Intel completes development of 18A and 20A manufacturing processes, plans to use them for own products and for customers in IFS division

Intel has announced the development of its 18A (1.8-nanometer) and 20A (2-nanometer) manufacturing processes, which will be used for the production of their own products as well as for chips produced for their Intel Foundry Services (IFS) customers. This development is of great importance as it offers new opportunities for customers to access cutting-edge manufacturing technology.

According to Wang Rui, President and Chairman of Intel China, the company has completed the development of the 18A and 20A manufacturing processes. However, this does not mean that the production nodes are ready for commercial manufacturing yet. Intel has determined all the specifications, materials, requirements, and performance targets for these two technologies.

Intel's 20A manufacturing technology will depend on the RibbonFET transistor and will use backside power. By shrinking metal spacing, introducing a new transistor structure, and increasing backside power, Intel expects that 20A will surpass its competitors, TSMC and Samsung foundries. Intel plans to begin using this node in the first half of 2024.

The development of Intel's 18A manufacturing process will further improve the company's RibbonFET and PowerVia technologies, as well as reduce transistor size. The development of this node is progressing smoothly, and Intel has brought forward its launch date from the originally planned 2025 to the second half of 2024. Intel initially planned to use ASML Twinscan EXE equipment with 0.55 numerical aperture (NA) optical devices for its 1.8-nanometer node, but due to the decision to start using this technology as soon as possible, the company will have to rely on existing Twinscan NXE machines with 0.33 NA optical devices and EUV double patterning.

Intel expects its 1.8-nanometer manufacturing technology to become the industry's most advanced node when it enters high-volume production (HVM) in the second half of 2024.

Intel's 20A and 18A manufacturing technologies are being developed for their own products as well as for chips produced for their IFS customers. Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger stated in a recent conference call with analysts and investors that the company has positive cooperation channels with seven out of its top ten foundry customers, and these channels continue to grow, including 43 potential customers and ecosystem partners testing chips. Additionally, Intel continues to make progress on Intel 18A and has shared the engineering version of PDK 0.5 (process design kit) with its major customers and is expected to release the final product in the coming weeks.