Intel(US:INTC) Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-12-02 06:54Core Viewpoint - The U.S. government is set to become a shareholder in a semiconductor startup named xLight, led by Pat Gelsinger, former CEO of Intel, marking a significant investment in domestic chip manufacturing efforts [1][3]. Investment Details - The U.S. Department of Commerce announced a non-binding letter of intent to invest up to $150 million in xLight, which focuses on developing advanced and cost-effective chip manufacturing methods [3]. - This investment will come from the CHIPS and Science Act and will be made in equity form, allowing the federal government to hold shares in the company [3]. Strategic Importance - This transaction represents the first agreement reached by the CHIPS Research and Development Office under the Trump administration, highlighting efforts to reclaim leadership in semiconductor manufacturing [3]. - Currently, most advanced semiconductors are produced outside the U.S., primarily by Taiwan's TSMC and South Korea's Samsung [3]. Technological Advancements - xLight is developing free-electron laser technology as an alternative light source for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines, which are essential for cutting-edge chip manufacturing [4]. - The technology aims to enhance the performance of equipment produced by ASML, the global leader in EUV lithography systems, and is expected to significantly reduce capital expenditures and operational costs for semiconductor fabs [4]. Leadership and Background - Pat Gelsinger, who resigned as Intel's CEO due to the company's poor performance and lag in the AI chip race, became the executive chairman of xLight in March [5]. - Gelsinger has been a key advocate for the CHIPS Act and has acknowledged past mistakes made by Intel in technology leadership [5][7]. - He believes xLight has the potential to advance Moore's Law and enhance domestic technological capabilities while increasing wafer production efficiency [8].