Rapidus, a corporation established by Japan to revive its semiconductor industry, has succeeded in producing a prototype using 2-nanometer (nm·one billionth of a meter) process.
Recently, Rapidus announced this at its factory in Chitose, Hokkaido, and unveiled related products. It has been three months since it began operating the pilot line using extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment in April.
Founded in 2022 for semiconductor localization, Rapidus is a company established by eight major Japanese corporations, including Toyota, Kioxia, Sony, and NTT, and aims to begin mass production of 2-nanometer chips by 2027.
Rapidus reported that this product has secured the electrical properties of the wafer by applying the gate-all-around (GAA) structure, a next-generation transistor technology. Atsuyoshi Koike, president of Rapidus, noted, "We created it at an unimaginable speed," calling it a "revolutionary event."
However, there are analyses indicating that several challenges remain before full-scale mass production. Local media reported that Rapidus faces the task of reducing defect rates and increasing yield to ensure stable mass production in the future. The Asahi Shimbun stated, "TSMC, the leader in cutting-edge semiconductor production, plans to start mass production of 2-nanometer products in the second half of this year," adding, "Rapidus is challenging cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing by building a factory without having accumulated technology thus far."
Securing the massive funding required for mass production is also cited as a challenge. Rapidus is expected to need about 5 trillion yen (approximately 46.8 trillion won) for mass production, but the amount secured so far, including government subsidies, is reported to be around 1.7225 trillion yen (approximately 16.1 trillion won).
Rapidus stated that to attract customers, it plans to release a process design kit (PDK) necessary for design in the first quarter of next year, enabling customers to develop their own prototypes.