On Thursday 23 February held the annual forum in Taiwan, where met manufacturers and companies suppliers . The two executive directors of TSMC company, Mark Liu with Mr. Liu said that their company intends to begin pilot production of semiconductors with the norms of 5 nm in the first half of 2019. In other words, two years later. Based on the regular schedule, it can be expected that the mass production of 5-nm chips the company will begin in early 2020.
On the development of production technologies with the norms of 5 nm in the company employs about 6 thousand. Professionals. As acknowledged by the Director, for the production of 5-nm chips will be used solely of EUV-scanners, and the first commercial use of EUV-lithography in limited volumes begin with a 7-nm production. Experienced Number 7-nm chips TSMC will begin the end of March with plans to start commercial production in the first quarter of 2018.
Regarding production using 10-nm technology standards stated that the low-volume business solutions (mobile) has released plans to dramatically increase the volume in the second quarter. Over the adaptation and expansion of the 10-nm production, the company employs 3 thousand. Engineers and 1.5 thousand. Technologists. In parallel, the development of 5-nm process several hundred engineers are studying the possibility of producing chips with the rules of 3 nm, and even early results "encouraging".
This year, TSMC plans to increase research funding by 15%. In the past year for this purpose it was sent to $ 2.21 billion. In addition, the company will increase funding for the capital costs from last year's $ 9.5 billion to over $ 10 billion. Earlier it was reported that TSMC is considering building a new plant for the production of 5-nm semiconductors. Construction should begin in the summer of 2017. The increase in capital expenditures in 2017 may well be connected with the plans of the building.