Analysis: ASML stops 450mm dead

Who pulled the trigger and why did they feel the need?

ASML logoIt looks like 450mm wafers just got pushed back as ASML stopped production on the technology. This delay will come as no surprise to anyone closely following the Semiconductor world, all the signs were pointing in the same direction.

SemiAccurate has heard for weeks now that Intel was delaying 450mm production by considerable amount. While they would only say that the transition from 300mm wafers would happen “in the second half of the decade“, everyone has been saying to expect it in 2018. Since 14nm is due in 2014, 10nm would follow two years later in 2016, and 7nm after that in 2018. Everyone SemiAccurate talked to at Semicon West this summer said 450mm was not going to happen at 10m so that leaves 7nm as the only viable intersect point for 450mm once again in 2018.

News that ASML had completely pulled the plug was broken by Paul van Gerven on the Dutch site Bits&Chips (Translated to English-ish here) last week. SemiAccurate has been hearing similar news for weeks from the fab side, essentially that 450mm tools had been significantly delayed. The real question is what caused it, technical, financial, cooperative, or other problems?

Updated: 19 December 2013 8:30pm

Note: The following is analysis for professional level subscribers only.

Disclosures: Charlie Demerjian and Stone Arch Networking Services, Inc. have no consulting relationships, investment relationships, or hold any investment positions with any of the companies mentioned in this report.

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Charlie Demerjian

Roving engine of chaos and snide remarks at SemiAccurate
Charlie Demerjian is the founder of Stone Arch Networking Services and SemiAccurate.com. SemiAccurate.com is a technology news site; addressing hardware design, software selection, customization, securing and maintenance, with over one million views per month. He is a technologist and analyst specializing in semiconductors, system and network architecture. As head writer of SemiAccurate.com, he regularly advises writers, analysts, and industry executives on technical matters and long lead industry trends. Charlie is also available through Guidepoint and Mosaic. FullyAccurate