Shockingly, a counterfeit factory has produced a 3-nanometer chip.

Chapter 96 Dry DUV Lithography Machine Project Officially Launched

Because of timing.

"Now is the most difficult time, but also the cheapest time."

"Once this period of time passes, let alone a valuation of $50 million, even acquiring 40% would cost more than $5 billion to get that many shares."

Shen Fei recalled once again the development of the Jingxi platform in his previous life. 2009 and 2010 were indeed the most difficult years. After the successful construction of its own logistics network, it enjoyed many years of peak performance.

Although it has begun to decline due to competition from other channels, its valuation is still more than ten times higher than it is now...

This investment was well worth it!

"Once their logistics system is established, it will also benefit Transsion."

As shareholders, our phones will be able to go from the factory to the user in as little as 24 hours.

This is an experience that no partner can provide.

Huang Tianya understood. In terms of pure financial investment, this business could indeed not compare to his ventures in the United States, but in terms of strategy...

That's equally important.

"Oh, right, Mr. Shen," Huang Tianya suddenly remembered something, "Lei Jun wants to meet with you to discuss a collaboration."

"Lei Buss..." Shen Fei smiled, just as he had expected.

"Give him a reply. We are currently preparing for the launch of the Honor Play1 and cannot spare the time at the moment. We will talk again after November 11th."

Huang Tianya nodded, because Shen Fei did indeed value the Honor Play1 quite a bit, and he thought that was the reason.

What he didn't know was that Shen Fei simply wanted to see how Yu Dazui would react when he read out "1999" in Lei Jun's press conference style.

Shen Fei's phone rang again. Huang Tianya was about to get up and leave, but when Shen Fei saw that it was Academician Wu calling, he waved for him to stop.

…………

Kyoto! Office of the National Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund.

When Academician Wu pushed open the door, the conference room was already full of people. In addition to the fund's management team, there were also experts and representatives from Shanghai Microelectronics, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, and Huaxin International.

Their faces were filled with anticipation and worry.

After all, this is a lithography machine!

"Mr. Wu, you've arrived." Zhang Xin, the fund's chairman, rose to greet him. "What did they say on the other end of the intercom?"

Academician Wu sat down, took a sip of tea, and slowly said, "Shen Fei agreed."

A commotion immediately broke out in the conference room.

"They really agreed; they're willing to pay that deposit."

Did he set any conditions?

"Will you provide all the technical documentation?"

Academician Wu raised his hand to signal for quiet: "Shen Fei, this young man, has a very broad vision, so broad that we can't even imagine it."

He said that the project's leadership belongs to the state, but Transsion should act as a technical advisor and give a reasonable amount of project shares.

Secondly, once the 65nm lithography machine is manufactured, Transsion should prioritize purchasing it at cost price.

This 10 billion deposit can be used directly for purchases.

Finally, regarding the related patents developed, TransSound will use them for free.

"That's all?" Zhang Xin couldn't believe it. "He provides the technology, and this is all he wants in return?"

Academician Wu nodded, then picked up the teacup on the table and took another sip: "That's why I said he has a broad vision, but he also asked for a promise."

"What promise?"

"If the 65nm lithography machine is successful, you cannot give up. You must continue to accelerate the iteration speed and strive to catch up with international processes as soon as possible."

Then achieve a complete overtaking in semiconductors.

The meeting room fell silent again.

The 65nm dry lithography machine represents a significant breakthrough compared to current domestic processes. A single exposure can achieve a maximum of 65nm, and through multiple exposures, it's even possible to directly push domestic processes down to 40nm…

It is only 1 to 2 generations behind the most advanced international technology.

However, to go further, we need an immersion DUV lithography machine. Although it is still called DUV, the technological content of the two is vastly different.

The investment at that time would definitely be an astronomical figure, but everyone nodded silently.

"I promise! And I won't let them suffer any losses," Zhang Xin assured him.

Since Shenfei has such a grand vision, they can't just enjoy the benefits.

I heard he has a prospective father-in-law, so let's ask the higher-ups to expedite Zhang Shiqing's career; he's qualified enough anyway.

"Oh, right. Xiao Shen has another idea: after the lithography machine project is successful, we need to increase investment across the entire industry chain."

It's not about manufacturing lithography machines, but about manufacturing chips, with the entire process from sand to chip being done in-house.

He said that lithography machines are only the biggest problem, but other issues cannot be ignored, otherwise others could easily hold us back.

Zhang Xin nodded again; this was all necessary. That's precisely why the National Semiconductor Investment Fund was established.

Originally, they only intended to support other industries first, not to start directly with lithography machines... but due to the unexpected turn of events with Transsion, they chose to start with the most difficult aspect.

"He's insane." The representative from Huaxin International frowned. "He knows how many design processes are involved in chip manufacturing, and he wants to get involved in chip manufacturing? Does he even know how deep the water runs?"

When Huaxin International's representatives heard that Transsion was going to prioritize purchasing lithography machines, they couldn't help but feel indignant. They were the professional foundry, yet the first batch of machines wasn't being delivered to them.

After hearing Shen Fei's plan, he finally understood.

They want to control the entire industry chain, how ridiculous! They got lucky and obtained some blueprints for outdated lithography machines, and they really think they've reached the heavens!

Professor Wu's expression instantly changed, and he pointed at him angrily: "Whose representative is this?"

"It's from Huaxin International," Zhang Xin quickly explained.

"Oh! Your company's purpose is good, but after so long, you haven't produced anything. You haven't even contributed as much as Xiao Shen."

Instead of wasting time looking down on others, you should spend more time on research and development.

Zhang Xin was also very angry. On such an important occasion, Huaxin International didn't even send someone sensible.

He quickly waved to the people next to him, signaling them to "invite" him out.

After he left, Zhang Xin spoke again, "Old Wu, do you think... the technology for transmitting sound is really that amazing?"

Academician Wu did not respond, but took out a document from his briefcase.

65nm Dry Lithography Machine Technology Solution (Summary)

It only has 10 pages. But every single page impressed the experts present.

"Dual-stage design...synchronous measurement and exposure...ultra-high precision temperature control. And how come there's even pre-research on extreme ultraviolet light sources..." The expert from the Chinese Academy of Sciences' hands trembled. "Some of these technical routes are still being explored by ASML. How could Transsion possibly have such a complete solution?"

"Shen Fei said that this was done by their overseas investment team, which spent half a year buying, investing, acquiring, or using some unconventional methods through various channels," Academician Wu relayed.

"The technical approach may be a bit complicated and incomplete, but the framework is correct."

"Six months...starting from the economic crisis..." someone murmured. "Although the economic crisis made most technologies cheap, getting this information...it will probably cost a lot of money."

"President Shen, this person has a truly broad perspective."

"That's why I say Shen Fei's vision is exceptionally narrow." Academician Wu closed the documents.

"But no matter where the technology came from or how much it cost, it's now in our hands."

We can't let them down. Eight billion yuan to build China's own 65nm lithography machine—are we going to do it?