Samsung will start development of the 4nm process later this year

Samsung will start developing its 4nm node for chip manufacturing in the second half of this year. The Korean manufacturer wants to have its 5nm process for chips ready this quarter.

Samsung gave an update on its chip production plans during the announcement of the quarterly figures. This quarter, Samsung plans to begin deliveries of 7nm chips and finalize preparations for 5nm development. In the second half of 2019, Samsung wants to start developing its 4nm process.

Samsung uses euv machines for 7nm, 5nm and 4nm production. The company uses euv for the most critical layers in 7nm production, but the intention is that the successor to the immersion lithography will be used for more and more layers.

Samsung further reports that it plans to increase the 1y-nanometer production of dram in the second half of this year and to start the mass production of the 1z-nm production. With 1znm, Samsung refers to its third generation 10nm production for ddr4, with a size for the smallest chip structures of around 12nm.

Samsung is investing heavily in its chip production. The company aims to be the largest chip maker by 2030. Two weeks ago, Samsung announced that it was working on a 6nm production method.

Background information on the production of chips and the difference between euv and immersion lithography can be found in the background articles How are chips made? and Small, smaller, smallest: the way to 5nm chips.