TSMC Will Begin Process Technology Research at 1.4nm
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Taint3dBulge
That is just insanity how small that is. A DNA strand is 2nm. I wonder what is the smallest they can go. then once they hit that, whats next?
Horus-Anhur
There was a time when the number of a process node related to the gate length of a transistor.
For a decade now, that the number in these process nodes have no correlation to real physical dimensions.
Embra
Are we getting near the end of the line?
Horus-Anhur
No. Like I said, these numbers are marketing.
But producing smaller chips is getting exponentially harder and more expensive.
A silicon atom is 0.2nm. 0.45 if we consider the atom's lattice.
For example, on TSMC N7, Contacted Gate Pitch is 57nm and Minimum Metal Pitch is 40nm.
SniperX
If you mean near the end of the line for misleading process names, then, yes ð;)
oli3
There's always the negative numbers they can turn to
Kaarme
Fear not, they can just move to pn, picometers.
alanm
They probably had the same fear when they reached 1.5 Ξm (micrometers) some 40 years ago. ð
Ojref
Its time to quit procrastinating optical signaling, for darn sure.
SniperX
No they did not, because those were the real numbers back then ð
XenthorX
Can't wait for them to reach the negative numbers.
BLEH!
Probably nearing the end for Si, we'll have to switch materials (GaN?) soon
