Globalfoundries to skip straight to 28nm fabrication

Thrax

Globalfoundries to skip straight to 28nm fabrication

DrLiam

I think this is a very smart move and can't wait to see some of the products that will feature this new technology.

mirage

The next step following 32m is 22m (~0.7x32). 28nm is closer to 32m than the next node and they are already late to 32m.

Thrax

Transitioning to 28nm is called a half-step node. It's easy to go to 28nm, as opposed to 22nm, because the equipment and processes are virtually identical.

22nm requires double patterning and immersion litho resolution that the industry has not yet come to in volume. That said, AMD/Glofo was the first to 22nm SRAM cells, and they're like to be the first for GPUs. Intel will likely get there first for CPUs.

Even if AMD is late to the 32nm party, they'll be closer to schedule on 22, when that time comes.

mirage

I hope they can release 28nm products on time before Intel releases 22nm products in 2011. If that happens, AMD will lead in the process technology for the first time. We will see.

Tim

I'd like to see how these tiny chip dies are made, anyone got a link to a good video?

mirage

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_circuit
http://www.appliedmaterials.com/HTMAC/animated.html

shwaip

a series of photolithography, deposition and etching steps.

Thrax

I approved your post, Mirage. It got caught in the spam queue, because it included links coming from the comment box on the front page of the website.

GooD

thankx mirage for the appliedmaterials link, that was actually very interesting

And thankx Thrax for approving his post