ASML selling more EUV machines

AnandTech reports ASML sold a bunch more EUV machines last quarter. The Dutch semiconductor equipment maker is the only firm in the world that produces these machines, which are used by TSMC, Intel, Samsung, and other foundries to develop production lines that use EUV lithography. Up until now, chips were made using immersion lithography but recently TSMC kicked off mass production of a 7nm node that uses EUV and Samsung is also using 7nm EUV for the production of some of its chips.

Officially, only TSMC and Samsung Foundry use ASML’s Twinscan NXE scanners to make chips using their N7+ and 7LPP manufacturing technologies. Both contract makers of semiconductors will expand their usage of EUV tools as they adopt new fabrication processes. Furthermore, Intel will use EUVL for its 7 nm technology that will be deployed across multiple fabs through 2021. Furthermore, companies like Samsung and SK Hynix are mulling the use of EUVL for DRAM production.

Here is what Peter Wennink, CEO of ASML, had to say:

“For the remainder of the year, we expect Logic to continue to be strong, driven by the leading-edge nodes supporting end-market technology and applications such as 5G and artificial intelligence. The timing of Memory recovery remains uncertain. We continue to make solid progress in EUV. Customers have introduced their first EUV manufactured devices and we have seen EUV mentioned in product announcements. In the third quarter, we shipped seven EUV systems, three of which were NXE:3400C, our higher productivity model. We received 23 EUV orders in the third quarter which contributes to our highest ever value of bookings in one quarter. This strong order flow confirms the adoption of EUV in high volume manufacturing for Logic and Memory. Our overall view for 2019 is essentially unchanged as we continue to see 2019 as a growth year.”