[VDBUH2024] - Johan Janssen - How sand and Java are used to create the world’s most powerful chips

Discover the innovative techniques used in chip-making, from using sand and Java to create powerful transistors, to the precision and automation involved in the process.

Key takeaways
  • Silicon wafers are used to create tiny transistors, the building blocks of modern electronics, which are too small to be scanned, making it difficult to inspect and improve their quality.
  • The process is slow, taking about 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and requires high precision to achieve accurate results.
  • EuV light is used to print tiny features on the wafer, which can be as small as 13nm.
  • The machine uses reticles, mirrors, and lasers to manipulate the light and create the patterns on the wafer.
  • Annaht Shannon (NA) is the unit of measurement for the size of features, with 1 NA being 0.65 microns.
  • The chip-making process involves multiple layers, with each layer requiring precise control to achieve the desired result.
  • The amount of transistors on a chip doubles every two years, with the goal of creating smaller, more efficient chips.
  • EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) light is used to print tiny features on the wafer, which can be as small as 13nm.
  • The machine uses a combination of algorithms and machine learning to optimize the process and improve accuracy.
  • There are three main types of plugins used in the process: processing, analysis, and UI plugins.
  • The entire process, from creating the wafer to packaging the finished chip, takes about 30 years.
  • The company uses Java and Kafka for data processing and Apache Spark for parallel processing.
  • The goal is to create chips with more transistors, smaller size and higher performance.