However, its claims of a 50% recycling rate aren't exactly groundbreaking. Cymer's excimer laser neon recovery system demonstrated that same level of efficiency in 2015 , and Gigaphoton's own testing suggested a potential peak for ArF recovery of over 90% in 2017 .
That suggests it should be able to ramp up its efforts to a higher percentage quite swiftly. Especially since fellow Japanese firm Kanken Techno recently unveiled a neon recycling system with over 90% efficiency. Kanken works with both major ArF laser developers and is currently going through the certification process, with expected approval in the near future.
With neon gas recycling during chip production effectively solved, it may be that the supply of neon for the chip industry has proved to be a temporary problem. But it may be a temporary solution too, as the use of neon within the industry may be set to shrink dramatically in the years to come.
EUV lithography can build far more complex chips than DUV, and offers a future path beyond the need for neon gas usage in excimer lasers as newer electronics adopt the more capable chip designs. On top of that, alternative technologies to DUV are being developed which could produce the same DUV light to generate advanced semiconductors, but without the need for noble or toxic gases.
Solid-state laser technologies have been rapidly developing in recent years, though last year's Chinese efforts are still below required industrial power thresholds. Nanoimprint lithography also holds promise as a DUV alternative, as well as cutting costs by a comparative 90%.
There are still huge hurdles in performance and certification, as well as integration with existing fabrication plans and supply chains. But the potential to move beyond the need for neon gas within semiconductor lithography is there. Over the coming years, the combination of laser neon recycling systems and alternative manufacturing techniques could reduce the need for international neon sources to a fraction of existing levels.
Jon Martindale Freelance Writer Jon Martindale is a contributing writer for Tom's Hardware. For the past 20 years, he's been writing about PC components, emerging technologies, and the latest software advances. His deep and broad journalistic experience gives him unique insights into the most exciting technology trends of today and tomorrow.
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- https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/SPONSORED_LINK_URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/gigaphoton-debuts-neon-recycling-system-with-claimed-50-percent-recovery-rate-systems-throw-a-lifeline-to-chipmakers-that-utilize-70-percent-of-global-neon-supply-in-duv-lithography#main
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