Intel recently said that it has completed the production process of Intel 18A (1.8nm) and Intel 20A (2nm), which is expected to go into production from 2024.
According to UDN , President of Intel China said at an event that the company has completed the development of 18A and 20A fabrication processes. This does not mean Intel is ready for commercial production, but rather defines all the specifications, materials, requirements, and performance goals for both technologies.
Intel’s 20A fabrication technology will rely on RibbonFET transistors that surround the gate and distribute power from the back panel. Miniaturizing the steps, introducing a completely new transistor structure, and adding power delivery on the back is a risky move, but Intel hopes the technology will help it surpass the competition. competition from TSMC and Samsung Foundry. Intel plans to start using the technology in the first half of 2024.
The 18A manufacturing process will improve Intel’s RibbonFET and PowerVia technologies, as well as shrink transistor sizes. Development seemed to be going so well that Intel shortened its rollout from 2025 to the second half of 2024. Intel originally planned to use ASML’s Twinscan EXE lithography with the optics. aperture number 0.55 (NA) for the 18A process. But because of the decision to start using the technology earlier, the company will have to rely on extensive use of existing Twinscan NXE machines with 0.33 NA optics, as well as dual pattern photolithography.
Intel expects its 1.8nm manufacturing process to become the most advanced in the industry when it enters mass production in the second half of 2024. New technologies are being developed by the company for its products as well. their own, as well as chips that will be manufactured by Intel for its customers.
Pat Gelsinger, Intel’s chief executive officer, said in a recent conference call with investors that the company is actively working with seven of its 10 largest customers, along with 43 potential customers and ecosystems. Test chip state of the partner. He said the company continues to make progress with the Intel 18A process and has shared the technical release of PDK 0.5 (process design toolkit) with customers.