Khaberni - An extended scientific video of 55 minutes reveals unprecedented details about one of the most complex and expensive machines in the world, the Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machine produced by the Dutch company ASML, valued at about $400 million.
The video, broadcast by the scientific channel Veritasium on YouTube, provides a deep explanation of how this massive system works and its pivotal role in manufacturing Graphics Processing Units (GPU) chips, which are the backbone of the modern artificial intelligence industry, according to gizmodo.
The EUV machine is an indispensable element for advanced chip manufacturing companies, as it allows for the engraving of extremely precise components on silicon chips using very short wavelengths. Without this technology, it would be impossible to produce the advanced chips that drive artificial intelligence applications, cloud computing, and data centers, making the machine a cornerstone in the global digital economy.
The video, which garnered over ten million views in a short period, highlights how the EUV technology was developed over decades of scientific research and engineering. It explains the complex mechanisms of its operation, including targeting drops of tin with ultra-precise laser pulses to produce EUV light, then directing it through ultra-smooth mirrors towards the silicon chips.
The work visually emphasizes the exceptional level of precision required, to the extent of comparing the accuracy of the laser to aiming at a coin from a distance equivalent to the distance from the Earth to the Moon.
The video is marked by a dignified scientific tone, away from the flashy style common in some scientific content, treating the viewer as a partner in understanding, not just a simple recipient of information.
Content creators afforded rare access to ASML's clean rooms, adding credibility and technical depth to the explanation.
In the geopolitical context, the ASML machine has acquired special significance, as it has been linked in recent years to Western efforts to limit China's access to the latest chip manufacturing technologies. However, recent reports indicated that a Chinese team in Shenzhen has managed to develop a similar prototype after recruiting former expertise from the Dutch company, raising questions about the future of this technology monopoly and its strategic implications.
Despite its current status as the crown jewel in the technology industry, experts suggest that the $400 million machine will not remain at the forefront forever. With the continued progression of Moore's Law and the growing capabilities of processors, more advanced and costly generations are expected to emerge, potentially reaching $1 billion per machine. Until then, the video offers a rare window into the heart of the industry shaping the features of the global digital economy today.
