29.05.2024

In a significant development for Russia's semiconductor industry, the country's first indigenous lithography machine, capable of producing chips as small as 350 nanometers, has been built and is currently undergoing testing In ZNTC. This milestone was announced by Vasily Shpak, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, during a statement to TASS on the sidelines of the CIPR conference.

"We have assembled the first domestic lithography machine. It is now being tested as part of the production line in Zelenograd," Shpak revealed.

Globally, the production of such advanced equipment is dominated by a few major players, the largest being the Dutch company ASML, alongside Canon and Nikon from Japan. These companies lead the field in producing highly sophisticated lithography machines essential for semiconductor manufacturing.

While 350nm chips are considered relatively large by contemporary standards, they remain vital across various industries. These include the automotive sector, energy, and telecommunications, where they are still widely used due to their reliability and established technology.

The creation of this lithography machine marks a crucial step for Russia in enhancing its self-sufficiency in semiconductor manufacturing. This achievement not only represents a technical breakthrough but also a strategic move towards reducing dependency on foreign technology in a sector critical to modern electronics and national security.

The ongoing tests in Zelenograd Nanotechnology Center are expected to validate the machine's capabilities and integration into existing production processes, setting the stage for future advancements in Russia's semiconductor industry.