou Zhi smiled slightly: "Didn't I just make it very clear? What we need is a 0.25-micron process central processing unit chip production line. Once we have the production line, we can bypass the tungsten contact and copper ion floating isolation technologies..."

"But these two technologies are integrated with the production line, aren't they?" Hu Changfeng was a little confused, then a thought suddenly struck him: "Could it be that Clover has mastered another method to control the floating of copper ions in silicon?"

"Hehehe, you finally figured it out, old man." Zhou Zhi chuckled mischievously. "The Panzhihua Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has made a breakthrough in the research of high-k gate dielectric materials. Doping rare earth metal La into HfO can increase the dielectric constant and reduce the gate leakage current. If Sc is doped and adapted to the three-dimensional gate structure of GAA transistors, the threshold voltage can be precisely adjusted. By depositing LaO and annealing at high temperature, a dipole effect can be formed at the silicon interface to optimize the dielectric performance."

"These three technologies are completely independent intellectual property technologies that we have not yet disclosed to the public. When combined, they can completely bypass IBM's tungsten contacts and material pads, resulting in superior performance and significantly reduced manufacturing difficulty and cost."

"To put it simply," Zhou Zhi held up two fists, "it means that by mastering rare earth materials, we can gain advantages in aluminum interconnects and copper interconnects. By introducing the most advanced CPU production lines to China, and through digestion, absorption, and technological transformation, we can fill the last gap in the industry. Then we can embark on a development path for ultra-large-scale integrated circuit chips based on rare earth new materials, firmly grasping the fate of the industry in our own hands!" "Really... are you confident?" Hu Changfeng's voice trembled with excitement. If this were true, it would be a truly triumphant moment.

"We are confident, but I hope we can only have a small-scale grasp of the situation." Zhou Zhi said seriously, "Mainly because I'm afraid our comrades won't be good enough in their acting during negotiations, which might make the foreigners hesitant."

That's a very apt way of putting it. Hu Changfeng leaned back on the sofa and tapped the armrest with his right index and middle fingers.

If IBM shuts down tungsten contact and material pad technologies, restricting downstream companies from developing these technologies while transferring production, it would be tantamount to strangling the lifeline of copper interconnect VLSI chip development. In the future, every chip produced by the receiving companies would not only have to pay technology transfer fees to IBM, but IBM would also restrict production through material supply, leaving them only able to follow IBM's lead.

Once the supply is cut off, the production lines that have been invested in will become useless waste, and it is difficult for any downstream company to bear such a loss.

Without alternative technologies, setting up production lines in this way would undoubtedly be a huge pitfall for future industrial development.

Then comes the interesting part. If this is a huge pitfall, and China shows a desire to jump in, given today's increasingly complex international situation, will the other side try their best to stop it, or will they welcome it?
Hu Changfeng was almost certain that if the other side of the ocean did not have intelligence on China's rare earth materials research, they would even actively promote this cooperation in order to completely crush the fate of China's copper interconnect chip manufacturing.

However, if the intelligence is leaked and the other side finds out that the pit was actually a trap set by the Chinese, this matter will ultimately give Dongda a huge boost and fill the last gap in the industry. In that case, obtaining this production line will be extremely difficult.

Hu Changfeng already had the best person to do this in mind, and the best way was to keep all his own people involved in the negotiations in the dark, or even let some people who were keen to act as compradors complete this "mission".

He sighed, "It's a pity that if this matter is to be accomplished, or if this 'prodigal son' is to become famous, he might even be hailed as a hero by the uninformed masses in the future." He then placed his hand on Zhou Zhi's shoulder, "While the real heroes will remain unknown."

"If it benefits the country, I will risk my life. What does it matter if I remain unknown?" Zhou Zhi smiled very frankly: "Besides, chip manufacturing is like turning stone into gold. Being able to participate in the process of building such a treasure trove and get a share of the pie in the future, from an investment perspective, Clover Group is not losing out at all."

"That's what I admire most about you." Hu Changfeng laughed heartily, patting Zhou Zhi on the shoulder. "At such a young age, your mindset is more insightful than mine, often appearing as if you've attained enlightenment! In this respect, I have much to learn from you!" (End of Chapter)