I Am a Great Scientist

Chapter 76: Development of etching machine

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Lithography machine is also known as: mask alignment exposure machine. The commonly used lithography machine is mask alignment lithography. It is the core equipment for manufacturing large-scale integrated circuits. At the beginning of its birth, each chip must be forged by photolithography technology. , simply put, the photolithography machine "imprints" the engineer's design on the base material - silicon wafer, and integrates billions of transistors in an area of 2-3 square centimeters.

The silicon wafers that have been "engraved" by the photolithography machine are then processed by the etching machine. Through chemical reactions and physical impact, the waste parts on the discarded "silicon wafers" are removed. After undergoing certain packaging processes, the magical silicon wafer material becomes waste. Treasures are turned into valuable electronic chips.

Because of Zhou Xing's relationship, 5nm-level etching can be expected to be mass-produced, and lithography machines have become a top priority in everyone's minds. If lithography machines make another breakthrough, then the chip field will be like the high-speed rail field and break through the blockade of Western countries. Complete corner overtaking.

"But what? If you have something to say, say it quickly and don't hold back." Professor Yan glared at Zhou Xing and asked urgently:

"I have studied photolithography machines, but I have no other ideas for the time being." Zhou Xing glanced at Professor Yan and said lightly:

Hearing this, everyone present relaxed, showing expressions of expectation, with a hint of regret on their faces, and complex expressions.

The mass production process of the 5-nanometer etching machine was conquered by Zhou Xing. If Zhou Xing also broke through the photolithography machine, then his research and development capabilities would be too scary.

Lithography machines are much more complex than etching machines. The core of the chip is the lithography machine, and the core of the lithography machine is the lens. Currently, the mainstream lithography machine in the world is still the deep ultraviolet invasive lithography machine. The limit of this technology is 14 nanometers. Above, lithography machines below 10 nanometers will use extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) technology. Even foreign giants are still in the stage of developing this technology from laboratory to commercialization. The huge gap like a chasm cannot be easily bridged. of.

While everyone was disappointed, they also felt it was natural.

"No other ideas for now? Do you mean you still have ideas?" Unlike others, Professor Yan paid special attention to Zhou Xing's answer and asked step by step:

"Mr. Yan, let's get the mass production process of the etching machine first! As for research and development, we have to do it step by step, don't aim too high!" Facing Professor Yan's probing gaze, Zhou Xing smiled mysteriously, avoiding the important and taking the easy. explain:

With Zhou Xiaozhi, a powerful R&D assistant tool, and virtual experiments, a high-quality research environment, the system tasks have not yet been settled. If necessary, it will be difficult to develop an extreme nanoscale lithography machine. However, you still have to control the pace, otherwise you will be "Relevant agencies" will gain more than they lose by seizing slices for research.

"You're a cunning boy. You must be thinking of other evil ideas in your mind right now!" Professor Yan stared at Zhou Xing in disbelief and said:

"Okay! Lao Yan, don't embarrass Xiaoxing anymore. When the time comes, what should happen will happen naturally." Professor Fang looked at Professor Yan dumbfounded and interjected:

"Yes, the matter at hand is more important now. Let's quickly test-produce this new etching machine." Professor Xu said energetically:

"By the way, Lao Yan, you haven't reported this matter to Director Zheng yet? You should communicate with him quickly." Professor Liu suddenly thought of something and reminded Professor Yan:

"Well, I'll notify him right away." Professor Yan was stunned for a moment, then quickly picked up the phone and walked aside to make a call:

The stubborn Professor Yan was pushed away by Professor Liu, and the scene suddenly changed.

"Xiao Xing, I didn't hear the system impact module clearly just now. Please tell me again." Professor Hu asked Zhou Xing:

"Xiao Xing, which model should be used for the controller chip? I'll prepare it later." Professor Liu looked at Zhou Xing and asked:

"Dazhi, bring over the drawings and drawing tools." Professor Fang looked at Guo Dazhi and ordered, then looked at everyone and said, "Everyone, please do your hard work. You must complete the drawings of the overall project tonight."

Guo Dazhi nodded and turned around to get the drawing tools. Everyone started working on it, sorting out the information, asking Zhou Xing to verify the data, sorting out the process flow...

In the blink of an eye, everyone in the laboratory dispersed and entered the development stage of the trial etching machine.

After finishing the call with Director Zheng, Professor Yan looked at the busy scene of everyone, and immediately forgot about the "torture" of Zhou Xing's "fundamentals", rolled up his sleeves and joined the team of developing etching machines.

The busy time passed full and fast, and a week passed in the blink of an eye.

Since being possessed by the system, Zhou Xing's life has tended to be like that of an otaku. He spends every day either in the laboratory building etching machines with professors or hiding in his room doing research with his head covered. The main theme of his life is study.

In this state of concentration, Zhou Xing's scientific research path becomes smoother and smoother.

In just one week, without everyone knowing it, Zhou Xing became the soul of the entire project team, leading the development project of the etching machine.

On the afternoon of the eighth day, staff gathered in the spacious electronics laboratory.

Director Zheng and a group of department leaders, experts and professors fell behind Zhou Xing and watched Zhou Xing standing in front of the LCD screen of an exposed electronic instrument, tapping on the keyboard and filling in codes.

There was an electronic beep of "Didi...", and the power indicator light of the exposed electronic device suddenly lit up.

"Xiaoxing, the controller reacted, the system was embedded successfully, and the self-test passed." Guo Dazhi stared closely at the waterfall of English codes on the LCD screen, and excitedly reported to Zhou Xinghui:

Hearing this, a smile appeared on Zhou Xing's face. All steps were correct, and successful system embedding was inevitable.

There was a commotion in the crowd, and Director Zheng urged impatiently, "Xiaoxing, since the system has been successfully embedded, let's start testing it quickly!"

"Well, Senior Guo, please release the materials! I'll start the processing program and conduct a processing test." Zhou Xing looked back at Director Zheng and nodded:

"Okay!" Guo Dazhi nodded and couldn't wait to send the materials into the feed port.

The material was suddenly swallowed up by the conveyor belt at the entrance of the etching machine, and then the electronic equipment made a "sizzling" sound.

"Everyone, please look at the LCD screen. This is a three-dimensional image that feeds back the information data of the materials processed by the etching machine." Zhou Xing turned his head and introduced to everyone:

Everyone watched with bated breath, only to see a green three-dimensional figure displayed on the LCD screen, and data information about the material being peeled off from the surface of a silicon chip was displayed on the left and right sides.

"The material will be processed in 7 minutes, and then the material processing results will be automatically detected. If the material is unqualified, the system will make a judgment and perform secondary processing or destruction." Zhou Xing continued to introduce to everyone:

"Did it succeed?" Director Zheng stared at the LCD screen and asked impatiently: