$ASML (-1,59 %) - Interesting information and facts about ASML
In my opinion one of the biggest moats ever.
ASML was founded through a joint venture. Philips invented a new chip machine (wafer stepper) that was much more efficient.
However, as they did not want to take the risk of commercialization, they found a suitable partner in ASM International. $ASM (+2,02 %) a suitable partner.
ASM Lithography was founded in 1984.
The laser used by ASML is manufactured by Trumpf in Germany.
- This laser consists of more than 450,000 different components. That shows how difficult it is.
Trumpf only sells this to ASML.
- The laser is a special product that was developed jointly by Trumpf, ASML and Zeiss.
The laser from Trumpf is used to
generate plasma for EUV light. The
plasma reaches temperatures of over
100,000 °C, hotter than the surface of the sun.
surface of the sun.
- Zeiss manufactures high-precision mirrors and lenses that reflect the generated EUV light and guide it to the exact position to print the chip.
Zeiss does not sell its unique products
to competitors
- In 2012, ASML bought 25 percent of Zeiss, a very significant stake.
- In 2013, they bought Cymer, an important supplier of light sources. This is one of the most important parts of the machine. The purchase of this company was crucial for the scaling of EUV machines.
- the first high NA EUV machines should be installed at Intel in the fourth quarter of this year. More will
follow in the coming years.
- This machine will cost around 400 million euros, require seven cargo ships and could potentially produce 1 nm chips in the future.
- They are the only ones who can build an EUV machine. These are used for the best, smallest and most innovative chips.
- DUV sales are still bigger than EUV sales, but that will change in the future.
- The machine is so complicated that no one else will be able to make it for years to come, so they have a 100% market share in these machines. They also have DUV machines (the previous generation). There they have an 80% -85% market share.
- ASML already has a new generation of EUV (High NA EUV) and the next one is planned for 2030. The first company other than ASML that will be able to produce an EUV generation will probably be later than 2030, especially because the machines consist of tens of thousands of parts and ASML has bought up several important suppliers.
