Author: Linjiangxian

At this time, Lin Benjian was not well-known. He was only the senior director of TSM. Although he was promoted to management, his position was not much higher.

At this point in 2002, the world's lithography machine industry has fallen into a bottleneck stage. Moore's Law is about to expire, and the new generation of lithography machine technology has not yet been established.

In particular, the beautiful country plans to bet on the extreme ultraviolet light route, so as to kick away the eyesore of Connie and completely suppress the island country's semiconductor industry.

It can be seen that it is easier to do than it is to achieve extreme ultraviolet light. It is even much more radical than Connie's 157nm F2 laser route.

ASML has been stuck on this key technology node for a long time, and it is so stuck that even they themselves don't know how many years and months it will take before they can make a breakthrough.

On this day, Lin Benjian took the plan he had written and found his boss.

"Mr. Jiang, this is my immersive lithography plan, please take a look."

The Mr. Jiang he mentioned was named Jiang Shangyi, and he was the chief operating officer of TSM Company.

"Oh? Immersive lithography solution?"

Jiang Shangyi's eyes lit up and he couldn't wait to open the folder.

However, after reading Lin Benjian's plan, Jiang Shangyi fell into silence.

There is no doubt that Lin Benjian is a talented person, and Jiang Shangyi also admires Lin Benjian, otherwise he would not have given him the opportunity to join TSM when Lin Benjian came to TSM to apply for a job after his entrepreneurial failure.

But Lin Benjian's suggestion now caused him some difficulties.

He closed the folder, looked at Lin Benjian, and said, "Xiao Lin, what do you think about this plan?"

Lin Benjian didn’t think too much. As a technical geek, he chose to tell the truth, and the advice he gave was very simple: “I just think the idea of ​​extreme ultraviolet rays is right, and if you want to reduce the wavelength of light, the light source is the best way.

Fundamental method. After all, even high school students know that water affects the refractive index of light."

Jiang Shangyi frowned slightly, then sighed and said: "So, you suggest adding a layer of water between the lens and the silicon wafer to refract the original 193nm laser, and then directly cross the 157nm barrier and reduce it to 132nm?

"

Lin Benjian nodded excitedly: "Yes, that's what I think."

Seeing that this subordinate had not yet realized the seriousness of the problem, Jiang Shangyi had to remind him: "Your method is only theoretically feasible. If you want to implement it concretely, the amount of money invested is by no means a small amount. Of course, the biggest problem is

Not the technology itself, but the outside."

"external?"

The smile on Lin Benjian's face suddenly froze, and he asked doubtfully: "What do you mean?"

Jiang Shangyi did not sell out and said directly: "The world's R&D direction is towards 157 nanometers. Not only are many manufacturers and R&D units betting on this wavelength, but the global investment in 157 nanometers far exceeds 1 billion US dollars. A single lithography machine

Manufacturers claim to have invested more than US$700 million, and your idea of ​​immersive lithography technology runs counter to them. If you are right, then their investment will be in vain.”

Lin Benjian seemed to understand something, but he was a little unconvinced and said: "What does it have to do with us that their investment is in vain? If we are only followers, then I think the R&D department can be abolished and just wait for others to develop it."

After we get it, we can just take it and use it.”

"That's what I said."

Jiang Shangyi tapped the table with his fingers. He first expressed his agreement with Lin Benjian's view, and then said: "So this is the most difficult part for me. I should be on your side, after all, they spent so much money.

It proves that that road is actually not easy to walk. If we follow the method you said, we might succeed in one fell swoop and overtake others in a corner. But we are a small company, and we cannot afford the huge pressure imposed on us by those big companies.

Pressure. Do you know what I mean?”

After his explanation, Lin Benjian finally understood. He was very depressed. He felt that according to such a statement, it was not R&D, and it was not R&D. He wanted to be a leader, but he was forced to only dare to follow.

who.

Lin Benjian felt a little aggrieved.

When leaving Jiang Shangyi's office, Lin Benjian's expression was muddled and his thoughts were in a mess.

When he got home in the evening, looking at the slightly deserted house, Lin Benjian sighed again, took out his mobile phone, and called his wife Huang Xiuhui who was still in the beautiful country.

Both of them were Chinese-Americans born in South Vietnam. Their families fled from Xiangjiang to South Vietnam during the Anti-Japanese War and later settled there. Now the whole family has settled down in the beautiful country.

Lin Benjian is a believer and speaks in a gentle manner, while his wife Huang Xiuhui is also a senior intellectual. In addition to being gentle and virtuous, she also has great insights into many things.

Lin Benjian told Huang Xiuhui what happened today.

After Huang Xiuhui patiently listened to Lin Benjian's words, she asked softly: "Do you think your plan is better than theirs?"

Lin Benjian was slightly taken aback, but then he said very firmly: "I firmly believe that immersive lithography technology is the future of lithography machines."

Huang Xiuhui said without hesitation: "In that case, just do what you think. The truth will never give in to falsehood. If you give up now, you will probably regret it for the rest of your life."

Seeing Huang Xiuhui's support, Lin Benjian was very moved.

Huang Xiuhui stood firmly on his side every time, giving him incomparable courage and wisdom.

Although she spoke softly, Huang Xiuhui's words brought great power to Lin Benjian.

He suddenly figured it out. The reason why he didn't insist on his idea when he was in the company today was simply because he was afraid of losing this hard-won job. After all, he was not young anymore, and it only made sense to have a family and a career.

Huang Xiuhui's understanding and support allowed him to completely let go, strengthened his determination, and said: "Yes, if I firmly believe that I am right, then I should not give in. No matter what, I want to prove myself,

Proving that the technical idea of ​​immersive lithography is correct!”

"Just do it, I believe you."

"Wife, I love you."

"I love you too."

In the days that followed, Lin Benjian took this "immersive lithography" plan and traveled to the United States, Germany, Japan and other countries to lobby various semiconductor giants.

But unfortunately, no one appreciated his talent, so he was rejected every time.

Just after returning to TSM, he had no time to be disappointed and sigh, so Jiang Shangyi called to the office.

Lin Benjian came to Jiang Shangyi's office anxiously and knocked on the door.

"Mr. Jiang."

He also thought that Jiang Shangyi was dissatisfied with his behavior of selling plans everywhere, and he had even made plans to be laid off.

Jiang Shangyi saw Lin Benjian walking into the office and said to Lin Benjian kindly: "Xiao Lin, sit down."

Seeing Jiang Shangyi acting uncharacteristically, Lin Benjian's feeling that he was about to be laid off became even stronger.

"Ah, okay."

When Lin Benjian sat down, Jiang Shangyi said pleasantly: "Xiao Lin, are you tired from work recently?"

Lin Benjian stuttered and said: "It's... not bad, it's pretty good."

Jiang Shangyi said: "I have been looking at your plan for several days, and I think your path should be easier to follow than theirs."

When Lin Benjian heard this, he couldn't believe his ears. He said with some surprise: "Mr. Jiang, has the company agreed to my plan?"

Jiang Shangyi shook his head and said, "Don't think about this. It's impossible. I'm telling you this because I want to tell you that someone asked me to send you a message, telling you not to disturb the situation."

During this period, Lin Benjian traveled around the world, attended various academic conferences in the field of optics, and actively promoted the application of immersion lithography technology.

This move was naturally resisted by some major equipment manufacturers, including Connie, an industry leader, and many US-funded companies.

Because once this technology is widely used, it will cause heavy losses to many equipment manufacturers or wafer factories that have invested in the dry 157nm lithography machine route.

And this is the pressure Jiang Shangyi mentioned before.

Jiang Shangyi's words made Lin Benjian feel stunned for a while.

Although Jiang Shangyi told Lin Benjian before that if TSM adopts his plan, there is likely to be pressure from peers and the supply chain.

Fortunately, the company has not yet decided to adopt it, and even Lin Benjian just went out to sell the plan, which aroused dissatisfaction among these people.

Lin Benjian felt very aggrieved, but he had no choice. Cutting off someone's financial path was like killing one's parents. In the face of vested interests, adhering to the truth inevitably comes with a price, and this price was too heavy for him to bear.

"Mr. Jiang, technology is changing with each passing day. If new technologies are strangled in the cradle just because of concerns about this and that, how can this society progress? I just feel that if my solution is the optimal solution, it can also help those companies.

Reduce R&D investment. After all, if they continue to move forward on the wrong path, the more money they will spend."

Jiang Shangyi waved his hand and said, "You don't have to tell me this. I know what you did during this period. Don't you still know what those people think? You are destroying their jobs and slapping them in the face."

.even if one of them is interested in your plan

If you are tempted, you must also be wary of your friends and businessmen. After all, in today's society, interests are intertwined. Everyone is a player in the same supply chain. If you offend others, you will easily be cheated. Okay, I won't say much else. I hope you can understand.

.Go and do your business."

"OK."

With a frustrated mood, Lin Benjian left Jiang Shangyi's office.

As soon as he went out, Lin Benjian's cell phone rang at his waist.

"Hello, are you Mr. Lin Benjian?"

Listening to the completely unfamiliar voice coming from the phone, Lin Benjian said doubtfully: "It's me, are you?"

"Hello, Mr. Lin, my name is Li Qiu. Are you free to come out for a cup of coffee now? I'm just downstairs in your company. I want to talk to you about something that interests you."

"What am I interested in?"

Lin Benjian looked back and found that Jiang Shangyi's office door was closed, so he walked towards the elevator.
To be continued...