Maurice du Mée - Software at ASML: the Force behind making microchips

ASML develops complex software systems to enable nanometer-precision manufacturing of microchips, with over 80 million lines of code across 2,100+ components

The company manages extreme technical challenges like controlling 50kW lasers, achieving 1-2 nanometer precision, and handling equipment that generates 175 terabytes of data per day

Software development involves multiple programming languages (Python, Julia, C++, Java) and must handle cross-platform deployment while maintaining numerical precision to 16 decimal places

Customer trust and deployment processes are critical - new software must be thoroughly validated to avoid production issues, while still enabling process optimization and innovation

ASML maintains a 10-year technology roadmap and works closely with customers, academia and partners like Zeiss to drive semiconductor industry innovation

Measurement applications are tailored to specific customer processes through “recipes” that define how machines operate and collect data

The company is actively exploring open source opportunities and releasing packages that could benefit the broader community

Software development challenges include managing legacy code (20+ years), deployment across different platforms, and maintaining perfect numerical consistency

Data sharing agreements with customers carefully balance needs for process optimization with competitive concerns

The semiconductor manufacturing environment requires handling “chaos at the nanometer level” through sophisticated models and algorithms that predict and control various physical effects