The moment the lithographic engine began to stall
For decades, Moore's Law drove the semiconductor industry by doubling transistor counts every 18 months. This video explores the era when the vital progress of optical lithography faced a sudden, critical slowdown.
The advancement of integrated circuits has historically relied on three pillars: chip design, larger wafer dimensions, and lithography. While the first two provided support, improvements in optical lithography served as the primary engine for increasing chip performance.
As the new millennium approached, however, the industry realized that the momentum of lithographic progress was hitting a significant barrier. This footage examines the period when the industry questioned if there was enough technological potential left to sustain the era's rapid growth.
Source: Why 157nm Lithography Failed
