🔬 What Is EUV?
EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) is the photolithography technology used to manufacture the most advanced chips in the world. It uses ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 13.5nm to “draw” microscopic patterns on silicon.
High-NA (high numerical aperture) increases precision from 0.33 to 0.55 NA. This enables features below 8nm — essential for 2nm technology and beyond.
Intel First
Won the race against TSMC and Samsung for the first machine
Made in EU
ASML (Netherlands) is the only company in the world that makes EUV machines
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1.7x Density
More transistors per square millimeter
Performance
Faster and more energy-efficient chips
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🏁 Why It Matters
Intel has lost ground in recent years to TSMC. The High-NA EUV is part of the company's “comeback” strategy. With it, Intel aims to become a leader in chip manufacturing again by 2027.
For Europe, this means ASML remains critical in the global semiconductor supply chain. No other company on the planet can build such machines.
🚫 China Locked Out
The US has banned the sale of EUV machines to China. This keeps Chinese manufacturers at least 5 years behind in chip technology.
