Intel’s former CEO, Pat Gelsinger, is making headlines once again with his return to the chip industry. Reports suggest xLight, the chip firm he is now associated with, has secured federal incentives, signaling a significant development in the sector.
The chip industry has been a focal point of national interest, particularly following the Trump administration’s emphasis on American technological advancement. The U.S. government has been actively encouraging substantial investments from chip giants like TSMC and Intel. Recently, the Commerce Department has shown a keen interest in supporting domestic chip manufacturing, which has led to xLight receiving $150 million under the CHIPS Act.
xLight’s Innovative Approach
Specializing in chip lithography, xLight seeks to revolutionize the field by employing free-electron lasers (FELs) for their EUV tools. Rather than following the conventional methods, the company plans to generate high-energy electron beams through a particle accelerator to produce EUV photons. This new approach is touted as more efficient than current Laser-Produced Plasma (LPP) techniques. This development is particularly noteworthy as xLight is one of the first U.S.-based startups to enter this niche area.
Reviving Moore’s Law and restoring American leadership in light is a once-in-a-generation opportunity and with the support of the federal government, xLight will turn opportunity into reality. Building an energy-efficient EUV laser with tenfold improvements over today’s technology will drive the next era of Moore’s Law, accelerating fab productivity, while developing a critical domestic capability
– Pat Gelsinger, Executive Chairman of the Board, xLight
Challenges and Future Prospects
While xLight is certainly gaining attention, it faces challenges in integrating FEL sources with existing ASML products, a costly and potentially risky endeavor given ASML’s potential hesitancy. Moreover, while FEL technology promises research-grade performance, its viability for high-volume manufacturing remains unproven.
Lithography has long been a hurdle for the U.S. chip industry, particularly due to the reliance on ASML’s tools. The industry is closely watching whether innovative firms like xLight and its peers, such as Substrate, can break new ground in chip lithography.
