Posted on Tuesday, March 22 2011 @ 22:10 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
ARS Technica
reports the earthquake in Japan may also have implications for Moore's Law. The site notes that Nikon's plant closures may set back Intel's 22nm transition plans:
The Nikon plant closures are not just a big deal for shutterbugs—it seems possible that Intel could have its 22nm transition plans set back by the closures.
Three of the Nikon sites that shut down make lithography equipment; these are the high-powered lens systems that semiconductor makers like Intel use to etch transistors onto their chips. Nikon made lithography equipment for some of Intel's 45nm plants, and for all of the company's 32nm plants. The lens maker was allegedly contracted to make some of the litho equipment for the upcoming 22nm transition.
Intel's official response is that the company is "continuing to monitor the situation in Japan." An Intel spokesperson told Ars, "Preliminary assessments are relatively positive from our direct suppliers, whom we currently believe came through this event in reasonable shape. Challenges in power and transportation infrastructure are evolving and we continue to monitor and interpret the implications to our suppliers." He went on to say that, "As a matter of policy we don't discuss specific suppliers or our relationships with them."
