Core Viewpoint - A new American chip equipment startup, Substrate, has emerged as a unicorn with a valuation exceeding $1 billion, aiming to challenge industry giants ASML and TSMC in the semiconductor sector [5][6]. Group 1: Company Overview - Substrate has secured $100 million in seed funding and is focused on developing advanced X-ray lithography technology that claims to rival ASML's High-NA EUV machines, achieving a resolution comparable to 2nm semiconductor nodes [6][7]. - The company has designed a new type of vertically integrated foundry that utilizes particle accelerators to produce extremely bright beams of light, which are essential for advanced semiconductor manufacturing [8]. Group 2: Technology and Innovation - Substrate's first production-grade 300mm wafer lithography equipment has been completed, capable of withstanding the high G-forces required by leading foundries [9]. - The company aims to reduce the cost of top-tier silicon wafers significantly, projecting a cost of around $10,000 by 2030, compared to the current $100,000 [9]. Group 3: Strategic Goals - Substrate's ultimate goal is to surpass ASML's business scope and establish a custom semiconductor manufacturing foundry in the U.S., with plans for mass production starting in 2028 [10]. - The company intends to build a network of foundries equipped with its lithography machines, aiming to produce high-quality wafers at lower costs [12][13]. Group 4: Leadership and Vision - CEO James Proud emphasizes the need for the U.S. to regain its leadership in semiconductor production through a new, vertically integrated foundry model that continues to push the boundaries of Moore's Law [12][22]. - Proud, a serial entrepreneur with no prior experience in the chip industry, has assembled a team of about 50 experts from leading companies and national laboratories to drive Substrate's vision [20][18]. Group 5: Industry Challenges - Analysts express skepticism about Substrate's ambitious plans, noting the complexity and capital intensity of the semiconductor supply chain, which has historically taken decades and significant investment to develop [21][26]. - Despite the challenges, Proud remains confident, arguing that historical precedents show that such ambitious goals can be achieved [26].

编辑 | 漠影 芯东西10月29日报道，一家神秘的美国芯片设备创企刚刚露面，就成为新晋半导体独角兽，还放出豪言 壮语，立志挑战半导体产业的两大巨头——光刻机霸主ASML和晶圆厂霸主台积电。 这家创企是Substrate，已获得1亿美元（约合人民币7亿元）种子轮融资，估值超过10亿美元（约合人民 币71亿元）。 它开发了一种新型的先进X射线光刻技术，使用粒子加速器从较短波长的X射线中产生光源，产生更窄 的光束。 该公司声称已经解决了光刻技术领域最棘手的难题之一，其机器展示的结果可与ASML的High-NA EUV 机器生产的功能相媲美，分辨率相当于2nm半导体节点，并具有远远超越的能力。 团队约50人。 作者 | ZeR0 ▲Substrate具有12nm临界尺寸和13nm尖端间距的随机逻辑接触阵列，具有高图案保真度 根据官网介绍，Substrate团队设计了一种新型垂直集成代工厂，利用粒子加速器产生世界上最亮的光 束，从而实现了一种先进的X射线光刻新方法。 其加速器能够产生并驱动比太阳亮数十亿倍的光束，这些光束直接进入Substrate的光刻工具。每个工具 都采用全新的光学和高速机械系统，以生产先进半导体芯片 ...