By: Michael S (already5chosen.delete@this.yahoo.com), June 13, 2022 4:47 am
Room: Moderated Discussions
David Kanter (dkanter.delete@this.realworldtech.com) on June 12, 2022 7:05 pm wrote:
> Hi Everyone,
>
> Happy Sunday! I am thrilled to bring you my latest article, which focuses on the Intel
> 4 process that was presented at the VLSI Symposium in Hawaii. Here's a quick summary:
>
> The Intel 4 process achieves 20% better performance and scales logic density by 2X while reducing costs
> through extensive design co-optimization, adoption of new materials, and judicious use of EUV lithography.
> The first product, the Meteor Lake compute tile will ramp to high volume manufacturing in 2023.
>
> Read more here: Intel 4 Process Scales Logic with Design, Materials, and EUV
>
> And as always, feel free to discuss or drop questions in this thread!
>
> David
>
So, Intel gives up on Cobalt as a primary conductor material.
I'd guess it is a good practical decision and I'd guess that Cobalt-related problems of their 10nm process proved surmountable.
But in a Great Scheme Of the Things it's still sad.
Electromigration problems of the copper could have either temporary or, with a bit of luck, permanent solutions. But high mean free path of electrons in copper is a fundamental problem that will brings end to VLSI scaling Really Soon Now.
Unless somebody more smart than Intel people makes cobalt work.
> Hi Everyone,
>
> Happy Sunday! I am thrilled to bring you my latest article, which focuses on the Intel
> 4 process that was presented at the VLSI Symposium in Hawaii. Here's a quick summary:
>
> The Intel 4 process achieves 20% better performance and scales logic density by 2X while reducing costs
> through extensive design co-optimization, adoption of new materials, and judicious use of EUV lithography.
> The first product, the Meteor Lake compute tile will ramp to high volume manufacturing in 2023.
>
> Read more here: Intel 4 Process Scales Logic with Design, Materials, and EUV
>
> And as always, feel free to discuss or drop questions in this thread!
>
> David
>
So, Intel gives up on Cobalt as a primary conductor material.
I'd guess it is a good practical decision and I'd guess that Cobalt-related problems of their 10nm process proved surmountable.
But in a Great Scheme Of the Things it's still sad.
Electromigration problems of the copper could have either temporary or, with a bit of luck, permanent solutions. But high mean free path of electrons in copper is a fundamental problem that will brings end to VLSI scaling Really Soon Now.
Unless somebody more smart than Intel people makes cobalt work.
