SK Hynix reveals first mass produced 16nm NAND flash memory

Posted on Wednesday, November 20 2013 @ 13:35 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
SK Hynix announced the launch of world's first 64Gb MLC NAND flash memory chip manufactured on a 16nm process:
SK Hynix Inc. (or ‘the Company’, www.skhynix.com) announced that it has started full-scale mass production of 16nm 64Gb(Gigabit) MLC(Multi Level Cell) NAND Flash, which uses the industry’s thinnest process technology.

SK Hynix has been mass producing its 1st version of the world’s first 16nm NAND Flash since June and recently has started to mass produce the 2nd version which is more cost competitive due to its smaller chip size. In consequence, the Company geared up for strengthening its competitiveness in NAND Flash.

Also, the Company has developed 128Gb(16GB, 16Gigabytes), the highest density in a single MLC chip, based on the specification and endurance of 16nm 64Gb MLC. The product is planned to be mass produced from the beginning of next year.

Generally, the thinner process technology shrinks the more frequent interferences among cells occur, but SK Hynix applied up-to-date Air-Gap technology to overcome the interferences among the cells. The Air-Gap technology builds insulation shield with vacuum holes(Air) between circuits not with insulating substances.

“After the Company developed and started to mass produce the industry’s thinnest 16nm product then now prepared high density NAND Flash product portfolio thanks to the development of 16nm 128Gb MLC”, said senior vice president Jin Woong Kim, the Head of Flash Tech Development. “The Company plans to actively respond to our customers’ demands with the NAND Flash products which have high reliability and endurance” he added.

SK hynix will strengthen its competitiveness in NAND Flash solution while accelerating the development of TLC(Triple Level Cell) and 3D NAND Flash.
SKHynix 16nm NAND flash memory


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Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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